Dining on top of the world at The Aer Deana Lancaster News Reporter deana@nsnews.com I'VE found heaven. Well, a stice of it anyways. Or maybe a glass. Twenty-five minutes northwest of Victoria, off the beautiful Malahat Drive, is The Aerie. If vouw’re not expecting it the Mediterranean-styled resort comes as a shock: with arched windows and sloping, tiled rooftops it seems almost out of place in the Westcoast rainforest. Almost, but not quite. That’s because when own- ers Leo and Maria Schuster designed the hotel in the late °80s, they took fuil advantage of the rocky site. Twenry-eight rooms, an clegant dining room, spa and conference facilities hug the hillside, care- fully following the steep pitch- esand grades. Above and behind the hotel is thick, green forest, in front, the land falls away to an astonishing view of Finlayson Arm. And with guestrooms fin- ished with overstuffed sofas, thick comforters and enor- mous jacuzzi bathtubs, it would seem a stay at The Aerie couldn’ get much bette Burt it does. Chef Chris Jones joined the staff of The Aerie in 1996 and has developed an ever-chang- ing menu which features French cuisine with a Pacitic Northwest influence. Diners at The Aerie have taken note. It’s been named as one of the best places to dine in the Zagat Readers’ Survey and the tensive wine list was recog: nized with a Gold Award for Best Out of Town Restaurant at the Vancouver Plavhouse International Wine Festival in April. The resort has also received the AAA four dia- mond award and the Mobil four star award. THE view from The Aerie’s dining room: way, way above Finlayson Arm. retreat to reheat It's time you warmed your body and unburdened your spirit. Before the busy holiday season, get away from it all for a few days at our legendary mineral springs, hot pools and saunas. Retreat for some relaxation and reheat your body and soul. feel the heat specials to December 23, 1998 Midweek 2 nights from $740/parson 3 nights from $185/person Weekends 2 nights from £183/ person Based on double occupancy. Plus applicable taxes. THE-SOURCE*OF WINTER REJUVEMATION reservations call: 7-800-663-2266 ———~ www harrisonresort.com OPEAATEO BY: HOSTMAAK WANAGEMENT GROUP Jones keeps his cuisine sim- ple and preters to use local and fresh ingredients. From regional farmers he finds a tasty array of produce, beef) lamb, poultry, game birds and fallow deer. The Pacitic ocean provides tresh seafood while tmusual food: stuffs — from forest mush- rooms, to fresh herbs, morels and a variety of berries enjoy a long growing season on the i land. As Jones is ramoured to be tond of saving: “Hrs all good.” Sunday, Novemcer 14 1998 - North Shore News — 29 _ Phelps’ 1995 Ovation — Jones has been able to Chardonnay. wasn’t the first Ata recent: winemakers dinner featuring wines trom Joseph Phelps Vinevards in It California, he started with Qualicum weathervane scal- lop and Dungeness crab cil- lettes with autumn root veg- etables, a delicious potato velouté, and perhaps the standout of the evening: pheasant, leek and smoked apple sausage, along with “a hint of Quebce foie gras” foo with) pumpkin and time serve apple bread pudding. The smoky, robust flavours were well-paired with a show- case bis talents developing 2 See Festive page 30 Christmas in Winter Christmas and New Yeor’s is o very special time here at iyo and we would like to invite you to join us this Holiday Season. We are nestled on the shores of Tyaughton Lake and surrounded by the Chitcotin Mountain in the middle of o Conadian Winter Wonderland, located five ond a half hours north of Vancouver or two hours west of tillooet. We have daily activities for adults and children throughout the holiday season. Experience horse-drawn sleigh rides, dog sledding, snowmobiling, snow-shoeing, cross-country skiing, ice skating, ice fishing, recreation ond fitness rooms, sauna and an outdoor jacuzzi. {1's alt here, a real Canadian adventure, combined with fine dining and first- class facilities in one of our spacious lodge rooms or cozy lakeside log chalets, Come ond join us, there's no place like it! Tyax Mountain Lake Resort Tyaughton Lake Road Gold Bridge, BC VOK 1P0 Webpage: wr rw.tyax.be.ca —S—__ Tel (250) 238-2221 FAX: (250) 238-2528 Photo Destrube Photography Focus: Plaza Suite Hotel at Saanley Park celebrates. Christmas in the finest tradition Nout tcracker Luncheon Butt F ecember lth - 23rd 11:30 a.m, to 2:30 pan. daily Enjoy our Fabulous Luncheon Buffer on the 35th fluor in Windvws on the Buy with breathtaking views overoaking Engint Bay and Stenley Park Large or small proups welcome, $26. 95 i 7 Pr, Has haves Fiarnal praevdsto Heart and Meube Fotanehtton Complonrntan parking Rowrratients sevantmended: wy hau Yéars Eve Gala December fist 8.00 pm.tu J 00am Windews on the Bay - 45th door Dinner and Dancing with Late Sang Band, Mictaght Bubbly Fran and Cheese Buffet $100.00 per porin, plestewr ‘Gala plus accommodation package Incliaks Gila, Standard accomadation dud complimentary parking $125.00 por percan pus tases tnved on idaabte enctapeanes p zs Partial proceeds from erening to the Heart & strobe Foundation “cala Grand Prize Drate” Vour Chance to Win AGne Night Jacuza Suite wah Breakfast in bed atad Danner at Delia's For more information and ail reservations call our Christmas botline: 622-4488 The Coast Plaza Suite Hotel at Stanley Park 1763 Com EET, VANCOUVER, BC. V6G LPG TeLePHONE: (GOH) GBS-77 1b Fax: (604) 688-5934 rar A 4 Christmas| Day Brunch Buffet Windows an the Buy - 35th floor December 25, 1998 10.00 ani. tu 2:00 p.m. Trachounal Breakfast Brunch $2 6. 95 per penan, plas taws Gimphmentary parking __., Rewerathons reqiéred Zbristmas Day Dinner December 25, 1998 400 pa. 099.00 p.m, Deluxe Chostmes Danner Bulfet with Chef Carved Turkev and atl Ob, tammungs $35.00 poco persan. plustares Complanentary parking Reerrunous nypored ew Years ay Brunch vy » Oring in the New Year with our faludous Lioich Buffet January 1. 1999 WMam W200 pm Windows on the Bay - $5th floor $26.95 por pore. plustaws Comploncatary parking Aaercanans eoyned