Foodies invited to join the WSO on a gourmet

Winnipeg, MB ’Äì January 11, 2010 ’Äì Winnipeg foodies are invited to explore the world of music and food as the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO) and four fine dining establishments partner up to provide lovers of fine cuisine and symphony music with a gourmet journey ’Äì all in one location at the Centennial Concert Hall. The Winnipeg Symphony will be presenting a gourmet journey of food and music in partnership with: Fude, Bistro 7 ¬º, Bergmann’Äôs on Lombard and Lobby on York. Each restaurant will be offering a three course meal that is themed to a specific WSO concert - thereby offering patrons a unique opportunity to explore cuisine from Russia, the New World, North America, Italy and Mexico. ’ÄúThe WSO wants to create memorable musical experiences for audience members. One way we can do this is by considering the opportunities to build other pleasurable components into a concert evening. Winnipeg has so many fine restaurants and chefs, and we can make it easy to explore new restaurants with cuisine inspired by the musical offerings in the concert,’Äù said Trudy Schroeder, Executive Director of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. The dates of the four dining and concert experiences are as follows: January 23: Rhythm & Heat ~ Local & Inspired Cuisine Rhythm & Heat examines the exotic flavours and rhythms from Mexico, Spain and Egypt in partnership with Fude (dinner at 5:30 pm; concert at 8:00 pm). Cardini Salad (Fude version of classic Caesar): Field greens, leaf lettuce and artichoke hearts, tossed with house-made cardini vinaigrette, topped with fresh parmesan cheese Chili Chocolate Chicken with Cayenne Cream: Manitoba free range chicken breast, seared then grilled to finish, slathered in a house-made dark chocolate sauce off-set with a spicy cayenne cream and chilies. Served with our featured potatoes & featured veggies Or Boomerang Gorang: An Indonesian classic reworked Manitoba-style, curried basmati & Lac du Bonnet wild rice sautˆ©ed in exclusive ’Äúboom’Äù sauce with celery, red peppers, red onion & bananas, topped with mango, pineapple, tart apples to bring on the cool house-made rhubarb chutney (vegan friendly) Grand Marnier-Callebaut Chocolate Mousse Flute February 20: Boreyko and Russian Masters ~ Russian Cuisine Boreyko and Russian Masters explores the monumental and raw with former WSO music director Andrey Boreyko in partnership with Bistro 7 ¬º (dinner at 5:30 pm; concert at 8:00 pm). Zakuski: An array of marinated mushrooms, minsk eggs, meat and cabbage piragi, russian potato salad, cured fish and pickled vegetables to be eaten with dark bread and ice cold vodka Beet ’Äúcaviar’Äù with sour cream and potato blini Coulibiac: Salmon or Cabbage cooked in pastry with vegetables served with horseradish sauce and green beans Trio of Aleksandr Torte, Gogol Mogol and Strawberries Romanoff March 27: Classic Movie Heroes and Villains ~ American Cuisine Classic Movie Heroes and Villains delves into a musical battle of good vs. evil, featuring the themes of some of your favourite pop culture heroes and villains with Bergmann’Äôs on Lombard (dinner at 5:30 pm; concert at 8:00 pm). Hero Spinach Salad: Shaved Red Onion, Mushrooms, Bothwell Cheese Crumble and Creamy Herb Dijonette Slow Roasted Breast of Chicken ’ÄúMartini:’Äù Crowned with a Vermouth Jazzed Olive & Tomato Tapenade Set on Fire Roasted Bell Pepper Infused Angry Rice Sinister Streaked Balsamic Current Reduction Or Bow tie pasta with truffle cream, vegetable julienne and parmesan All American Apple Pie with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Caramel Drizzle May 15: Pines, Fountains & Festivals ~ Italian Cuisine Pines, Fountains & Festivals investigates the colour and pageantry of Rome brought to life through Respighi’Äôs stunning orchestral trilogy in partnership with Lobby on York (dinner at 5:30 pm; concert at 8:00 pm). Insalata Caprese Veal Marsala with Mushroom Risotto Or Penne with Grilled Peppers and Rose Sauce Panna Cotta garnished with Berries Prices are $85 per person for each event, which includes the meal and a ticket to the concert. Concert goers who already have a ticket to these concerts can enjoy the meal for just $60 per person. Or create a world package tour and enjoy all four dinner and concert events for only $75 per person per evening. Tickets for the dinner and concert are only available through the WSO box office at 949-3999, online at www.wso.ca.