By Grace Cheung,
Special to The Post

Our first course of the five course menu was Albacore Tuna Crudo which was served with sliced strawberries, fennel and cucumber ribbons with a light cucumber vinaigrette. The tuna was slightly chilled and very fresh, almost creamy. It was simply and elegantly presented.

Our second appetizer was a Grilled Corn Agnolotti. The pasta was made with acorn flour, giving it a nutty and earthy feel. The brie filling was rich and velvety, and the sprinkling of corn and chives rounded out the dish.

The Pan Seared Duck Breast was served with colourful beets and braised chanterelle. The sprinkling of mushroom and cabbage powders offset the sweetness of the cherry jus. I would have liked the skin to be crispier and the fat rendered out more, but the breast itself was juicy and very flavourful.

The Pemberton Farms Short Rib was processed three different ways: through an overnight marinade, then into the smoker, and then finally braised. The glaze is a reduction of Juniper peppercorns, and the meat was just falling off the bone, and fork tender. The Grilled Strip Loin was a perfect medium rare. The pretty Hasselback potatoes were lightly brushed butter but were a touch underdone. But, everyone else said theirs were just fine.

Dessert paid homage to Roasted Peaches and included a peach mousse as well as some lightly roasted peaches. There was also a peach sorbet atop a strawberry coulis and a praline as well. Excellent blend of textures without being cloyingly sweet, exactly how I prefer my desserts!

If you have a free weekend and enjoy a short vacation in a secluded luxury resort with amazing food, Villa Eyrie is a great option.

Villa Eyrie

600 Ebedora Lane, Malahat, BC

Grace Cheung is a leading food blogger on Urban Spoon.

Read more of her reviews at www.xmasbb.blogspot.ca.