Glowbal Group’s The Fish Shack just launched a new brunch menu with some very tasty items for a weekend visit to the Granville Street restaurant. Brunch is offered here on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 am to 3 pm, enough of a time range to sleep in or get downtown before things get busy, particularly around this busy holiday season.
The Panko-Crusted Lobster Benny ($14.95) caught my eye while my husband opted for the Prawn Po’Boy ($13.95) from the regular menu, also available in an oyster version.
We found the oysters to be some of the freshest around, particularly for a Sunday morning, with a few types available on the day of our visit out of about 20 choices on the menu. Out of the four on the fresh sheet, we chose Kusshi, Read Island, and Sawmill Bay premium oysters ($2.95 each), finding a favourite in the Joyce Point (Read Island) oysters. Although both Joyce Point and Sawmill Bay are harvested from Read Island and are close in flavour profile, we preferred the Sawmill’s (slightly) more delicate, creamy texture and taste.
Oysters are served with a variety of sauces: shallot mignonette (red wine, shallots, herbs), ponzu (citrus vinaigrette), classic seafood cocktail, and hot sauce.
The poached eggs atop the 1/2-pound PEI-sourced lobster tail combined amazingly well with the crunchy pecan and apple side salad. We found the Kennebec fries a tad too seasoned for our palates, though the potatoes were well prepared. We’re sure the kitchen could easily adjust the seasoning on a future visit.
The shrimp po’boy comes served on a baguette with lettuce, tomato, pickle, and Old Bay aioli. Classic and filling, alongside a portion of Kennebec fries, and a glass of bubbly Henkell Blanc de Blancs NV.
[A little *treat* from the chef between courses]
Extra napkins were brought around by our attentive waitress just as she noticed me getting down to the nitty-gritty of my lobster tail.
In addition to brunch bennys (including a vegetarian heirloom tomato, basil, and burrata cheese Caprese benny), there’s “The Rest”: Corn bread hash, Huevos Rancheros, Dungeness crab and egg white omelette, and milk and honey (vanilla Greek yogurt, tropical fruit salad, sugar-dusted waffles). All dishes range in price from $9.95 to $14.95 (for the lobster benny, which I highly recommend). Add a side of half avocado, tropical fruit bowl, or Cheddar cheese baked beans for $3.
Fish from the daily sheet can be prepared either grilled or blackened. Several selections are also Oceanwise-sanctioned, keeping in line with sustainable fishing sold to many of our city’s restaurants. Regular menu items including salads, tacos, sandwiches, appetizers, and fish & chips are also available during weekend brunch hours.
As for drinks, there’s a variety of Caesars, Marina Side cocktails, Fish Shack’s own mocktails, draught and bottled beers, and both BC and international red, white, and bubbly wines by the glass or bottle.
Reggae and blues music played on the Fish Shack’s speaker system, and luckily not too loudly either, while TV screens above showed a variety of football games plus the MLS soccer final that morning.
The Fish Shack is located at 1026 Granville Street in Vancouver. Visit their website for opening hours, detailed menus, and upcoming events.