Tonight we were invited to Brentwood’s, newest restaurant: Bow & Stern, a day before it opened to the general public. This is the Fraser Valley seafood restaurant’s third location. The original being in Chilliwack, followed by the second in Abbotsford. Both of which I have previously visited and enjoyed both my experiences at.
Living in the Burnaby area and I can confirm that they are a welcomed edition. There is nothing like them in the neighbourhood, no seafood specific restaurant I know of, and would recommend for fresh oysters.
Unlike their previous two locations with the more sea shanty and sailor feel, The Amazing Brentwood location is definitely an elevation for the brand. With wicker hanging lampshades and faux foliage they have a breezy more bohemian vibe.
The neon lights by the picturesque ice bar and the mural of the mermaid on the back wall speaks to their catch of the day and the restaurant’s playfulness.
During our dinner the entire restaurant was shut down and we were gathered by the best seats in the house. Situated against the glass wall with a view of the Tables food court across the way. Worth mentioning is that you can also expect all year round patio seating from them. Although, at the time of our visit it was still under construction.
We were welcomed in with glasses of Veuve Clicquot Prosecco because bubbles and seafood just go hand-in-hand.
We were also able to order and try drinks from their specialty cocktail menu. Although, truthfully, there were so many delicious plates, that majority of us sacrificed drinking for the sake of eating. Myself included.
However, I could not walk away without trying Ube cocktail. Sort of a curveball given the cuisine. However, it does play to Vancouver‘s appetites, and I have never had such an ube-forward cocktail before. The colour was as deep as the flavor. Like a liquid version of the sweet purple yam.
I also got a sip of their Woodfire cocktail served with two squares of chocolate. This one was familiar as their own take on an Old-Fashioned. This was a lot more complementary to our meal to come.
We were over 18 people seated in groups of four and the food came fast. Not only were we impressed by the presentation, but by the quality and taste of everything as well.
We started off with their Signature Seafood Platters, available in hot and cold. The cold is comes as a platter or a tower with two tiers. At $90 for one and $125 for the two. I recommend the latter to get a greater variety and for better sharing. At these prices, this is a discount, compared to anything out of in downtown Vancouver.
The Child Seafood Plate comes with a selection of Oysters, Prawn Cocktail, Tuna Tataki and their Signature B&S Sushi Roll.
The Signature Chilled Seafood Tower is a selection of Oysters, Jumbo Prawn Cocktail, Poached Lobster Tails, Tuna Tataki, and the Signature B&S Roll.
We had the latter and it came with tuna
tataki sitting chilled in fragrant ponzu. A lobster tail halved and undressed, but served with a dish of melted butter kept warm under candle light. We got two different varieties of oysters totalling a dozen for a sweet option and a more briner one.
All crowned by the largest jumbo prawns I have ever seen, served with a very potent cocktail sauce. So less is more when dipping.
I also really liked what they are calling an amped up California roll. Made with real Alaskan snow crab and topped with additional bells and whistles. Snow crab, Cucumber, Avocado, Aburi Yuzu-Tōgarashi mayo, Serrano Pepper, and Tobiko. So much flavour that you do not need soy for this. However, some pickled ginger and wasabi would have been nice as a palate cleansers.
The Hot Seafood Platter platter included Arctic Char, Tiger Prawns, Lobster Tails, Mussels & Clams, Seasonal Vegetables, and Jasmine Rice. A full entree served with family style sharing in mind.
As an add-on we also got some crab legs to really round out the presentation. The seafood is served warm, both the robust lobster tail and the juicy crab legs comes with some cracking required. These two are also unseasoned, so the melted butter is much appreciated here as well.
I was impressed by the bounty of mussels and clams in their own garlic and herb butter dipping sauce. The fun of this is picking and choosing your pieces and using your hands for a more sensory eating experience.
The Fish + Chips is a classic. Made with same recipe they have been using since the family’s first and original seafood restaurant in Kelowna: Captain Sharkys from 1988 to 2012. Crispy breading coating flaky cod, perfectly paired with their house made Tartar and coleslaw. No complains.
Their Seafood Linguini is a best seller across their Fraser Valley locations and I can see why. Well prepared, tender noodles, saturated in a lush white wine cream sauce, speckled with bits of prawns, mussels, and salmon. They also thoughtfully included a chunk of garlic bread so that you would have something to sop up all that delicious sauce with.
A different vibe, but just as tasty was the Lobster & Prawn Mac N’ Cheese. Just as saucy spirals in a blended cheese mix with healthy pieces of lobster meat generously stirred in. You can also get the mac & cheese as is, but honestly if you’re going to do this, go for gold with seafood. Lobster and Argentinian Red Prawn in a Lobster Bisque Cheese Sauce, topped with a Toasted Herb Bread Crumb.
If you want the seafood pasta experience, but without the carbs, then order the Cioppino. This is their Executive Chef’s favourite dish. The same assortment of seafood as the linguine, but prepared it in a tangy tomat- base red sauce. Mussels, Clams, Prawns, Salmon, and Seasonal White Fish in a Tomato Fennel Broth with Garlic and Chili Flakes. The sauce pooled and I found myself drinking it like soup, and once again using that great side of bread as the perfect vehicle to pick it all up with.
Another lobster loaded dish I recommend is their East Coast Lobster Dip. Be warned, you want to eat this one fast. It is best still warm when the paste is still peaked and easily scooped up with their crispy and crunchy slices of baguette. I especially liked uncovering the large chunks of lobster meat embedded within. Lobster, Mozzarella And White Cheddar Dip, Toasted Garlic Bread Crumbs, and Grilled Sourdough.
And if you are looking for something a little lighter, direct you attention to the Cobb salad. It is very photogenic, laid out uniformly, so you do need to stir it all together for more meaningful bites. Prawn & Avocado Cobb Salad with Mixed Greens, Crumbled Goat Cheese, Sliced Avocado, Gem Tomatoes, Radish, Medium Poached Egg, Grilled Tiger Prawn Skewer, Remoulade, and Bacon. Dressed with a Green Goddess Dressing. A refreshing option, but today, with this meal, it couldn’t compare.
And to show they are not just seafood, but also does steak well, this is a special platter they prepared tonight to showcase three different cuts of Canadian AAA steak in one. Each offered separately and accompanied by buttery smooth Mashed Potato and Seasonal Vegetables, today that was broccolini.
8oz Top Sirloin, 10oz Striploin, and 12oz Rib eye. Each prepared so well with a perfect pinky-red center. The meat melted in with bites of whipped potato.
You can also add-on your choice of steak sauces to perk up your cut. You can choose between Peppercorn, Wild Mushroom Demi Glace, and/or Chimichurri. The sauces offering some brightness and acidity to an otherwise fairly dense dish.
In short, there is no doubt in my mind that Burnaby is going to eat Bow & Stern up. Once again, a welcomed addition to the area, where there is nothing else like it. It is so nice to be able to have quality fresh seafood like this outside of downtown Vancouver, and at Burnaby pricing.
Speaking with the owners we learned that they are planning on launching brunch soon. You can expect the same quality seafood, but coupled with classic breakfast plates like eggs Benny, omelettes, and croque monsieur. There is also rumours of a champagne and caviar brunch in the works. So they are definitely the ones to visit the next time you are hankering for some quality seafood in Brentwood, Burnaby.
Brentwood Mall is certainly becoming a foodie destination and I am here for it as it means I need not drive all the way downtown for some quality cuisine. And the only competition are well-known big chain casual restaurants, so if given the chance why not try some thing a lot more local with a lot more character?
Bow & Stern
4567 Lougheed Hwy. #2626, Burnaby, BC V5C 3Z6
(236) 455-6562
bowandstern.ca
First location was in Abby, second was in Chilliwack. It’s an Abbotsford hood legend. A great place for seafood lovers. Most restaurants in Abbotsford go bankrupt real fast, but Bow & Stern was one of the very few that has thrived. Greek Islands is still Abby’s #1 hood legend, but they only tried a Surrey location. I’m curious to see how Bow & Stern does at Brentwood. One thing is for sure, It’s a much shinier version of the quaint original in Downtown Abby.