Today we were back at Burnaby’s new seafood hot spot to check out their brunch offerings.
This crisp fall morning, their glass walls gave a stunning look at the reddening of fall leaves in contrast to their striking faux green and wicker ceiling feature.
We started with a round of their classic brunch beverages. Their Brunch Mimosa is is Sparkling Wine mixed with your choice of Orange, Grapefruit or Pineapple Juice. I would recommend getting a round for the table with a whole 750ml Bottle of Prosecco. Ideal for 2 or more. Having it with real fruit juice makes it feel more healthy.
We also tried a couple of their Brunch Caesars. Smirnoff Vodka, Signature Caesar Mix, Pickle, Olive, and Togarashi Spice Rim. To make this more of an appetizer you can add oysters and/or jumbo black tiger prawn for extra. The Caesar was a little bland for my tastes, I would have liked the consistency thicker and there to be more Clamato juice in the mix. This tasted like a pre-made bottle mix.
Although not brunch specific, you can’t come to Bow and Stern without ordering their fresh oysters. It is one of their staples, available in both West Coast and East Coast options, on rotation. We got a mix of a dozen. Sadly, oysters are not currently in season, and these were reflective of that. A little on the scrawny side, served with Fresh Shaved Horseradish, Mignonette, Tabasco, and Lemon. Available as a half or a dozen over ice. None of which were detached from the shell, something we didn’t realize until we attempted to slurp one down. I did appreciate the fresh ground horseradish, it was so fragrant and did well to accent the the natural brininess of the shellfish in contrast.
Something I have yet to see on the brunch scene is a Brunch Tower. Bow and Stern has a set served much like a tea tower with three tiers. Smashed Avocado Toast, Eggs Benny, Waffles, Pancakes, Pastries, Yogurt Parfait, and Seasonal Fruit.
This serves 2-3 people, and offers a good way to get a taste of the “classic” portion of their brunch menu. Just minus the fried chicken for the chicken and waffles and you do not get their take on a BLT, but with an egg and hashbrowns.
The regular Smashed Avocado Toast is Grilled Sourdough, Smashed Avocado, Watermelon Radish, Heirloom Tomato, and Poached Egg. The tower version is without the poached egg, but you get your fill else where. The toast was the highlight, a lovely a tasty tangy sourdough. A little soggy from the olive oil and balsamic drizzle, so make sure to eat this one first and fast as a light start.
As I mentioned earlier, you get their waffles, but not the Fried Chicken, Fried Egg, Hollandaise, and Seasoned Smash Browns that comes with the full order. This was a classic Belgian Waffle with embedded sugar crystals, given additional sweetness with a side of Maple Syrup for self dressing. A little dry, I preferred it with the berry compote that the pancakes came with.
Signature Buttermilk Pancakes with Blueberry Compote and Chantilly Cream. Light and fluffy, these were exactly as expected. Like your childhood, but with the ability to dress them however we want as an adult.
The Bacon Benny was Two Medium Poached Eggs, Back Bacon, and Hollandaise over an English Muffin. Just without its typical side of Seasoned Smash Browns, but we would not missed them below. Here, the salty Canadian back bacon was the dominant tone. Salty and chewy it masks the more muted creamy hollandaise and left me wanting some acidity to balance it out.
As as a dessert of sorts our tower came with miniature versions of their Yogurt Parfait. Greek Yogurt, Granola, Honey, Fresh Berries and Melon. I liked how curated this presentation was with the thinly sliced curls of both cantaloupe and melon, plus the varied mix of berries. I just would have liked to have the granola on the side. This is so that if you decide to have it last, like we did it, the mix would still be crunchy. It felt more like a sweet end than a light start.
Not listed on the regular menu, and what looks to be only available as part of the tower is their collection of pastries. Served room temperature, I can’t be sure if they are made in house or served to order. Two plain butter croissants, a chocolate filled Danish, and a guava jelly filled pastry with a stunning honey-comb pattern. The guava was my favourite, as a flavour you don’t get to encounter often.
Looking for something a little more dressy I highly recommend the Lobster Croque Madame. Sourdough Grilled Cheese, Lobster, Sunny Side Up Egg, and a Cheese Sauce. This is their brunch time best seller and I can see why. It is lick your fingers decadent. Sweet and buttery lobster with a toasted crunch from the sourdough, all brought together by the lush cream. The only critique I could give is to have a nice sear or char on the lobster, to better highlight its presence under all that heavy sauce.
Bow and Stern has two other locations in Abbotsford and Chilliwack, where they first opened. Everything above is available there, however to mark Brentwood’s new opening they have two exclusives to this location.
Listed on the menu as “Brentwood Exclusives”. We passed on the heavier Steak & Egg which is an 8oz Sirloin with 2 Fried Eggs and Chimichurri.
Instead we got the Prawn & Avocado Benny. Chilled Prawns, Avocado, Soft Poached Eggs, and Hollandaise. Served with Seasoned Smash Browns. Like their smashed avocado toast and Benny combined, but with the addition of prawns. I have not encounter many Bennys with prawns. Like all their other Bennys it is their butter-based hollandaise that is key and king. And like with the lobster feedback, I would have liked some grill flavour on the prawns as well. An added smokiness to have it standing out and making this one truly unique.
In summary, this is a classic brunch, they are not trying to reinvent the wheel, but offer the neighbourhood something tried and true. This they do that well. So much so that I am offering you a way to get a taste of this, or anything from their lunch and dinner menu.
Visit my Instagram page for my latest giveaway. Follow @magmei & @bow.and.stern, like my post, and tag 2 people who you want to have brunch with for a chance to win a $100 giftcard.
Then check out the reel to see what you can spend it on. The contest will run from Wednesday, November 13th to the end of day Monday, November 18th. I will draw the winner and announce the winner by the end or the week. Good luck!
Bow & Stern Brentwood
4567 Lougheed Hwy. #2626, Burnaby, BC V5C 3Z6
(236) 455-6562
bowandstern.ca
