This weekend we were taking a quick jaunt to Britannia Beach to see how the area is expanding. This included Copper Beach, as one of our stops. They opened as of last November 2024, one of two spots now available for a bite to eat, and the one that had the larger menu of the two.
Visible from the highway with a fantastic view of the mountains beyond the water, Copper Beach carries much history of the area and the role it played in the mining industry. It spoke to this history through the well preserved building, real copper ceiling tiles, black and white photographs, and descriptive drawings of vintage mining tools. All under the umbrella of an Irish bar, as seen through the garland of flags, and their whisky collection displayed in a makeshift shelf of sawed half barrels.
We contemplated over best enjoying the unique view with seats on the patio, but given the intermittent rain kept things indoors of this handsome bar. One given character through stained glass light fixtures and knick knacks on shelves.
We started off with a couple of cocktails. Their listing included all the classic like Caesars and espresso martinis. Both were so well done that we ordered a second round.
Copper Beach Caesar with 1oz vodka, house spice mix, clamato, celery salt rim, and garnished with all the trimmings. Espresso Martini with 1oz Smirnoff Vodka, 1oz Kamora, simple syrup, and a shot of espresso. There is nothing remarkable about either, just a solid rendition of each, delivering on exactly what you wanted and expected from such well known cocktails.
For food we started out safe with a round of Chicken Wings. I often find this a good tell of any pub. There were a few flavour to choose from, including salt and pepper and sweet chilli. We went with the Shamrock secret sauce given the mystery. It was a slightly spiced and slightly tangy barbecue sauce, well coating each wing and drumlet. We had it with a side of blue cheese for a great parallel of flavours. I could have eaten the entire serving myself. Crispy and meaty off the bone, this is the type of wings you lick your fingers clean of.
The menu also offers a selection of flatbreads, The Britannia Beef caught my eye, given its name. Slow roasted beef, caramelized onions, mushrooms, and garlic aioli with reduced Guinness jus. It was bold and beefy like stew, with a lot more liquid than expected. Instead of dipping your bread into stew, this was your stew served over a base of bread. Chewy dough, generous amounts of shredded beef, all sweetened by the onion and given depth with the bold flavour of mushroom and garlic. The description also included fried sage leaves, although there was none on our flatbread. This would have been nice to have, as a helpful way to add some freshness onto an otherwise dense mix. Some contrasting spice or chilli to add contrast to the bread would have also been nice.
My guest was looking for something a lot more heartier and had her eyes set on the Beef & Guinness Pie with Mash. Baked to order it comes with a warning that it will take 20 to bake. This and everything else on the menu is made in house and made to order. House made pie filled with locally sourced AAA beef and Guinness. Served like an entree with a large mound of mashed potatoes and a collection of healthy green broccoli and beans. All swimming in a lake of gravy that was on the lighter and runnier side. It had just enough spice and pepper to accent and not drown, and was complimentary to the rich meat filling hidden behind a layer of flakey and buttery pastry.
The Bangers & Mash was similar in flavour and tone as the above, with its own pool of gravy, prepared in the exact same way. Two pork bangers with creamy mash, caramelized onions and a sea of house gravy. The sausages were filled in house, each easy on the spices, whereas I have had similar with a taste that overwhelms. These were approachable and great as a whole entree.
And we couldn’t walk away without trying the Sticky Toffee Pudding, which was the special dessert of the week. It was so light and fluffy, you can see how airy it was in the base. All surrounded by mounds of whip cream and generous drizzles of caramel for self-directed eating. A lovely and lightly sweetened bite to end high on.
Everything was classically done and of the highest quality. As the only full sit down restaurant in the area they could have easily say anything goes, instead they set the bar for all the restaurants to come. Would love to come back on a Sunday when they have their prime rib roasts and live music. Looking forward to returning to the area in general.
Copper Beach Bar + Kitchen
101 Main St, Britannia Beach, BC V8B 1E7
(236) 312-7294
copperbeachbar.com
