Did you know that August is prime salmon season? This time of year is where the fish dwell in their pure, natural environment. So to celebrate British Columbia’s Bounty this Wild BC Salmon Season, the BC Salmon Marketing Council is partnering with some of British Columbia’s top restaurants and retailers to bring fresh and wild BC salmon dishes to plates across the province.
Running from August 1st to the 15th you can try limited time only Salmon centric dishes, and today we were at the wildly popular Water St. Cafe to do just that. For those unfamiliar, this is the corner restaurant located across the street from the iconic Gastown Steam Clock.
Seeing as we were already here, we also decided to see what else they have going on for summer.
We took the fair weather opportunity to sit on their sidewalk patio and enjoy the extra people watching traffic, thanks to it being a holiday and cruise ship season. We were seated right at the corner with a prime view of the steam clock, so long as no pedestrian stood in front of us, in order to view it for themselves.
We started with a couple glasses of sparkling to mark the occasion, and followed that up with some cocktails.
The Rosemary Apple Daiquiri was like a summer mulled cider with lamb’s rum, lime, rosemary, and apple. Thanks to the savoury herbs this made for a decent pairing with food.
The Espresso Martini is a classic with absolut vodka, kahlúa, cold brew, and sugar.
As for food we started with the Burrata Caprese with heirloom tomato, sun-dried tomato pesto, balsamic glaze, and basil oil. This is a great hot summer day dish. I would recommend getting an order of their house made focaccia bread to enjoy it with. As is it felt like it was missing something dense to carry the creamy cheese and sweet fruit, especially given how salty the tapenade is as a stand alone.
The Bison Carpaccio was terrific with dark pepper and meaty morsels. Pink peppercorn crust, grana padano, truffle aïoli, olive oil, crispy capers, and balsamic glaze. Tasty as is, but the house focaccia would have been nice here as well.
An order of Grilled Focaccia comes with four slices served with olive oil and balsamic for dipping. Not overly herbed, it serves as the perfect base for the above.
Switching to our featured salmon entree, we decided to pair our entree with wine, which would be more complimentary to the salmon than sweet cocktails. And Water St. currently has a BC Rose program that served as a great option.
Available by the bottle, glass, or ounce; I recommend ordering a few smaller pours to build your own flight. Out of 5 options we tried the following three.
The 2022 Mission Hill Estate Winery Reserve Rosé with Kelowna Osoyoos and Oliver fruit is recommended as the perfect sipping wine. It has a mouth-watering citrus zest, fruit bouquet, with pink grapefruit aromatics, revealing notes of watermelon and lychee. I got red cherry on the nose, with a sweet milky strawberry in the mouth. Although I found this one a little flat.
The 2024 Dirty Laundry Hush Rosé is from Summerland. It is described as opening with aromas of strawberry and red cherry, which eases into a fruit-forward, well balanced finish. I got rhubarb and apple on the nose with tart sugars, this followed through to a jammy quality on the tongue and a lingering taste.
Unsworth Charme De L’ile Sparkling Rosé from Cowichan Valley BC. It is Vancouver Island Pinot Noir dominant giving it aromas of raspberries, red apple and cranberry. Dry and refreshing with flavours of ruby red grapefruit, cranberry and strawberry. I got dehydrated apricot from this dry sparkling wine. On the palate I made out stone fruits like peach and nectarine, coupled with citrus. I found this the best paired with the salmon, out of the three.
Wild BC salmon and puttanesca, this is why we were here. A thinly sliced salmon filet, seared with a crispy skin. I found the fish on the dry side, but the sauce was helpful in softening it up. I appreciated the mix of seafood that came with it, including clams, scallop, and shrimp.
However it was all on the salty side and the house-made bread would have made a difference here as well. The olives only exacerbated this, as did the mustard seeds, but I did enjoy the crunch of the lattter, offered in contrast. Some rice or pasta would have been ideal, as a base to soak up some of the bolder flavours.
And hearing it was my birthday the day before, I was surprised with a dessert to share with my guest. Two in one with tiramisu and cannolis. The former was the Italian classic with coffee-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone mousse, and coffee liqueur. So soft in melted in your mouth without the need to chew. Like the slightly more solid form of our espresso martini above.
I enjoyed everything about the cannolis. Served as a pair, filled with rotating flavours, today it was a refreshing blueberry. I liked that with the cream cheese and tart berry this wasn’t too sweet. The shell was the best part with a shortbread meets butter cookie quality to it.
In short, visit Water St. Cafe to celebrate and support BC wild salmon, and stay for the unique views, classic dishes, and an extensive assortment of beverages.
Water St. Café
300 Water St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1B6
(604) 689-2832
waterstreetcafe.ca
