The Spotted Prawn Bistro Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

The Spotted Prawn's name has been calling out to me for years. Though, it was only last week that my lips had the chance to answer. It did not disappoint.

Tucked away downtown on the Burrard Inlet, this hidden gem offers ever-changing views of three ski mountains, Stanley Park's rain forest, Canada Place and North Vancouver. It is easy to take in the view with the 20-foot plus ceilings and wall of windows. Wood floors and light coloured leather chairs offer natural warmth not always found in upscale places.

Keeping in mind that this is billed, as a Bistro, would explain why the food portions were generous. Rudolph and I ordered off the daily sheet the seafood feature of Grilled Mahi Mahi with Sautéed Scallops topped with Mandarin Cilantro Beurre Blanc. Mahi Mahi is a type of dolphin fish but not a mammal. It's a moderately fat fish, with less than 6% fat, a firm texture, flavourful and light tasting. Served with Steamed Japanese Rice and Vegetables Panache (vegetables with assertive flamboyance; confidence of style or manner) and yes the veggies were pretty good.
The Mandarin Cilantro Beurre Blanc, butter sauce, was perfect. So we asked them to whip us up a little more. Mandarin seedless sections added a festive flair to the scallops. Wish we could find scallops in the morning in an omelet - they were succulent. Dinner began with sun-dried tomato focaccia bread, a nice change from white rolls.

The menu is not a reading ordeal. Besides the fresh sheet, 14 other main courses were offered, lots of seafood, a little duck, beef Wellington and lamb sirloin.

Wines by the bottle numbered 47 with a price range of $30 to $85 Canadian, lots of New World wines with the option to purchase 15 brands by the glass. Jim, the manager, recommended British Columbia's Blue Mountain Chardonnay or Sebastiani, Zinfandel, California.

Onto the dessert of Chocolate Silk Cake with a walnut and pecan crust, white chocolate shavings and Bailey's Crème Anglais. Also sharing with Rudolph a trio of white chocolate, strawberry and vanilla Crème Brulees. Plenty of chocoholics amongst us, never can understand why everyone is not one? So the Silk Cake, especially because of the crust, almost won out, but the vanilla Crème Brulee was out of this world! Served on a plate with blood oranges and strawberries. Rudolph asked, "Is that the natural colour of that orange?" and dared me to eat it.

The restaurant seats 80 inside and 60 on its patio. Main courses are $18 to $29 Canadian and the luncheon menu looks like a steal with enough items under $10. With the occasional appearance of a float plane or cruise ship on the blue water and no pedestrian foot traffic to block the view, the Spotted Prawn is a place for dreaming and eating.

Venture out and drink up life!

The Sipping Chef
Email: chefsusan@wineries.ca