February 1st – 28th, 2011

Vancouver, B.C. – Executive Chef Frank Pabst’s Unsung Heroes take pride of place at Vancouver’s multiple award winning Blue Water Cafe throughout the month of February.

Long a champion of our coastal fisheries, and protective of commercially endangered species, Chef Pabst created the annual Unsung Heroes festival seven years ago. His concept is simple: avoid species that are over-fished, or fished in ways that damage ocean beds or cause unnecessary by-catch, by introducing diners to new experiences and flavours using species found in abundance.

“During the winter – while halibut and salmon stocks replenish – it’s the ideal time to feature the full potential of species that are often overlooked,” Pabst said. “Our Unsung Heroes are not only plentiful, they’re delicious and nutritional.”

Again this year, 10 per cent of proceeds will be donated to the Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise sustainable seafood program, of which Blue Water Cafe is a founding member.

MENU

Jellyfish
marinated with sesame oil and togarashi, daikon and cucumber salad  9.50

Periwinkles
sea snails cooked in a white wine vegetable bouillon
served chilled in their shells with saffron aioli  9.50

Herring   
pickled in apple schnapps, vegetable relish, smoked potato sponge  9.50

Herring Roe
kombu seaweed, bonito flakes, dashi, soy  10.50
 
Seaweed
kaiso salad with avocado, cucumber, sesame, ponzu and rice bran oil  7.50

Anchovy
white anchovies marinated with garlic and parsley, parmesan custard
fennel and romaine hearts in organic olive oil and lemon vinegar  9.50

Geoduck  
mirugai ubuki sashimi with tama miso sauce  15.50

Sea Cucumber
nori spring roll with sea cucumber, oysters, snow peas, shiitake mushrooms, bean sprouts

pea shoot salad with hoisin dressing  10.50

Mackerel
eggplant baba ghanoush with nasturtium and golden raisins
preserved beech mushrooms, long pepper balsamic reduction  9.50

Octopus
grilled with chilean merken spice, garlic confit, chickpeas, charred red peppers  11.50

Sardine
in a blanket with pine nut gremolata, cardoon, black olives, preserved grapefruit
citrus chili gastrique  9.50

Red Sea Urchin + Squid
fresh squid ink pasta, crispy market squid, quail egg, sea urchin cream  12.50
For reservations, visit bluewatercafe.net/resos or call 604 688 8078.