Thursday, March 22, 2007

Go Fish


The view outside

It has been raining for days and days and days. Occasionally as a fine mist, sometimes as a torrential cascade, mostly as dull, mundane showers. It has become rather wearing. We walk around looking like soaked prunes, our skin all wrinkled by the ubiquitous moisture. I'm developing webs between my fingers, and I think I'm seeing gills starting to sprout on the kids.

On Tuesday, however, the rain eased up for few hours. I seized the opportunity afforded and ventured outside the office for lunch. I had intended to head over to Granville Island, but I could tell that the steely clouds watching were considering whether or not to douse me. So instead I diverted to the nearby Go Fish.

Dearest Friends, Go Fish is a treat. Its modest accommodation, in a neat but small shack down by False Creek Fishermen's Wharf, belies the scrummy seafood it serves up. Truth be told, I try and avoid going there on all but the rarest of occasons. You see, I have eaten in many a fine chippie, so I feel quaified to say that, fins down, they serve up the most delish fish 'n' chips in the northern hemishere*; huge roof tiles of heavenly halibut in perfect, crisp, golden, beer batter with just-right thumbs of potato. So for the sake of my arteries and waistline, I deny myself.

So on Tuesday, lured by the shack's siren call, I forewent the halibut and plumped instead for an oyster po' boy. Three enormous, juicy, fresh oysters grilled simply and served upon a superb, ciabatta-esque bun with salsa and onions. Oh, look, someone's posted a piccie of one here. After a sort spell gazing out at the trawlers at dock, my name was called and the sarnie was wrapped up in newspaper (Yes! It's true! How glorious!!) by a lovely tattooed woman. I hustled the scrumptious package back to my desk, just beating the clouds as they decided to open up again.

It's been raining pretty much ever since.

*I've not sampled any Antipodean examples, hence my geographic restriction. Second place goes to Bryan's in Headingly, and third to the chippie in Bradwell, where on Friday evening you'l wait the better part of an hour wating as the entire village drops by to pick up supper.

The King Khan & BBQ Show - Fish Fight (buy here or e-here)
Thowing Muses - Fish (buy here or e-here)
Dressy Bessy - Who'd Stop The Rain (buy here )

5 comments:

Mentok said...

Yes, the rain in Vancouver. It will drive you nuts, won't it.

They should put signs up at the airports and roads into the city: "Welcome to Vancouver! The Rain Will F__king Kill You!"

If it's any help (which I doubt it is), remember you are doing penance for living in a climate that, by Canuck standards, is temperate.

Here's a useful exercise: stick an ice cube in your mouth and suck. Then stick your hands and feet in buckets of ice. Then stick your head in the freezer.

Then imagine feeling like that for several hours a day every day for six months of the year.

All of sudden, that rain is going to seem warm and cheerful ;-)

But who am I to talk? I live on the arid prairies, so anything resembling moisture or humidity sends me into shock.

Rachel said...

It seems the rain I have been dancing and hoping for here has gotten lost. We always want what we can't have I suppose. Dearest FiL I hope it dries up there soon...The weather has been quite fishy lately. ;-)

Great theme tracks!

adam said...

I've taken to buying a couple of oysters to slurp from the shell as a reward whilst out doing the shopping, it really is the most fantastic experience. It's still very difficult to beat great fish and chips, though. The Fryer's Delight, Theobalds Road, Bloomsbury, london. Huge pieces of fish, great chips, all fried in dripping, quality industrial tea and a wally on the side. Can't beat it.

mjrc said...

your description of the fish and chips makes me very hungry.

we used to go to a place on front street just south of the south street seaport called carmine's, and it was a quintessential new york-style version of what you describe, with an italian touch. mmmmm.

Colin said...

Rain? Rain you say? Welcome tae Glasgow FiL :) But seriously, hope it eases up soon.

PS. "...roof tiles of heavenly halibut..." (that was such a great line)