Water St. Cafe in Gastown has launched their annual Crab Fest menu, a seasonal feature that highlights locally sourced B.C. crab across several features. The promotion runs across the Moments Hospitality group of restaurants and encourages guests to explore different locations through a Crab Fest Passport program.
Diners can collect stamps each time they try a featured dish at participating restaurants, with completed passports eligible for prize draws and gift cards.
One of the featured starters is West Coast Crab Cakes made with blue crab, baby shrimp, corn sofrito, and saffron aïoli. This dish is a familiar menu item for regular guests. The crab cakes had a crisp exterior while the interior remained moist with noticeable pieces of crab and shrimp. The corn sofrito added a subtle sweetness while the saffron aïoli contributed a gentle aromatic note.
For a seafood based main, the Cioppino brings together B.C. salmon, crab legs, crispy potato, spinach, and a tomato fennel broth. The broth carried the aroma of fennel and tomato while the seafood added richness to the bowl. Pieces of salmon and crab provided substance, while the crispy potato offered contrast in texture.
The pasta offering, BC Dungeness Crab Pappardelle, features wide ribbons of pasta tossed with crab meat, gem tomatoes, chives, and a sun dried tomato rosé sauce. The pasta provided a good base for the crab while the tomatoes and chives contributed brightness. The rosé sauce tied the elements together without overpowering the crab.
Water St. Cafe is located at 300 Water St, Vancouver, BC.
