I got a lead on a very unique dining opportunity via Chowhound.  Fuel, a top restaurant in town, does a spot prawn boil each Saturday night only for a few weeks in May-June. 12 people, one seating.  I called weeks ahead of time and was delighted to get a reservation.  The locals were quite impressed that I even found out about it – it is kind of the local equivalent to Hungry Cat’s annual crab fest.  (Speaking of, they just opened up reservations for that, hurry if you haven’t already signed up)

This was an absolutely phenomenal meal.  We sat up at the bar with 10 others.  They spread out newspaper all over.  The Amuse was a beautiful and delicately flavored tuna tartare.  Then came a clean and brightly-tasting arugula salad with homemade ricotta served over a squash puree.  Then onto the good stuff…

The chef brought out the alive and kicking spot prawns for inspection.  They were some of the most largest and lively prawns I have ever seen.  They were boiled in a flavorful blend of spices that included fennel, sausage, potato, radish, wine, lemon, and paprika.  He poured them all over the bar and we just dug in.   Wow.  So succulent, so bursting with subtle shrimp flavor. 

At one point I sort of complained to Scot that I wished I had something to dip the potatoes in; he told me to “Dip it in Head.”  Well, that is just what I did.  The juices that came out of the prawns were so sweet and perfectly accentuated with the cooking broth.  It made for a great dipping "sauce" for the potatoes. 

Scot  and I both agreed that this dinner so raised the bar for spot prawns that we think it will be tough for the rest of the restaurants to even come close.  We shall see...

  BEFORE...

AFTER!

___________

Fuel Restaurant

1944 West 4 Ave

604-288-7905

http://www.fuelrestaurant.ca/