Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub


308 Catherine Street, 386-2739, http://www.spinnakers.com/default.aspx
 

Nothing really bugs me more than the mis-use of the term "gastro pub." The term means something very specific and for all Spinnaker's strengths it is not a gastro brew pub.

Spinnaker's is a pub, and a very good pub at that. They brew their own beer, they have a great view and have acceptable food - this, does not a gastro pub make. Let me explain: the art of gastronomy refers to a style of cooking, that is above average and depicts a regional cuisine in a exceptional way. The term gastro pub originates  from a recent UK trend of applying fine dinning style cuisine into a pub style atmosphere.

There is no way Spinnaker's food qualifies as fine dinning, with respect to quality, execution or presentation.

Now that I'm done with that - the food at Spinnaker's is in the top tier of pubs is Victoria. They do put in a little extra effort on the menu selections, but of course that is reflected in the price ($10-15 at lunch time). My principle criticism would be presentation: if I'm going to spend $15 on curry I would hope the restaurant could spring for some parsley, sparing me from looking down at a plate of entirely brown food. Otherwise, I would suggest that the curry tasted like over-spiced beef stew, maybe you'd call this English curry, but I think even an Englishman might be disappointed. Luckily, I like beef stew, so it satisfied me on this day.

Patty had a Jerk chicken sandwich with Kennebec fries (Kennebec is a variety of potato). The sandwich had a nice flavour, was a bit spicy (perhaps spicier than my curry) and the fries were house-cut and had a lovely flavour.

The service was acceptable and the ambiance pleasant. They do have a wine list that does exceed most pubs in town and that in conjunction with a selection of yummy house brewed beers, does set them apart in my opinion.

Patty says....

I love brew pubs. If you are looking for a new taste experience in your beer, a brew pub is totally the way to go. Today I started with a pint of pumpkin porter which was lovely and really reminded me of a spiced piece of pumpkin pie. My second pint was a Hefeweisen - a German style, wheat beer. Adding to the experience, this beer was served in a giant, glass beer mug. Spinnakers changes their beer menu regularly so there is often something new to try.   

 

 Reviewed: October 31 2005