Piccadilly Bistro's mushroom caps are a seafood assault with copious amounts of shrimp and atlantic scallops. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

SEAFOOD EXTRAVAGANZA

Signature Dish: Piccadilly Bistro’s seafood mushroom caps

Mar 4, 2021 | 11:00 AM

NANAIMO — Piccadilly Bistro’s take on a classic appetizer is a showstopper, combining earthy bite-sized mushrooms with a plethora of seafood.

The ensemble draws an instant ‘wow’ from those who order it and has become a highly-popular signature item for the casual dining bistro.

“It’s piled high with the shrimp, the scallops on top of that and then the cheese goes on it and it’s molded,” Tracy Brandsma, Piccadilly Bistro owner, said. “It goes into the oven for about 20 minutes…you have to have the cheese just right, it’s got to be golden brown.”

A mountain of seafood is tied together beautifully with a rich seafood sauce, a recipe which Brandsma keeps closely guarded.

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There’s also quality in the ingredients with Brandsma electing to use the pricier atlantic scallop in combination with the shrimp.

“The quality of them is what I’m looking for. They don’t have the shrink, they’re juicy, it’s all about quality and I want to serve you the same thing I would serve my family.”

Piccadilly Bistro sits on the shores of Westwood Lake, providing a unique and secluded dining experience. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Serving of the dish causes an instant double take and a feeling the kitchen got your order wrong. It more closely resembles a french onion soup than a preconceived notion of what mushroom caps look like.

Cutting into it soon reveals the treat you’re in store for with layer upon layer of seafood…in short, these aren’t your average mushroom caps.

In all the years Brandsma has served the dish, dating back to a restaurant she owned in Powell River, few people have had issues with the meal.

“We’ve only had two complaints. One, the man thought there was too much shrimp and the other was disappointed it wasn’t just little caps with cream cheese.”

Piccadilly Bistro sits nestled off the walkway around Westwood Lake. It sits next to the Westwood Tennis Club on Arbot Rd., less than 10 minutes from central Nanaimo.

Piccadilly Bistro sits just back from Westwood Lake and takes full advantage of its location with beautiful pocket views. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

The restaurant takes advantage of its pocket views of the lake with ample natural light and large windows. An expansive patio is a hot spot in the summer.

“You can come out, have your drink and dinner, go for a walk around the lake. It’s such a beautiful setting, it really is Nanaimo’s best kept secret.”

The bistro will celebrate its third birthday in May 2021 after beginning as a high-tea venue while offering catering and different baked goods.

It was Brandsma’s talent in the kitchen and the loyalty of her customers which allowed the restaurant to survive a three-month COVID-19 shutdown in 2020.

“During the first initial lockdown, I made sugar cookies. I sold over 3,000 sugar cookies, my customers bought them all up so I could pay my rent, it’s very touching.”

Piccadilly Bistro opens for lunch between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday during the winter months, with expanded hours over the summer.

For a full menu or more information, visit Piccadilly Bistro on Facebook. Reservations can be made by calling (250) 591-5516.

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