French Creek Marine Pub serves up an insanely huge halibut and chips which is well worth the drive from anywhere on Vancouver Island. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

FRESH NOT FROZEN

Signature Dish: French Creek Marine Pub’s Halibut and Chips

Aug 20, 2021 | 12:00 PM

NANAIMO — It’s a plate piled high with fried goodness that is well worth the drive.

The French Creek Marine Pub has perfected their version of a fish and chips, highlighting fresh halibut filets, home-cut fries and a tangy in-house made tartar sauce.

Available in one piece (3 oz) or two piece (6 oz) portions, the dish screams west coast ocean living.

“If you don’t nail a fish and chips, especially on a marina, you’re going to set yourself up pretty terribly,” Jeff Wilkinson, executive chef at French Creek Marine Pub said. “In my opinion, fish and chips and a marina go hand in hand so we came up with the different sizes, different dishes using our fresh cod and halibut.”

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The batter is light and crispy, even after being on the plate for a while. The 6 ounce portion pictured above is enormous and more than enough for any hungry appetite.

Fresh is king at French Creek. The pub, nestled adjacent to the marina just north of Parksville, serves up fresh never frozen fish in several dishes on their menu.

It’s the key to making this pub experience different from many others.

“I try to keep everything as simple as possible. Not too much of what we do takes longer than six or eight minutes in the kitchen. We do everything fresh, everything is consistent and every morning fresh product is made to give the best possible experience.”

The fish and chips have drawn rave reviews from a growing audience.

Wilkinson said people come from across Vancouver Island, specifically for fish and chips at French Creek.

“It’s a hidden gem, if you don’t know where the pub is then it’s going to be a little difficult to find. Once people come down here, they get the marina, they can get fresh seafood, the spot is amazing with the nice big patio, we got a lot of people sitting out there.”

Wilkinson has been at the helm of the kitchen for around two years, but graduated culinary school in 1992 and worked in the industry since.

His extensive catering background allows the pub to expand into a restaurant setting upstairs and provide great food for large scale events.

French Creek Marine Pub is open Tuesady through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., closed Sunday’s and Monday’s.

They’re located at 1025 Lee Rd., midway between Parksville and Qualicum Beach. You can find out more information on their menu, history and location by visiting their website.

Signature Dish is brought to you by Island Savings – A Division of First West Credit Union, learn more at https://www.islandsavings.ca/.

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