How do you feel when you walk into an empty restaurant? Are you excited that you get your pick of tables or skeptical about what is coming out of the kitchen? I was pleasantly surprised by the fare at the Captain’s Table Fish and Chips, 1823 portage Ave. in spite of the restaurant being completely empty on a Monday evening. The helpful server told me that they are very busy at lunch and later in the week so keep this in mind if you plan to visit.

The restaurant was decorated in a quaint nautical theme so there was a lot to look at as I waited to pick up our dinner to go. When they handed me a brown bag full of food, I thought that I was getting someone else’s supper. I had ordered the Captain’s Combo with a salad/fries side as I thought that it would be the best way to sample a variety of their offerings.

The sautéed jumbo prawns were perfectly prepared and still hot and firm when I got home. The breaded shrimp were fun to plop into cocktail sauce and pop into our mouths, having first removed the tail of course. There were two pieces of fish on the platter and I tried my best to determine which was cod and which was haddock, but failed to do so. The fries didn’t do very well on the short car ride home. They had cooled and needed to be reheated.

I must confess that I am a fish and chip snob, ordering them wherever we travel to compare the world’s to my favourite Winnipeg’s versions. The secret to delectable fries is the right potato and a two step frying process. The best fish in my humble opinion explodes with a crunch when you bite into it. How does the Captain’s Table fare to these exacting standards (I am being facetious here)? They missed the mark slightly on quality but I give them top marks for value-the $20 dinner fed two of us!

The Captain’s Table is locally owned by Garry Swain who I understand I had just missed that evening. They are open Monday – Saturday from 11 am – 9 pm. They have an all day menu with a special lunch only section and a take out menu available. The front door has one step which might prove difficult for persons with mobility issues.

Watch for Food Musings every second Wednesday in your copy of The Headliner, The Herald, The Lance, The Metro, The Sou’wester and The Times.

Kath’s quote: “Look at that sea, girls–all silver and shadow and vision of things not seen. We couldn’t enjoy its loveliness any more if we had millions of dollars and ropes of diamonds.” ― L.M. Montgomery

Love never fails.

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