If you read the above headline and thought I meant happy hour drinks, you will be disappointed.
I don’t drink alcohol (unless I’m in Vegas, baby) and so I’m not writing about that today.
What I am writing about is the absolute finest happy hour dining experience in all of Burnaby.
Yeah, I know, you might not be doing much or any sit-down dining these days, but I still am because Burnaby restaurants are doing an awesome job during the pandemic.
I’ve been working earlier shifts at home during the pandemic and so I’ve been able to enjoy more happy hours at local establishments these days.
That has led me to Burnaby’s best steakhouse – Atlas Steak + Fish, which was nominated for the title of Best Steakhouse by Vancouver Magazine.
I also discovered its happy hour menu, which has been pared down to a few delightful items.
The best being its crazy deal on oysters, which go for $1 each. Most places are $2-3 each for happy hour oysters, so this is really a steal.
And what oysters they have. We got all West Coast oysters, starting with Royal Miyagis and then moving on to Kusshis, which are creamy inside with a meaty outer ring. Let’s just say we had a few platters of those.
Then we added the other two items, prime rib sliders and meatballs in a luscious marinara sauce.
We didn’t end up actually ordering dinner it was so good.
Unlike some other places that only have happy hour Monday to Friday, Atlas has it daily from 4 p.m. (You might disagree with me on this so feel free to email me your fave Burnaby happy hours to ccampbell@burnabynow.com.)
Look, COVID sucks and makes us all feel trapped at home. It’s nice to go out for something special. This is an option.
And there’s good reason to feel safe.
Atlas outlined the precautions it is taking now that it is open again:
• Restaurants will reduce seating capacities in order to comply with public health guidelines for safe distancing and allow for minimum of six feet between each seated group/party of guests.
• Kitchens continue to operate with the highest food safety standards and will follow all public health officials’ guidelines to ensure that facilities are clean, safe and healthy.
• New training given to employees to ensure their own health and safety as well as others.
• All tables, chairs and all tabletop items are cleaned between each seating. All high touch areas are cleaned frequently throughout the day.
• Employee wellness will be checked prior to each shift and no employee is allowed in the restaurant with any flu-like symptoms.
• Staff are washing their hands frequently with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand rub for at least 20 seconds.
• Kitchens, food prep stations, and dining rooms will be deep cleaned and sanitized at least once per day with continuous cleaning throughout the day. • Low and no contact payment is required. For the safety of guests and team they will not be accepting cash payments at this time.
• A separate reduced contact section will be designated for take-out and delivery options.
• Menus are available digitally and traditional menus will be sanitized after each use.
Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.
