Shore QB
The beach hut on Qualicum Beach is back; with a breath of fresh air.
Early this year the town of Qualicum Beach put out a call for bids on their long standing waterfront staple; The Beach Hut. Whispers were running wild around town with the news that we’d be getting a new, updated take on this local classic. Around the same time I had an email in my inbox from Lindy - the new restauranteur -saying ‘I’m starting a new adventure and I’m gonna need some help’.
It wasn’t long after Shore QB opened that I got a chance to stop by and try the food. The menu reads like any good beachside haunt should; fish & chips, fish tacos, great homemade burgers and of course coffees and ice cream to perfectly round out any lunch date. As someone who could easily be classified as a foodie I was so stoked to find that Lindy and her husband Steve had really figured the food out before opening. This wasn’t some attempt to rest on the venue and views as the main draw, they did it right and the food reflects their effort.
Lindy and Steve really recognized that there was no need to veer off into foreign territory or risk losing a devoted audience, they just hit the staples and hit them well. My favourite has to be the fresh fish tacos; perfectly seasoned batter with fresh made pico de gallo, a crunchy kale slaw - that’s not overdressed - and then it’s all topped with a chipotle mayo drizzle…a good single word description would be unbelievable. They’re one of the dishes that I would just want everyone to have at least once. Maybe I’ll find a way to give some to clients one day…
Photographically the shoot was super fun, I absolutely love food and I’d been researching food photography for a long while starting to set my sights on some local spots I could reach out to. We had near perfect weather to light the food with natural sources and I was able to us a Mexican blanket for some balance in colour and some reclaimed boards I had in my carport to establish a weathered, textured yet clean backdrop to juxtapose the dishes. I also picked up a macro lens earlier this year so when required I was able to draw right in on the food and shoot nice and close to fill the frame.
So if it hasn’t become clear yet; I’m a fan…and I think you will be too. If you want to check it out Shore Qb is open Tuesday to Sunday 10am - 8pm March(ish) til October(ish) each year and they’re located right on the seawall beside four poles at Qualicum Beach.
Shore QB
2831 Island Hwy W,
Qualicum Beach, BC, V9K 2C4.
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