Slainte by the Pier Restaurant:
White Rock’s Original Irish Establishment
 JACK SIXSMITH (R) the Co. Kildare-born owner of Slainte by the Pier in White Rock with server Alyssa Baker.
|
 MUSICIANS at Slainte by the Pier: (L-R) Allen Barnett, Chuck Ingram, Doug Haynes, Donna and John Pye, Brian Best and Jack Sixsmith.
|
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
Slainte by the Pier, located on Marine Drive in White Rock, was the first Irish establishment to open on Marine Drive.
Slainte is the Irish word for health and often used as a toast to wish someone good health.
The restaurant opened for business last year, and I visited Slainte shortly afterwards. At that time, I met with Co. Kildare-born owner Jack Sixsmith, so it was nice to drop in again and catch up on the latest happenings.
Jack’s wife Laine Henderson is a former Riverdance Irish dancer and singer and she performs at Slainte every weekend along with a special guest.
Thursday nights are a songwriter’s showcase and feature three or four established local songwriters.
Every Sunday afternoon, there is a traditional Irish folk session with some of the talented local Irish musicians. There are other special feature events at Slainte such as the recent Irish soda bread contest.
Slainte by the Pier is a contemporary Irish gastro pub and they take full advantage of the local fresh organically farmed produce and the freshest sustainable seafood.
There is a full menu from appetizers to entrees, and features some traditional Irish dishes such as shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash and lamb stew. One of their signature dishes is the panko breaded fish and chips, which they boast is the best in town.
Every Saturday and Sunday morning, Slainte serves a traditional Irish breakfast. They are open every day at noon for lunch and serve dinner from Monday to Saturday until 11 PM.
There is seating for 90 people at Slainte with an outdoor patio. The front of the restaurant opens completely which gives a wonderful view of the beach from almost every seat in the restaurant.
There is also a private mezzanine upstairs with seating for 20 to 30 guests that can be used for private parties, banquets or meetings.
Since it was Sunday afternoon and the traditional Irish session started at 2 PM, Colleen and I decided to have a bite to eat and listen to the session.
I ordered the halibut with yam chips which was scrumptious with brown vinegar. Colleen ordered the boxty with salmon and soda bread. She had never tasted boxty and really enjoyed the Irish specialty.
I was delighted to find that musician John Pye, president of the Irish Club White Rock, was part of the session along with his wife Donna. Owner Jack Sixsmith also sat in on the session and played the bodhran.
Patrons enjoyed the music in the relaxed family atmosphere and clapped along to the jigs and reels.
This is an extremely pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon. A view of the sea with some Celtic refreshments, good food, and traditional music. As they say....it’s a great life if you don’t weaken!
Slainte by the Pier is located at 15057 Marine Drive in White Rock, B.C. For more information, call (778) 294-0066 or online: www.slaintebythepier.ca.
| 
