By Grace Cheung,
Special to The Post 

Stamps Landing offers some of the most beautiful views in Vancouver. Recently, I was lucky enough to be invited to a media preview for the newest location of Mahony & Sons, which took over the old Monk McQueens location at Stamps Landing, located close to Granville Island. 
The downstairs bar is welcoming and features many whiskey choices and lots of beer on tap as well. This is the largest of the three Mahony & Sons locates, at about 10,000 square feet. The upstairs bar also features a large variety of beers and spirits, and both floors seat 150 inside and another 300 on the patio. There are semi-private patios, a double-sided fireplace, banquettes and hightops to enjoy the sunset. 
Throughout the restaurant, there are hints of the Mahony family ancestry, including an homage to the brother's great, great, great grandfather Barney, who bought and operated The Good Woman Pub in Australia in the 1870s. 
Besides the beautiful waterfront, what makes this location special is the Oyster Bar. Although most people think a crisp white wine with some oysters, the Mahony’s say that a pint of Guinness is a good accompaniment too. 
During the media preview, Executive Chef Paul Ngyuen presented us with four amazing courses, each showcasing the wide variety of flavours on the menu. In addition to traditional Irish fare, you can also find items that truly reflect the cultural diversity of Vancouver.
Up first was the Scallop and Beet Salad. It's very lightly dressed, which I loved, and tossed with some Arugula and Goat Cheese. The key to the success of this dish is the scallop, and it was perfectly seared. The beets were sweet and there were lots of them. Goat cheese is a classic pairing and this dish was a success overall. 
The highlight of the night for me was their Pacific Coast Chowder. The chowder was pleasantly light with hints of lemon and lots of seafood. The garlic-buttered crouton was perfect for dipping, but what really made the dish for me was the fresh seafood, which included Salt Spring Island mussels, chunks of salmon and cod, as well as prawns.
For a heartier entree, we tried out the Lamb Dip. The sandwich was loaded with shaved lamb, and the fennel jam was very noticeable. The dip is natural au jus with hints of lemon. The pretzel bun is a nice touch too, giving the sandwich a pleasant twist.
For something completely unexpected, we were served a Thai Penang Curry. The chicken was moist and tender, and the curry flavours were mild and complemented the jasmine rice perfectly. I'm not an avid curry fan, but the presence of lemongrass, lime and chilies made this a winner for me. 

Grace Cheung is a leading food blogger on Urban Spoon.  Read more of her reviews at www.xmasbb.blogspot.ca.

Mahony & Sons
601 Stamps Landing, Vancouver
(604)876-0234

Take Note:
• The patio(s) are breathtaking.
• Valet is only $7.
• The Mahony Platter is great if you're with a group.