Remember that time a mermaid travelled away from the ocean for fish?
It’s true and I have the photos to prove it.
In case you haven’t heard, I’ve got a mad coastal crush on New Brunswick Redfish – a delicate and sweet fish recognized by its bright, reddish skin and white interior flesh, sustainably harvested right here in New Brunswick from the cold, nutrient-rich waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
If you love haddock, you’re going to LOVE redfish. In fact, you may even love it more.
If you’re thinking this all sounds familiar – you’re right. This isn’t my first time talking about Redfish here on East Coast Mermaid. In December, I shared my recipe for a delicious (and easy) Pan Fried Redfish recipe – you can catch it here – and I mentioned it as an excellent dish to serve over the holidays.
With summer fast approaching, this versatile fish makes an excellent fish taco – more on that in this article. I’ve also heard it’s a perfect addition to fresh ceviche, which I’ll definitely make this summer at the cottage.
So why is everyone yapping about Redfish right now?
It’s because Redfish is making a pretty significant comeback.
And who doesn’t love a good comeback story?
Not long ago, spotting redfish on a local restaurant menu or at your go-to fish market was nearly impossible. The redfish fishery was shut down over 30 years ago—a powerful reminder of what can happen when stocks are depleted without sustainable management practices in place. There was a halt on commercial fishing but an index fishery (which helps keep a pulse on fish stocks, research etc.) was still active. By 1995, Fisheries and Oceans Canada implemented strict moratoriums and catch limits were implemented to protect the species and allow it to recover.
Thanks to fishery management practices that were implemented in the 2000s, today we have thriving populations of Redfish and New Brunswick fishermen can once again harvest this delicious and versatile species. Not surprisingly, it’s become a favourite among New Brunswick chefs, who increasingly showcase it on their menus across the province.
After learning that Redfish was featured on menus at several popular restaurants in Fredericton, this mermaid couldn’t resist losing sight of the shore and heading to our province’s capital city to sample some incredible Redfish dishes.
After arriving in Fredericton, with Redfish on the brain, we headed straight to our hotel, the Delta Fredericton, where we’d heard the hotel restaurant STMR 36 serves a fantastic fish taco.
From the minute you walk into the hotel, the lobby bar and STMR 36 are a sight to be seen. It’s arguably one of the nicest lobby bars I’ve been to in New Brunswick, and it’s an excellent spot for people-watching any time of day, especially in the evening.
You can’t miss STMR 36 just beyond the lobby, and everyone who works there is so incredibly kind and helpful. A special shout out to our server, Larissa, who was a delight and ensured our dining experience was terrific.
We both ordered the Redfish Fish Tacos. Look for it on the Lunch Menu as STMR 36 Fish Tacos – duo of soft shell tacos, NB Red Snapper, creamy coleslaw, Pico de gallo, cilantro and fresh cut fries.
While the menu lists it as NB Red Snapper, this mermaid did some digging and got the official scoop: it is New Brunswick Redfish—which is often called Snapper or Ocean Perch. And let me tell you, this dish did not disappoint. The crisp Pico de Gallo and tangy coleslaw added the perfect crunch, and the lightly breaded Redfish was cooked to perfection.
I can assure you that we’ll be recreating this dish at home!
For dinner, we were hosted by Chef Bryant and the lovely team at 540 Kitchen & Bar. This wasn’t either of our first times at 540, but it had been a while since our last visit back when my husband and I were in Fredericton more frequently for work, and I’d forgotten how much I love this gem of a restaurant in downtown Fredericton.
We obviously came for the pièce de résistance—the Redfish—but couldn’t resist kicking things off with the Beef Tartare. It’s one of those appetizers I can never say no to, and this one absolutely delivered. The portion was just right, the flavour was spot on, and the chopped fresh herbs gave it a refreshing light crunch. If you love Beef Tartare and are visiting 540 anytime soon – look for it on the menu.
We both ordered the Panfried Redfish as our main – coated redfish, creamy herb fingerling potatoes, chili citrus compound butter, and swiss chard. And trust me when I say, we’ll be talking about this dish for a long time!
As I mentioned, Redfish is known for its sweet, delicate flavour—but the ingredient pairings in this dish elevated it to something truly extraordinary. The citrus and chili in the compound butter were beautifully balanced without compromising the flavour of the star of the dish, the Redfish. The Swiss chard was perfectly cooked, and the creamy herb fingerling potatoes complemented the fish nicely. We were both completely smitten with this dish—not a single bite was left behind.
If you call Fredericton home or visit the city, I can’t recommend 540 Kitchen & Bar enough. If you love fish, please consider ordering their Panfried Redfish. I am confident you will love the dish and possibly even consider licking the plate – we don’t judge.
Asking for local New Brunswick seafood when dining out—especially something like Redfish, which is making a well-deserved comeback—is more important than you may realize. Whenever you choose local seafood, you directly support the hardworking fishers and communities who make up our province’s world-class seafood industry.
And that’s a pretty great feeling.
Next time you find yourself in Fredericton—or anywhere in New Brunswick —keep your eyes peeled for Redfish on the menu and treat yourself to a dish that’s as meaningful as it is mouthwatering.
This mermaid will definitely be making more inland journeys for it, and I hope you will too.
Disclaimers:
+ This article was created in partnership with NB Food and Beverages; however, all opinions and thoughts expressed are my own.
+ A special thank you to Chef Bryant and the 540 Kitchen & Bar team for hosting us and for the warm Maritime hospitality and incredible food.
+ Lastly, a note about our hotel. I love my Marriott Bonvoy points, so the Delta Fredericton is my go-to whenever my travels bring me to Fredericton. If you’re looking for a great spot to stay downtown with an indoor and outdoor pool and delicious fish tacos – consider it Mermaid Approved! Order the Cast Iron Chocolate Chip Cookie if you have a sweet tooth. You can thank me later.