Category Archives: Seafood

Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar

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The name Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar really understates what a fine dining restaurant this is. Both the interior and service are what you would expect from a high end restaurant, not an oyster bar. It is true, however, that the upper level and bar are bright and loud like a kitchen, but the lower level is nice (and would be even nicer with a glass partition between it and the upper level.

There is an interesting cocktail list, and a well-chosen selection of wines. We started with the house-made sourdough and a seafood tower. It was the best seafood tower I’ve had because of the thoughtful side dishes. I particularly loved the mussels escabeche.

For mains we had sable fish, cod, seafood linguini, and a special mushroom pasta. All were good, especially the linguini.

The dessert sampler for four was interesting. There was a great variety and it was nice to try most everything on the menu, but I didn’t feel there were any real standouts.

Service was friendly and professional.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/boulevard-vancouver-2

Coast Restaurant

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Same excellent service and management as Black and Blue, next door.

We came at lunch time on Sunday, when it is also happy hour. What a great deal! Wines by the glass for $5, and great small plates.

The sushi assortment was perfectly prepared, with a nice mixture of rolls, nigiri, and sashimi.

The salmon flatbread was also notable, made with mascarpone instead of the usual feta or ricotta. Perfectly crisped crust.

We’ll definitely be back. Happy hour on weekdays starts early, at 2pm, and there is also a lobster dinner Sunday evenings.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/coast-restaurant-vancouver

The Sandbar

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The Sandbar is a cool restaurant nestled underneath the Granville Bridge on Granville Island. It boasts an impressive view of the peninsula on the other side of False Creek.

Food at the Sandbar is very similar to its sister restaurant, Cardero’s, on the opposite side of the peninsula.

We started with the Har Gow, shrimp & pork dumplings, which were served with hot mustard and chili sauce. 

My companion had the Clam chowder, and I had the fire-grilled sablefish (black cod). Both were very good. As at Cardero’s the accompanying vegetables are nothing to write home about.

Service was pleasant, and you can’t beat the view.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-sandbar-seafood-restaurant-vancouver-2

Joe Fortes

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This bustling seafood house has been around almost forty years, and it’s easy to see why. Not only are they serving great seafood, they’re doing it with impeccable service. The entire staff is laser-focused on every diner’s experience, making sure your meal runs like clockwork, and everything is refilled, cleared, or delivered within moments.

Beef carpaccio was an excellent starter, and unlike many restaurants seemed to be made to order, not presliced from carpaccio central.

My fish duo was the lunch special–a nice piece of salmon and a wonderfully seasoned blackened tuna.

It’s worth noting that salads are available in half portions, which was plenty.

The wine list is extensive, and offers a particularly large and thoughtful selection of wines by the glass.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/joe-fortes-seafood-and-chop-house-vancouver

Cardero’s Restaurant & Marine Pub

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Cardero’s is ideally situated overlooking the marina. It’s much nicer inside than the pictures convey. Since it’s always packed in the evening we decided to go for Sunday lunch, and it was delightful.

We shared the rather massive dockside platter, which included 12 oysters, 12 clams, 12 mussels, 6 prawns, a whole Dungeness crab, ahi tuna tataki, salmon poke, miso-ginger vinaigrette, red wine mignonette, cocktail sauce, and fresh grated horseradish. Everything was great. My wife loved the oysters, and I loved the clams and mussels. The crab was a bit of work, but worth it.

There’s a nice wine list (no bargains).

Service and the entire staff were very friendly and welcoming. A great place for seafood, and to enjoy the view.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/carderos-restaurant-and-marine-pub-vancouver-2