Best seafood restaurant for visiting family in Vancouver - tonight!

[chaco24]

Hi all,
I am new to the board, so thanks for reading. My aunt and uncle are coming up to Vancouver unexpectedly tonight and want to go for a good seafood dinner. I've lived here for about 8 months, but on a grad student budget, so I haven't explored the restaurant scene too much. Suggestions? We are pretty open in terms of price, but probably not THE most expensive place in town. We will be in downtown Vancouver, but they have a car. Also, I don't think they are interested in Chinese/Japanese seafood, though I know those are good too. Thanks!

~Alexis

[chaco24]

Thanks for all the suggestions! We ended up at Rodney's Oyster House, as my family was staying in Yaletown and wanted to go somewhere in the neighborhood. It was busy, so we ended up in the bar. Two of us had the halibut, which was good, but not great. My aunt had a scallop salad that she loves. Wine in tumblers and the loud music was a little much for my relative, but we managed and it was nice that it was so lively.

On a side note, they ended up at the Fish House in Stanley park for lunch and loved it (2 kinds of salmon and scallops). My uncle is a fisher and a salmon lover, so I would take his word for it.

Thanks again for your quick responses :)
~alexis

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Rodney's Oyster House
1228 Hamilton, Vancouver, BC V6B2S8, CA

[grayelf]

Thanks for reporting back -- sounds like your rellies did okay despite the short notice.

[waylman]

My vote would be Blue Water Cafe. The seafood is fantastic and it's a very nice room. It is expensive though.
http://www.bluewatercafe.net/home.html

[LotusRapper]

My $0.25:

Cardero's

Joe Fortes (http://www.joefortes.ca/menus/menus.php?pageID=8

)

The Shore Club (http://www.theshoreclub.ca/dinner.html

)

Rodney's Oyster House (http://rohvan.com/#menu

)

Goldfish Pacific Kitchen (http://www.goldfishkitchen.com/menus/menus.php?pageID=36

)

Provence Marinaside (http://www.provencevancouver.com/mari...

)

But hey ya know, sometimes a nice pint of brew and some good ol' fashioned fish & chips may suit the bill:

Mr. Pickwick's

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The Shore Club
688 Dunsmuir St., Vancouver, BC V6B 1N3, CA

Rodney's Oyster House
1228 Hamilton, Vancouver, BC V6B2S8, CA

Goldfish Pacific Kitchen
1118 Mainland Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 2T9, CA

[ck1234]

Or Coast Restaurant maybe. (Great NE clam chowder!)
http://www.coastrestaurant.ca/

[ck1234]

A Kettle of Fish might do..

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A Kettle of Fish
900 Pacific Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2E3, CA

[Sam Salmon]

KoF is a notorious tourist trap that offers very poor value.

Both Cardero's and Cork & Fin offer more

http://www.vancouverdine.com/carderos0experience.aspx

http://www.corkandfin.ca/

If you have time there's an extensive base of customer reviews on http://dinehere.ca/

[ck1234]

It might do is what I said. I know people that love it. I haven't been in many years so can't say. It could be argued that Cardero's is also a tourist trap with mediocre offerings. It's appeal would be the patio which wouldn't be of much use tonight.

[auntiecindy]

Cardero's was good when it first opened but to me there is just no comparison between Cardero's an Kettle of Fish. Cardero's is more like a Jack Astor's now. KoF is fine dining.

[bdachow]

I vaguely remember someone posted about A Kettle of Fish not too long ago, very mediocre from what I recall.

Not sure how expensive the Fish House in Stanley Park is? I don't remember a ton of negative feelings for it lately.

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A Kettle of Fish
900 Pacific Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2E3, CA

[eatrustic]

That was me who posted about Kettle of Fish. Definitely not recommended. I would also second Fish House in Stanley Park as a good possibility. I think it offers an attractive setting for out of town visitors and I'd give it the nod over Carderos.

[Sam Salmon]

Agree about the Fish House and the Stanley Park location is always a winner.

[grayelf]

I'm a low-key fan of the Fish House too -- stick to the simply prepared dishes, like the sable fish and you're in good shape. And avoid anything that didn't used to live under the sea. My SIL once ordered pork chops there, and the less said about that the better.

I have a feeling it would be a good fit for the OP as it works well as a place to take relatives :-). It is also a beautiful setting even in the rain. Just remember to bring loonies/toonies for parking.