Joe Fortes Seafood and Chop House

Frommer's Review

Named after the burly Caribbean seaman who became English Bay's first lifeguard, Joe Fortes is the best place to come if you're hankering for top-of-the-line fresh seafood served the "old-fashioned" way, without a lot of modern culinary intrusions. The downstairs dining room evokes a kind of turn-of-the-20th-century saloon elegance, but if the weather's fine, try for a table on the rooftop patio. Stick with the seafood because it's what they do best. The waiters will inform you what's just come in and where it's from. Although Joe's is adding more fusion elements to boost the novelty, you can ask for your fish selection to be simply grilled or sautéed. My personal recommendation is that you sample the seasonal oysters (Joe Fortes has the best oyster bar in Vancouver) and/or order the trio of grilled fresh fish or the famous seafood tower, which comes with an iced assortment of marinated mussels, poached shrimp, grilled and chilled scallops, marinated calamari, tuna sashimi, Manila clams, Dungeness crab, and local beach oysters. Heavy on the white, the wine list is gargantuan and includes some wonderful pinots from the Okanagan Valley.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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