Joe Fortes is where locals and visitors alike have been coming for 27 years to enjoy the freshest seafood and chops in town, complemented by an award-winning wine list that boasts over 400 wines
Specialties
For 27 years, Joe Fortes has consistently earned and maintained its reputation as an award-winning Vancouver Restaurant and "Vancouver's Best Oyster Bar". Guests from the world over have come to expect a dynamic culinary experience in this San Francisco styled seafood grill that always delivers more - more hospitality, more variety, and more buzz. This iconic Vancouver restaurant...
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Joe Fortes has been specializing in classic, American cuisine since 1985. The turn-of-the-century inspired dining room features 30-foot high ceilings and six unique dining venues that include brand new green roof top patio. Executive Chef Scott Pratico prepares each dish with a focus on natural flavours and features the finest ingredients from Pacific Northwest farmers, fishermen and other food... more
Classic American Chop House w/ a great variety of fresh fish, premium oysters, our famous 3-tier seafood towers & succulent chops!
From OpenTable:
Joe Fortes has been specializing in classic, American cuisine since 1985. The turn-of-the-century inspired dining room features 30-foot high ceilings and six unique dining venues that include brand new green roof top patio. Executive Chef Wayne Sych prepares each dish with a focus on natural flavours and features the finest ingredients from Pacific Northwest farmers, fishermen...
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I love this place, good service, great wine, but a little busy! Be sure to try the oysters!!!
"Divine" seafood dishes displaying an "exceptional use of local ingredients" plus "darn tasty" steaks delivered by "skilled", "attentive" servers leave surveyors saying "wow" at this "remarkably consistent" West End "tradition" that fans proclaim an "excellent value" given the "dependable quality"; "trendsetters" sit at the "spectacular" horseshoe oyster bar, while others "linger" on the... more
Named after the burly Caribbean seaman who became English Bay's first lifeguard, Joe Fortes is great if you're hankering for 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... more
Even a century after arriving in Canada, Seraphim “Joe” Fortes inspired so much love in his adopted hometown (and the West End beach where the volunteer lifeguard taught generations to swim), they named the quintessential Vancouver restaurant after him. Over thirty years later, the warmth of the Barbadian-born namesake shines through in a soul-cuddling welcome - led by Frenchy, the undisputed... more
Oh Joe Fortes, you silver-haired fox. You manage to keep the joint hopping year after year, and every one of your Hugo Boss-clad patrons seems to be having a super time. If they mind the absurd markups on the otherwise stellar wine list they don't say so, ditto the $22 for six Kumamoto oysters-which to be fair are probably the city's best. It must be the consistently solid service or the chance... more
We mostly came here b/c it was the only place we could find street parking and we were starving. They were having happy hour and it was warm, so why not?
We ordered a smorgesborg. Truffle fries, lobster/crab roll, oysters, etc. It was all pretty typical, basic happy hour food. The place wasn't remarkable. It reminded me of many large restaurants I've been to in NYC, Dallas, etc. It did the...
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We were very disappointed with their bait and switch tactics. We confirmed reservations, however when we arrived they pulled a bait and switch. They moved us to another floor in a dark corner. When we complained to the manager he was cold and very rude.
I only really come here for the Happy Hour so I can't give a full detailed review but the happy hour itself is fantastic.
The pricing is ridiculously good, the oysters are delicious and the service is great. A couple things to note:
They are really stingy with the condiments for the oysters (shallot vinaigrette, horseradish)
Recently they implemented half dozen oysters per person per order...
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Try it and you won't believe your mouth or stomach !
A must for seafood lovers around the World. Everything cooked to perfection
Tasty.
Great raw bar (love the oysters).
I had the weekday meal deal, $40 CAD for app, entree, and dessert. It was definitely a great deal and totally hit the spot!
This place has been around for a bit and there's a history behind the name, all cool added bonuses.
Great venue to bring clients too.
Ah Joe's! Always such a wonderful experience. Just classy, classy, classy. I love everything about this place its a one of a kind restaurant in Vancouver.
I used to do lunch at Joe Fortes quite often in the past, when an ex-coworker loved this place. The Blue Plate lunch specials were our fave sit-down lunch, a welcome midday break in a beautiful restaurant.
For no particular reason, I just haven't been back in recent months. But as soon as I found out about their 30th Anniversary "1985 menu" specials, I was intrigued and made 2 reservations for...
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went for lunch today and took part in the throwback pricing. there were 5 of us.
ordered the shrimp cocktail and the steak. the baby shrimp was $5.95 but it was really tiny. It came in a small square cup. half of the dish was lettuce. taste was less than average. my friends, Caesar salad was tiny too. your best bet is the clam chowder.
I ordered the steak rare and it came to me as medium...
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A little while back I mentioned that Joe Fortes was offering certain menu items at 1985 prices this week. I finally got to go, and sad to say, it was my most disappointing Joe Fortes experience ever.
When you are offering burgers for $6.95 and small bowls of Clam Chowder for $2.95, obviously you can expect the restaurant to be overwhelmed. No reservations. Bar seating only. People packed the...
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I have previously never been to Joe Fortes so it may or may not be the best way to experience the real deal.
My friend made reservations for us during Joe Fortes' throwback week in celebration of their 30th anniversary, in which they threw some prices back to 1985! (Lunch time only)
Upon arrival I was overwhelmed with how festive (holiday lights & Christmas trees) the restaurant looked! I...
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The lobster benedict is awesome, grilled oyster is not bad but if its from east sides' be even better, special non alcohol drinks with raspberry lemonade isn't sweet, we like it, and last, the lobster soup is oh, sooo good! Good Brunh spot with prefer view of the oyster bar and live piano plays!
I'd been here a couple of times with my parents before and it has always been ok, but the last time was terrible.
The salmon was way over cooked, dry, and burnt at some parts; the prawns were way undercooked. Food took over an hour to arrive, waiter barely checked on our table, even though the restaurant was not full; but he seemed too busy flirting and taking pictures of the drunk girls in the...
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Simply one of the best brunches in Vancouver. The eggs Benny are cooked to perfection and the eggs are rich and dark yoke not like regular store bought eggs. I had the Chicken and waffles and they are the best ones I've ever had. Joe Fortes never fails to satisfy Ann's that's why we keep coming back b
This is the last time I will ever cross the threshold at Joe Fortes...
I assume it has something to do with the fact that they've become so big that they are resting on their laurels.
I used to visit Joe Fortes several times a year being a resident in the West End for over a decade. The past two visits have been more than questionable and the last visit was also the last straw.
My lovely...
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I always sit at the Oyster Bar, friendly service and great selection of Oysters available.
It's a pretentious restaurant with ridiculous prices for the mediocre quality. I'm just an amateur home cook and I can cook better than these "chefs". Their fresh wild pink salmon was nothing special even a simple home cooked, last minute pre-frozen salmon is superior. However the clam chowder was not bad, but no better than a chowder you could find at any mediocre cruise ship buffet. My first... more
My wife and I had dinner here yesterday and it was a great and tasty experience. The service gets 5 stars! The place was packed and bustling on a Friday night. As soon as we walked in the Manager took us to our table and got us settled in. Our waiter's name was Colin, and he was very knowledgable and enthusiastic about the menu. Colin knows his oysters! We started with a dozen oysters on the... more
Came here for happy hour. Service is good and very quick. Ordered shrimp and lobster roll which was ok. It was good but I was expecting it to be warm and crunchy but it was cold. Ordered shrimp tacos and it was delicious but you only get two shrimps in your taco. The mini burgers were the best thing I ate there. Bite in to the burger and it was super juicy. I didn't even miss ketchup on my burger.
It was my first time to visit this restaurant yesterday. I saw Yelp was promoting Joe Fortes $9.95 Brunch Bonanza October 17, 10am to November 8, 1pm, so I decided to have brunch here after a 9am service in downtown.
First experience - FANTASTIC and GREAT! Not exaggerating at all. We all know that this restaurant has high prices on all the dishes to be honest, but we pay for what we get.
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This is a nice small restaurant. The fresh shrimps in a bucket are a nice appetizer to start. The shrimp was cooked perfectly and the shells come off with ease. I had the Lamb & Lobster burger and I enjoyed it. I will defiantly return
My girlfriend and I stopped in for brunch on her birthday. The restaurant looked very impressive, and was very busy with positive vibes from staff and vintage decor. She ordered the eggs Benedict, and I had the chicken and waffles. Coming from Long Beach California, I was curious about this dish so far up north. This place kicked roscoes's a@s so bad. Omg, that was amazing. Two floors of... more
Excellent service, knowledgable staff on seafood, great execution on seafood dishes, fantastic oyster bar.
Loved the perfectly cooked ling cod served over roasted root vegetables.
My boyfriend and I went here last night for a special occasion. Great atmosphere and our server Mario was awesome and very friendly. The food was good but I think a bit over priced for what it was. A 7 oz glass of wine, a 7 oz sirloin and half a (small) lobster came to $80. The steak was amazing but it was the best part of the meal, as the lobster didn't have a lot of meat on it and the butter... more
Visited Joe Fortes 2 times on a trip to Vancouver. Great quality and excellent service.
I expected good seafood and got it. As they stock a good local catch and have a great selection of oysters there will be a good chance of satisfying everyone.
Did not try their meats, but my expectation is that the standard will be high.
I recently celebrated a friend's birthday at Joe Fortes. The service was 5 stars - our complimentary lobster oil/balsamic vinegar dippers were kept topped up all night, and our server was attentive but not overbearingly so.
Several people in the party ordered steak (mostly all ordered different cuts), but the consensus was meh for everyone. The birthday girl's steak was actually undercooked,...
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Excellent service and a loud but comfortable atmosphere. The food is average and grossly overpriced. The steak was an average commercial cut, tasty but tough. The Ciappino was served in a cast iron pot which is a nice touch but they don't put a whole lot of anything in it and for what they charge it is excessive. The drinks were decent and fair priced and the crème brulee was excellent.... more
We used to go to Fortes regularly for Happy Hour but hadn't been there for about 8 months and it's changed. No more buck a shuck oysters. The atmostphere has changed as well. Although the service was good, it seemed forced and wasn't genuine - felt strange. It appeared that there was entirely new staff. When we left there were about 6 of them standing at the door saying goodbye to us - a little... more
My expectations were a bit higher for this restaurant after seeing the prices. The themed atmosphere is cheesy and forced. It would feel right at home in Vegas. Super loud, super expensive, and the service was quick but pretentious.
The ambiance of this restaurant is charming. The staff are professional and well behaved, friendly. The wine list in incredible as are the Caesars. The best Caesar I ever had.
However, my boyfriend ordered a New York steak ($50), which was mediocre. The real disappointment was my Arctic Char. It was so salty I could only eat half. For $35 at a seafood restaurant, I expected much more. I...
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Iconic Vancouver in so many ways. If you go to Vancouver you owe yourself a visit. If you take someone special this is how you show them how much you care! The quality is as good as it gets and is class in every way. The location is ideal for walking around as well.
The food is overpriced for what you get. Nothing was terrible but could have easily been frozen...something you expect to find in a chain. Ambiance is obnoxious in both decor and ridiculously loud piano playing that makes it impossible to have a conversation. Not recommended for anyone desiring a luxurious and relaxing dinner.
Crazy busy on a Friday night but our reservation was immediately honored. Very good service. Food was good but not memorable except for delicious onion rings. Steaks cooked to order but would like to see a bit more of an investment by the meat purveyor for the price.
I would definitely recommend this place! My wife and I went out wanting a really nice dinner. She wanted seafood and I wanted pork chops and this place had both. We made a reservation for 9pm and when we got there we were immediately seated. They sat us at a smaller table for two in the back of the house. Our server was not helping us at all. My wife had questions about the menu and the... more
What a perfect night. This is a must when visiting Vancouver. We sat on the rooftop patio. We had a table for 2 right at the glass over looking the steet and city. The food and service were outstanding. Inside sounded a little noisy but the rooftop was cozy and romantic.
The rating effects our customer service. We had better service at Red Robbins when we went for a drink before our dinner. Our meal was sub par. We ordered the seafood plater for two. Sounded so good. We were shorted one scalop which the server noticed right away, he said that the kitchen would prepare another. We had finished our meal when it finally arrived. We ordered a dinner for two you... more
Enjoyed the Surf & Turf for two. Everything was cooked to perfection and portions were more than generous! We will be back next time we visit Vancouver as this place ROCKS!
Good choice of seafood and wines. Reasonably priced with good atmosphere. Seafood Ceasar was very good.
The service here was excellent. Our server was sweet and went above and beyond. She learned that my friends and I were visiting from out of town, so she sent over a coffee cake on the house. I'm not sure if they do that for everyone out of town, but it was a nice gesture regardless. The staff in general was attentive.
Aside from the great service, the food was spectacular. I ordered the...
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Love this place! One of my favourite restaurants in Vancouver. The service is great without being too uptight , the food is awesome and the atmosphere is great. It can be a little loud at times, I would not go there for a romantic dinner, but for other events it's great!
Food can be expensive , but you are paying for quality - my fave is the swordfish!
Wine list is great too
Yum, I love a good happy hour, and I heard JF offers some of the best happy hour deals in town.
Unfortunately, their buck a shuck wasn't available due to the VCH warning about eating raw shellfish. But we ordered a whole bunch of other things. I think my favorite was the lobster roll, 3 mini rolls for $9. We also had the oyster rockefeller, 4 oysters for $12 - but wow, this one was a real let...
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we had a party with particular food sensitivities and amount limitations. Tim, our server, was so gracious, patient and helpful with our orders. He didn't rush us or make us feel self conscious about our needs. the food was totally amazing and I will be back
I love this place! I had a cut called The Manhattan. Its part of the New York Strip. Wonderful food and some of the best waiters in Vancouver.
Fantastic. Perfect calamari, Perfect medium-well steak, spectacular tiramisu. Easily recommended this place to anyone.
We had brunch on a Saturday afternoon on our first day in the city. We walked down Robson looking for a place to grab a bite. I had seen the restaurant's outside patio from Robson, which is what drew me to the restaurant initially. I enjoyed our meal but after seeing what the city had to offer in terms of restaurants during our vacation, I don't think I would have picked to eat here.The... more
I'm a Joe Fortes fan! I've been here for both brunch and dinner and they are both fab. My most recent trip to Joe Fortes was for brunch. I had the Vine Ripened Tomato Salad to share, and the eggs benny over hash. Although I am not usually a big fan of benny's, I found the one at Joe Fortes not too rich with the right amount of hash. Simply delicious!
This is a place with incredible food and atmosphere. The interior is gorgeous and the seafood fresh. Loved the halibut and vanilla bean brûlée. A most dinning experience in the downtown section.
We had the worst experience tonight at the restaurant. We were looking for a table for 4 today at 5:45pm, they told us it takes 45 minutes, so two of us sat at the bar and spent around $60 on drink and one appetizer till the other two people joined us and we get the table (about 50 minutes). We paid the bill and moved to the table, then a rude bold waiter with such a bad attitude called "L... more
I had a bad experience. They did a bait and switch. When we got there they said that our seats are "taken". So they put is on the third floor in a dark corner. When we told the manager he just sent us a ridiculous and unprofessional email. They make so much money they can get away with this abuse.
An institution in Vancouver, this restaurant has that charm. I highly recommend the patio during the summer time. Good food, lobster oil is a must! Generous portions, best cooked fish I've had, though it is a tad on the expensive side. They take do take reservations.
All time classic in Vancouver. Opened in 1985, but feels like it has been there for 100 years
Staff dealt quickly and efficiently with our request for a quieter table. Impressed with how they followed up to make sure we were satisfied with the new table. Servers were friendly, warm, and professional. Food was delicious. We asked the server how the veggies were prepared, they were so perfect, melt-in-your mouth, and she promptly went to ask the chef and reported back to us!
Food was good but not great. Extremely noisy restaurant, hard to carryon a conversation, which was acerbated by an extremely loud piano player that did nothing to enhance the ambiance. However, the service was by far the worst I have ever experienced, in Vancouver or anywhere else. We had to wait for almost a hour between our appetizer being finished and the main course being served. They tried... more
Not our first time, we come back because the food is great! We loved the calamari - best ever and the pan fried oysters delicious. Fish & Chips amazing! Was too full for dessert but will certainly go back again and again!
I find it a bit too pretentious for my taste, but great for client meetings. The place to be seen, for sure. Also, the hostess service is one of the worst I've ever seen (and I've visited the restaurant twice).
This is the 5th time I have visited Joe Fortes. I have not been disappointed. The service, food quality and restaurant are always great. I highly recommend this restaurant. I have dined for business, for fun and for romance at Joe Forte's and my experience for each occasion was excellent. I will come back to Joe Forte's, and I will recommend it to anyone. Joe Forte's has a very broad menu, I... more
Need to get some air or fix what you have. Miserable evening with sweat running down our backs. Food pretty good. Service good. Overcrowded with too many tables. Couldn't move our chairs without hitting another.Horrible experience.
Food was good (fried pickles were excellent!), and really good selection of oysters. Service was attentive and knowledgeable, however the restaurant was so overcrowded and loud that we had a hard time hearing our waiter. The surrounding tables were so close that my chair back was touching the chair back of the table behind me. Would avoid this restaurant in the future due to how overcrowded and... more
We were a party of 8. The service was great and friendly.
The appetizers were very good but they are not mean for sharing. (Crab cake, calamari and ceviche).
The food was delicious!
The only thing was that the dining room was hot, it's summer and I don't know if their A/C was working properly, but I will be back!
We enjoyed the food, was great. Up on the terrace was a nice ambiance. The waiters so friendly. We personally don't appreciate when a TV screen is in front of us - we are not able to talk together anymore.
Trusted and tasty menu, gorgeous deck and great service make this an easy choice!
Enjoyed our 30th anniversary here. Food, wine and service were exceptional.
My wife and I on July 26th went for a special occasion dinner.
I ashed to substitute fries instead of the horseradish potatoes as I`m allergic.
They arrived and someone other than our waiter `plunked the plates down not even looking at us. The horseradish potatoes were there.
We eventually got the waiters attention as he was not coming over to ask us about the meal.
He took my plate away and...
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Expected our usual wonderful experience-didn't happen. Food was greasy, lukewarm and waiter abrasive.
Seafood was great. Steak average. Service was very good.
Always delicious! I have yet to be disappointed. I stop by this restaurant every time I am in Vancouver. This time I brought my family and they we very accommodating.
Had crab cakes and crispy french fries... very tasty and a highly recommended combination!Will definitely have them again in the near future.
We, 10 people group including some children, have enjoyed BC's local oysters of summer season.
BC's local oysters and crab cake, you must have! Very nice!
The atmosphere of this restaurant is a little classic and very friendly.
Live piano is also excellent!
We were a table of seven, and we all enjoyed excellent seafood. Our waiter was attentive and personable. When booking, I believed that three hours seemed an ample amount of time to enjoy a complete meal together. However, we were seated at 6:30 pm and by 9:30 pm we were just being handed our dessert menu. This is not because we did not order soon enough; it was a consequence of a kitchen that... more
Food and wait staff were fantastic! Our meals took too long to arrive given the busyness of the restaurant, and the fact that it was brunch food. This is not necessarily something that would be keep me away from Joe Fortes in the future, but is something I would be keeping my eye on the next time I choose to dine there
Joe Forte's continues to be one of my top 3 spots to dine at in Vancouver.... Whether it's for a romantic dinner, night out with the friends or a casual dinner, Joe Forte's food is always delicious (the sablefish is out of this world), the service is always outstanding and they have a fantastic wine list to top it off! Will be back soon!
We sat outside and enjoyed the summer day, the people watching and of course the excellent food .
We had the lobster rolls and they were fantastic. Service unparalleled. A memorable afternoon. Thank you.
I am soo pleased to say that Joe Fortes under Executive Chef Wayne Sych, has returned to its perfection of the past, excellent food that matches the never fading service of front of house. It is with great pleasure that the high expectations of guests are surpassed. From the extensive wine list, the knowledge, expertise and passion the serving staff exude. The only hard part was choosing what... more
The ambience was the best feature in this restaurant, design was great, piano player, multi-layer made the place quite interesting. Some of the items were a little over-priced, I suspect we were paying for the ambience through the food. The waiting staff were friendly and efficient. However, we almost left as it took 45 minutes to get our food, which was pretty outrageous since we didn't order... more
Sat on the roof deck for a sunday brunch. The seafood tower was fantastic. Lobster eggs benny was quite good too. Most notable was the great service we received. Kevin was amazing. This is why this place is my favourite Vancouver restaurant.
Thank you for a great annual family dinner. Everyone enjoyed their meals. The seafood was prepared and cooked to perfection. Service was great. Thanks for the complimentary appetizers and birthday deserts. Only complaint would be how hot restaurant was. Perhaps the restaurant should invent some stand alone fans.
Delicious food, wonderful selection and great service.
Steak was not seasoned well + too rare (asked for medium rare and turns out to be blue rare) and lobster was over cooked.Raw oyster and the lobster oil was really good!Sablefish was cooked very well, but feels like a normal Chinese dish.Service was great, but floor was left wet near the bar and my wife slipped and fell. This area is a wet hazardous area. as it seems it's always wet.Relatively... more
We arrived early to wait for padio the take no reservation for patio the hostess seem stressed & didn't seem to happy she wouldn't put u on wait list even thought we had booked reservation. She said she could not give us any estamate time of how long we had to wait and could not leave with the table buzzer. It was hot very loud and stuffy in the bar area where it looked like some people waiting... more
Some of the finest Sea Food you will find in Vancouver. Impeccable presentation, flavour, and perfectly portioned entrees. The fresh Oysters are of the finest quality.That accompanied by the attentive non rushed service makes for a memorable dining experience.
My friend and I had a great lunch at Joe Fortes this week. I ordered a cobb salad and was happy to hear that I could order
any kind of cheese I would like to go in it. The server brought the entire salad bowl over and mixed it with dressing and cheese, etc.
Then he served the salad onto my plate. Wow! It was delicious. Prior to the salad, I ate their ceviche. The server brought it over
in a...
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It was a special occasion,situated on the great patio. Service was excellent but the food was phenomenal. My partner had the Calamari and I had the Crabcake both very tasty and delicious. Main was the trio of seafood, halibut, salmon and prawn.....my mouth still waters now.... This was one our our best dinners ever in Vancouver and we go out every Friday and Saturday for dinner. Thank you Joe... more
When my wife and I visited Vancouver we took a variety of walking and riding tours. Each driver pointed this restaurant out as a highlight. It's not a bad thing to have a great location that is a tourist destination but be prepared for crowds. We were lucky to be seated on an outdoor enclosed patio. The noise level was a little lessened and the view of Robson Street. The menu was large and... more
My wife and I have dined at Joe Fortes at least once a month. Yesterday was not a typical Joe's service quality. We were greeted well but the food service and care was not there which was out of the ordinary from previous experiences. I think it was just an off day or a new server starting out but otherwise food was as usual very good.
The place was full of very young kids. The woman at the next table was breast feeding her baby. There were young children at two other adjacent tables. The sable fish was very good but the halibut cheeks were very chewy and placed on a mishmash of vegetables that did not make a good presentation or have very much flavor. The waiter was good but very pushy and obvious he wanted to flip the... more
This is my second visit to Joe Fortes. The Sablefish is phenomenal. The staff knows fish and the preparation. Describe what you want and they will steer you to an entree that will be perfect for you. I initially started out ordering one thing, and when I described what I wanted they shifted me to something slightly different. The change made for a perfect meal. Great for people who really... more
made my freinds birthday. One off the best dinners she has ever had.
The experience was amazing from the beginning with the different staff that greeted us so professionally at the door and led us through the restaurant, to the wait staff that never missed a beat and filled up our waters about 4 times the moment it was empty, to the amazingly executed food, it was an overall fantastic experience. I brought a client here for lunch and was not dissapointed. I will... more
Went half expecting a tourist trap but found good food, helpful servers and a lively atmosphere - the resturant is noisy so don't go for a quiet night out. Prices were comparable with similar restaurants in Vancouver. We sat on the balcony and had sufficient space (as well as a great people watching spot) but some tables downstairs did look very close together.
I often go there with my special customers.
Normally we enjoy the food and their service, however, this time because of one worst attitude of server, I decided not to go their anymore.
So sad
Not a bad place for some good food and wine. It's quite busy, so make sure you make a reservation.
The food and the atomsphere was excellent. Our waitress took great care of us. I believe her name was Ashlie.
Outstanding dining experience as usual! We totally enjoyed out evening. Can't wait to go back and try something different on the menu.
Fresh dishes, knowledgeable and friendly staff. Tops on my list for any occasion - especially when entertaining out of town guests!
We had heard that this was a not to miss restaurant during our visit to Vancouver. After dining here we would agree. We had one of the seafood specials that you can share, and there was an amazing amount of wonderful food. We will make it a point to dine at Joe Fortes' again on our future trips to Vancouver.
Everyone in our group raved about the experience at Joe Fortes, in fact they will all be coming back in the near future. Its hard to get everyone
together with busy schedules and when every ones expectations are exceeded you know it is a good venue. Loved the food we ordered a variety of dishes from breakfast to a meal, service was fantastic, deserts were to die for, waiter was attentive and...
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Joes is a great place especially for lunch or brunch.
love the Cobb Salad and eggs Benedict.
Service is always spot on .
Starts at the front door and with great waiters I've never been disappointed.
After arriving in Vancouver well after lunch we were in need of a meal and wanted seafood. The front desk at the hotel suggested Joe Fortes and called to reserve us a table. Once arriving I saw no need for the reservation as the place was not busy, with so many empty tables we were still put right next to... more
The service was great, staffs are friendly. Foods are expensive but tasty. Unless you make it to " happy hours" appetizers are half price. But I will recommend it to my friends coz the staffs are awesome!
We went for the King Crab and made the mistake of ordering a 1lb each, man oh man....Joe Fortes gives you a ton of Crab. It was delicious, split, tasty and we would go back in a heartbeat. Service was outstanding and atmosphere was excellent. Don't miss out on this place !!!
when you are in downtown Vancouver and look for an excellent sea-food restaurant, don't look further: Joe Fortes is the right place. visiting this establishment for so many years now, you know for sure that whatever you order for your meal, will be a top quality product prepared to order in the best possible way. it is always crowded in... more
Great food, great service. Good lunch specials, and close to skytrain. The restaurant has been there at least 8 years I been going, and always a positive experience. Highly recommend!
A bit disappointing with Joe's. Very expensive for average quality and service. The food was ok but not worth the money or the time waiting.
the selection of oysters is fantastic and all are super fresh. waiters very knowledgable about
which ones are best. dinner specials are great value . regular menu is great.
service is attentive but not obtrusive. great staff. also have had lunch here and have been
very impressed also. all in all a great place to eat and bring out of...
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Our party of five dined in may and had a very favorable experience. The weather was fabulous and we considered trying the patio but with a 90 minute wait we decided to stay with our reservation. Our server was super. She always was there at the right time, wasn't pushy and helped guide us to what seemed to be the... more
If you are in Vancouver and its sunny out, be sure to hit the deck at Joe Fortes. A classic place and a super spot on a nice day. Lunch or dinner (or just drinks)
If you want noise and organised chaos with exceptional service and food then this is the place for you. But unless you want a long wait for a table then book in advance. The roof garden is marginally quieter but can be a little cool in spring evenings. So wrap up warm or borrow one of the blankets that you... more
We visited here last August (2013) with our Canadian Friend for a late lunch without reservation and I was amazed at not only the building but also the great food.
Service was good and the whole atmosphere of the place too.
We didnt get a chance to eat here again but if we visit Vancouver again we would like to...
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Have dined here several times throughout the years. Always a good dining experience, albeit overpriced. Just fun to go there.
My boyfriend and I went here for our anniversary dinner while visiting Canada, and it was awesome. We were dressed to the nines which matched the environment, and service was flawless. A hiccup with our food was actually okay! After arriving in Vancouver earlier that day, we had poutine! Best thing ever!! So we weren't very hungry by the time... more
We arrived and asked if we could sit on the terrace but as it was very busy all they had was seating at the bar. This proved to be an excellent vantage point to see and feel the full vibrancy of the place. I had the seafood chiappino and this was truly stunning. Large pieces of salmon, prawns, calamari and... more
We stumbled on this fantastic restaurant by accident. We were wandering the streets looking for good food - we were almost resigned to Denny's - upon arrival we were treated with awesome service. We ordered Oysters Rockyfeller, seafood trio, halibut fillet & onion rings - in my opinion the best seafood meal we have ever eaten!!
Some of the items are a bit expensive, but sometimes you can catch a luncheon special which surprises you with its excellent quality and pleasant ambiance.
Went for birthday dinner - had a great meal overall. My husband and I had the three course special offered from Sunday- thursdays for $38.00. We both shared our appies - clam chowder and shrimp appie. He had the chicken and I had the steak. Both meals were great! We had the tiramusu and creme de brulee for dessert. Desserts... more
Joe Fortes always amazes me! The staff is amazing and friendly, our table was greeted by a number of staff that had served me on previous visits and our server Cole was amazing! She had a great personality and was lots of fun to go along with great knowledge of the menu and wine list! I had told some business... more
Ate here several times and the fish and oysters were superb. I usually order sauces on the side , but again no need to here. They have a huge oyster , with exquisite taste ...I did not think this was possible. Halibut Cheeks were excellent. If you like beer they have a local Honey ...? something? that is light but... more
You have to eat at Joe Fortes. We had a group of 8, able to get a reservation for the same night. The food was amazing, I had the fried pickles to start and then the Fish Trio, scallops, Trout and shrimp, all cooked to perfection, for dessert I ordered the KEY LIME PIE!!!!!!!! Best pie I have ever had!... more
We went to Joe Fortes for lunch as everyone said it was the place to eat. Maybe for dinner it would have been better but for lunch I found it to be very expensive. The food was good but not as good as I thought it was going to be.
We ate here after a long flight from the uk. The staff were friendly and attentive. I had oysters, king crab tempura and the halibut cheeks - all of which were brilliantly tasty. Other half had steak which was huge and the Parmesan/truffle oil fries were crispy and delish. Highly recommend!
I was on Vancouver on business and thought it was about time I revisited Joe Fortes having not been there for years.
Corra was my server when I was seated up at the Oyster Bar. She was fabulous.
I had the grilled halibut after a caesar salad starter with their amazing lobster infused oil with balsamic vinegar to go with...
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We went to the restaurant not expecting much, but we had a great dinner, we has seafood and steaks, and there was a good menu for Children.
A group of five of us visited Joe Fortes for dinner. The atmosphere was bustling and we enjoyed the live music. Our waitress was lovely and on the ball. Two of the five of us had a steak meal and neither was happy with their potatoes or steak so they sent it back. The staff at Joe Fortes handled the... more
We went to Joe Fortes for a special dinner before leaving the country. We really enjoyed the atmosphere and the food was amazing. Really enjoyed the bread that you dip in lobster infused oil (something fancy like that). The food serves were big and if we go back to Vancouver would definitely dine here again. :-)
We enjoyed a tower of seafood, all cold and all delicious, martini's and some oysters in the half shell. All fresh and yummy. Great bartender as we ate at the bar. We also had a side of macaroni & cheese; wow, that was good!
This dinner was from several months back, I've been meaning to post a quick review for some time now. What can I say, this is one of the best restaurants in Vancouver, and I'm looking forward to coming back soon. The seafood tower/platter is amazing! We had a side of mac n cheese and a salad that was quite incredible... more
This is a real hotspot for dinner in downtown Vancouver. The prices are on the higher end of the spectrum.
A choice from the large selection of oysters to start is a must. I had the seafood trio special for dinner and my wife had the halibut cheeks. The food was wonderful and nicely presented.
The service is really over...
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A must eat in Vancouver! Service and food where great, ate there twice in 5 days.. Hats off to Steve are waiter..
We all agreed that this was the best dinner we had in Vancouver. Michael was our server and he is quite the character! Steered us towards great choices in food and wine and everything was absolutely delicious! It sounds crazy, but I had the best tasting carrot on my plate that I have ever had in my life!
Went here for happy hour and had some good food and drinks. The bar was hopping and had a lot of people there on a Friday night. The service was good and we had the oysters and calamari which were very good. We then had the crab cake which was ok but somewhat overpriced. It is right where all the... more
We tried several different types of oysters (raw), I am NOT a seafood fan at all and I LOVED IT! The food was fabulous, the ambiance was wonderful and the staff was amazing. Joe Fortes changed my attitude towards seafood. I'll be back!
This long time restaurant is a fixture in Vancouver. The food is good as is the service. They have a famous oyster bar and the rooftop section has been home to many a party. Worth checking out and you never know who you might see there
Some of the best seafood in Vancouver. An array of selections of fresh oysters that are a must - even if you only try a couple. Make a reservation even at lunch as it can be busy but worth it.
This restaurant came highly recommended by the staff at Shangri La so I hoped it would share their penchant for quality and service. The ambience was quirky; a bit period, a bit New Orleans. The service was overly eager but ultimately ineffective. They were so busy running around between tables that they didn't notice the chef had run out of certain seafood in our order until they brought it... more
Our concierge recommended that we dine at Joe Fortes. I had read a few not- so- wonderful reviews on TripAdvisor. We are foodies from southern CA who wanted a memorable evening. From the moment we walked in, experienced the warm, buzzing ambiance, we were directed to the bar for a five minute wait for our table. We each had a... more
Looks pretty on the plate but don't go there if you are hungry! Popular for the young and the people watchers. Staff were very friendly though.
Returned for the fish. On a Saturday evening the crowd was affluent. It was a bit noisy sitting at the bar. That is all to say of an otherwise splendid diner. The personnel was upmost attentive and quite efficient inspite of the amount of work. Great job! Got out with a happy feeling.
The food was not good, the salad with chicken had frozen chicken pieces. The waiter forgot our Oysters appetizer!!!! we waited for 40 min and then they brought our food. when we said how about our appetizer, the waiter so "oh I am sorry, it slipped my mind"!!!! very disappointing. It is also very loud and not nice atmosphere. Do... more
I absolutely loved the atmosphere, food, and also the wonderful accommodating staff at this restaurant! Not only were my fried oysters cooked to perfection (not too soft, or hard) with a delicious tartar sauce, the lobster bisque, fish and chips (my daughter had) and steak for other daughter were cooked to perfection, as well! As soon as we were let... more
Had reservations at 6 pm on a Thursday evening to celebrate a friend’s birthday. With the TED Talks Conference in town, the restaurant was very busy but the service and food were still very good. I’ve eaten here at least 6 times in the past 5 years and was never disappointed.
We started with a dozen Kusshi oysters which came...
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We had calimari, steelhead, and fish tacos. The calimari was the best we have ever had and so was the steelhead. Fish tacos were pretty good too, but the other items were on another level. We found it by walking by and searching tripadvisor. If I goto Vancouver again I would be sure to eat here. Staff was nice too.... more
We have been going there for years, great bar for people watching and the restaurant is very good despite one of our team getting a bad oyster a couple of years ago. A bit overpriced but interesting enough to make it worthwhile.
We visited Joe Forte's during a 3 day trip to Vancouver enroute to whistler. The food was fantastic but the staff were second to none, Scott, Chad and last but not least Frenchy, were wonderful, we had been recommended to try Joe Forte's and we were not disappointed, canada is known for exceptional and friendly customer service and this restaurant... more
I've been meaning to write my review for Joe Fortes for a while now. We went there at the end of last year and it was fabulous! The hostesses at the front seemed quite unorganised but it is a very busy restaurant. Once we were seated we met our waiter Richard who was amazing. So friendly and knowlegable with the... more
I've been dining at Joe's since about the mid-nineties and have watched it change and grow with the times. Some of the original clientele are still there and it's hilarious to catch up.
The food as always is still excellent with some unique asian flare to the dishes. I love the oyster bar, not just the oysters but the atmosphere...
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OK - dinner with some very good friends... always awesome but was very pleased that David was our server.... this place will not disappoint!
Good atmosphere, good food, above average service, just a bit too noisy and pricy ... parking is a pain unless you use their valet service. Great roof-top dining in the summer.
the rooftop patio is a great spot to have a nice dinner or just drinks. A nice restaurant to have a party at
Scott Garrett the manager at Joe Fortes in Vancouver must get help for a Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
On Wednesday Jan 22 at 6pm we arrived for our 2 seat reservation that we made weeks ago. We were told weeks ago that we can sit near the bar/ bistro.
But when we got there Joe Fortes did a bait and Switch. They had has sit at the top floor where it was dark AND they put is in a dark...
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The food and drinks were delicious! The waitstaff was friendly and efficient. Will definitely go there again and again.
Afternoon
My family and I recently spent the long weekend in Vancouver.
My wife had seen your restaurant and being a sea food lover that she is insisted we go there.
The wait time to get in was 15 minutes not bad.
But after our order was taken we waited pretty much an hour to get our food.
The waiter Richard was apologetic about the wait, asking if I wanted to get my order now or wait for the...
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Nice & lively restaurant, with expedient service. We were jet-legged, however the excellent pianist made sure we staid tuned. He really enjoyed playing the piano and so did we. Nice sea food (West Coast Oysters) and great halibut, richly decorated with good tasting vegetables!
Worthwhile dining here, the enthusiastic and passionate pianist made it a dinner to remember.
There was complimentary baguette with lobster oil and sweetened vinegar. My friends and I all agreed that the lobster oil reminded us of XO sauce! Fish tacos: The freshly deep fried tempura style fish strips smelled so good as the dish was placed in front of me. I also appreciated how there was plenty of chipotle aioli, guacamole, sour cream, and pico de gallo because some restaurants only give... more
Amazing atmosphere and great place to take family and friends too. We recommend Joe Fortes Restaurant for your next time out. Good menu and freindly staff. Our customers at Boss Limousines take our stretch limousines to and from the restaurant. Impress your family and friends with good dinner and a limousine!
Joe Fortes has a happy hour that goes on every day from 4:00PM - 6:00PM! We decided to try this out since the prices were right and boy, were we satisfied! We ended up completely stuffed and with a bunch of leftovers even though we only had to pay around $17 per person. The only thing we would like to mention about this happy hour is that there are no reservations and it is pretty much first... more
Very loud, full of the after-work crowd. Can be hard to find your waiter when you need him. Steak served in a bowl and was impossible to cut. Would not go back.
I believe "classy" can be used to sum this place up. You would definitely come here for the fresh seafood dishes: fresh oyster bar and bread with lobster oil are my must haves for each visit, colourful wine list and attentive services. The location is located in central Vancouver downtown and within walkable distance to and from hotels and shopping.The decor looked like it has not been... more
Waited one hour for our appetizers, even with early reservation. Waitress-in-training blamed the kitchen...but she disappeared for what seemed like hours. Noisy room and distant service
"""Our favorite seafood place in Vancouver. Fabulous oysters and an imaginative, well-priced wine list."""
"""for those who want to say """"we've been tot Joe Fortes"""", that is all I can say!"""
"""Loud, boisterous, touristy and somewhat overwhelming..."""
"""A Vancouver classic specializing in seafood and steak. Stunning dining rooms, outdoor patio with fireplace, late night menu, comprehensive wine list, groovy lounge, exceptional use of fresh and local ingredients. Whether it's lunch or dinner, or anything"""
"""Seafood dishes here are divine but the serving sizes alas are more for toddlers than adults. Best for a light meal, or order two dishes and make it a full meal."""
Good seafood in a trendy Robson Street setting. Sit at the bar with the trendsetters (wannabees?).
"""lovely atmosphere, excellent food and service. Especially good value at lunchtime..very reasonable specials daily!"""
still best restaurant in Vancouver. They opened the patio. it's nice in summer. also winter with fireplace. Oyster is various choice and fresh. have live piano music sometime.
Fresh seafood and amazing view from the patio of Robson St...the heart & soul of downtown Vancouver
"""food is very good, location is good inside could be brightened up the service is always excellent"""
"""Classic Vancouver restaurant. Seafood, steaks, pre dinner drinks are all recommended here. Come for the business lunch which is a good deal but lack a little in service and food quality."""
"""Go for the patio, which is an excellent place to hang out after work but stay away from the dining room unless you like mediocre service and food."""
"""Lively atmosphere, average food, overdone service, too expensive"""
Fun atmosphere. Good drinks. Great lunch specials. The roof-top patio is one of the best in Vancouver.
"""The food is good, but for what you have to pay for good, is it good enough?"""
I had the Lobster and Shrimp Club House, after seeing one arrive at the table next to me. I asked for the brioche toast to be double toasted, so it's a little darker that you would expect. The filling was a combination of lobster meat and baby shrimp, in a light mayo dressing, mixed with celery for crunch and parsley for freshness. I opted to skip the mayo on the bread, and didn't miss it at all.
Great feel and character from this long time favorite. I go here every 3 or 4 years and it is remarkably consistent with great seafood and a diverse menu. I'll keep going.
We had both the seafood and the prime rib. Both very much to our liking. Our waiter (from Dublin, Ire) couldn't be nicer or more accomodating. Good all around experience.
Excellent food and even better service. My linguine with mixed (and very fresh) seafood was spectacular, by any standards, including NYC, where I was born and raised. Portions are large and even the side dishes are hefty. The desserts are fresh and the ice cream was delicious. We told our waitress we needed to be out in 75 minutes to catch a concert. She had our appetizers and dinners served... more
Great place to drop by for a drink and an appetizer to meet friends, or for a great meal.
A large group (10 pers.) for lunch was handled very well and bill presented when requested and set out per person as requested -we were in and out within out 1 hr. 15 min. limit - well done
Corny but good, and great value. Central location risk free choice.
Excellent, prompt service. Very helpful. Inviting. Halibut cheeks fixed to perfection. Cioppino above most. Nice experience.
Big and fun restaurant. Better for a group of people. Tasty steaks and seafood. Something for everyone from the huge menu. Good atmosphere.
A little above average and busy steak/fish house that serves a good meal but nothing special.
they seem to alway busy to serve you unless you are ordering drinks.
Joe Forte's is a favorite of mine. The venue offers a wide selection of wines and a fabulous oyster menu. Their newly renovated rooftop patio boasts a fun time to enjoy a hot summer night.
roof top patio is unbeleivable andthe food is great and inexpensive very good service
We tried Joe Fortes for the first time last evening. Based on our experience, it will most likely be our last visit as well.
To be fair, we were a large party of eight. We arrived a little early for our 8PM reservation but were seated within 15 minutes of arrival. Our hostess guided up upstairs to a rather private area with a large banquette with was located just inside the door to the upper...
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Highlight of the appetizers. Fresh juicy gigantic prawns.
I come to Vancouver about once a year and every time Joes has some of the best steak Ive had anywhere.
I come to Vancouver about once a year, and every time, Joe’s has some of the best steak I’ve had anywhere.
Best steak I’ve had in a year.
This was the place I had snapper for the first time and only one word describes it delish Service was impecabe as was the food and I would totally go back.
Appetizers 45 Mains 4.55 Service 55 Ambiance 45 Overall 4.55We went to Joe Fortes last year for a business lunch on a tight schedule and informed the waiter of this as we were seated. Dishes were brought on quickly and the service was professional.FoodJumbo tiger prawn cocktail appetizer was delicious. The same cant be said for the calamari which was good but nothing special. I had the... more
The food and the staff were awesome. The crab claws were the best I have ever had anywhere.
Crab claws are excellent!!! My trio platter of fish was also very well prepared, though a tad salty for my taste. The lava cake dessert was also great!
Ordinary restaurant. Seats singles in corner. Seafood is bland. Bread is cold and ordinary. And cheesecake lacked originality. Fortes needs to check out scoma's on fisherman's wharf in san francisco to learn how to make ciopinno, bread, desert. Don't bother checking out this overrated restaurant.
This is a great place to eat and they have many dishes that you won't find anywhere else. I was pleasantly surprised with the good service, friendly but could be a bit faster.
buzy place for local business men!...find the interior a little noisy...but the roof top garden in the summer is fabulous!...the ahi tuna is very good
Well I can see that I am the first to give this place less than 4 stars. Yes I did enjoy my meal, but I did not find the service very good. It was slow. It was 15 minutes plus before anybody came and took my order. I don't drink alcohol very often, so I stick mostly to coffee. It took almost 10 minutes more to get my first cup of coffee. and the only times I recieved a refill was when I asked... more
Very cozy tables and elegant food.
If they have a duck salad, it is a must try!
I thought this resteraunt was awsome. If you're into seafood i highly suggest checking it out, especially the lobster or king crab. MMMMMM! If you go in the summer the patio is the best, other than that enjoy great food and service.
One oldest steak houses in the center of the city near robson street shopping. Great location.
Fabulous service, great location, wonderful food......its one of the happening place to go downtown!
Went there on a whim IT WAS GREAT! they had an amazing duck salad. We went back for it but they did not have it, sad but the food was just as good. Keeps you coming back!
Joe Fortes looks like it was built in the 30s where we got "All that Jazz" As the name applied Joe's got seafood. The fish (lots of varieties) is well treated without that dirty ocean smell. Professional and friendly server and $10~20 for lunch is not a bad deal in downtown.
The decor and ambiance makes you feel like you are somewhere special. Great place to host a important dinner. The Seafood Ciopino was exceptional.
Vibrant, booth-lined dining room for seafood & steak, with a popular oyster bar & rooftop patio.
San Francisco-style restaurant features an oyster bar. Daily chef’s creations, plus 50 kinds of fresh fish and premium oysters and over 300 wines on the award-winning wine list. Heated Rooftop Sports Garden, open in summer. Live entertainment daily. Reservations suggested. Valet parking evenings and weekdays. $$$. L (M-F), D (daily), brunch (Sa-Su).
Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House offers these services: banquets, salles, réception, restaurant.
Many decades ago, a large bartender named Joe Fortes became the first lifeguard at Vancouver's English Bay. Now this attractive seafood and chop house that bears his name is one of the top dining spots. Oysters are the specialty (the fresh shucked and pan-roasted varieties) at the upscale haunt. The dozen or so fresh fish entrees are also popular, with cedar-plank salmon topping the daily list.... more
For over 25 years, Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House has been a favourite Oyster Mecca for locals and visitors alike. The extensive oyster has over 20 kinds of oysters from both the East and West coast. If oysters aren't your thing, you will still have plenty to choose from on their classic menu. With the freshest seafood, exquisite service and only steps from Robson Street, Joe Fortest Seafood &... more
One hundred years ago, a large bartender named Joe Fortes became the first lifeguard at Vancouver's English Bay. Now this attractive seafood and chop house that bears his name is one of the top dining spots. Oysters are the specialty (the fresh shucked and pan-roasted varieties) at the upscale haunt. The dozen or so fresh fish entrees are also popular, with cedar-plank salmon topping the daily... more
Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House is a Seafood, Steakhouse, and Oyster Bar restaurant where most Menuism users came for a business meeting, paid more than $50, and tipped more than 18%.
A taste of San Francisco highlights the menu at this popular and energetic oyster bar and seafood grill. A relaxing roof garden features its own grill and seafood menu. Live piano music is featured nightly. Reservations recommended. Business casual attire.