One of the great things about the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada is the availability of phenomenal sea food. After check in at the DOUGLAS hotel, I wanted to savor lunch at a local, sustainable seafood place with great reviews. Fanny Bay Oyster Bar checked all those boxes – and more.
After securing a table, ordering began. I was ecstatic when I browsed the menu and immediately saw my favorite oysters: KUMAMOTO (Fruity, green melon, sweet, beach grown – 4 years old: from Chapman Cove, WA), on special for happy hour. That as an exceptionally easy choice for a raw oyster platter.
Wanting to branch out from my usual loves, I asked the waitress for an additional suggestion for another oyster variant, to balance the Kumamotos out. She suggested the TAYLOR PACIFIC (Vegetal, seaweed, briny, beach grown – 2 years old: from Oakland Bay, WA). I’m glad that I tried it – only to hate them. They were much too large, for my liking. I should have just ordered four Kumamotos and left it at that. However, I am still proud for trying something new.
Likewise, with the GRILLED OYSTERS. Personally, texture and size wise, they were also too fat for me. But, glad I tried them. I will say that the RED SEA COCKTAIL (Kraken dark rum, pomegranate, grenadine, star anise) was spiced, wintery inspired goodness.
Another one of my favorite to order dishes that was exactly as tasty as I imagined it would be? The TUNA TARTARE (Maple-soy glaze, cucumber, avocado, sesame, wonton crisps). It was honestly some of the freshest, most tasty tuna tartare I’ve had in recent memory.
We also ordered FISH TACOS (3 pcs, beer-battered Pacific cod, siracha lime crema, coleslaw) and the TRUFFLE FRIES (Kennebec fries, truffle oil, chives, Parmesan, aioli). The truffle fries were so good, we finished the first order – and ordered it again.
Overall, Fanny Bay Oyster Bar & Shellfish Market is a delicious choice for lunch and happy hour. It checks the box of being Michelin recommended, is walking distance to great areas of Vancouver and and is extremely tasty.
However, if you’re like me and are very sensitive to the size and taste of oysters – stick with what you like. Sometimes, trying something new has its value. However, when it comes to oysters, lesson learned.
Fanny Bay Oyster Bar & Shellfish Market
762 Cambie Street
Vancouver, BC, Canada V6B 2P2
