seafood Archives - Curiously Carmen

The Sandbar Seafood Restaurant

December 28, 2022

Earlier this year, the husband and I went to the Sandbar Seafood Restaurant to celebrate our dating anniversary! The Sandbar is part of the Sequoia group of restaurants, which also includes Seasons in the Park, Cardero’s and the Tea House in Stanley Park.

We both really like Seasons, so had some high expectations for the Sandbar!

Parking in Granville Island is free after 6pm, which was a pleasant surprise! The Sandbar is nestled between shops in Granville Island and can be easy to miss. The entrance is on the ground floor, and the main restaurant and seating area is up a flight of stairs.

The ambiance was nice, with live piano music as well. There was also a nice view of the water and downtown skyline.

The sandbarge: The sandbarge was a smaller version of the seafood platter. We both aren’t really big fans of lobster so we went with the cheaper option. The oysters were fresh and tasty. The ahi tuna and Dungeness crab also tasted fresh.

The prawns were disappointing and nothing really special about it. Overall, we found the seafood platter alright but not the best we’ve had.

Cedar plank salmon: Due to my ongoing stomach issues, I wanted something lighter and clearer. This dish was pretty disappointing and nothing special. I would have thought that the cedar plank would give the salmon a more grilled and smoky flavor, but it was pretty plain.

I could have definitely air fried the salmon myself and it would have tasted the same. For a seafood restaurant, I expected a bit more.

Linguine vongole: The husband’s linguine was delicious and the highlight dish of the evening. There was a lot of juicy clams and the pasta sauce was great. The portion was pretty big and he was really satisfied after.

The food came out painstakingly slow that night as well. Overall, we found the Sandbar to be alright. I would recommend this place more for the atmosphere but not really for the food.

The Victor

May 16, 2022

For my birthday last year, the husband and I went to The Victor! From what I remember, it was a pretty last minute decision. I think we had reservations for The Keg but then last minute, we both felt like trying somewhere we haven’t been yet, and The Victor was one of the remaining places left on OpenTable.

I remember that we were both a bit hesitant in trying it since we heard mediocre things, but we ended up enjoying our dinner!

Bread: We were given some bread to start. The bread was fluffy, soft, and warm. It tasted really fresh.

Drinks: We both enjoyed our drinks as well. The husband ordered a Caesar which was tasty, but he wished that it would have included more garnish. I don’t recall what drink I ordered, but it was a non-alcoholic one. I really enjoyed mine. This is why I should write posts while the visit is fresh in my head, and not five months later! Jeez…

Seafood tower: This was the seafood tower for two. It came with Kusshi oysters, scallop ceviche, jumbo prawns, king crab, and lobster. We were both impressed with the seafood tower.

All of the seafood was very fresh and Kusshi oysters are my favourite type of oyster, so I was happy to see it offered that night!

Filet mignon: Again, this visit was from five months ago so my memory is not the best! But I believe we split the filet mignon. There were a few different cuts of steak available.

Roasted mushrooms: We didn’t think too much of the roasted mushrooms initially, but they were actually really good!

Dessert: For my birthday, the Victor gave us a complimentary cake slice. It was a coconut custard cake and was tasty as well.

Overall, we enjoyed our visit to The Victor and were pleasantly surprised considering hearing the mixed reviews from others. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was perfect for date night, and the service was friendly.

The Poke Guy

June 15, 2021

We have been enjoying our poke bowls lately! It started with ordering delivery a few times from Pacific Poke. As we know how smartphones track our every move, I received a BOGO coupon for The Poke Guy shortly afterwards. This was definitely not a coincidence, we are all being watched Black Mirror style! But I guess I got a free poke bowl from it this time?? Lol!

The Poke Guy is located in downtown, by West Hastings and Richards Street. I’ve been here many years ago briefly, when one of my friends was working here. I didn’t write a review that time but I remembered the poke was good.

The Poke Guy can be slightly easy to miss. You have to walk a few steps down to go inside. Currently due to COVID, they are operating by take out only but they used to have some small tables. They have a menu of their signature poke bowls, or you can create your own bowl.

Aloha bowl: The aloha bowl was a smaller version of their regular poke bowls, and was available as a spring special. I thought it was a pretty good snack size, or if you have a small appetite, this would suffice for a meal. With the aloha bowl, you can choose between the Ahi tuna or Atlantic salmon, and a base of sushi rice or brown rice. The toppings include salad, pineapple, cucumber, tomato, green onions, sesame dressing, fried onions, and furikake flakes.

For myself, I went with the Atlantic salmon and brown rice. This was so delicious. The salmon was fresh and marinated well. The sesame dressing was creamy, and the fried onions and furikake flakes elevated the poke bowl even more. Everything went well together and I would definitely get this again.

Aloha bowl: The fiance went with the Ahi tuna and sushi rice. He enjoyed his bowl as much as I did, if not even more! The tuna was really fresh and also marinated well. Apart from the tuna, he also noted that the fried onions and furikake flakes made the poke bowl taste so much better. Two simple toppings, but delicious!

Prior to The Poke Guy, we primarily ordered from Pacific Poke or made our own poke bowls. After having The Poke Guy, I actually prefer it more than Pacific Poke (although Pacific Poke isn’t bad either). I found that the poke has more marinade here and is more saucy, plus the fried onions go so well with it! We will definitely be back when we are in the area.

Harbour Oyster Bar

June 10, 2021

I have been on a bit of a raw oyster kick lately! I have always enjoyed oysters but have cautiously enjoyed them because of the higher risk with food poisoning and getting vibrio. However, it seemed like I just threw caution to the wind this year and have been a few times already, more than the past few years combined!

It started with Ebisu, then Atlas, and now Harbour Oyster Bar. I also have some plans to try out some other oyster bars this summer.

Harbour Oyster Bar is located along Commercial drive, right next to Marcello’s and across from Famoso.

Harbour Oyster Bar is a pretty small restaurant, with a few tables inside and a bar. I am not sure if the patio was opened due to COVID restrictions or if they normally have a patio on the street.

We went when the indoor dining restriction was still in place, and the restaurant wasn’t accepting reservations on their patio but said we could give them a call 30 mins before we arrive to reserve our seat.

Raw oysters: The star of the show! The happy hour oysters are $1.50 from 11-5pm, a pretty good deal if you are wanting to come during lunch. The oysters were fresh and tasty, with no complaints about them. Very satifsying!

Fried oysters: The fried oysters were also on the happy hour menu and came with 4 per order. They were served deep fried fresh and very crunchy. It was a fun option if you don’t like raw oysters, or wanted them cooked.

Garlic prawns: The garlic prawns were also on the happy hour menu. They seemed pretty lackluster and not what I was expecting. They were also pretty expensive for the price, so I would recommend getting the oysters instead. Currently in 2021, the happy hour price was $12 and original price is $16, which is not worth it for 5 pieces of prawn.

Overall, the oysters were delicious and the service was really friendly. It is a decent choice for oysters in the Commercial Drive area, and if you don’t want to go downtown for your oyster fix. I will definitely be back for happy hour.

Pacific Poke – Commercial Drive

May 24, 2021

I love poke but I normally don’t get it from a restaurant, preferring to make it at home because it is actually really easy! We like to buy the sashimi from Fujiya, then add some simple seasoning sauces and toppings. However, I was browsing on SkipTheDishes one day when I saw that Pacific Poke was having a deal for free delivery and a free coconut drink. I was sold!

DIY medium combo: For the DIY medium combo, you get two scoops of protein and three scoops of toppings with a choice for the base. I chose the salmon and ahi tuna for the protein, seaweed salad/diced mango/basil tomato for the toppings, and traditional sushi rice for the base.

The salmon and tuna were fresh and tasty! The toppings were okay, I wish there were some more sweet toppings at no cost other than diced mango. I wasn’t a fan of the basil tomato so I wouldn’t get that again.

As well, the sushi rice was slightly sour due to the vinegar. There was too many different flavours going on (sweet, salty, sour) that they didn’t taste good mixed together, but that’s my fault for choosing this combination. I did better on my second visit!

DIY medium combo: The fiance was at work so I guessed what he would like. I picked the negitoro and spicy ahi tuna for his protein, cucumber kimchi/pesto pineapple/mango for the toppings, and sushi rice.

The negitoro was really good and I wish I ordered that for myself instead. The toppings were interesting but I wish they had some plain ones instead of the mix, such as plain cherry tomato, cucumber or pineapple.

DIY medium combo: On the second visit, I had a better idea of what combinations I would like. I got the salmon and negitoro for the protein, mango/seaweed salad/pesto pineapple for the topping, and brown rice.

This time, the flavours went better together. I preferred the brown rice over sushi rice because the brown rice didn’t add a sour vinegar taste. Normally I love sushi rice but it was just too many flavours going on!

DIY medium combo: On the second visit, the fiance picked negitoro and tuna for his protein, corn/seaweed salad/miso hummus for the topping, and sushi rice.

The miso hummus was unique and the fiance said he would order it again.

Cocopanda: We ordered this drink on both occasions! There was a promo where this drink was free over $25.

You have to be careful though because Skip automatically charges you for two drinks, and gives you one free. I realized this on the first order but we forgot on the second order, which was fine because we loved the drink a lot.

The cocopanda was a blend of coconut milk and coconut water, and was delicious. It’s pretty simple and easy to make, but delicious and refreshing. It wasn’t too creamy since they use half coconut milk and half coconut water.

Overall, we both enjoyed our two delivery meals from Pacific Poke. We will probably continue to order from them more often, especially since they have the printing with Skip