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A Vancouver landmark named after the city's first lifeguard in the 1890's. Joe Fortes is a multi-level, San Francisco-styled place with an oyster bar, rooftop garden patio and ample restaurant seating.
Vancouverites and tourists alike lament on customer service in Vancouver. So, I am telling you right now, if you want *incredible service*, go to Joe Fortes.
Joe Fortes knows how to do it right.
All I did was make a reservation and mention is was my partner's birthday. We were given a perfect corner booth for two. It was intimate and, since it was my partner's first time there, also great vantage point to appreciate the atmosphere. Waiters wore traditional white jackets and knew their wine and dinner specials by heart.
The most wonderful part that compelled me to give the waiter a 70% tip was a surprise creme brulee with candle and brithday croon. I will tell you why this was such a pleasant surprise.
My past experience with other restaurants requires you to remind them or make a special request. This was not necessary at Joe Fortes. I have always liked their food, but their services clinches the deal every time.
[This review was also posted on Trip Advisor.]
Yeah, it's pricy. But for the experience you'll get and the class Joe Fortes delivers it with, it's worth it. Their meals are terrific across the board and there's no missteps or odd-man-out dishes; whatever you get, you'll like.
If you're new to the world of oysters, I suggest you try some. They're quite affordable and are a great way to start off, especially if you buy a handful and share with friends!
Lastly, best bread ever. They give you a sort of lobster dip concuction to go with, and it really gets you into the spirit of things. Joe Fortes is going to be where I go to class it up in DT!
My wife and I were Christmas shopping and decided to call ina na graban appettizer at Joe Fortes, we had been before so thought we knew what to expect.
First off we wee greeted by our server who in a really patronizing tone explained the concept of oil and vinegar.....thank-you for the education??? Then we were approached by a seperate server who took our drink orders......15 minutes later a third server approached us and asked us for our drink order....you can probably see where this is going, finally a forht server aproached us and asked us for our order which we provided with quizical looks on both of our faces.
They then proceeded to forget our food order......for thirty minutes. To top it all we ordered the King Crab tempura, we thought it would be a nice litle bite for two over a glass of wine, cost $18.75. When it arrived it was just slightly larger than a Amuse, literally three tiny little pieces of tempured crab leg.......rediculous.
Will never be back.....have had the leasure of eating all over the world, River Cafe, Ivy, Michael Minna, Gary Danko, French Laundry and I have never seen such terrible service and such blatant gauging.
All i've had here was a half-litre of wine and a small seafood platter (work lun h); however, I LOVED the atmosphere and the menu and waitress looked delicious. I plan to go back when I'm not watching my carbs/fatty meats and having a proper go at the food. Incidentally, the seafood platter had a lovely variety of items that went from smooth and creamy, to dry and crumbly, to fabulously stinky. They have my vote on the seafood dishes. Pretty blondes too.
My wife and I just finished eating at Joe Forte's and the food was excellent. I really enjoy fresh Halibut, and my dish with the lemon butter was outrageously good. My wife had the Ribeye steak, which was good for me as well because she couldn't finish it. Cooked to perfection, the ribeye and its sauce complimented the Napa Cabernet wonderfully. The service was excellent as well, The servers worked well as a team. The water and wine glasses were never empty, and the staffs knowledge of the menu and recommendations were right on. Our server Graham was knowledgeable, friendly, and had excellent recommendations for dinner, appetizers, and desert. I have lived in Napa, Boston, and New York and this was the best meal I have had in years. I would highly recommend Joe Forte's for a fine dining experience in Vancouver. If I had any negative it would be the close proximity of the tables. If possible request a table on the upper deck in the summertime.
Went during the week for dinner and made reservations upstairs on the patio. It seems they have cut down the seating as part of the patio is now a garden. The restaurant area is all covered while the bar area has some umbrellas. Started off with a 2 dozen oysters which were really good, all local ones. Then had the sable fish which was excellent. Cooked just right with perfect balance of miso. Sides were just ok (rice and asparagus). Tried the beef carpacio and it was very good. Dessert was just OK with the lava cake and ice cream. Service was very good and they accomodated any changes to the menu. Only part was when the oysters were served, they didn't explain the various types. Overall a great evening. A bit on the pricey side but it seems the public thinks it's good value as the restaurant was full.
I am a banana.
I had dinner with my wife in the month of September on a weekend.
The service of the staff was very attentive. We were seated near a large party on the upper level and seeing our discomfort with the seating arrangements the staff moved us further away from the party.
I had the vine ripened tomatoe and cheese salad and rib eye steak.
My wife had the oysters rockefeller and the trio of fish.
We both agreed the dinner only had one dissapointment which was the fish.
All three types of fish was over cooked. Halibut, salmon and ling cod.
We both also agreed the lobster infused olive oil for bread dipping was excellent.
We would have loved to stay and have dessert as well but the volume of the restaurant was a big turn off for further dining.
I went for a work lunch at Joe Fortes this week and I was again really impressed with the food. There were a few changes I would recommend, but overall it was a great lunch.
There were five of us for lunch, including 2 business associates visiting from France. One of the visitors wanted to try West Coast oysters, so we ordered a dozen to start. Our waiter was knowledgable on the different varieties and we selected 3 to try. They were all really tasty, but I found the larger ones had more of a salty, buttery finish to them.
For my entrée, I opted for the sablefish, which was cooked with a miso, soya type glaze. The flavour was amazing - sablefish is one of my favourites and Joe Fortes always manages to cook it exactly to my liking. The plain, white rice served with the fish was - for lack of a better word - dull. The grilled asparagus was nicely cooked, but the rice really brought the whole dish down a notch or two.
Everyone at the table really enjoyed their meal and we all finished off with coffee or espresso. I have had their creme brulée for dessert on a different occasion, and it has never disappointed.
I love the fresh sheet here, and everything I've ordered has been really good. If they could just do something about the rice, I would rate the meal a little higher.
The value depends on what you order - their price fixe menu is exceptional - for $13.95 you get a choice of 2 dishes (appy/entrée/dessert) and the portions are really good. The prawn linguine seems to be the best value, as it is really filling. The appy & dessert portions are smaller than what the regular menu portions are, but it is still a really good value for your money. They also have a blue plate special every day of the week for $9.95 and it changes frequently.
Overall, it was a great experience and I'll keep going back.
Of all the excellent restaurants Vancouver has to offer, this place has to be one of my favourites. The food is tasty and always cooked exactly to my specifications, the service is terrific, and the atmosphere is vibrant and fun. Because this place tends to be incredibly busy and somewhat noisy especially on the weekends, we tend to book a later dinner (8:30 or 9:00PM). That way we avoid the dinner rush and with the later hour we tend to get a better table. The main dining area is preferred as the bistro area can be quite noisy. In summer months, the upstairs outdoor patio is the perfect spot. It really is an oasis of sorts, so beautiful and romantic, and it adds a completely new and different dimension to the usual dining at Joe's.
My three top picks from the menu are the Queen Charlotte Halibut (when fresh and in season), the salmon with maple brown butter sauce, and the house special duo of fish. The desserts, while not over the top, are very good, and I like the fact that they are available in half orders. The chocolate duo is excellent as is the banana creme pie. The wine list is extensive and reasonably priced and the cocktails are great. If you like real ginger beer, the Dark and Stormy is to die for. For something light and refreshing, try the Russion Spy. Overall, this place gets top marks for food, service, and atmosphere. We have been dining here for a number of years now, and with such a high standard of excellence, it is not much wonder that Joe Fortes has earned our loyalty.
reserved a table on the patio for a sunny weekend brunch, and had a fabulous time.
Between my friend and I we split the manhattan seafood chowder, Dotty's Chopped Salad and a King Crab omelet. All were prepared with love and precision. I particularly enjoyed the crab omelet with asparagus and a creamy goat cheese.
Our servers were friendly, and attentive... And on a sunny day, the rooftop patio is like a relaxing oasis... comfortable, elegant but accessible and inviting.
I have to admit.... I heard about the waitresses at Joe Fortes but never went until now. All I have to say is WOW. Several levels.... great decor, as soon as you walk in you feel welcomed, the young blondie hostess and the waitresses are always friendly even tho they are always busy. We were seated, and was greeted by a gorgeous lady. Told us the specials, always smiling. We ordered the scallops.... OMG totally amazing!!! We didnt have dessert, way too full to even look at the menu. Anyways.... overall Experience, Perfect, This is what I wish all restaurants can learn from and experience. Where do they find these tall blondies?
Hub and I have been going to Joe Fortes for a few years now, and we always really enjoy ourselves. The food is fresh and always nicely prepared - we love the oysters, sablefish, Dotty's salad and the wine list. Service is polite, prompt and charming with a nice edge of wit and humour, especially at the bar and on the patio. Joe Fortes proves that a high-end restaurant doesn't have to have uppity or snobby staff. We are always well received and treated, whether we're in our business suits for dinner or in khaki shorts on a sunny Saturday afternoon. The patio is wonderful, but they don't take reservations, so its best to go early or just wait. Keep it up, Joes Fortes!
I brought my boyfriend here for dinner one night we ordered the seafood tower to start us off i had the miso sablefish and he ordered the chef's creation that day. the service was exquisite, our server was very outgoing and personable made us feel like were there everynight. he suggested i try the miso sablefish the very item i had my eye one and it was well worth the suggestion. the sable fish just melts like butter in your mouth and the seasoning was perfect not overdone. everything was presented well beyond expectations. it is on the pricey side but well worth it for quality and service.
another thing i quite enjoyed was the hired piano player during the dinner service.
The Best of the Best!
Joe Forets has yet to dissapoint. I have been here with my wife in the double digits and we have yet to have a bad experience. A true gem in Vancouver's restaurant industry, do yourself a favor and try the 16oz ribeye...its the real deal.
The service and ambience are second to none, these are career servers and it shows.
Was here two weeks ago with my coworker who also loves food as much as I do. We were greeted and welcomed at the door, our server was really sweet (maybe even a bit too friendly). Unfortunately we were seated at a table that was between two aisles kind of, so that people constantly rushes past us and the place is very.. dated.
We ordered from their lunch special menu, where 2 courses were around 15, and 3 were for 18. We also had oysters, 2 kusshis and another 2 from the west coast oyster menu.. forgot what they're called. I liked the kusshis better, the other ones were a bit grimey for me, but LOVED the oysters. My coworker had the clam chowder, which was very filling for her and was decent. She had the shrimp linguine for her main, she said it was just okay. Though the shrimp were fairly small, it was compensated with quantity. I had the grilled salmon. It was very mediocre for me, especially at a well known restaurant like Joe Fortes. It was a piece of salmon on top of a bed of vegetables. The vegetables were just okay, the salmon was overcooked and dry and not seasoned enough. Squeezing some lemon juice on it just gave it a bit more taste. We shared the creme brulee. It was just mediocre. The sugar on top was burnt, which really affected the taste overall. The bottom was not creamy enough, perhaps the ingredients weren't of high standard. Nice touch with the vanilla beans at the bottom though. And overall, the presentation of the food was nice.
Our bill came up to 50 dollars (both of us), each of us getting a 2 course menu with an additional 4 oysters and tips. I liked that they gave a chance for us to give feedback with the little card that came with the bill. I may or may not come back.. depends.
I've been to Joe Fortes about 5-6 times and I've never been disappointed. They used to have this Alberta steak dish which they served with a mashed potato spring roll. It was really really good and when I returned, it wasn't on the menu anymore. The restaurant has split level floors and I've had the opportunity to be seated on each. The upper floor is more upscale while the bottom/bar level is more casual. I've never had a problem with service here. My only problem with this restaurant was that it seemed like they seat you according to how you're dressed. My first times, I really dressed up and was seating in the upper levels, and last few times, I dressed down and was seated in the mid level. When my friends and I just went for a last minute dinner wearing casual skirt/khakis, we were seated in the bar level. I guess I could see it as a good thing that they accept casual diners at their upscale restaurant. It's not enough to deter me from going again.
To keep this short, Busy friday night, great atmosphere with piano playing in the background,
great server without match,
food presentation was very good not exceptional however
Food ordered - jumbo shrimp pasta and rockcod fish n chips - shrimps were indeed huge but a little blend. pasta had a tinge of spicyness to it that got me by surprise in a good way, it saved an otherwise boring dish in terms of taste. I tried some of the fish and chips and it was very good but once again not extraordinary.
Overall, I do believe you pay more for the service and ambience rather than the food.
joe fortes has been around and ive heard great things about this place so eventually i decided to dine here for a special occasion.
arrived here promptly and was seated without a wait, away from the main dining area at my request which i appreciated.
i started with the calamari and it tasted mediocre. i like my calamari crispy which these were not so that was a downer. my main was the prime rib steak (with mash potatoes) which was cooked medium but it was still relatively red. i should have asked for a leaner slab of meat because the one i received was a tad too fat. also, the meat had no real taste to it so that was disappointing. the vegetables that came with it were cold and i guarantee they were not supposed to be that way.
the real upside to the evening was the service. our waitress was very friendly and polite to us from the start when she introduced herself. she was around often to refills our waters and take any requests that we had.
for the quality of the food, i thought it was overpriced. it was nothing exceptional yet it was pretty pricey. i certainly do not mind dropping money these prices but the food has to be great. i was full at the end of the night so i give them credit for that.
the place looks nice and they have a piano player at the mid way point of the flight of stairs which is a neat addition. the place could use a renovation though in the main dining area as it does look a little run down (which may or may not be their intention).
overall, my experience was just average. i can say i have had much better (and obviously worse) so this falls right in the middle. that being said, i dont know if i would return since the selection of seafood restaurants in vancouver are quite extensive.
Joe Fortes seems to have made a name for itself sitting on the corner of Robson so we decided to try it out. We went during the Olympics and ordered a couple of appetizers, the chef's special for the entree and a dozen of oysters. Besides the oysters, the food was delicious. When we dug into one of the oysters and found that it didn't seem very fresh because it tasted fishy.
The service was very disappointing. After ordering I don't know what our server was thinking but after delivering our first place of the appetizer he hands me the bill, he apparently had forgotten the rest of our order. When I mentioned to him that the oysters were not very fresh he ignored my comment and told me to just try something else. The fact the the server tried to stick me with the bill before our meal actually began really dampened the entire meal.
Thank goodness for Dine Out Vancouver! Checked out Joe Fortes for the first time this year. Excellent food, great location. I always enjoy going to Joe's!
Food - Had the Oysters to start, Grilled Albacore Tuna macaroni for the main, and Vanilla Creme Brule for the dessert. All were fantastic. My girlfriend's choices of Clam Chowder, sirloin steak, and lava cake were just as tasty. I was also pleased to see they had the Granville Island Winter Ale on tap - an awesome beer, and I enjoyed a couple of pints.
Service - Always friendly and courteous. Service was quite prompt for such a busy Wednesday night.
Ambiance - Loud and boisterous. I loved it! Piano player was the highlight of last year, but our table was on the opposite site of the restaurant this time.
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