THE BOATHOUSE RESTAURANT (West End)
1795 Beach Avenue
Vancouver, BC
604-669-2225

The Boathouse is one of those restaurants where you know exactly what to expect: the food will be pretty good; it’s not a bad place to be seen at, the menu items have catchy names, and the servers are good looking- guys and girls alike.

There is no risk here folks- this is a tried, tested and true dining experience – safe and satisfying. There are several locations throughout the lower mainland after all.

Now after that lengthy bit, I’ll get into the setting. The Boathouse English Bay is on a prime piece of Vancouver real estate. The view really doesn’t get much better than this. There is an ample (but tightly packed) outdoor patio (or deck, as they call it)- equipped with shields and roofing should the weather take a turn for the worse. There is no better place to be enjoying beer or wine, some food and looking out on a spectacular ocean vista. The restaurant inside is nice as well, but it’s really all about the patio. The Boathouse also has a bar with pub fare. We haven’t tried this, but figure it’s pretty good.

The Boathouse is seafood-centric, with a menu including items such as fresh-shucked oysters, and fish, mussels and their underwater comrades prepared every which way- there is no apparent focus more specific than fruit of the sea, and that’s ok. For the seafood averse, there are fallbacks like chicken and Caesar salad. Somehow, and I have NO idea how this happened, I wound up with pasta- but I think there was seafood in it. Regardless of this, I wasn’t overly impressed and neither was my party- but we weren’t looking to be impressed. When all was said and eaten, we left the restaurant satisfied, our wallets a little lighter, but not by too much, and we had appreciated a great view. Again- it’s about the patio.

Above: The food is good, but the view is fabulous.

Above: Is there anything better than watching the sun go down over English Bay?

Above: They make some great, albeit not too innovative, drinks.