The Boathouse

Food: * * * *
Service: * * * *

We were here months ago during their Lobster Fest, so details are a bit vague in my mind now. Food was solid and service was attentive and non-intrusive. Prices were not super expensive but still skewed higher due to the seafood/steak specialization. I had the prime rib. It was tasty and not over done. Hubbs had the lobster and he enjoyed it a lot; he thought the portion was very generous. In my mind, it's the place to go if you don't want to spend lots and lots of money (like at le crocodile or C or Blue Water Cafe) but you also want something that's a step up from Joey's. It seemed like it could even be kid-friendly (to a point), and the place was large enough to accommodate families.

Shady Island Seafood Bar & Grill - Steveston

Hubbs & I have been bad.  We've been eating out ... a lot.  One of the places we tried recently is a cute little restaurant on the "wharf" in Steveston, called Shady Island.  We decided to give this place a try after gawking at the menu, which featured a steamed seafood platter for two.  Guess what we had? ;)

Of course, we weren't smart enough to check the reviews on the place before getting seated, so when we did finally read up, we were a bit worried.  Food, it seems, is mediocre, and service is apparently appalling.  We braced ourselves for the worst.  However, our server came promptly, and took our orders (drinks & food) at once.  We waited a bit for our grub to arrive, but it wasn't a super long wait.  When it came out, our food was an impressive display stacked on a two-tiered rack. 

Thankfully, we were hungry.  Famished, in fact.  Hubbs immediately got down to business with the lobster (an entire one) and the crab (an entire one).  Meanwhile, I aimed my appetite at the delicious mussels, scallops, clams, shrimp, and oysters on the bottom tier.  I could honestly have eaten the entire bottom plate, but held back and saved some for Hubbs.  I even helped him with cracking through all those claws; I'm quite adept at it now. :)

It was unfortunate that I couldn't try the two items on the top, but I had to make sure my stomach didn't go into convulsions afterwards and abstinence is the best policy when it comes to me and crab and lobster.  Hubbs tells me they were good.  The oysters were killer awesome - fresh and flavourful - and I really loved the clams as well.  The garlic toast that came with the meal was not quite crispy enough, but since I was sopping up garlic butter anyway, I didn't mind so much.

The meal set us back a pretty penny, but definitely was more affordable than Blue Water and good value considering how much we were getting.  Service wasn't nearly as horrible as others have said, but I have a feeling that the place is probably hit-and-miss most of the time, and we just happened to catch them on a hit day.  

Don't come here dressed in your Sunday best; seafood can be a messy affair.  Also, don't come for super fancy dining; with a name like Shady Island, it's not something you should expect.  Do come for a nice view from the patio, and for some yummy seafood prepared the most basic way possible (which is great for a food purist like me).  

Will we be back? Likely, though we'll probably give ourselves more time next time, in case we do get poor service.

Food:  4 out of 5

Service: 3.5 out of 5

Blue Water Cafe

So I can't believe I never posted a review of the Blue Water Cafe (before today, that is).  It is a personal favourite of Hubbs and I and we've been here half a dozen times since his birthday 2 years ago.

Anyway, our most recent visit happened while my Superstar Jo sister and SpaceMax bro-in-law were in town.  We made our reservations early and they had a booth lined up for us upon arrival.  Our server was awesome, timely, and friendly.  When my sis & I wanted fruity non-boozy drinks, she had the bartender specially-design a citrus drink for Superstar Jo and the "Berrylicious" bevvie for me.

The three of them ordered our usual favourite, the "Seafood Tower" while I opted for the beef tenderloin (due to shellfish sensitivities).  We also went with some starters: hot & sour lobster soup for Hubbs and duck confit salad for the rest of us.  Hubbs loved his soup and I quite enjoyed my appie, although I would have preferred a crispier skin on the duck.

Next up were our mains.  This is a small pic of the seafood tower; I took this pic on our first visit to Blue Water but you get the idea.

There was actually a *process* to putting down the eating tools for this thing.  It's quite an exhibit, really, and fun to watch and experience.  During our most recent visit, the Dungeness crab on the top tier was replaced with a 1-pound lobster.  There was also a jellyfish salad on the bottom tier that was once a little plate of escargot (in shell).  Aside from a few minor changes like that, the tower was essentially the same as ever, and (according to my fellow diners) as fresh and decadent as ever.

My tenderloin was perfectly seared and very tasty.  I particularly like macaroni-and-blue-cheese accompaniment that comes with the tenderloin.  It is rich and creamy, flavourful and indulgent.

After our mains, we decided to stay for dessert; in the past, we've sometimes opted to go elsewhere just to experience a different, more casual setting, but on this night we chose to stay.  Hubbs had the profiteroles, which he proclaimed to be one of his new most favourite desserts.  I had the warm Cuban chocolate cake, which was rich and tasty but perhaps not quite warm enough.  Superstar Jo had the fruit brulee which I found to be a bit tart but I think she liked, while Space Max had the Mont Blanc, which I assume he also very much enjoyed since he announced he wasn't going to share with us (jokingly, of course). 

All in all it was another wonderful visit to Blue Water for us.  The price tag isn't cheap and the place is business-casual at the minimum, but you get what you pay for, and the dining experience is exquisite and a good way to impress a date or entertain business associates or celebrate special occasions.  We'll be back again, and likely soon.  We want every member of our immediate families to have a chance to experience the awesomeness that is the Blue Water Cafe; that's just how we roll.

Service: 5 out of 5

Food: 5 out of 5