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Cork & Fin
Category: Restaurants Seafood Seafood [Edit]
221 Carrall StVancouver, BC V6B 2J2
Neighbourhoods: Downtown, Gastown
(604) 569-2215
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Trendy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
57 reviews for Cork & Fin
Review Highlights
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"I highly recommend the Dungeness crab and mashed potatoes." In 3 reviews -
"...the Negitoro with sake and citrus, and half rack of lamb." In 2 reviews
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"...of plates, or going for the 3-course $30 prix fixe menu." In 3 reviews
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57 reviews in English
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Review from Paola C.
Vancouver, BC
3/28/2012
I got to admit, the mixed reviews on Yelp is what led me to this place.. and the fact that it was my anniversary with my husband and we wanted seafood -- oysters in particular *wink wink*
Now, I don't know who, when and why some people got horrendous service but we had more than excellent! It was surprisingly busy for a random Tuesday late hours evening and the service was really fast! We were greeted right away and were given the choice of where to be seated, and because it was "our special day" we chose a table further from the other people. Throughout our meal, our server was making sure everything was okay (not too much though) and so were the other guys and the manager?
We had the Winter Prix Fixe menu with wine pairing. The wine came quick, always before we got the food. We also had complimentary bread and butter. YAY cause we were hungry.
We both got oysters to start, it was yum! I'm a big fan of that champagne sauce, made a difference and a nice crunch with the radishes.
Next I had the Cioppino, it was average. Cooked right, the broth was really good though!
My hubby got the salmon ceviche and was really disappointed when he got it cause he's Mexican and was expecting the real thing, so the ceviche there is not really ceviche... like at all. But he ended up enjoying very much!
Lastly, I had the Sirloin and my hubby got the Ribs. O M G. It was a big serving! I was surprised! I expected like a slice of meat, it was like 4 medium size slabs cooked to perfection. Very yum! My hubby was jealous when he saw my plate but I tried his and they were tender and very flavorful too.
I definitely will return, especially for Oyster Happy hour and sit at the bar for a different experience. And for sure when the Prix Fixe menu changes to try something else :) I really do recommend this place! It's a sweet little gastown seafood gem. -
Review from Lindsay C.
Vancouver, BC
5/15/2012
I wish I read some of these reviews before I booked for the Mother's Day pop-up brunch with Two Chefs and a Table. I totally had high hopes for this place and was looking forward to it.
Service was extrremely slow. After we were seated it took far too long for someone to come take our drink order. And the rest of the time the service moved at a snail's pace. Had the lobster hash which was an additional $5 supplement. For the extra $5 it was hard to see the lobster on the dish. The English muffin on the benny we ordered was burnt and unedible. Even after letting our server know nothing was done to rectify the situation. It was clearly black and all we got was a simple "I'll let the chef know".
Was so hoping that this place would turn out better. -
Review from Amina H.
Vancouver, BC
4/24/2012
It was my mother's last night (a Tuesday night) in Vancouver and we thought this would be a good choice, but I've never had such a bad experience in a restaurant before.
The waiters were mean. We had asked for a steak dish and a side of mashed potatoes. The steak arrived without the potato garnish and when we brought it up to the waiter he barked at us. Then the mashed potatoes arrived cold and when we mentioned it, the waiter just ignored us.
After we finished our meals, another waitress appeared with what was supposed to be the garnish to the steak. We told her it was late and that we had already finished our food and she gave us the worst dirty look and said "well, i'll just leave it here". I left feeling so sad that my mother had to spend her last day in Vancouver that way. The staff that night was literally abusive. I had visited this restaurant with a friend a while back and there were different waiters and I had a better experience, but that Tuesday night felt like we were being attacked by the wait staff.
To make matters worse the seafood boil was overcooked so that the seafood was dry, which is pretty horrible for a seafood restaurant. And to top it off, when I was turning around to look for our waiter, there was a member from the kitchen in the dining area blowing his nose and picking it with a kleenex, which completely grossed us out. Never going to Cork & Fin again. What a horrible place. -
Review from Ying Ying L.
Vancouver, BC
5/17/2012
Cork & Fin is one of my favourite seafood spots in town with its very reasonably-priced seafood menu. The seafood tower was excellent! Francis and Elliott did a great job with the menu and decor. Definitely check out its chef's 3-course meal and 7-course tasting menu.
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Review from Liz K.
5/8/2012
We stopped in for oysters prior to a meal at the Salt Tasting room, then returned to fill up on more oysters. The service wes perfect- helpful, educational and Doug seemed genuinely interested in us. The rest of the group returned last night for a "real" meal- we had all enjoyed ourselves so much. (I had to leave for home)
So thanks doug for a great evening and for showing us how great BC oysters are. -
Review from May C.
Vancouver, BC
3/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
Looking for a new lunch spot? Try this place!
Yep, you heard right. Cork & Fin recently opened for lunch, and currently, they're only open Thur-Sat. They do plan to extend those days and also include lunch specials.
We received really good service from the beginning. Our server went into detail with some recommendations. I wanted to order the ahi tuna tacos, but it was raining when I walked over, so I needed something warmer, like mussels and frites.
The mussels was a great choice because not only were there a lot of them, they were also big and plump. I chose the tomato broth with chorizo and chillies, and a friend ordered mussels with the bacon and cream. The fries that came with the entree were ginormous! Holy smokies, pass me a fork and knife to attack these!
The mussels tasted great, and each shell was filled with diced tomatoes and chorizo pieces. The broth was very mild, even with the chillies. Or, I could have built up my spice tolerance after marrying a spice lover! There was plenty of broth left over that I could soak in some bread given to us at the beginning.
The lobster roll was also ordered at our table, and the sweet brioche bun paired nicely with the spiced aioli. There was a nice amount of buttered lettuce mixed in to make this a great combination. And can't forget the lobster! The lobster was substantial, yet it tasted light and somewhat refreshing. Definitely a great item to order come summer time.
I was still full when dinner rolled around that I couldn't eat as much as I wanted to. My lunch experience here was a positive one, so I will definitely come back to try those tacos! -
Review from Mike S.
4/23/2012
So good. Oyster Happy Hour from 5:00-6:30 daily, $1.50 each. These aren't throwaway oysters either. Really solid, and always two choices. Pommes Frites were fantastic, as was the service. Very friendly, very knowledgeable. Cocktails were fun! I have my Vancouver oyster spot locked up.
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Review from Maggie L.
Vancouver, BC
2/22/2012
I had very low expectations for this place considering I heard terrible reviews. I went during Dine Out (which could have been the reason for the bad reviews) but I'm a firm believer that a restaurant should produce the same quality of food regardless if it's during a special event or "busy night."
Anyhow, went here for DOV with the girls and we were seated upstairs. Now maybe I'm just a bit claustrophobic..but I felt everything up there was super cramped and just overall..a bit uncomfortable. Given I had just came from a long day at work but I didn't feel relaxed or settled in.
DOV food:
-Fresh oysters on the half shell. It was fresh and tasty..but then again it'd be hard to screw up something like fresh oysters.
-Salmon Ceviche. I know my ceviche and this was far from it. Light to the taste and nothing special. Not even a hint of lime juice.
-Braised beef..something. I forgot the name of it. I will say this was braised quite well and very flavourful..but perhaps a bit TOO flavourful. I couldn't even finish because it was so filling and salty.
The manager (or owner...don't know) came by and gave us complimentary glasses of champagne and I thought this was nice. The waitress however...was less than average. She seemed less than enthused and didn't really go over the menu in case we wanted to go off of the DOV menu. Anyhow, she took our orders and came back only when she had to drop off the plates...and to give us our bill. However, can't forget the time when she asked me to move my bag by STEPPING on my bag to show me it had fallen off my seat. Really..??! Have some respect for your patrons and their belongings. Long story short, she deserved the tip that I gave her.
Would I ever give it another try? ...Maybe but I'm leaning more towards no. -
Review from Meana k.
2/5/2012
The reviews for this place ranged from great to horrible, but unfortunately the wait was too long at Judas Goat and Salt, so we ended up here. We got seated at the bar (my fav place to eat!!) where we could watch the prep chefs work their magic.
Our server was good -- friendly, honest about the menu, and fairly attentive on our drinks. Aside from him, the floor manager and other servers also were quite friendly to us. Not sure about all the "bad service" reviews, but I didn't find that here.
I did find this place hosted some of the most obnoxious customers ever. Gosh, it's a good thing I judge a restaurant for its food and service, not the people that frequent it. Trying our best to ignore the seriously superficial, immature, and LOUD women seated behind us, my friend and I chuckled along with the chefs as we shook our heads in amazement at some of the conversations taking place.
Why do I bring this up? Because you should know that the dining room is small. If busy, the place can feel a little crowded. When you have a large table of loud obnoxious customers whose volume exceeds and overwhelms all other diners' conversations, this can put a damper on ones experience. If you're here on a romantic date, ask for a table upstairs or towards the back or in the corner by the window. Anywhere that's a little removed from the rest.
We ordered the two tier seafood tower and dungenous crab mashed potatoes to share. Okay, the seafood tower was great. Scallop ceviche with a citrus juice. I liked it, my friend didn't. A cucumber sunomono salad. This was nice. Oysters. Dungenous crab legs. Mussels. Clams. Shrimp. Bourbon cocktail sauce. Champagne mignonette. Delicious. The mashed potatoes were delicious as well, but I didn't taste/see any dungenous crab in it. Hmmm. I think we were deceived on that one a bit!
We also had two desserts. A pear tart which I loved, and a cheesecake with fruit and honey. I wasn't as crazy about the latter because it was just too sweet.
Great cocktail selections and wines (including dessert wines!) and overall, great prices on their menu. However, I heard the portions are small although nothing that I saw coming out of the kitchen appeared too small to me.
Will definitely be back. Next time, having the seafood boil, the parpadelle, and the sablefish. -
Review from Odette C.
Vancouver, BC
2/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
3rd Dine Out Vancouver 2012 Restaurant
$28 for 3 savoury courses
Good price for wine pairing $15 for 3
Started with the fresh shucked oysters (2 different types I don't remember which) but they were fresh, just out of the ocean taste. Nice Champagne mignonette. I added $4.50 to make it 1/2 doz. Regular you just get 3 oysters.
Steamed clams with an extremly light broth (taste like water) Clams were good but needs a flavoured broth.
Shortrib. good flavour. Decent portion. Not on the regular menu though.
Good service even for Dine Out. -
Review from Rebecca J.
Vancouver, BC
2/11/2012
I have loved this place in the past, and want to keep loving it. However, last night was disappointing. Our server wasn't on the ball. And the food was ... meh. The seafood boil, for $34, was not particularly memorable (although the oysters for starters, as always, were great, as was the bread). The desserts, including the special (which in my mind, should be special) were not that great - pastry tasted like ... well, pastry (read: too lardy / buttery) and just didn't seem to be cooked enough.
All in all, not what I am used to from these guys so will put it down to an off-night. Will give them another chance, and hope they won't let me down. -
Review from Andrea T.
Vancouver, BC
3/2/2012
Our night at Cork and Fin started off strange. We were met with a hostess who didn't smile at all. Zero smiles, but no biggie.
We were seated in a drafty spot so we asked to move to the back. Shortly after we ordered from the prix fixe menu.
The fresh oysters were nice and delicious. Salmon ceviche was.. not really ceviche. It tasted quite bland. The beef short ribs were on the dry side and we had to use the celeriac puree as sauce. Wine pairing was decent but timing of the time was out of sync (we always got our food first, and had to wait a few minutes to get the wine.)
But the rating has nothing to do with the food but the service.
When we ordered an additional round of oysters, it took awhile. One of my friend was saying out loud, "it's taking a long time for the oysters". A staff (i'm not sure if he was the manager) came over and said, "did I hear you say that your oysters are taking too long?" My friend was a bit stunned and said no, but I said yes, he did say that.
The staff then said to us, "unlike other restaurants, we shuck our oysters fresh." Honestly, I have never been to a restaurant that pre-shucks their oysters. We were a bit baffled by this response. And then the staff said, "I just want to make sure you weren't complaining."
Shortly after, we asked for the dessert menu and two of us decided to get the daily tart. I asked if they had something cold to go with it, an ice cream or something, as I really like the warm + cold combo and craving for it. The same staff said,
"No, we don't have ice cream. We're not that kind of restaurant."
We were baffled. What kind of restaurant is that?? Our group frequently eats out and enjoys food, and wouldn't call ourselves demanding by any means. We weren't sure what kind of restaurants serve/do not serve ice cream. A "no sorry we don't" would've sufficed.
It was really disappointing. It was 5 of us for a farewell dinner. And well, Farewell to Cork and Fin! With that many choices in Gastown, we'd be sure to not return. -
Review from Allen C.
Nestled in the classy Gastown dining establishments was Cork and Fin. For some reason I didn't try any of the two items their name represented but my group members did and they got the most interesting dish of the evening. A two tier tower platter of seafood freshness! It was more reminiscent of certain oyster bar establishments in downtown Vancouver than a classy affair. It was a great presentation and I sampled some of the seafood. It was refreshingly flavored and had all the necessary fixings (fresh horseradish, seafood sauce, lemon wedges, etc). I didn't know what to expect here, but I was quite surprised.
Listed in: Classy affair, Parent's night out
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Review from Danielle B.
Vancouver, BC
10/5/2011 3 Check-ins Here
My friend and I went to the Cork & Fin on a Sunday evening after a great afternoon of sunshine and walking around the market in Steveston. We were both quite content to sit back, relax and enjoy a leisurely meal.
The ambiance at Cork & Fin is really nice. It's one of those quaint little places you'd take your mom for dinner but it's also romantic enough for a first date. It wasn't very busy when we arrived, but over the course of the evening, the tables soon filled.
My friend and I had a hard time deciding between sharing a bunch of plates, or going for the 3-course $30 prix fixe menu. I finally decided on the set menu of oysters (3 ea), the ahi tuna poke and the miso glazed salmon with wine pairings, while my friend chose the lobster salad, the grilled scallops and the dungeness crab mashed potatoes. For dessert, we shared the creme caramel and the chocolate mousse.
Everything was really well-prepared and cooked beautifully. The presentation on most of the plates (aside from the mashed potatoes) was really well done. It's tough to make mashed potatoes look as good as they taste! I'm one of those people who really puts a lot of value on a meal that looks good and I wasn't disappointed - it really sets the tone for the meal when you are immediately impressed by the food before you, even before you take a bite.
The stand-out dishes for me were the scallops (I had to steal a taste, as they looked so good!) and the salmon - both of which are dishes that are easily overcooked; however, in this case they were exceptional. I usually prefer my salmon a little less cooked - so for me, the chef got it just right. The potatoes were nice, but I didn't really taste any crab in them. I thought the price was a little high for the portion size, given the lack of crab meat. My friend really enjoyed her lobster salad and there seemed to be quite a decent portion of lobster in it.
I'm not much of a chocolate fanatic, but the mousse they served for dessert was unbelievable. It was light tasting, yet dense and incredibly smooth. The chantilly cream on top was rich and creamy and I couldn't stop eating it. I wanted to lick the bowl clean. :)
Our server was above-average in her knowledge of the menu and her polite demeanor - it was so refreshing to have a server who really seemed to love her job. We almost felt like royalty eating here. It makes the meal so much more enjoyable when the person serving your table is smiling and genuinely pleased to answer questions and make you feel at home.
The only thing I could see as a downside to this place is the open windows (when the weather permits). The reason is that, although it's lovely to have fresh air while enjoying a meal, the people standing outside smoking really prevent any fresh air from coming in. There is nothing more disgusting than smoke wafting in my face while I'm eating - I'd rather they just close the windows.
I was very pleased with the overall experience here and I would most certainly go back - but next time I will have my own plate of scallops! -
Review from John Q.
10/12/2011
Brian Wickersham
This past week I visited the Cork and Fin for my first time and I have to say that the whole experience was outstanding. Everything from the excellent service we received from Lindsay, to the incredible food to the cost/portion ratio. My partner and I loved the freshness of all of the seafood we ate, and our main courses were fantastic too. My two favorites were definitely the salad made with the local goat cheese and our raw honey, espresso, blackberry desert. While traveling around Canada we ate at some pretty impressive restaurants, including Blue Water and others..but none compared to the overall value and experience of Cork and Fin. For a wonderful time out in an environment that borders between casual and celebratory, for food that is so fresh you can taste it.. "really".. I highly recommend you visit here and enjoy a wonderful time out. We will definitely be back. -
Review from Daniel L.
12/24/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Wheres the fin? Well a review it is then.. Been here about 5 times and I sort of never feel complete for some reason, They come through with quality tasty fresh oysters but thats all so far for me, I've had several main menu items and they seem to lack that extra punch for the price point, which always has me feeling just average with the meals. Staff for the most part or friendly but run off their feet when it gets busy and we always feel neglected.. The room has that Gastown red brick look and is fairly warm..
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Review from Travis D.
Vancouver, BC
10/24/2011
Went here for a birthday dinner, a group of probably 18-20 and sat in the balcony area.
Service was very poor. Many of us went without drinks for long stretches of time. Food arrived at varying times even though we ordered together - probably a 20 or 30 minute gap between the first food and the last. I had finished by main before my neighbors got theirs.
Most people order the menu fixe, with the wine pairings for about $50, but the wines didn't come out with the courses they were paired with.
In our server's defense, our server was overloaded - in addition to our table, she had several others and just couldn't couldn't keep up. No excuse for management to let that happen though since our party had booked weeks in advance. -
Review from Elisa A.
North Vancouver, BC
1/22/2012 3 photos
Good food,good people,good admisphere,service could be a mess sometimes,but food is always good,fresh,delish!
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Review from Emma K.
Vancouver, BC
2/9/2011
This review is written under the pretense that you're not fabulously wealthy. But if you are then change the 4/5 to a 5/5 because this restaurant really does deserve to get 5 stars.
This is a classy joint located in the classiest of the classy districts. Needless to say-I wore heels! Me and my family got the seafood tower. The prawns, mussels and crab were amazing. Fresh and not overly complicated. The Dungeness crab gazpacho was unique, vibrant and flavorful. The Pomme Frites were fried crispy and small and came in an East Coast seaside-esque basket. I got an encore of the fries.
The service is relaxed with extremely knowledgeable staff. These are all foodies, people! Luckily my parents got the tab because it was well into the three figures. More than a girl my age could spend on dinner unfortunately. But for a glamorous yet understated experience in a sophisticated seafood restaurant, Cork and Fin can't be beat. The food is flavorful while still maintaining simplicity and the decor is relaxed and unpretentious. The extensive wine list made my night.
After I drive to Shaugnessy and rob a preschooler I will definitely take my loot to Cork and Fin and buy the largest seafood tower and bottle of wine available. But until then I must work for money and save, save, save.
P.S I will be back C&F, wait for me!
xox, emma. -
Review from Pennylane S.
Vancouver, BC
1/16/2011
C&F is mos def the fancy place/small portions kind of dig. The ambience is just what you were expect: trendy rustic, cooler than say, Rodney's but less cold than say, Blue Water.
Though not typically my style, I tried Cork and Fin's regular prix fixe menu since it was my first time there. My dining partner each got one and chose different options. Here were the results:
Course 1:
A. 3 oysters (all the same type) in lime and champagne vinegar = pretty good, although I should admit that I have no idea what I'm talking about when it comes to oysters. Tasted fresh and like the ocean.
B. Squash/Mushroom Spinach salad = good, exactly what you would expect
Course 2:
A. Negitoro with toasts = very nice, but really, how can you go wrong with negitoro? Flavourful and fatty. Nice portion.
B: Two steamed prawns soaking in miso soup = bland and kind of gross
Course 3:
A: Grilled salmon with baby bok choy = pretty good, salmon may be a slight dry for my taste but the soy glaze made everything very tasty.
B: Half Rack of Lamb = sorry, I didn't try this so I don't know, but I thought you should know what the other option was.
We also got the wine pairings for the meal which came with one sparkling, one white and one red.
Next time, I'll try the seafood tower and brussel sprouts. Both looked good from afar. -
Review from Colin A.
Vancouver, BC
12/29/2011
After trying to get into two other restaurants in the neighborhood that were inexplicably closed, we stumbled on this little gem of a restaurant. The owner is fantastic and very personable. Loved the food and cosy atmosphere. We'll be back!
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Review from Scott P.
1/26/2011
The experience was exactly what I was expecting from peering through the window some weeks ago.
It is a loft like space with a small bar and kitchen. Surprisingly the noise level wasn't too bad. We were seated on the top level with a large group sitting behind us. I loved this seat so we could view the entire restaurant. My single dining companions especially loved it, watching the cuteness of the crowd.
It was the Dine About Town and my companions all got the DOT menu. Two of the three complained about the portion size but then again they always seem to complain about portion. The other was quite content and realizes it is about quality.
I ordered the steak tartar appetizer which was yummy but not the best I have encountered. I prefer my beef a bit more minced and I enjoy having the quail egg sitting on top along with the other condiments and mixing it table side. And of course there are never enough croutons to scoop up all of the tartar. I followed it up with a half roasted chicken. This was perfectly cooked and portion was excellent. I'd put it on the list again.
I only wish I remember what wine the waiter recommended because it was absolutely amazing. I believe it was a Cab Franc but not 100% sure. I just love the fact that when I described the wine profile I like the waiter was more than willing to provide me with a taste first.
I think Gas Town has a winner of a restaurant and worthy of a visit! -
Review from Jessica O.
Vancouver, BC
12/20/2010 1 Check-in Here
Between 5-6:30 this lovely little seafood restaurant has $1.50 oysters, and in my mind, that's enough said!
We were limited to one option for the happy hour shucks - medium sized Reid Bay oysters, slightly sweet and served with a champagne mignonette. Yum! Boyfriend and I polished off a dozen with a few glasses of Prosecco and the dungeoness crab mashed potatoes. The potatoes were a little less flavourful than on my previous visit, but tasty nonetheless. Our server was also really great - friendly and attentive.
At 16 bucks for a dozen oysters served with bread, and a bottle of reasonably priced bubbles - this is a great after work treat on special occasions - like completing all of your Finals!!! -
Review from Hootie J.
Vancouver, BC
2/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Well if you like trendy and pretentious this is a great joint for you! They are great at taking reservations but not keeping them, crowded noisy and a long wait (for a reservation!) Food was very good,but sparse and expensive, but good. Wine was very expensive but good, not great just good.
For value they offer an "Oyster afternoons", Oysters on the half shell for only $1.50!! -
Review from Gale L.
Vancouver, BC
1/8/2011 27 Check-ins Here
I'm a bit of a regular at this restaurant and have never been let down by the food or service. For me, consistency is critical and Cork and Fin have been consistent.
Tonight's mussels in a chorizo tomatoe sauce and clams in a bacon cream sauce were good.
The aioli served with the fries was thinner and more acidic than I like but the bread was good and I was sopping up sauce with bread so the aioli didn't deter me and although the salad would be more tasty, finished and fun if the walnuts were dressed up a bit it's not bad as served so, I wasn't excited but I wasn't deterred by that either.
Surely I will return in a week or two (likely without a reservation, again) and will be treated with the same welcoming and efficient service.Listed in: Restaurants
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Review from Eryne O.
Vancouver, BC
1/9/2011
Simply fantastic.
Everything they did the did it right.
The music. in the background felt like I was at someones house, not over powering and some Elvis it was like being at a friends house for dinner.
The food. we did the 3 course fixed price. THANK YOU guys for having a fixed price without desert. I am so not a desert person ( being gluten free it's usually a waste for me) started with oysters, then a poached prawn in miso soup, ending with braised short ribs on a parsnip puree. with wine parings.....$45. We were simply impressed.
The drinks. we each had a gin'gerbeer which is Gin, ginger beer and lime and is a must try.
The room is full of not the norm Vancouver " I'm so effing cool" types and all around had a great vibe. We'll be back soon.....like next week probably.
Thanks Francis and team good job. -
Review from Mika M.
Vancouver, BC
3/31/2011
My love took me here on Valentines day and we sat up on the top balcony area.... Just where I was hoping for. We had a great romantic spot together and enjoyed our wine and had fun people watching. There was only a set menu on that night and I wasn't too into eating only seafood, but it forced me to eat and it was lovely. Pricey, but lovely.
Wine was delicious, and the restaurant was really busy and the energy was contagious.
I recommend anyone who is in Gastown and wanting an amazing seafood dinner to come to Cork & Fin. :) -
Review from Pamela L.
12/31/2010 1 Check-in Here
I went to Cork and Fin to celebrate the 1 year anniversary of me and my bf. I find the food very clean and simple but for someone who likes full flavoured dishes I was yearning for a dash more of something in most of the dishes.
The dungeouness crab gazpacho was delish. There was just enough seasoning and it was fresh, tangy and filled with crunchy, fresh crab bits. The dish looked like it had just came out of the dishwasher when we were finished because we mopped up the rest of the gazpacho with the bread.
The brussel sprouts with bacon were also terrific. Roasted just right, with cube-lets of bacon all over - these aren't your typical gross, over boiled freaks of nature. The onion tart was lovely - a light and buttery pastry with caramelized onions that were sweet, tangy and sometimes even a bit tart.
We also ordered the braised spare ribs, scallop ceviche and smoked sablefish. These dishes were a bit bland. I expected the ceviche to be citrusy and filled with sprigs of cilantro. But I can say that the scallops were very fresh.
I wouldn't say that Cork and Fin is outstanding but it has it's high points. The service is great and the food is fresh and simple. If that's what you're looking for - then I would suggest you give it a try. -
Review from Curtis R.
Vancouver, BC
9/15/2010 4 Check-ins Here
I live very close to Cork & Fin and always liked the open front with crisp white paper tops on their tables. For some reason I never ate there until the other night.
I had high expectations as a neighbor and based on my exterior impression walking by in July and August. We had a nice table in the front and the service was good. However, the food was just average for the price point and upon a closer look around, the decor left me a bit flat. It was quite different than my inital impression and the interior decor seemed a bit disconnected to the stylish menu, price points and tables. They have a rather ominous railing to the upstairs mezzanine that really dominates the space in a bad way.
Overall it seemed like a restaurant that made an attempt to be elegant but really should have spent a bit more money on build out to make it elegant.
For me it was just ok and based on alternatives that are all around, I would likely not return anytime soon. -
Review from Janice F.
11/22/2010
Came here for a girl's night birthday dinner - the decor is classic gastown chic, whatever that might mean. Exposed brick walls, chanedeliers, white staircase up to second floor dining.
The reservation was made pretty last minute for a Saturday night, so I guess I can't blame it on them for giving us what I think was the worst table in the house - the one just to the left of the doors. It was freeezing - the server promised us a heater that never came.
But besides that we had a good time, although the food was hit and miss. The 3-tier $55 seafood tower was packed full of oysters, mussels, prawns, crab legs.
The side of dungeness crab mashed potatoes ($9) was probably the best dish of the evening! Nice shreds of crab, tasty potatoes.
The brussel sprouts with bacon and butter were just OK - still a bit too bitter for me. The steak tartare with non-existent truffle cream went half-eaten on the table. Oh, and the dungeness crab papparadelle was sadly executed. Clumpy, cold - a few peas, bland sauce, and literally two small pieces of crab on it.
Ah well, they do have a $1.50 oyster happy hour that looked intriguing. I would probably stick to Rodney's though. -
Review from Rose N.
Vancouver, BC
7/12/2010
Never stepped inside...but the service we got from outside, we didn't bother to eat there.
When dining out, service plays a crucial role and from what I saw, staff were cold and unwelcoming.
When we approached the place, there were 2 other groups who haven't been helped, but stood in the doorways of this place as waitresses passed by without giving a hoot or asking if they've been helped.
I assumed they have been since they never stopped the waitress to ask questions. I stopped the waitress to get our names down and quickly we found out that the 2 groups were anxious to get help too!
One of the gentleman, who might have been the owner, but I don't think so. He helped the 2 groups, but they never got back to us!
Again, we watched the waitresses and waiters passed us many times without glancing or making eye contact or even saying 'hello'. We left because I hate to dine and $ to an ungrateful staff and establishment.
I did see the menu, looks like tourists trap. Again, with the variety of seafood offerings. I just know that when someone other than Italians tries to make seafood, I am weary and often disappointed.
So for that matter, it is surprising that these waiters do not seem to have basic manners to greet guests. I have no idea who does the training of waiters and waitresses these days , but the waiters lack the welcoming and warmth that most Europeans have in a service-oriented establishment. -
Review from Rachael T.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 5/30/2010
sadly disappointing...
Remember the time we all went here for the UYE? I thought that for the most part, the service and food for a group the size of ours was okay... so I was willing to try this place again... since 1. I already had sushi this week, and 2. I still wanted seafood.
Not going to lie..wish I went back to sushi... just not impressed with the overall experience.. and here's why: INCONSISTENCY.
Other than the drinks, everything seemed like it had turned a 180. I remember Vincci eating the dungeness crab with gazpacho - I was uber jealous of what she was eating and had to get it this time. Well my dish has no colour at all (while hers had rosy red pieces). The crab looked old and was not interesting at all. The special spot prawn bisque for $9 was over priced.. arriving in this tiny bowl that had approximately 4 spoonfuls. The prawns were small and didn't look like s.p's at all!
I decided to share the clams with my friend and the waitor had strongly recommended it over the mussels so I was excited... and I also remember Vincci saying they were good. well they came in a broth that was only lukewarm. The clams were nothing special and I wish I had ordered the mussels instead. My bf got the lamb harissa with chickpeas which tasted delicious but it's cork and fin... not cork and turf.. so I wasn't wanting meat. My other friend got the crab with pasta and he said that he barely got crab meat. I'd rather pay a higher price to get the proper dish.
Watching the seafood tower get prepared, the amount of food you get seems unreasonable. The tiers looked half empty and I felt bad for the people who had ordered them.
sorry for the vent. the whole night just didn't go the way I had hoped.Listed in: Let's go to Gastown Instead..., Crustaceans and Mollusks…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/14/2010
I'm so glad I got to experience Cork and Fin with all you fellow yelpers during Gastown crawl on… Read more »
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Review from Clyde D.
Richmond, BC
10/10/2011
I've been to cork&fin couple times now and I really like the food . The portion however, is quite small. I had to order few dishes to get satisfied. I love the decor and the ambiance a lot. The brick wall is just so romantic, it's def one of the cutest place in gastown.
The sablefish is the best! -
Review from Katie F.
4/2/2010
Great GTG last night with an awesome turnout - thanks for planning Rachael!
I came a bit late so I ordered the mussels and sampled a few of the other items going around - shrimp cocktail, tuna carpaccio and the crab mashed potatoes. The mussels were great and the bacon and garlic broth was yummy... wish the servers actually brought some bread to the far end of the table so I could have had more of it!
Food was average... nothing really jumped out at me and I thought the prices were a bit steep for some items. Not sure where they hid the crab in those mashed potatoes to justify a $9 price tag!
I liked the atmosphere there but nothing really made it stand out for me.
How to make it better? Well... send your servers to the far end of the table so everyone gets water and bread and it would be great if the resto can split the bill! -
Review from Andrew L.
Port Moody, BC
Updated - 5/6/2010
Just popped in and there is a new "prix fix" menu
$30 lets you have some amazing food.
All I sampled at this last visit was the best Seafood Bisque i've ever had - its included, plus ceviche, etc It looked like a four or five course meal - but it could have been that there were choices.
I'm going back soon - it was awesome!
Had some glasses of wine for $10 and under, some great cocktails.
The joint was packed on saturday, but probably way easier to get in during the week
Definitely check it out - the word is getting out!Listed in: Top Vancouver Restaurants
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/18/2010 First to Review
Seafood tapas done with an expert hand, plus tons of great wines.
Loved the shrimp cocktail, saw them… Read more »
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Review from Anthony C.
10/1/2010
I'm surprised that so many people have had less than delightful experiences at Cork & Fin - I've been there 6 or 7 times and left pleasantly satiated every time. Living around the corner, I head to this place solo to sit at the bar with a book as well as with friends and guests, so I think I've experienced all they have to offer.
The proprietor (I'm embarassed to say I don't know his name...) is a kind and handsome gentleman who recognizes me at this point - always nice to go somewhere they know you! - and the staff has an excellent proportion of pretty young gals, never a bad thing ;)
I've had most of their menu, though I've settled (as I usually do) on a regular order: the dungeoness crab gazpacho followed by the clams and a side of asparagus. Mmm delicious every time. All of the other cold 'tapas' items are excellent as well, and the bartenders know their stuff (as they should considering the plethora of them in Gastown).
The decor suits the area and the cuisine - kinds of reminds me of the inside of a classic yacht. If you've got a few friends, and arrive at the right time, you'll have the option to sit at the round table in the middle of the room, where you're bound to be entertained by the action at the bar where oysters and cocktails are prepared.
As you can tell, I'll definitely be back soon! -
Review from Emily M.
Vancouver, BC
2/13/2011
Wow - did I ever get the opposite of what I was expecting from this restaurant. I'd been studying the favourable reviews for some time and whenever I walked past the restaurant it always seemed to emanate such a cozy ambiance with a beautiful menu. When my boyfriend's friend came to visit from Geneva (having lived in Paris for a significant amount of time) I thought I'd make reservations at Cork and Fin to show him what I thought would be a stylish yet laid back contemporary restaurant serving fresh seafood.
When we arrived at the restaurant we were not greeted or looked at by any member of the serving staff for minutes. As we stood gathering dust and waiting for some acknowledgment of our presence a group of four came in behind us. Immediately the wait staff were afoot greeting the group congenially and a host appeared out of nowhere. With much fan fare they were ushered past us (after we stepped aside to let them through) and directly to their table to the best seat in the house. They must have been very important.
The host then returned to the front and starting working away on his computer where still, we stood like idiots waiting to be acknowledged. Finally - he took the time to look up from his computer to greet us and led us upstairs to the worst table in the house (there was some sort of AC unit sticking out of the ceiling, protruding over the seat and being the shortest of the group I took the seat only to whack my head on the unit) At that stage it was funny because we hadn't even begun our dining experience and everything about being there was so wrong. In hindsight, being treated so appallingly at the door should have been an good indicator to walk away.
The waiter took forever to come and wasn't overly friendly and our first round of cocktails took ages and arrived separately at that. Our oysters were fine but after that the food took forever to arrive as did any bread to help us to soak up the painful waits it took to get any service.
The food was meh.....and the menu looks so reasonably priced because every element of the food is broken out so you pay for your protein and pay for your sides. Fine if they're worth it. My sablefish was OK if maybe you hadn't eaten in a week and your stomach was the size of a gerbil. My side squash was inedible - the result perhaps of a vengeful sous chef taking their rage out on being second in command in such marginal dining facility.
My boyfriend's scallops were cold as was his side mash which wasn't all that good but was hearty so at least we didn't starve to death during dinner. The only person who appeared to have a good meal was our guest who's impeccable manners were likely compensating for the lack of a decent meal. The staff could have taken a page from his book.
In a nutshell, if you have guests from out of town and want to pay a lot of money to be treated like shit and to eat food that isn't very good I would highly recommend Cork and Fin. If you want a pleasant dining experience I would continue your search. -
Review from Tina H.
4/2/2010
Let's start with the good. The service was friendly and very accommodating when I sent my meal back to the kitchen.
The cocktails are good and pretty cheap for what they are. I think this is the highlight of the restaurant. $7 fancy cocktails? Count me in!
I sampled this and that from the dishes ordered. Mussels, carpaccio, pommes frites... Everything was pretty mediocre. It didn't disappoint but it didn't impress. The mussels were not dried out, so that's a good thing.
I ordered the sablefish. The waft of wet cardboard that was left out in the rain (and possibly slept on) drifted through the air as the dish was lowered to the table. The texture was rubbery and salty and the sauce that came with it was a mustard milk sauce. The idea of it sounds pretty good but it wasn't how it turned out in my head. Pretty gross tasting, but it tasted better than it smelled. Maybe this dish is an acquired taste because the waiter said he loved it.
The waiter brought me the special of the day which was halibut. It was better but still didn't impress. It smelled fishy, and fresh seafood is not supposed to smell fishy.
Overall, great cheap fancy cocktails, mediocre food (in general). If I were to come here again it would not be because it was my idea, but I wouldn't be opposed to going back.
The service was friendly and didn't charge me for the sablefish I didn't like. Good service, good drinks, that would be the only thing telling me to go back there. -
Review from Vincci L.
Seafood, and cocktails. Nice concept in a very Gastown-ish room. Brick walls, chandelier lights, a mezzanine that overlooks the rest of the place.
Our group was seated on the mezzanine, so we had this 'private party' kinda feel.
Lots of drinks on their list, I got their lemon drop martini. This was good. Food menu: seafood towers-Dungeness Crab Legs, Oysters, Prawns, Mussels, Manila Clams...Their dishes are seperated by Cold, Hot, and Add-ons. Our server recommends that we share the dishes, because they are smaller in portion.
We share the dungeness crab, with chilled gazpacho and chillies, and the clams in a tomato sauce. There were other choices-such as sablefish, scallop ceviche, ahi tuna carpaccio.
Crab was good, large chunks of dungeness crab, in a bed of gazpacho-with bits of avocado on top. The gazpacho wasn't as liquidy as I thought it would be, it was the perfect consistency, and a great complement.
The clams came in a large bowl, lots of large clams, steamed perfectly. The tomato based broth underneath was also delicious! What was missing was some bread. Our server didn't really come back to check on us after our food came-hence a lack of bread and water.
Service wasn't great, food was good with lots of seafood choices. I like the atmosphere of the room, and I will be back to try out the other dishes. -
Review from Christine K.
Vancouver, BC
7/10/2010 2 photos
I used a "groupon" so I might be slightly happier about our experience. Overall it was ok. I think the prix fixe menu helps because the pricing is otherwise HIGH, and you better have an awesome product if you're going to charge that for tiny portions, and they don't. Even the martini I ordered at $9 was served warm (long time it took to be delivered) and I was disappointed from the get go...
I enjoyed the prix fixe a lot. I had 3 oysters (one of each on their menu of 3). Then I had crab/shrimp bisque. Really, really good! Enjoyed this a lot! Then I had pork belly, Asian something (picture posted) and it was really fine tasting as well. Son had the 1/2 game hen with frites (picture posted) and he said he enjoyed his meal too, saying the game hen was delicious. He ordered a side of pommes frites ($6 for a tiny bowl) and I thought they were not good at all! Soggy & fat and tasting of oil. Definitely not fried right! I'll give credit to most of the food though, it was close to being excellent but it can still use a little work...3.5 stars...
Went and had a drink at the "Diamond" afterwards, right next door (East & up the stairs) and I recommend that more! Excellent cocktails, if you're into that kind of thing, meaning perfectly prepared cocktails - make sure you GO!!!!...I digress...
Back to Cork & Fin...the server I had was really mediocre. It hurt the way I perceived the restaurant as she was SLOW. Also, all the beggars/crack heads come along here and management could do a better job looking after them ...i.e...keeping them away from the patio diners. We had 4 occasions of begging happen to us while dining on the patio. Honestly, if I was a tourist, I might find Gastown uncomfortable to dine in. But we're so used to this, it wasn't really bothersome, it was just bothersome to watch!
Will we return? Probably not unless I hear they get it all down perfect, because at the prices they charge for what you get, they should!
