Brunch in Vancouver: Joe Fortes - Seafood & Chophouse

Joe Fortes is one of the most well-known and iconic restaurants in all of Vancouver. Located on the Robson and Thurlow intersection, this 27-year-old restaurant has received countless awards and acclaims for its irresistible seafood and steaks. Just recently, Joe Fortes has been awarded with the Diner’s Choice 2012 award on OpenTable.com! While this restaurant is an obvious good choice for a luxurious lunch or dinner, they also have a brunch menu that’s just as amazing. On weekend mornings, you can drop by for a fantastic meal to reward yourself for a tough week’s work.

The bar and patio on the upper level of Joe Fortes is an amazing place to spend a morning. There’s hardly a better moment than sipping on drinks while overlooking Vancouver’s beautiful downtown.

The Joe Fortes’ Signature Caesar is one of my all-time favourite drinks in town. It has the fresh taste of tomatoes with just the right amount of spiciness. It also comes with a surprisingly delicious prawn hung on the side. This drink is the perfect companion to a meal with seafood, oysters, or steaks.

For those who want a sweeter drink, the Mimosa here is also substantially good. Being one part champagne and one part orange juice, this cocktail is nice to have with any traditional breakfast.

Brunch guests at Joe’s are welcomed with two chocolate scones. The scones are unbelievably soft and have that melt-in-your-mouth effect. I also love how they’re always warm upon arrival.

I’m the type of guy that wouldn’t mind having oysters every morning, day, and night. Joe Fortes accommodates guests like me because they serve top-of-the-line oysters at any time of the day. My favourite oyster here is the Joe’s Gold from Reid island. It’s a bit briny and is great for those who want their oysters to be more flavourful. Since I don’t add much sauce on my oysters, I like how the Joe’s Gold already have a natural taste. Other favourites of mine are the Kusshi and the Kunamoto, all of which are pictured below.

If you’re ever unsure about your oyster selection at Joe Fortes’, be sure to ask your server for opinions. They are all extremely knowledgeable and can definitely help you choose what’s best for your tastes!

Joe’s Signature Benedict is one of their most popular brunch dishes. It consists of mushrooms and prosciutto covered in some of the most decadent hollandaise sauce – this dish is sure to keep any benny fan coming back for more!

The Steak and Eggs here is one of their classic brunch items. This dish has everything from a slice of striploin steak to a slice of watermelon. All of Joe Fortes’ steaks are substantial in quality as they’re super juicy and rich. Thirty years of steakhouse experience definitely shows!

If you really do have a second stomach for desserts, try out the Dessert Trio here. The trio includes a chocolate lava cake, a creme brulee, and a tiramisu – three of the biggest dessert favourites ever. The only question is whether or not you’ll be willing to share.

Joe Fortes’ legendary status is not something that I doubt by any means. From brunch to dinner, they offer meals that guests can never get enough of. With their first class food and service, Joe Fortes continues to serve its group of fans with nothing but the best. Pay a visit to Joe Fortes sometime, and I guarantee that you’ll hop on to the fan wagon too.

Address:
777 Thurlow Street
Vancouver, BC

Phone Number:
(604) 669-1940

Hours:
Mon-Sun: 11am – 11pm

Website: http://www.joefortes.ca/

Twitter: @JoeFortesVan

Pictures and Article by: Justin Leigh (@jsleigh14). Visit his blog: the WALK&TALK.