Description: With only one night in Victoria, we wanted our choice of restaurant to be memorable. Both the Grey Line tour guide and the concierge at the Empress Hotel both recommended the Blue Crab for seafood.
Little did we know this restaurant has also garnered some awards along the way. Frommer's 2000 Travel Guide lists the Blue Crab Bar & Grill as "The Best Seafood spot in Victoria, the Blue Crab combines fresh ingredients, inventive recipes, and beautiful presentation." The Where Magazine - Victoria Edition says "...panoramic Inner Harbour view and intimate ambiance, the Blue Crab is a superb choice." That about says it all.
We agree with both of these reviews 100%. The Blue Crab is located in the Coast International Hotel about a 15 minute stroll from the Parliament Building and the Victoria Clipper in the Inner Harbour of Victoria. Being tired from walking all day sightseeing and golfing, out group opted to drive, about 5 minutes, and felt rather silly once we realized how close it really was. Parking was free at the hotel.
Upon entering the front lobby of the hotel we noticed this was a VERY nice place and were graciously greeted by the staff and pointed in the direction of the Blue Crab.
Though it's name says bar and grill, I'd say it is a stylish contemporary restaurant. We were shown to our table, right next to the large window overlooking the harbour. We all agreed, things were starting off pretty good.
Our waitress was charming, knowledgeable, and had just enough gift of gab to make us feel welcome, comfortable, but not pestered. The dining room was not crowded and it was obvious from all the staff that they were there to wait on us and aimed to please.
Their selection of fresh seafoods was extensive. Two in our party decided to split a lobster seafood combination platter. It contained a very large lobster, mussels, and 3 or 4 other seafood entrees all prepared to perfection. The presentation of this very large filling platter left us all oooohhhing and aaahhhhing. It came on a board-type platter about 18" X 12". One person in our group selected a steak and marveled at its perfect grilling. Two other seafood items including a scallop dish were tryed and every member in the group was thrilled with their selection. Desserts were no less magnificent and were thoroughly enjoyed.
The lobster/seafood platter was not inexpensive, but split between two people - and there was more than enough - we all marveled that it was only about $25 per person U.S. The excellent exchange rate made lobster very affordable. For five people dining with meals larger than we each could eat, wine, drinks, dessert, tax, and tip the average per person was approximately $30.
As twilight and then dark set in and the lights began twinkling out on the harbor, we all agreed that our choice of the Blue Crab was indeed the best possible place we could have gone.
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