Shady Island Seafood Bar & Grill: Good Grub With a ViewShady Island Seafood Bar & Grill is a great place for casual dining, both inside and out. Great food, service and atmosphere, what more could you ask for. y buddy Paul called the other day to let me know his mom and dad—we call them Ma and Pa Kettle—were in town and wanted to see me. He asked if I was busy, and after I stopped laughing and regained composure, I
 | | ©Sea Breeze Media—Shady Island Seafood Bar & Grill at Steveston Landing. | said "yes, but I could use an excuse to get away from the computer." Ma and Pa were visiting from Ontario, and I always try to meet up with them when in town. One's just over the 80's hump, and the other just under... Well, one never knows, does one. So, I said yes. So, on the way came Paul, Dawna Rae, their four hungry boys, and Ma and Pa Kettle. Wonder if they would notice if I moved... Na!Eventually, they arrive from Langley and given there wasn't enough time to change either my name or my address, I answered the enterphone. Up came the gang with hunger evident on their faces. I got the lads settled in for some karaoke and was surprised to not hear Matthew reprise his roll as the "Hunka, hunka love" karaoke king. Pa, as usual, is a card and should be dealt with and Ma, adorable, and still able to keep Pa in check. Soon it was time to head to the village for some sightseeing and to grab some grub. Given the style of fish and chips my friends and I preferred, I suggested Shady Island Seafood Bar & Grill. I had never ordered from their take-out menu before, as it's rarely warm enough to entice me to dine outside. I love hot weather and it rarely goes above mild here, but today was sufficiently warm, with a steady breeze to keep Ma and Pa from passing out and falling into the harbor. Two of the lads weren't into fish and chips—peasants—so they ate elsewhere, though Shady Island's regular menu includes other great dishes, not just  | | ©Sea Breeze Media—Shady Island Seafood Bar & Grill patio on the boardwalk. | seafood. The rest of us, all eight of us, settled in for a feed of fish and chips overlooking Fisherman's Wharf. I decided to try their Seafood Chowder, which was a creamy and thick Manhatten (red) style, with extra cream drizzled artistically back and forth over the bowl of chowder. I love chowders and this one especially. It was nicely spiced to a delectable heat level, very creamy, meaty, or is that fishy, and I enjoyed every delicious spoonful. I also decided to go for a regular—one piece of fish—Salmon Fish and Chips, with cod, halibut, oysters, which I am told are "excellent," and prawns and chips rounding out the take-out menu. Others in my gang had halibut, or cod, or halibut and cod and chips and all were thrilled with their choice. The fish has a medium batter and was cooked to perfection, with the crisp, skin-on chips rounding off the meal. Very enjoyable, not overly oily for a deep fried dish and under $60 for the entire gang of eight.The service was polite and friendly. The cod/halibut orders did get mixed up, but Paul's lads did some friendly, creative fish mongering to settle the matter. Very busy around mealtimes on sunny weekends, so plan accordingly. Good food and service, and a view to die for, that's Shady Island Seafood Bar & Grill, located on Steveston Landing overlooking Fisherman's Wharf at #112 - 3800 Bayview Street, Steveston Village (Richmond), BC, Tel: 604-275-6587. Wheelchair accessible. Reader Reviews
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