Rodney's Oyster House — Restaurant in Vancouver

Okay so here's the deal, you're in town from somewhere else and you decide Seafood is what's calling your taste buds. There's a plethora of places that you can indulge, where Vancouver is blessed with its location, it can provide any land blocked hungry person a nice piece of fish. The thing is it's all in the preparation........ and not just for the fish. If you want to go to a good restaurant that specializes in either steak or fish or pasta see how the kitchen handles the vegetables. How a kitchen handles the vegetables and the sauces is where a restaurant is going to surpass. Rodney has been around for quite a while. For those of us who used to live in the West End and wanted a "hip hop happening cool hey look at me, let's go look at Beautiful People" kind of place while some big hunky dude Shucks a bunch of oysters, and oh yeah there's the girls from sex and the cities having a smart martini over at THAT table having a blast, Rodney's is a fun place to go. There's no shortage of beautiful people in the restaurant and standing outside but it ain't pretentious. Beyond that Rodney's has upped its game recently from the last time I was there and I have to say the CHEF is the main reason. Yes you can get a piece of fish anywhere in the city but the potato crusted halibut that was set down in front of me with just the right amount of accompaniment and just the right amount of temperature and just the right amount of vegetables was heavenly. Someone in the kitchen is kicking ass and taking names and leaving nothing to be desired because the food was simply delish! There is no fooling around here from the very expensive but Divine oyster platter served with a plethora of hot sauces and vinegars...to a most scrumptious sticky toffee pudding for dessert the dinner was absolutely outstanding! The restaurant has a not fine dining atmosphere but more of a non-corporate funky fun Interiors. Think.. where one would actually like to go for as birthday as we usually do for our pal Cary who loves a good crab or lobster. There is no tablecloth, you won't get fine Crystal but what you will get is pleasant service and a fun atmosphere and probably one of the nicest dishes with as much attention or more played to it than any fine dining restaurant in the city. Frankly I'm so tired of going to fine dining restaurants where there is a shmear of something on a plate and 2 oz of something and it's cold. This is not what they're serving up at Rodney's. They're serving up portions for real people and it's something once you leave the restaurant you will remember. That is the prime directive of any restaurant owner which I have been that, when somebody leaves the restaurant and 12 or 24 hours later they are remembering the flavors and tastes of that dish that was placed in front of them ..... you've succeeded!. Go, throw on a funky shirt and a cool pair of Jordans or something sparkly, grab a few friends and have a cold glass of white wine and a few nibbles downstairs or get a table upstairs and have a simply divine meal. The staff will make sure that you have a great time and isn't that what it's all about?!..... good food, good times and yeah it ain't cheap but how many times have you gone to a restaurant and spent a crap load of money and been disappointed? You won't be disappointed in the food here. Quite the opposite...... You'll understand how fish should be handled and presented..... again... kudos to CHEF EVA. Sit upstairs ladies and watch the hunky Shuckers downstairs and guys order the potato crusted halibut! Have one of their Caesar drinks with freshly grated horseradish that will stick in the straw and make you want more as you eat the big fresh prawn that comes on top.....yes...

Unfortunately, after three separate visits to Rodney’s Oyster House on Hamilton Street, I can confidently say this establishment fails two out of the three core pillars I use to evaluate any restaurant: facilities, staff, and food. And when two of the three fail repeatedly, it doesn’t matter how fresh your oysters are—you're running a subpar operation. Let’s start with the dining environment. Rodney’s seems to have a designated “punishment seat” for solo diners. It’s a cramped, awkward corner spot tucked beside a large support pillar, clearly chosen for its poor visibility and lack of comfort. On my third visit, I called ahead and was told that the restaurant wasn’t busy. It was a Sunday at 2:58 p.m. I arrived to find the second floor completely empty, and of the seven tables on the entry floor, only three were occupied. Despite this, I was once again offered that same dreadful seat. It’s the kind of corner that says: “We don’t value your business, but we’ll take your money.” When I questioned this, the host claimed they were “anticipating happy hour crowds.” Translation: your current presence is less important than a theoretical profit margin. I left and went to Fanny Bay’s Oyster Bar instead, where I had a wonderful experience. If you’re seated at this single-person corner spot, make no mistake: Rodney’s is sending you a clear message—they do not want single diners, and they do not respect you as a patron. As a local who loves seafood but whose partner doesn’t, I often dine solo at oyster bars. It’s already an isolating experience in many restaurants, but Rodney’s takes it to another level by essentially treating solo guests as second-class customers. I can only imagine how disrespected or unwelcome someone might feel walking in alone for a treat and being banished to that dismal, humiliating corner. Next, the staff. It’s not that they’re rude—it’s that they’re indifferent and poorly trained. The hosts appear young, inexperienced, and uncomfortable with basic hospitality. On a Saturday night—my second visit—after being told a table would be ready within 30 minutes, I joined their waitlist. When the time came, I was offered a bar stool instead. I declined, as I specifically wanted a table. I cancelled my spot and went to Joe Fortes. This behavior suggests one of two things: either the staff lack the socialization skills necessary for hospitality, or Rodney’s has adopted a “greed-first, guests-last” management policy. Either way, it’s a losing formula. In fairness, the food has been acceptable—but in a city filled with brilliant seafood options and gracious service, “acceptable” doesn’t cut it. Especially when you’re treated like an afterthought. Dining should make you feel welcome. Rodney’s makes you feel like a seat-filler—useful only until someone more profitable shows up. If you value respect, service, or dignity, take your appetite and your money...

I’ve been here before and it was amazing all around which is why I decided to come back with my sibling and friend for a small celebratory dinner. However this time around it was disappointing. The oysters are great but the halibut bites were $22 for literally 4 small bites and it was over salted. The seafood pasta tasted a bit sour? Thank you to the front lady for being accommodating and giving us a table for three even though I reserved for two. The thing that was most disappointing was our server. I understand we looked younger but I felt that we were judged every time we ordered. I spent over $200 just for three people which is smaller compared to what I’ve spent here before. The server would give me a look every time I ordered, as if asking “are you sure?” like he made the assumption that we couldn’t afford what we were ordering. It is rude, disrespectful, and unwelcoming. He also didn’t refill our water pitcher at all, even after moving the pitcher closer to where he stood. The server wasn’t friendly, he didn’t explain the menu, he did not greet us. My guests had to ask him how ordering the oysters worked, and it almost seemed like a hassle for him to respond, instead of him just telling us to begin with.. He didn’t explain the sauces either. I am just comparing to my previous experience here so I am not 100% sure what are the standards here. All of this and more was perfectly executed during my previous experience. When it came time for me to pay, he finally started being friendly but it didn’t feel genuine. I didn’t tip well this time because the server wasn’t great. Honestly I feel I shouldn’t have tipped at all. Of course my guests said he looked upset and judgmental just...