Upper Deck Cafe - Halfmoon Bay

We helped our niece and nephew celebrate their 5th anniversary at this restaurant. You need to call a few weeks in advance to secure a table at this seasonal establishment. The service was excellent. The appetizers were delicious, although we weren't big fans of the scallops. However, they were still good enough to finish! For our main courses, we ordered two different pastas and the sturgeon, which I found to be the standout dish. For dessert, we enjoyed their homemade ice cream (5/5) and the chocolate mousse (4/5). Overall, the meal was a bit expensive, but considering it was for a special occasion and the location, we would likely return in the future.

The good points: a nice location with a great deck, and the service was really good: knowlegable, attentive and friendly. The first bad point is the price you should expect to pay, after tax and tip $130 150 per person excluding alcohol, whether you go for the 3 course 'family ' menu or the a la carte. The alcohol is similarly expensive $70 $700 for a bottle of wine) but the drinks choices were excellent. The second bad point, for me, was the food. The sourdough bread was nice, even if it was $15 after tax and service) a portion. Maybe I was unlucky, but the fritto misto I ordered contained for a main course was about 20% seafood, 60% kale and 20% other vegetables. The batter was heavy and greasy, and above all it was almost inedible because of the salt content.

We went as a group and were required to have a six-course tasting menu . Shortly after arriving and ordering drinks, we were bombarded with plates of food. We were all a little confused as we have all experienced tasting menus before, and this definitely wasn 't the format that we were expecting. There were no distinct six courses, but rather a series of small plates that were served, and were to be shared family style. At $100/pp, we were all expecting something a little more refined. While the food was tasty, family-style is not what you expect of a tasting menu . Dinner for 2 with a $55 bottle of wine, tax and tip in, ran us $350. Oh, and meringue with some berries as the dessert course was beyond disappointing. Friendly service and great view, of course, but...

Our experience at this restaurant was amazing from making the reservation to enjoying the location, incredible food, and friendly service. Jen, Alex, and the whole team made my family's birthday dinner exceptional. The chef's tasting menu began with their signature snack attack, offering a variety of appetizers that were not only delicious but also innovative. They had no problem accommodating the vegan in our group, making the experience just as exciting for them. The location was stunning, giving us a true taste of British Columbia. The service was flawless, and the wine selection was impressive. I couldn't have asked for a better experience.

Absolutely awesome cuisine and service! Menu was extraordinary and unique. Staff we engaging and friendly. You have to go and experience it for yourself!