Pelagos Greek Restaurant came recommended by a friend and more than lived up to its advance billing
Michelle Hopkins
Sun
Corey Sutherland, head Cook at Pelagos, shows off a Filet of Sole at the beachfront restaurant’s patio. Photograph by : Peter Battistoni, Vancouver Sun
Good friends, fine wine and great food. Much has been written about cherished memories made over a great meal.
A recent night out with my dear friend, Sharon, was one of those moments. It was a rare night out with my travelling friend so we wanted to make it special, looking for a place with a spectacular waterfront view and delicious Greek food.
We found both at Pelagos Greek Restaurant in Crescent Beach.
Pelagos is housed in a Greek-style building right on the waterfront and its authentic Greek decor makes me yearn for a trip to the Mediterranean.
Pelagos came highly recommended by Sharon. She has been a number of times over the years and she always goes back because she can count on consistently delicious food, good service and a magnificent vista.
We pulled up a chair and after much catching up (in which our friendly, but unobtrusive waitress, Kristine, gave us time to leisurely order), we perused the extensive menu. I contemplated ordering a house specialty called Ortikia: two broiled quails cooked in olive oil and lemon, served with rice, roast potatoes, fresh vegetables and a Greek salad.
Alas, I am a creature of habit, so I order the Spanakota, a succulent breast of chicken stuffed with spinach and feta and all the fixings. Sharon went for the juicy eight-ounce New York steak with tiger prawns. The steak was tender and the tiger prawns fresh.
Meanwhile, we started out our dinner with an appetizer for two. We both decide on a combination of three dips — tzatziki, homous (chick pea, garlic, lemon and oil), and Taramosalata, which is a fish roe dip mixed with mash potatoes, garlic, lemon juice and oil. All are excellent on the restaurant’s homemade pita bread.
Next came an excellent Greek salad with its classic blend of tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce, black olives and red onions tossed with good quality olive oil, all crowned with creamy feta.
Eight years ago, chef and owner James Christopherson purchased Pelagos Greek Restaurant.
“When an opportunity came up to go into partnership to own a restaurant with a friend I jumped at it,” James explained later in a telephone interview. “I bought him out about a year and a half ago.”
Asked what his signature dishes are, he doesn’t hesitate: “Our rack of lamb and roast lamb are very popular. Our calamari is also a popular feature because it’s light, fluffy tender and tasty. We also sell a lot of seafood; sole, halibut, prawns and salmon.
“We’ve gotten away a little bit from just serving the regular Greek fare because of the location; customers are demanding more seafood.”
Right now, the ample outdoor patio (which seats 60), is blooming with a burst of colourful flowers and is a fabulous spot for people-watching or to watch the waves lap on the beach.
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AT A GLANCE
Pelagos Greek Restaurant
2728 O’Hara Lane, Crescent Beach
604-538-6102
www.crescentbeach.bc.ca/pelagos
Open for lunch Thursday to Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and dinner Monday to Sunday from 5 p.m.
© The Vancouver Sun 2007