Hydra Estiatorio in Vancouver is a Greek-inspired restaurant tucked inside the EXchange Hotel, serving up fresh seafood, grilled meats and Mediterranean small plates.
Named after the Greek island of Hydra in the Aegean Sea, this seafood-focused restaurant features a lively 40-foot cocktail bar and a soaring 60-foot atrium.
I started with the Watermelon Salad with feta and mint, a clean and simple appetizer that balances sweetness, saltiness, and freshness in every bite.
The Greek Surf & Turf main platter included a bit of everything. The Lamb Chops came grilled with a herb marinade and served with rosemary wine jus. These were cooked to a juicy medium rare, with a well-charred crust and a good hit of rosemary in the jus. The Prawn Skewer was lightly seasoned and grilled, served hot with a slight snap to the bite. The Grilled Halibut was tender and clean-tasting, simply done with olive oil and salt.
To drink, I had the Hugo Spritz, a zero-proof mix of elderflower, Bottega sparkling, and soda. It was light and floral, a good zero-proof option that worked well with the rest of the meal.
Hydra is located at 475 Howe Street, Vancouver.
