"In their pre-Fish Counter days, co-owners Rob Clark and Mike McDermid were, respectively, a two-time Gold Medal Plates-winning chef and a marine biologist. They teamed up to create the Ocean Wise program, which now spans Canada, to help consumers find sustainable seafood. They sell seasonal, locally sourced fish from a literal fish counter at Fish Counter, but the shop also boasts a takeout counter where a fryer produces superb fish and chips (try the lingcod), oyster po’ boys, and crispy fish tacos. There are also soups, including a B.C.-tomato-based, saffron-spiked bouillabaisse swimming with seafood, and a dairy-free clam chowder." - Nikki Bayley