Hydra Estiatorio Mediterranean & Bar at EXchange Hotel Vancouver

Hydra Vancouver is an estiatorio Mediterranean restaurant & bar that just opened at the newly renovated luxury EXchange Hotel on 475 Howe Street (between Pender and Hastings.) The 180-seat Greek restaurant itself is a stunning bi-level, washed with natural light from its six-story atrium lobby. It has opulent mirrors and an irresistible raw bar - right as you enter the restaurant on the second floor!

The name "Hydra" (pronounced ‘hee-dra') - is named after the beautiful culinary Greek island in the Aegean Sea.

The EXchange Hotel is Vancouver’s first LEED™ Platinum Heritage Conversion and is the former home of the original Vancouver Stock Exchange.

Last night I had the pleasure to experience the debut menu of this elegantly modern Greek-inspired flagship estiatorio. The menu focuses on quality Mediterranean dishes such as vine-ripened tomato salad with flat parsley and feta, tender grilled octopus garnished with lemon juice and olive oil, or lamb chops served straight from the grill with hints of garlic and oregano. Chef Ioannis Gerolymatos pays homage to his roots and honours ingredients and traditional cooking styles.

We started the evening with cocktails and a collection of spreads ($10 each and comes with freshly made to order pita bread.) Opt to add crudite +$3.

MELITZANA
TARAMA
FAVA
XTIPITI
TZATZIKI
MENTA

Next on the menu was a selection of Hydra Favorite starters. There is a good variety of appetizers from saganaki fried cheese to deliciously crispy paper-thin zucchini chips!

GRILLED OCTOPUS 21: Tender flame grilled baby octopus dressed in lemon and oregano olive oil and served with a fava bean purée.

HYDRA SPECIAL 18: We bet you can not just eat just one! These guilt-free paper-thin zucchini are super delicious and comes with spicy eggplant tzatziki.

KEFALOGRAVIERA 17: Crispy on the exterior and melty, gooey, cheese inside. This fried saganaki dish is lovely.

TOMATO SALAD 19: This Greek salad includes vine-ripened tomatoes with fresh feta cheese flown from Greece.

GREEN SALAD 13: Simple and refreshing. Finely chopped hearts of romaine, scallions and served with a light dill hydra vinaigrette.

ORGANIC HEIRLOOM BEETS 14: Tender heirloom leafy beets tossed in red-wine vinegar and extra virgin olive oil.

Now that our appetite's been warmed up it is time for Today's fresh selection of seafood from the Aegean & Salish Seas and world’s oceans, on display at the Raw Bar. Choose how you'd like your fish to be cooked - salted baked or grilled. Served with greek fried potatoes, and sautéed greens.

WHOLE FISH IN SEA SALT MP: salt baked with herbs. Mildly flavourful and full of natural sweetness from the fish.

GRILLED WHOLE FISH MP: flame-grilled with olive oil & lemon sauce.

Family Style Hydra Platters from the land.

WHOLE FORNO ROASTED CHICKEN 48: Tender marinated chicken with herbs and lemon

FORNO ROASTED WHOLE LEG OF LAMB 89: marinated with oregano and lemon. Carved in the kitchen and served with natural drippings.

LOBSTER PASTA 59: Scrumptious whole lobster served with fresh pasta, tomatoes, ouzo and lobster sauce.

The menu at Hydra Vancouver is intended to be explored and shared with friends and family. Thank you for the amazing night over good company and delicious eats. The plethora of unique dishes and choices is incredible. There is something for everyone! I can't wait to come back and try their Charred Cauliflower, forno baked Black Cod, Spanakopita and Crab Cakes and of course the flame grilled whole lobster!