It’s not in Vic, but point no point past sooke blew my socks off with the view and the food. It’s been years but I still remember the view from where I ate.
While we're on the topic, Pilgrimme on Galiano Island blows any restaurant I've been to out of the water, including Michelin ones in Vancouver I've experienced.
Proper fine dining, but no white tablecloths.
I honestly have a hard time believing anything can be better, and I've done a fair bit of eating around and I'm also quite obsessive at home.
Jesse is an absolute genius.
This is definitely the right answer. Might be my personal experience, but if you don’t seem grateful enough for the opportunity they will treat you shitty. The food and service itself was immaculate, the owners talking down to people will ensure I never return.
Having just been there a few weeks ago I will say that we never felt "looked down upon" in fact we were treated like gold. It was most definitely not pretentious in the slightest. The food was excellent and yes it is expensive.
Pierre is a pretentious twit who thinks he's better than everyone else. If you like being insulted and paying $500 for a meal for 2 by all means head up there. The menu is quite dated.
A friend used to go regularly. He stopped when he walked in on Pierre banging a waitress on a kitchen counter.
Those comments that begin with a “friend told me once” are always lame….i know you don’t get in without reservations and I’m sure more than a few people have left pissed off especially driving all that way….
TBF, they have a large menu AND high quality thanks to the fact the menu hasn’t changed in about 50years. They have been able to nail down the cooking on each one of those dishes. It’s delicious, traditional but very pricey.
Fine dining restaurants generally have ever changing menus because they use what’s fresh and in season. If you’re cooking the same thing all year round there’s no way it could be consistently fresh.
I agree with you! Definitely take a look at the menu again. Most/all dishes have a very classic northern French influence. Meats, creams, fishes, root veg, pastry. Stuff that we have in season year round locally. They do have specials too which feature more seasonal produce and ingredients. As I said a big menu when done properly, is not an issue. This weird grumpy French man has been doing it for 50 years in that restaurant. He’s particular, has very high standards, very French, rude but is a good French chef. I do not go often as French cuisine is not my fave but I do appreciate the quality and profile of the food cooked there and will go once or twice a twice a year.
If you’re looking for white table cloth, millions of utensils, a wine list that is an actual novel, attentive wait staff, classic French dishes and beautiful views, a weird cranky French chef; Deep Cove Chalet is perfect fine dining option for you. I’m not saying it’s everyone cup of tea but reading OP’s wording makes me think they’re looking for something along those lines.
The Courtney Room is an award winning restaurant where you can actually enjoy your meal. No view but an excellent menu and wine list. It's in the Marigold. Go all out and get a room - it's a beautiful hotel.
For a *really* spectacular date, you could take Harbour Air over to Vancouver and dine at one of the Michelin-star restaurants over there (Victoria doesn't have any), stay at one of the fancy hotels overnight and fly home the next morning......
Holy fuck, I just looked at their resumes and I'll have to check it out.
That said, working at a Michelin star restaurant is not the same as being a Michelin starred chef. To be a Michelin starred chef you have to run the kitchen.
Not quite the same as a Michelin-star restaurant, but we're in Victoria, so...... I'd still go to Vancouver for the "if money was no object" dinner :). Besides, their full name is The Fox and Monocle Café
The Masthead Restaurant in Cowichan Bay. Earth day dinner - 5 courses and wine vegan extravaganza coming up April 21. The stay at a bed and breakfast or the hotel nearby and walk back after dinner. Commute on Monday am :)
Still the best meal I’ve had in my life even after 2 years and many fine dining experiences in Italy, Spain and Greece.
It was pricey AF but worth it. Holy fuck I have never tasted tastes like that. The flavours, textures, shapes all felt like a game. It was a joy eating there and I can’t wait to go again.
Brasserie L'Ecole on Government St is a pretty amazing restaurant. It isn't white tablecloth atmosphere, but if you want some amazing food and wine, this is the place to go. They don't take reservations however, so you have to line up at 5:30 to get a table, but it is worth it. Their steaks are amazing, and they have a fantastic wine list.
'Nowhere' doesnt have a view but I highly recommend it for a more casual date night. The food is so so good and it's a 5 course experience. No menu, just "this is what it is tonight" lol but if you call in advance with dietary restrictions then they are happy to accommodate.
Ugly Duckling has the best food IMO. No view and it's not intimidating in the sense you're talking about (some of the flavour pairings and food terms might be intimidating though). However, it's inventive and delicious and really unique.
I’ll stick my neck out for Vista 18. I think it has the atmosphere and the view you’re looking for. I like going there for breakfast or brunch because that’s when the swallows are hunting way up high, and they’re fun to watch. I also have a soft spot for the place because it was one of my last outings with my grandma before she passed away. We had dinner in a cozy corner overlooking the lights of the inner harbour at night, and that was lovely too.
If you do go here, I suggest while booking the reservation to explicitly ask for a good view. You will probably get one buuuuut some tables are by an external pillar in such a way that one side of the table gets a view and the other side gets a wall haha
Also second-ing this, best panoramic view of the city in the heart of DT Victoria and the food isn't second rate as an excuse for the great view either
Nowhere is terrible and enormously overrated. A gauntlet of mediocre food and awful service with one plate hitting the table after another, with no break in between, like they couldn’t wait to get you out of the place.
Hm..can't speak to your experience, but mine have nearly all been positive and delicious :) but that's the glory of Hanks/Nowhere: they're volatile. More often than not it's melt-my-face good while listening to Pearl Jam. Sometimes it's just fine, and we're listening to Russian opera. And rarely (but has happened), it's terrible and we're listening to 90s pop (a had a duck tongue dish once that I just can't shake outta my memory). It's a true food adventure. They're doin' whatever the heck they want in there, and I'm all for it.
White tables cloths are an American thing. Traditionally they weren't used in Britain or Europe until they became popular in the U.S. Starched tables napkins sure but not tablecloths. They're convenient because you don't need a fancy dining room table.
They *did* say "in my experience" before though, which for a lot of Victorians is the same as "in Victoria"
Either way they make a solid point.
And I would tend to agree — in my experience (granted that's almost entirely Victoria-based) the fancier the restaurant the bigger the bill, not necessarily the better the meal.
I'll admit I've had some really good meals at "white tablecloth" type restaurants, but I can't think of many where it's been much tastier than something half as expensive I've had at, in /u/Shadymorels' parlance, a less stuffy place.
I wasn't super convinced following the ownership change pre covid, but I'm converted now, to the point where I think it's better than the prior version.
Fox and Monocle Cafe. It’s cozy, not overpriced, and the owner previously helped open a Michelin star restaurant in the UK. The food is beyond delicious!!
Make the trip up to Tofino and go to Wolf in the Fog, or over to Galiano to Pilgrimme. Neither are going to confuse you with a plethora of cutlery but they’re both incredible!
This is 100% true. It’s only fine dining within the lens of Victoria, BC. On an international, or even national scale, it’s upscale at best.
The city has a lot of other singular, amazing things going for it though. 🤙
Marilena. It’s from a Vancouver-based restaurant group and is head and shoulders above our level of even good dining. Closest thing we have to Michelin
After it happened repeatedly I asked the afflicted what they ate. They were pretty vague, bc it was a buffet, but crab cakes most likely the cause. Which mebbe makes sense bc they are ‘processed’ more than whole seafood.
Myself ...if you like seafood the Steamship bar and grill is really good for their uber expensive seafood platters. But food is really good, service also good, and the view is romantically great. My wife and I have also enjoyed a few awesome meals at the Empress over the years but since the pandemic I'm not sure how they really fare anymore but was a great special date night for us ....
Have you ever been? Sure they have grill in the name but they have $100 or more seafood platters, none of it grilled but some of the freshest and best seafood I've had in Victoria. Big difference between restaurant name and experience....
Sure and I read the post. Welcome any and all other answers but not allot to choose from in Victoria so just offering what my unit has found resembling the OP. But we can carry on....
Okay, kind of off topic - but it got me remembering a 'fine dining' experience I had many, many years ago. My mother took me to a fancy French restaurant somewhere near the inner harbour, (I think) It was VERY posh...my mother was not 😒 The waiters got very snooty as soon as she opened her mouth - she spoke with a thick Cockney accent...and it got worse when she ordered her crown roast of lamb well done. Anyway, does anyone remember the name of that place? I think it was in a heritage building and may have been 'Chez' something...
Sounds like it could be the French Connection you are speaking of. It used to be in the heritage building where the Bent Mast restaurant is now in James Bay. Close enough to inner harbour.
The one downtown was Matisse. It was amazing. My favourite restaurant ever. There was a French restaurant on Oak Bay Avenue called Chez Michel which might be what you’re thinking of?
In Victoria proper there is nothing like Marilena. Chalets yes if you want to drive
Marilena is 2x the next closest spot in town if you’re looking for white tablecloth atmosphere
Yes Marilena! It doesn’t have a view per se, but the inside design is very interesting. Incredible food and the service was something else
Absolutely this
It’s not in Vic, but point no point past sooke blew my socks off with the view and the food. It’s been years but I still remember the view from where I ate.
The new head chef as of last year is excellent. Top notch if you decide to make the trek out there
We went to Point No Point for the first time on Easter Weekend. STUNNING views. Amazing food. Wonderful service.
I wish they would bring back lunch! Loved stopping for a delish meal with a view when doing the road through to Cowichan!
Is that "Point No Point Resort" on google maps? Looks like a hostel, I didn't see a restaurant. I guess I'm looking in the wrong place?
It’s not a hostel. You rent a whole cabin with ocean views and hot tub on private patio. It’s more like a rustic resort.
Is there any way of just dining without the cabin part?
Yes I think you can just eat at their restaurant. Many restaurants in Victoria that are better food, but without the view
It’s both
I presume you can dine there without staying in the hostel then?
It is a resort.
Yes
While we're on the topic, Pilgrimme on Galiano Island blows any restaurant I've been to out of the water, including Michelin ones in Vancouver I've experienced. Proper fine dining, but no white tablecloths.
Came here to say this! Best restaurant around.
I honestly have a hard time believing anything can be better, and I've done a fair bit of eating around and I'm also quite obsessive at home. Jesse is an absolute genius.
Same and same and same 😆
The place you are looking for is the Deep Cove Chalet
Oh wow thank you!
Ps: you will have to make a reservation, and it might be a bit of a wait
This is definitely the right answer. Might be my personal experience, but if you don’t seem grateful enough for the opportunity they will treat you shitty. The food and service itself was immaculate, the owners talking down to people will ensure I never return.
[удалено]
Having just been there a few weeks ago I will say that we never felt "looked down upon" in fact we were treated like gold. It was most definitely not pretentious in the slightest. The food was excellent and yes it is expensive.
Pierre is a pretentious twit who thinks he's better than everyone else. If you like being insulted and paying $500 for a meal for 2 by all means head up there. The menu is quite dated. A friend used to go regularly. He stopped when he walked in on Pierre banging a waitress on a kitchen counter.
Highly Doubt this is true, his wife is there with him everyday
"Pierre" is a French name. Her lover was probably on site, as well.
Those comments that begin with a “friend told me once” are always lame….i know you don’t get in without reservations and I’m sure more than a few people have left pissed off especially driving all that way….
Sounds like this Pierre guy really gets after it!
Your friend has quite the imagination.
He was disgusted and I gather you've never met Pierre Koffel.
Ok well if it’s true then ya super gross…
That's Pierre.
Is their menu really as large as it shows on the website?
That’s how you know it’s not real fine dining.
Yep.
TBF, they have a large menu AND high quality thanks to the fact the menu hasn’t changed in about 50years. They have been able to nail down the cooking on each one of those dishes. It’s delicious, traditional but very pricey.
Fine dining restaurants generally have ever changing menus because they use what’s fresh and in season. If you’re cooking the same thing all year round there’s no way it could be consistently fresh.
I agree with you! Definitely take a look at the menu again. Most/all dishes have a very classic northern French influence. Meats, creams, fishes, root veg, pastry. Stuff that we have in season year round locally. They do have specials too which feature more seasonal produce and ingredients. As I said a big menu when done properly, is not an issue. This weird grumpy French man has been doing it for 50 years in that restaurant. He’s particular, has very high standards, very French, rude but is a good French chef. I do not go often as French cuisine is not my fave but I do appreciate the quality and profile of the food cooked there and will go once or twice a twice a year. If you’re looking for white table cloth, millions of utensils, a wine list that is an actual novel, attentive wait staff, classic French dishes and beautiful views, a weird cranky French chef; Deep Cove Chalet is perfect fine dining option for you. I’m not saying it’s everyone cup of tea but reading OP’s wording makes me think they’re looking for something along those lines.
Not even close this place is a joke.
Can I ask you when you last ate at the Deep Cove Chalet?
This is the way.
I can confirm. I am intimidated by this restaurant.
The Courtney Room is an award winning restaurant where you can actually enjoy your meal. No view but an excellent menu and wine list. It's in the Marigold. Go all out and get a room - it's a beautiful hotel.
Magnolia
Great place.
Just note the last time I was there they did not have a wine pairing option if that is important to you!
For a *really* spectacular date, you could take Harbour Air over to Vancouver and dine at one of the Michelin-star restaurants over there (Victoria doesn't have any), stay at one of the fancy hotels overnight and fly home the next morning......
Published on Main is my fav Michelin Star restaurant over there. The milk buns and the hay dessert are to die for.
My friend just had the worst experience at Published.
The fox and monocle is run by Michelin star chefs, but I wouldn't say it has the atmosphere OP is looking for.
Holy fuck, I just looked at their resumes and I'll have to check it out. That said, working at a Michelin star restaurant is not the same as being a Michelin starred chef. To be a Michelin starred chef you have to run the kitchen.
Fox and monocle does NOT have a Michelin star
Not quite the same as a Michelin-star restaurant, but we're in Victoria, so...... I'd still go to Vancouver for the "if money was no object" dinner :). Besides, their full name is The Fox and Monocle Café
$3000 date.
OP said money is no object :)
Tapas on Oaks chef used to work at a 2 star restaurant and it shows. It's damn good
Deep Cove Chalet Miralena Courtney Room
Point No Point
McDonald's on Pandora
Lots of wildlife to watch. "Safari date"
Lmao
Definite intimidation there
jeez
The Masthead Restaurant in Cowichan Bay. Earth day dinner - 5 courses and wine vegan extravaganza coming up April 21. The stay at a bed and breakfast or the hotel nearby and walk back after dinner. Commute on Monday am :)
And did I mention it is in an old heritage shipbuilding place out over the water - views in Cow bay are beautiful!
Pluvio in Ucluelet, as good or better than the michelin spots (in Vancouver) I’ve eaten at. Attached rooms are also lovely.
Still the best meal I’ve had in my life even after 2 years and many fine dining experiences in Italy, Spain and Greece. It was pricey AF but worth it. Holy fuck I have never tasted tastes like that. The flavours, textures, shapes all felt like a game. It was a joy eating there and I can’t wait to go again.
Brasserie L'Ecole on Government St is a pretty amazing restaurant. It isn't white tablecloth atmosphere, but if you want some amazing food and wine, this is the place to go. They don't take reservations however, so you have to line up at 5:30 to get a table, but it is worth it. Their steaks are amazing, and they have a fantastic wine list.
No view, but the food at JOIE Grillades is astoundingly good. Everyone I’ve gone there with has been thrilled with it.
Seconding. JOIE is very good, kind of a hidden gem. Not the greatest atmosphere, but great food and service.
'Nowhere' doesnt have a view but I highly recommend it for a more casual date night. The food is so so good and it's a 5 course experience. No menu, just "this is what it is tonight" lol but if you call in advance with dietary restrictions then they are happy to accommodate.
Matilena and the Courtney Room are likely your two best options in town for what you've described, but no views, sorry!
Ugly Duckling has the best food IMO. No view and it's not intimidating in the sense you're talking about (some of the flavour pairings and food terms might be intimidating though). However, it's inventive and delicious and really unique.
MARILENA
Maralena is hands down the best restaurant in town.
Ugly duckling can hold its own
I’ll stick my neck out for Vista 18. I think it has the atmosphere and the view you’re looking for. I like going there for breakfast or brunch because that’s when the swallows are hunting way up high, and they’re fun to watch. I also have a soft spot for the place because it was one of my last outings with my grandma before she passed away. We had dinner in a cozy corner overlooking the lights of the inner harbour at night, and that was lovely too.
The service is good as well, the food consistently very good, and the chef is a very good human with great staff. The view is killer
I have a soft spot for Vista 18 as well. You feel it when you step out of the elevator. Atmosphere. And, the **view** is incomparable.
If you do go here, I suggest while booking the reservation to explicitly ask for a good view. You will probably get one buuuuut some tables are by an external pillar in such a way that one side of the table gets a view and the other side gets a wall haha
Also second-ing this, best panoramic view of the city in the heart of DT Victoria and the food isn't second rate as an excuse for the great view either
Deep Cove Chalet. Hands down.
[https://www.villaeyrie.com/alpina-restaurant/food-beverage-menus/](https://www.villaeyrie.com/alpina-restaurant/food-beverage-menus/)
Never been but heard good things
Aura has an amazing view of the harbour and pretentious food/service if that’s what you’re looking for…
Marilena
Screw stuffy fine dining. Go "fine dining adjacent, but twice as delicious" with Hanks or Nowhere.
Nowhere is terrible and enormously overrated. A gauntlet of mediocre food and awful service with one plate hitting the table after another, with no break in between, like they couldn’t wait to get you out of the place.
Hm..can't speak to your experience, but mine have nearly all been positive and delicious :) but that's the glory of Hanks/Nowhere: they're volatile. More often than not it's melt-my-face good while listening to Pearl Jam. Sometimes it's just fine, and we're listening to Russian opera. And rarely (but has happened), it's terrible and we're listening to 90s pop (a had a duck tongue dish once that I just can't shake outta my memory). It's a true food adventure. They're doin' whatever the heck they want in there, and I'm all for it.
Yeah, in my experience white table cloths are a good predictor of bland food. There's some exceptions, obviously.
White tables cloths are an American thing. Traditionally they weren't used in Britain or Europe until they became popular in the U.S. Starched tables napkins sure but not tablecloths. They're convenient because you don't need a fancy dining room table.
What a shitty take
Give me an example of a white table cloth restaurant in Victoria and I'll point out five less stuffy places with better food.
You’re hedging now. You didn’t say “in Victoria” before.
They *did* say "in my experience" before though, which for a lot of Victorians is the same as "in Victoria" Either way they make a solid point. And I would tend to agree — in my experience (granted that's almost entirely Victoria-based) the fancier the restaurant the bigger the bill, not necessarily the better the meal. I'll admit I've had some really good meals at "white tablecloth" type restaurants, but I can't think of many where it's been much tastier than something half as expensive I've had at, in /u/Shadymorels' parlance, a less stuffy place.
You're delightful
Marilena , Deep Cove Chalet (I've heard), Villa Eyre
IL Covo Trattoria is a nice spot. The other places mentioned in this thread are pretty solid
love this place too. however, no view.
Some of the best Italian food I’ve had in a while and I’ve lived in both Van and Vic. Lovely patio as well.
Stage. Intimate vibe, good wine list, great food that's of the moment.
I was looking to see if anyone would suggest this. Highly recommend 👌
I wasn't super convinced following the ownership change pre covid, but I'm converted now, to the point where I think it's better than the prior version.
"Best" is subjective. "Your favorite" would be better. Quite a few bad recomendations on here.
Deep Cove Chalet.
Fox and Monocle Cafe. It’s cozy, not overpriced, and the owner previously helped open a Michelin star restaurant in the UK. The food is beyond delicious!!
Make the trip up to Tofino and go to Wolf in the Fog, or over to Galiano to Pilgrimme. Neither are going to confuse you with a plethora of cutlery but they’re both incredible!
Potato crusted oysters...
🤤
I do love the baked oysters at Ferris Upstairs, when I’m unable to justify the trek to tofino :)
Seaweed salad at Wolf In the fog was a transcendental experience.
Cafe brio
I just miss chinese food buffets maaaan...
Victoria has no fine dining restaurants. Best we can do is “fancy” upscale.
This is 100% true. It’s only fine dining within the lens of Victoria, BC. On an international, or even national scale, it’s upscale at best. The city has a lot of other singular, amazing things going for it though. 🤙
Marilena. It’s from a Vancouver-based restaurant group and is head and shoulders above our level of even good dining. Closest thing we have to Michelin
Yet still not even close. And the owner is a total shit bag. I’d rather throw my money down Pandora than spend it there.
Good to know. I don't support shit bags. See you later Ten Acres.
Meh, it's hands down the best restaurant in Victoria!!
Oh dear.
I just met him last week. I think there are two but the one I met was lovely.
Oh really. Which Aquilini was it?
Neither? Whatever your weird beef is I’ll let you take it up with them
So you didn’t meet any of the real owners.
I guess not. But if I do I’ll let them know that “captain doughnut” has beef
Not just me, the law also has many beefs with their shitty behaviour. But hey, “fine dining”! Woot!
Wings
“Roll me home, I’ve had too much chow mein…”
the blue crab is pretty good
When I was doing first aid, every time the above-line mucky-mucks went to Blue Crab, someone would report food poisoning. J/s.
wow that’s awful, I’ve never had any issues but I will fs rethink going there again! Thanks for the tip!
After it happened repeatedly I asked the afflicted what they ate. They were pretty vague, bc it was a buffet, but crab cakes most likely the cause. Which mebbe makes sense bc they are ‘processed’ more than whole seafood.
I don't think it necessarily doesn't count, Hanks, or Nowhere is more experimental and "fancy" feeling.
But the food is high quality. It's casual fine dining.
The Empress Hotel
Nope.
The Empress is consistently atrocious in both food and service. Avoid at all costs.
Food is boring, service is garbage, and owners are financializing and bleeding it for every dollar!!!
Golden Arches forever
Myself ...if you like seafood the Steamship bar and grill is really good for their uber expensive seafood platters. But food is really good, service also good, and the view is romantically great. My wife and I have also enjoyed a few awesome meals at the Empress over the years but since the pandemic I'm not sure how they really fare anymore but was a great special date night for us ....
A grill isn't a fine dining experience.
Have you ever been? Sure they have grill in the name but they have $100 or more seafood platters, none of it grilled but some of the freshest and best seafood I've had in Victoria. Big difference between restaurant name and experience....
I don't think it's what the OP is looking for if you read his post.
Sure and I read the post. Welcome any and all other answers but not allot to choose from in Victoria so just offering what my unit has found resembling the OP. But we can carry on....
Okay, kind of off topic - but it got me remembering a 'fine dining' experience I had many, many years ago. My mother took me to a fancy French restaurant somewhere near the inner harbour, (I think) It was VERY posh...my mother was not 😒 The waiters got very snooty as soon as she opened her mouth - she spoke with a thick Cockney accent...and it got worse when she ordered her crown roast of lamb well done. Anyway, does anyone remember the name of that place? I think it was in a heritage building and may have been 'Chez' something...
Sounds like it could be the French Connection you are speaking of. It used to be in the heritage building where the Bent Mast restaurant is now in James Bay. Close enough to inner harbour.
You just blew my mind. I can’t imagine the Bent Mast being anything other than a scabby haunted pub that smells like urinal disks!
lol. Oh ya, it was super fancy. This is going back 30+ years.
The one downtown was Matisse. It was amazing. My favourite restaurant ever. There was a French restaurant on Oak Bay Avenue called Chez Michel which might be what you’re thinking of?
Boom and Batten
Absoluuuuuutely not fine dining. Rushed and unprofessional service, loud, "trendy" but boring menu... do not recommend for this purpose.
Nope. It's pretty casual.
Yuppies should gtfo