Victoria Dining
 

We'll only be in Victoria for two nights (early September). I'm having a hard time choosing two really great resaurants for dinner. I did book Sooke Harbour House for our second night. Since they got their old chef back it sounds like it really is the best restaurant in the area and I know that atmosphere is wonderful.

But despite looking at many other restaurants it seems all have as many negative reviews about things as positive ones. We'd like something a little more "trendy and lots of atmosphere" but really good food and service. It seems like the ones with the most atmosphere just aren't that great foodwise. Am I missing something? (I think I'm usually pretty good at reading between the lines on reviews),

One of the nicest sounds like the restaurant at the Laurel Point Inn, but it seems very negative if there happens to be some major catering going on that evening (doubtful since it is a Wednesday).

We're staying at the Grand Pacific, by the way.

The last time I was in Victoria had dinner at Lure- I thought the food and service was excellent but I think it gets mixed reviews.

https://www.deltahotels.com/Hotels/D...aurant-and-Bar

It does have the best views of the inner harbor and the lights of Victoria than any other restaurant I have dined at .

Yes I looked at that -- at The Delta. We need to drive there? Yes, pretty mixed reviews. Seems kinda family oriented.

Did not seem like a family place when I was there- no kids in the restaurant

We were a group of maybe 12 and everyone seemed to be happy with the experience- that was about 1 1/2 yrs ago so of course, things can change.

You would want to drive if going for dinner.

One spot I like for a quick afternoon snack/beer is Ogden Point. There is a great walking trail along the ocean and the restaurant at Ogden Point makes a nice stop- no raves about the food, just a place I like to go.

Wonder what the Dining Room at Oak Bay Beach Hotel would be like? Beautiful setting, new remodel- but have not been there since remodel

Whenever we want to go out for a nice dinner Il Terraazzo never fails. Its definitely my favourite restaurant in Victoria. http://www.ilterrazzo.com

...how are you getting to Sooke Harbour House?

Oh, driving, obviously. I wanted Peter to see Sooke anyway. That wasn't the issue -- we will have a car. Just that it would be nice within the city to be able to walk to and from a place. I didn't mean we'd eliminate Lure just because of needing to drive, but it seems odd that if we stay on the Inner Harbor because we think of it being in the "thick" of things, we can't even find a really good restaurant to walk to.

traveller69, I've been to Il Terrazzo and it IS nice, but we have sooooo many GREAT Italian places in New Jersey -- I'd really prefer something more "local" -- Pacific Northwest -- or whatever. Same thing in Vancouver. I LOVE Ciopinno, but trying not to do Italian this trip.

Maybe you could take a water taxi over to the Delta- sounds like fun

http://www.victoriaharbourferry.com/destinations

NeoPatrick - probably the most Pacific Northwest would be good seafood - this is an excellent restaurant http://www.pescatores.com/ - its right next to the Empress Hotel.

My favorite restaurant in Victoria was Re-Bar...home-cooked flavourful food, good ambience and service I thought. It's vegetarian and not upscale so perhaps not what you're looking for.

Oak Bay Marina is a lovely restaurant, it is not associated with the hotel.

Blight's Bistro on Oak Bay Avenue is my favorite.

if it's a nice evening you might enjoy Glo . it's up the gorge on the water w/ indoor and outdoor dining and very good food imho.

if you want a hotel dining room , i'd suggest the restaurant @ the coast plaza ( also on the water)

Ulli, is always well booked and appreciated on the edge of china town but definetly not chinese. very creative menu.

if you are willing to drive to sooke harbour house, you might also enjoy Deep Cove Chalet, it's a slightly shorter drive than Sooke on the Saanich peninsula NW of the airport

cheers
AndrewDavid

I was just in Victoria last weekend. I liked Pescatore's Fish House on 614 Humboldt St. To get a table for dinner, must reserve. It is just on the other side of the Empress Hotel block from your hotel. One I did not care for was the Bluecrab. It has a nice view of the port, but it is too tour group oriented.

We stayed 2 nights in Laurel Point Inn last October, and dined there both nights as we had no transport and didn't know where to go in the area!. Meals were very enjoyable.

We has a great lunch at Red fish Blue Fish last week. It is a small place that opens at 11? And the lines are already formed. We had a great view of the harbor and some great chowder/ fish n chops.

As an update for anyone reading this thread, we had a wonderful meal at Sooke Harbour House last week. The food was exceptional and the atmosphere in the dining room pleasant and the staff were very friendly and helpful. There was a roaring fire and we were able to watch deer and seals through the window. As a mixed age group, including my 12 year old granddaughter, on a special occasion it is hard to imagine anywhere better for a celebration.