We are staying at this resort and decided to try the Aqua Bistro attached to it. We are so glad we…read moredid! Our server, Jocelyn was professional and cordial. She made excellent recommendations. We both had the Korea Fried Chicken and Rice Bowls. Delicious! For mixed drinks we had an Old Fashion and Lycee Martini. The inside has adequate seating and a well stocked bar. We had a delightful time here!

Great views of the ocean. Food was outstanding & service was excellent. I especially enjoyed the…read morelarge portions.

We came here for the Reuben and were not disappointed! Thankfully we decided to split the sandwich…read more(with fries) and added the Little Gem salad. Wow! What a great combination and great flavours! Plenty enough for lunch for two people. The meat on the Reuben was so juicy and flavourful and the Little Gem salad was amazing. We throughly enjoyed our meal. The service was great; quick, friendly and welcoming. I would definitely come here again when back in Nanaimo.

We had my mother's 96th Birthday lunch here. The food was excellent with a wide variety of choices…read moreeven for the vegetarians in the group. everyone was very happy with their meals. They happily accommodated our group of 12 with a reservation for lunch in a separated room and all the food came out at the same time which is often tricky with a larger group. As for the staff, our servers were terrific, efficient and friendly. Prior to the day Robert replied to emailed questions very quickly and made the whole event very stress free. I honestly can't recommend this restaurant enough.

Could not be happier that the Arbutus Lounge exists (and the distillery) in our town. This place…read morerivals the best quality cocktails I've had in major cities, and when you factor in the INCREDIBLY low price, it truly can't be beat. From the classic martini to the weird and wonderful Where the Wild Things Are, and everything in between, the drink list is unique and exciting with something for everyone. The mixologists are amazing, and they even have board games and snacks available. They also do a happy hour, but I can never get there in time so can't speak to it. By far the best kept secret in Nanaimo!

Just discovered this place! Awesome craft cocktails from a serious mixologist. Never even knew this…read moreplace was here, as it's kinda hiding out of sight on a bit of an industrial park road. Nice cozy eclectic atmosphere with herbs and flowers drying all around. The cocktail menu is lengthy and def has something for everyone. Each drink has a chart letting you know sweet, herbal, boozy, etc. Not very busy on a Friday night, I imagine people haven't discovered it just like we didn't! Check it out!

Omg!! First time ever being there. Service was great and our…read morewaiter answered all our questions about the menu, Food was phenomenal!! No wonder there is always a wait time to get on. I highly recommend this restaurant.

We have had many great Sunday Brunches. Staff are wonderful and so are the drinks and foodread more

Wow! We had a reservation for Wolf in the Fog our last night in Tofino and it couldn't have been…read morebetter! The entire place felt elevated but cozy - our table was upstairs under beautiful wooden beams and big windows overlooking the town. The vibe was lively but not too loud on a Tuesday evening. Service started out wonderfully and we regularly received fresh table settings between courses, however we had a switch in waitstaff later in the meal and it was incredibly slow at the end. No big deal since we weren't in a rush but something to note that it could be hit or miss. The food, on the other hand, was 100% on point. We ordered the potato crusted oyster appetizer and I was blown away - innovative and delicious. For my main, I got the halibut in a curry sauce that was just perfection. My friends tried the sea board, seaweed salad, and scallop gratin, and loved all of it. This meal was a highlight of our vacation.

I have heard great things about Wolf in the fog, but some dishes were a hit, and others were a…read moremiss. Most of the dishes required more seasoning or salt. We got the Seared Humboldt Squid, Fried Oysters, Albacore Tuna, and Mushroom Gnocchi. The squid was very tender and the XO sauce that accompanied was very complimentary to the dish. The oysters were good and not overcooked. I enjoyed the wrap that they used to batter it. The tuna was really disappointing. Although the tuna was fresh, it lacked flavor. The mushroom gnocchi was my favorite part of our meal. It was so delicious and flavorful. 3.5 stars

We tried out this pub for the first time before seeing a show at the Sid Williams theatre nearby…read more It was fairly empty so we got in right away and sat near the fireplace at the back. We had the fish and chips, the Korean cauliflower bites, and the rigatoni. I especially enjoyed the fries. The pub also had a pull tab machine which was fun.

Great little pub in downtown Courtenay. Very empty during the day. The staff is very friendly and…read morechecks up many times. Food is also quite good. The fries are very oily but excellent.

Knowing the western side of Vancouver Island is known for great seafood options, we selected the…read moreGreat Room to try some! The hostess was was very nice and gave us a table with a view (which I'm sure would have been striking if it hadn't been dark unfortunately). Still, we ordered prawns and a 1/2 dozen oysters to start off with a bottle of Blue Mountain Sauvignon Blanc. (i wasn't nervous about the oysters as the north pacific is clean for raising them). For dinner my partner opted for the chicken platter that she really enjoyed; lots of fresh components and interesting small side portions. I had the scallops and pork belly that I have never had before, but would absolutely have again here. Add this restaurant to your list whether staying in the lodge or not. I agree reservations are a good idea unless you plan to go in an off time.

Dined at the Great Room as part of our 3 day amazing stay at Long Beach Lodge Resort. They are…read moreavailable for brunch, Happy Hour, and dinner with reservations highly recommended. We came for dinner and the view of Cox Bay is unbelievable! We got to watch the sunset and it was incredible. Too bad they don't have an outdoor patio but considering the rain, wind, and storm weather in Tofino, there's probably a reason why. Decor and ambiance is cozy, elegant, airy, and timeless elegance. Service here is attentive and warm. We ordered the house made bread to start (small comes with 6 pieces) with sourdough and charred leek butter. This was really homey and comforting. I ordered the Shrimp Carbonara for my entree and my partner got the Crispy Chicken sandwich. The shrimp carbonara take on the dish is served with udon noodles, shrimp, smoked black cod, butternut squash and topped with soft egg in a miso butter, garlic, chili, and parmesan sauce. The dish was hearty, filling, flavourful, yet not too heavy. It really hit the spot and I enjoyed it quite a bit. My partner enjoyed his huge Crispy Chicken sandwich and was thrilled that they had enough hot sauce on the chicken for some kick. Come for the views, food, or service - you can't go wrong. They also currently have a special multi-course for under $50/person from 5pm to 6pm.

Really amazing pub…read more Causal, nice patio, amazing food and service. Bee was my sever and went above and beyond. She even brought me sunscreen when I wa having an allergic reaction to the sun. She is a superb server and human. All the servers helped each other out which was awesome and a great team environment. I had the desert duo for dessert - yummmmm House Chardonnay which was surprisingly delicious. And green salad with salmon added. The salmon was meh but the salad was so yummy so it made up for it.

Great atmosphere, fun and welcoming. Good food, great prices, and outdoor seating options.read more

I had little context when arriving with a group of 7 to a restaurant that planned to seat 8 of us…read moreat 2 tables. They had expressly stated that they did not "do" large tables of 8. We were confused. Our organizer's assistant had set this up. I was just along for the ride. What a ride it turned out to be. The reason they don't do tables of 8 became obvious when we realized that this was a 2 star Michelin star restaurant that didn't have the stars yet. Pretty hard to get the folks at Michelin to wander into Uculet BC. Trust me when I say - it doesn't matter if they've been anointed by the rubber tire makers, they qualify in any event. They graciously accommodated our slightly diminished group of 7 at one cobbled together table. This is a world class dining room entirely contained within the floor plate of a 20th century home. It likely holds about 20 people per seating. The kitchen pumps out tasty pieces of art. The artists studio is naturally designed for intimacy, not rambunctious conference attendees. They bent the rules and pushed the limits of the kitchen to ensure we all got to experience the service as designed. They pulled it off. The photos below give you a glimpse into the menu. It clearly ebbs and flows with the seasons, and they were also able to accommodate needed dietary restrictions. Claire, our lovely server, took the time to ask each of our names, and then used them correctly throughout the evening. We were no longer strangers, we were guests in this former home. It happened to be Claire's last night before she left on a personal hiatus. I hope they can find someone as lovely to replace her. The food was tasty and beautiful. The wine pairings were sublime (with one slight miss) and the chef's amuse bouche and little delights were woven into the experience in a way that surprised and delighted us throughout. If you enjoy world class, and you find yourself in Tofino or Uculet - make the effort and head over to Pluvio. 4.9/5

Best to make a reservation and arrive on time, not earlier cause the restaurant is quite small…read more There's no place to wait. We had the set menu. The food!! Or shall we say the ART! Everything is surprising. Delicious, super creatively crafted and fresh. It definitely an experience, that satisfies all your senses. I love that they also give you some little treats between your five courses and everything adds up together you're perfectly full.