Sorry it took so long to get this review done and posted!!…read more I took my mother and my adult son here for a nice dinner while we were going to through a tough time of mourning the loss of my father. Nothing helps heal the soul like a good meal right..!? All I can say is this place is truly a gem. I am a foodie and enjoy great food around the world. I love it when I see someone bring big city, high quality Michelin level to small towns. Well done folks! Keep up the good work and I look forward to see you next time I'm in town. Thanks as well for the lovely coasters. They look great on my home made redwood river table ;)

It's out of business I believe and it was pricey... service was good, food was tasty, they…read moreencourage wine with every course.

We've had lunch at Cuckoo's once before so we knew pretty much what we were getting ourselves into…read more It's decorated in quite a traditional manner, and currently set up for Christmas. The floors look to be original hardwood, and there are lots of beams and logs to see. I personally love the old style look, but it might not be to everyone taste. The service is quite good, our server especially, although it did seem like one individual was more interested in polishing glasses and not running food or bussing tables. He was a little passive aggressive with another staff member when he did run a couple of plates, came back and said "see that wasn't that hard." Not a good look. The food was quite good, although we felt, this time like the last, it was a little on the expensive side. It is quite a tourist mecca just outside of Parksville so that's likely part of the reason. It's also quite busy so clearly people are willing to pony up. We had the soup of the days Chantrelle mushroom soup. Evidently those mushroom are very plentiful in the area this time of year. It was quite good, creamy for sure, but we would have liked some more noticeable bits of mushroom. We also shared a Caprese salad which needed more balsamic and a little salt. The capers were a nice add. We finished with Margherita pizza which was nicely cooked and finished with fresh basil. Can't believe I am saying this, but there was too much cheese on it and maybe a little shy on the tomato sauce. Peroni beer on tap is a total winner for me. Have been twice, might go again, but likely not.

Our server Savanna ( Auburn Hair ) was outstanding in her personality, and quick service. Food was…read moreoutstanding, had focaccia bread with mushroom sauce over it, very good, Cesar salad also very a had shrimp and pasta platter and seafood with pasta platter. Both feed 4 people with leftovers to take home. Service, quality of the food makes this a must add to your dinning choice.

Amazing! Food was delicious, service was impeccable, location was excellent. We sat on the covered…read morepatio and enjoyed a beautiful evening. The seafood pasta was out of this world. The gnocchi and bruschetta were very tasty as well. Finished off the evening with a unique tiramisu. We will definitely be repeat customers to this hidden gem.

The food was delicious and service was great. What else one could wish for! Sadly, it's quite…read moredifficult to get in unless you have a reservation. And making the reservation here is a bit complicated. You have to call, which is OK, but there's no confirmation email or anything telling you indeed have a table booked. Please make sure you double or triple check it before you show up for your dinner. Even though we booked over the phone a couple of weeks in advance, we were not on the list. Fortunately, we were lucky they were able to squeeze us in. Despite this unfortunate booking incident, I would still recommend you to visit this place. The food was indeed delicious!

I had scouted out this place and it didn't disappoint. We didn't have a reservation but got lucky…read moresince a table was just being cleared. Absolutely delicious beet and greens salad, perfectly baked pizza, and friendly service.

We ordered takeout pizza and they were delicious. The portions were generous, and the leftovers…read morewere great the next day.

Mattones at Salmon Point is an absolute must-visit for seafood lovers. It's one of the most…read morebeautiful restaurant locations on the North Island and a favourite for both locals and visitors. The local oysters, both fresh shucked and baked, are incredible. The seafood chowder is honestly the best I've ever had, and the freshly baked focaccia with their signature garlic sauce is perfection. There really isn't anything I could not recommend on the menu. Be sure to save room for the sticky toffee pudding!!! You'll love the food, the view, and the whole experience. Big Cheers to chef Ryan and his team for creating this place!!!

The food is very good. The view is beautiful. The price is a bit higher for what you get, the…read moreserving size is a bit small. You need to order at the table with your phone or at the counter then the food is brought out to you. So you pretip, which is strange when you don't t know how the food is and they only bring out foods to you no asking how it is and if you want another drink, which you would have to go up and pay again for or scan and pay. I feel they are losing lot of money from drinking a dessert orders. The chairs aren't that comfortable either. The food is good. Some easy fixes this place would be outstanding.

I'm not generally a chain restaurant fan but my friend invited me to her daughter's birthday lunch…read moreand I was happy to go. Our server was fantastic. He was super knowledgeable about the menu (we found out he is also a cook there - what a great combination!) and very attentive and just sweet. We all ordered very different things and everyone was happy with their food. I just got chicken wings as I follow a low carb diet and was happy to find they weren't breaded. I will see about 8 wings and a soda water cost me almost $30 so I won't be back any time soon but the wings were baked perfectly and the hot sauce was truly a medium!

It must have been an off night. Slow service, cold food, constantly forgetting to bring items to…read morethe table when asked (such as clean cutlery and drink refills) and since the place was almost empty we aren't sure why things weren't up to standard. Definitely not returning to this one.

Giovanni's is split into two distinct restaurants: fine Italian cuisine in the main restaurant area…read moreand a lounge side catering to pizza enthusiasts, like me. What the lounge may lack in outward beauty, that is fully made up for (and then some) with its main course. Done in what I call "Greek Style", the pizza is baked in a pan and has a cupped edge crust that the ingredients come out to meet, with the bulk of the cheese spread on top. Additionally, Giovanni's has developed a wonderful sauce, which is not too sweet. Fresh ingredients and lots of them as well. When brought to your table by Tracey or one of the other wonderful staff, it is a thing of golden beauty. I never order anything less than a large (see photo) because I always want to take some home. Truly one of the top pies on the island. Enjoy!

the food here has always been top notch! the vibes and atmosphere of the place is also amazing, the…read moreway the lights are just perfect and the playlist is awesome too! we had this waiter who was so kind and funny. AMAZING service!!! when my dad spilled a drink, he came rushing over to clean it and even poured the rest of his can into his cup without him asking. Keep up the amazing work!

Best pizza north of Nanaimo. Fast and they use quality ingredients. Been a customer for 20 plus…read moreyears . Highly recommended

I travel for work and have pizza everywhere I go. This pizza is right up there with the best of…read morethe best. Fresh toppings, great cheese ratio and cooked in an oven not that conveyor belt thing. I'm not a franchise kind of pizza guy, they tend to be all the same. It gets busy because how popular so have some patients with the order, phone ahead.

All three courses were wonderful - chicken Brie cordon bleu for the main course was the highlight…read more Nice experience - quiet due to the playoff hockey game. Likely lucked in to being able to walk in, suggest reservations as limited seating.

While staying at a nearby resort, we got a reccomendation for Brie & Barrel. It was also one of the…read morefew restaurants that was open late in town. The restaurant is in an historic building downtown and seems to be a part of a city revitalization effort. Inside, the restaurant is well appointed and there are many tables with views. We chose the bar area for a more social vibe. The bar seating is a bit awkward for socialization with the bartenders or other patrons. The staff we met were super friendly even though they were quite busy. We both had drinks. My wife had a Cranberry Fizz which was executed well and made her happy which makes me happy. The rosemary bread is excellent and makes for good snacking with the libations. I had the steak frites for an entre and my wife had a Caesar salad. Both plates were elevated in technique and presentation. My steak was the proper temp, but could had used more seasoning. Everywhere we go on the Island, the only steak choice seems to be flat iron. Why? Where is the rest of the cow going? Anyway, we like this restaurant very much and reccomend you try it if you want something better than a burger and a beer while in Port Alberni.