Food - 5/5 we ordered the Beef Bourguignon, truffle Frites, and Gnocchi…read more The rich sauce of the Beef Bourguignon balanced well with the freshness of the carrots, mushrooms, and potatoes. The Frites might have been the best Parmesan garlic trout for fried I have ever had! The Gnocchi was light and fluffy with another wonderful rich creamy garlic sauce. DESSERT- Crème Brûlée had the perfect layer of caramelized sugar and wonderful cream to share to wrap up an amazing experience. Service- 5/5 the team does a perfect job managing the pace of the meal and keeping everything flowing well. Our waitress was especially kind and we could not have asked for anyone more perfect for our honeymoon! 5/5 or 10/10. We are from San Diego but it it so good, WE WILL BE BACK!

There's a certain romance people expect when they step into a French brasserie--the low hum of…read moreconversation, the clink of glasses, a dimly lit room that whispers rather than shouts. Brasserie L'Ecole leans hard into that mood. Maybe a little too hard. Look, I get it. Lighting can be seductive. It can soften edges, blur imperfections, make everyone feel like they're in on something intimate and vaguely cinematic. But there's a fine line between ambiance and obscurity, and this place crosses it with confidence. When the room is dark enough that you're squinting to make out what's on your plate--when you can't even appreciate the color of the food you're about to eat--you start to wonder who this is really for. Diners? Or vampires? And then the food arrives. Let's talk about the French onion soup gratinée--the kind of dish that should feel like a warm, savory embrace. Deep, rich broth. Sweet, slow-cooked onions. That molten cap of cheese pulling apart in long, indulgent strands. Instead, what lands in front of you is a salt delivery system disguised as comfort food. A few spoonfuls in and your palate is already waving the white flag. It's not nuanced, not layered--just aggressively, relentlessly salty. A blunt instrument where a scalpel should be. You start thinking about wine. You *want* wine. But then reality kicks in: what's the point? Pairing anything with this level of salinity feels like pouring a decent bottle straight into the ocean. Whatever subtlety, whatever character the wine might have had--it doesn't stand a chance. Then comes the brasserie burger. In theory, a reliable fallback. In practice? More of the same. Heavy-handed seasoning that bulldozes everything else on the plate. After the soup, it's not just overkill--it's a slog. Each bite feels like work. Finishing it becomes less about enjoyment and more about stubbornness. By the end of the meal, you're not lingering over dessert or debating another glass. You're reaching for water. Lots of it. The kind of deep, desperate hydration that feels less like refreshment and more like recovery. Like you've just spent an afternoon face down on the shores of the Dead Sea. There's a good restaurant hiding in here somewhere; since the service is spot on, buried beneath the darkness, buried beneath the salt. But as it stands, the experience feels less like a Parisian escape and more like a test of endurance. Cheers or Jeers.. .up to you.

We came to this beautiful restaurant on Christmas night with a party of 8. The food and service…read morewere impeccable. For the table the following things were ordered: artichoke vinaigrette, salmon 'candy', pate of the day, pain français, crostini trio, and the small seafood trio from the tapas menus. For mains, the night's special - a massive tomahawk steak, fed almost everyone with some left over. Duck leg confit and the bravas (grilled spicy chorizo and roasted potato) were amazing. The chorizo and potato was mostly what I ate; the spice level was perfect and I'm still thinking about it all today!

Dining at Joie Grillades in Victoria, BC, was an exceptional feast of delights for our entire…read moreparty. The six of us were out on the town celebrating a birthday, and French Cuisine was on the birthday girl's mind. We made it to Joie Grillades and were welcomed in by the owner, Chef Laurant, into his elegant and petite restaurant. As Laurant laid out his specials for the evening, it was evident that he wanted to make our dining experience special. He put the menus away, checked in on allergies, and told us he would bring out several dishes for us to share. Waves of delicacies emerged from the kitchen, many ingredients sourced locally and prepared to delight our palates. Warmed goat cheese on baguette, Prosciutto smoked salmon and marinated artichoke hearts, prawns and scallops, chicken simmered in lobster bisque, cognac lobster, braised lamb sirloins, and sirloin steak served with sauteed green beans and roasted potato all cooked to perfection. The personal touch of the chef, the incredible food, the great wine, and the lovely conversation elevated the experience into my top 10-lifetime dining experiences. Dining with Laurant was an invite to a French chef's table. It was a remarkable experience in every way. Perhaps I'm too bougie for my own good, or maybe I'm simply seeking pleasure in exceptional food experiences. The Joie VIP experience was a ticket to my happy place, one of the true VIP experiences an aspiring hedonist like me can find here in beautiful Victoria.

On our first visit we found the food inconsistent. The coq au vin and the lamb were tough and…read moresalty. The salads and appetizers were quite good. The service was attentive. It was a decent experience but not very satisfying. While we weren't thrilled with our first visit, the atmosphere is lovely so we decided to try again when we had visitors from out of town. It didn't go well. We had horrible service on our second visit, though the food was much better the second time. First they got upset because I wanted an appetizer as my entree and had to get permission from the owner. We were a table of five and were ordering many drinks and appetizers for the whole table, plus a soup for myself in addition to my desired appetizer and the other four at the table all got entrees, so it wasn't like we weren't spending but I still needed to seek permission, like I wasn't an adult with agency. Our server was MIA for most of our meal after that. He rarely checked back. Apparently, the good service is saved for his regulars. This was specifically told to me by our server who made us wait for almost an hour after our meal before tending to us again as "he had been busy with his regulars". All five of us had wanted dessert and after dinner drinks, but we had waited so long we just went home. I guess they have enough "regulars" and don't need more as we won't be returning in the foreseeable future.

The old owner has forgotten basic manners. Too rude now. I wouldn't consider spending the money at…read morea restaurant where common courtesy isn't a priority.

A quaint and quiet place to enjoy and excellent meal. The…read moreScallops and Pork belly are incredible as well as the duck. Very reasonable prices for the food quality and taste.

Good food. Relaxed atmosphere with good service. Menu could rotate more to seasonal foods…read more Enjoyable and would come back

Despite not having a great experience with the fish offerings at this restaurants, I'd still go…read moreahead and say that Stage is amazing and has some potential to make changes to the menu! Love the European Wine Bar/French Bistro vibes they have going and it's located in the cute Fernwood neighbourhood. Love their approach on French-inspired foods and showcasing seasonal local fresh veggies and plating it differently. The food is fresh and light, which is always nice for a French restaurant. We got the local crudités served with the eggplant roasted dip and it was a delight. The tomatoes were fresh and I appreciated the various textures, depth and flavours. The dishes are great for sharing. Love the pomme frites. The BBQ shishitos were a treat! The bread and butter were phenomenal. I believe that it is freshly baked. The service was amazing! They have a great ever-changing wine list from Europe as well as different parts of Canada. In addition, they have amazing cocktails. Unfortunately, Stage fell a little short for us. We had sent an email in advance mentioning that we are pescatarians and do not eat meat. We were very excited to try their fish offerings (Halibut and Rockfish) off the menu that night but our waitress informed us that the kitchen wouldn't be able to make any changes to the dishes and that some meat products were used in both fish options. We were very disappointed, especially since the food is so good. I recommend and advise that if you have two fish offerings, at least leave one completely pescatarian and free of meat products. We also didn't want to opt for the warm potato salad with mackerel since we had already had the pomme frites. As a result, we did not have a suitable protein option that night. This was the only thing that ticked us off, considering the level of care and pride they take with the food in their restaurant.

Really nice wine bar. Great wine and atmosphere. A bit pricy but very nice wine selection.read more

We came all the way from Texas after reading the wonderful reviews on yelp and this place surely…read moredid not disappoint. It is very well run and the service was very fast . We had the vindaloo mussels dish , which was pure heaven in taste. We also had the biryani salmon which was so fresh and flavorful . The portions were also very generous . I wish we were in Victoria longer to eat there another time

French Indian fusion spot in Victoria. Pretty solid spot - it wasn't busy when I went Sunday around…read more4:30pm but I can imagine it being quite busy on a Friday or Saturday evening as the space is quite small. I did call to make a reservation just in case but in the end was not needed - I believe that is the only way to reserve to ensure you don't need to wait for a table. I got the fishhook chowder and the squimp toast. Fishhook chowder was decent - felt a bit watered down as I was expecting a stronger spice at minimum, but also not too salty. A bit watery than I expected. But I can still taste notes of the coconut milk and herbs so it could've been a bit better. The squimp toast is amazing - this is a must get. It's a combo of Humboldt squid and shrimp, both of which carried the flavors forward in the toast. And it is quite crispy. It's a fairly substantial dish at a relatively good price so this is actually a lot better than the fishhook chowder that people keep hyping about. Service is good as water refills are apparent. It feels more a fast casual than a more formal sit down, but prices are great and reflective as such.

Didn't expect much from the food here as the servers seem hot and annoyed... BUT…read moreOrdered tomato soup which was absolutely fantastic tasty spicy beautiful served with great baquette. Ordered salad Nicole's - another rave! Lovingly chopped potatoes,cucumber,boiled egg,tuna, with a lovely lemon dressing. Best food ate all weekend in Nanaimo.

arriving at mon petit choux around 2:30 pm, i noticed a handwritten note on the front door: the…read morekitchen was closed for the day, but drinks and pastries were still available. exactly what i wanted anyway. stepping inside, the comforting scent of freshly baked bread wrapped around me like a warm hug. the interior immediately draws you in, robin's egg blue banquettes curve around small marble tables, paired with dark wood chairs and deep red flooring. charcoal walls trimmed with subtle gold details give the space a slightly vintage, old world charm feel, softened by leafy plants and framed artwork. it's cozy without being fussy, elegant without ever feeling stiff. the barista greeted me with a genuinely warm smile, answering my questions with patience and ease. there was no rush, no performative cheer, just the kind of friendly, attentive presence that makes you feel comfortable settling in. it's a small thing, but it set the tone for the entire visit. by mid afternoon, the pastry case was understandably a little sparse, with the almond croissants already gone. i grabbed the last chocolate croissant and ordered a matcha latte with oat milk. after paying, the barista offered to warm the croissant and bring it over to my table, a thoughtful, relaxed touch that matched the gentle pace of the room. when my order arrived, the matcha latte carried a subtle, unexpected peachy note, light and refreshing, though not quite to my taste. the chocolate croissant, lightly warmed, had a slight crunch exterior that gave way to soft layers, and a rich dark chocolate filling. it wasn't ultra flaky, nor chewy, but it was baked in house with care. as i prepared to leave, i was offered a baguette or focaccia to take home, another generous gesture that left a lasting impression. even though the latte wasn't a personal favourite, mon petit choux is a genuinely welcoming, quietly charming spot i'm already looking forward to returning to, especially for brunch. it's the kind of café where you linger a little longer than planned, where the space itself encourages you to slow down, and where the city outside feels momentarily hushed.

Amazing place with amazing food. My wife and I dined here for our anniversary and were served food…read morethat showcased a talent that elevated elevated our dining to a place of wonder.

Came here with my husband on a rare date night. I was REALLY excited about this place. The menu had…read morea lot of our favorite dishes. For starters, we ordered the artisan bread, a dozen oysters, and the beet salad. As someone who bakes and sells my own artisan sourdough, I was underwhelmed by the bread. I liked the touch of truffle they add to it but it needed salt. And it also needed to be on the table well before the 35 minutes we waited for it. The oysters were also not very memorable. I can't remember what one of the varieties was, but they were brinier than I care for but that's just a personal preference. The kumamotos were the TINIEST oysters I've ever seen. I've eaten my share of kumamotos and I know Japanese oysters are generally smaller and sweeter than other varieties (which is why they're my favorite) , but I'm not exaggerating when I say they were the size of quarter. I also didn't like the frozen mignonette they served as an accoutrement. It didn't seem frozen--it spread like jam. It didn't really taste like vinegar or shallot like mignonette should. It was just not very good. The beet salad was EXCELLENT. The chèvre was generous, the bitter micro greens tasted great with the beets and chèvre. It was well seasoned. We devoured it. For entrees, I had the dayboat scallops and my husband had the duck leg. The scallops were cooked perfectly and the leek risotto was very tasty. I'm not really sure what I was supposed to do with the pickled lemon on my plate. I tried to eat a small piece with the other elements and it was so overpowering that I left the rest on my plate. Now let's talk about the protein--my $52 scallop dish came with THREE scallops. Not even whole scallops as I'm pretty sure they were cut in half to cook more evenly. Three small 1/2 scallops and two cubes of pork belly. For Fifty-two dollars. My husband enjoyed the duck, but again, the portions were disappointing. $230 later, we ended up going through a drive through because we were still hungry. Unlikely we'd return after such an expensive meal left us so unsatisfied.

birthday dinner with the parents at this cozy, french bistro that's semi-tucked away. it can get a…read morelittle tight inside the restaurant but i think that's what adds to the homeyness vibe. my parents arrived early and were seated RIGHT by the window so i couldn't miss them when i got to the place. there's 2 entrances so make sure you enter in the right one - nbd if you didn't tho. our server was wonderful and attentive - there was a little hiccup with my wine order, and he was able to fix it right away (i wanted the bottle not the glass). this was also my parents' first time trying french cuisine and safe to say - they enjoyed it! we started with the classic french onion soup - the gooey cheese made it a little hard to share but the soup was one of the best ones that i've had. the onions were caramelized to perfection to the point where they were essentially pureed in the bowl. that was devoured rather quickly. we also had escargots - the parsley garlic butter that they were sitting in, i wanted to drink it - and tarte flambe alsacienne (flakiest tart base ever). then we're onto the mains! the standouts were the clams and mussels (daily feature - the sauce/soup that was on the bottom, my parents drank that up!), and the canard confit (the meat fell off the bone). steak frites were a little too well-done but not bad - the other two dishes just shone too much! finally dessert - my mother HAD to get the creme brulee as that's her fav and i snuck a bite - the vanilla shone right through! the chocolate terrine was great as well - i loved the salted, candied pecans that added a nice crunch to the dish. my mother has already said that we need to go back again LOL

Last time I visited Les Faux Bourge was quite a few years ago. It was a great experience…read morecelebrating my father's birthday. A fine neighborhood bistro. This was a return visit on a cold rainy night. The restaurant was busy and we didn't make a reservation but was accommodated. Middle of the week but it was busy. The menu appeared to be the same but there were several specials for the evening. The food came but for some reason was not exciting. The taste was fine but each bite did not evoke the desire to have another. We finished the dinner and left a bit disappointed as our expectation was high.

We discovered this spot on our recent trip and it was INCREDIBLE! What we loved:…read more- Our waiter was very cool & great to talk to - The cocktails (a lot of which our waiter had invented I believe) were amazing including my husband's Canadian Tuxedo whisky drink that included a red wine foam. I also loved my frozen espresso martini - The wine list was great and reasonably priced - The food was delicious and a great price for the quality. The brown sugar tart dessert, for example, was so good and tasted a bit like an amazing cheesecake. All the appetizers and mains were perfect too! As we were finishing dinner around 8:30 pm-ish on Friday night, new guests arrived for their Happy Hour which included great food options (that we skipped since we were full from dinner) and specialty cocktails were around $13. Such a great price for such delicious and fun drinks! We'd hoped to come back the following night again but ended up getting tied up with kids' bedtime and missed it. We were bummed since we really wanted to go back to try the Happy Hour and more cocktails!

Amazing doesn't even begin to describe my experience at Atelier in Sidney…read more The service by Cade was beyond anything I've experienced - his brilliant demeanour and knowledge of all the dishes and drinks were top notch. The food we had were the following; freshly made bread + whipped butter, the decadent prawns , chicken pot pie and 3-course tasting menu (pork belly, stunning scallops and he best chocolate torte I have ever tasted. I can't say enough about this food and service. Our only hiccup was the cold draft coming in - but the food and service was so good, that we can overlook. We can't wait to come back!! Thank you for an amazing experience!!