126 replies to this topic

[Hotel Mike]

I received a lovely birthday present in November, of a gift certificate to the Willow Stream Spa at the Empress. I thought, cool, maybe I'll go in for some pampering. Well turns out the spa is closed during the rebuild/renovation, and I won't be able to use it until next April. Drat!

[VicHockeyFan]

 

Q IN SIXTY - BUSINESS LUNCH

 

Time is of the essence and we want to make sure you match your valuable time with a quality dining experience.  We guarantee a top quality lunch in 60 minutes or less, and all for $28!

Monday to Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Price: $28

Location: Q at The Empress

Lunch includes:

• Our starter display: Featuring salads, local charcuterie selection, antipasti, breads and dips.
• A main course: Choose from a selection of three mains (changing weekly).
• Dessert: We will feature a new set dessert every week.

Options are available for beverages featuring a la carte pricing (not included in the lunch cost).

 

 

http://www.fairmont...._emp_newsletter

[Nparker]

$28 for lunch & they can't throw in a cup of coffee?

[Bingo]

$28 for lunch & they can't throw in a cup of coffee?

 

Who includes coffee with ANY meal anymore? 

[Nparker]

Who includes coffee with ANY meal anymore? 

When you're charging $28 for lunch with a very limited entree selection (3 items), I think it's a nice touch to also include a non-alcoholic beverage for no additional charge.

[Bingo]

When you're charging $28 for lunch with a very limited entree selection (3 items), I think it's a nice touch to also include a non-alcoholic beverage for no additional charge.

 

At some places they don't even bring a glass of water unless you ask for it.

[Nparker]

At some places they don't even bring a glass of water unless you ask for it.

You've got to stop agreeing to accompany VHF to lunch at McDonald's. 

[HB]

Who includes coffee with ANY meal anymore? 

spaghetti factory

[Bingo]

spaghetti factory

 

If you like spaghetti, and if that is your "go to"location.

[Jill]

^I don't think it's possible to like spaghetti and go to the Spaghetti Factory.

[lanforod]

^ agreed. The OSF is good at some things. Pasta is not one of them.

[Hotel Mike]

OSF is still one of the best deals in town. You get your full meal, including spumoni ice cream, and it's reasonably priced. That's why during the tourist season you see so many families queued up outside. Good value if you're feeding a family.

[VicHockeyFan]

OSF is still one of the best deals in town. You get your full meal, including spumoni ice cream, and it's reasonably priced. That's why during the tourist season you see so many families queued up outside. Good value if you're feeding a family.

 

I agree with this.  And it rates pretty well.  If you consider there is not really any other "family restaurant" in downtown Victoria, if you don't include Frankie's or Moxie's.  I mean, when we lost the Pizza Hut, that was a shame.

[todd]

I'm a little surprised not to have seen any discussions about this on yet on VV .

porte.JPG
http://www.timescolo...s-off-1.4007168

I like it. The main entrance needs to be grander. It's not as though a "porte cochere" isn't already an element of the hotel

porte2.JPG

 

ps: now bring back the Bengal Lounge and all will be forgiven. 

 

Just right.

[lanforod]

I agree with this.  And it rates pretty well.  If you consider there is not really any other "family restaurant" in downtown Victoria, if you don't include Frankie's or Moxie's.  I mean, when we lost the Pizza Hut, that was a shame.

 

Yeah OSF is good for families. Way too busy though, typically.

 

Cora's is another, though not for dinner. Milestones is family friendly (in everything but price). Romeo's as good for families. 

[AllseeingEye]

If you think $28 for lunch at the Empress is pricey - I didn't personally, in fact I think it is reasonable given the venue - then clearly you don't dine at other Fairmont (or ex-Fairmont properties) in other bigger markets like Vancouver; at the Hotel Vancouver's main eatery (Notch 8) the fare offered at this Empress luncheon would rank as the third least expensive menu item, with only Fish & Chips and Lasagna being cheaper at the Vancouver property ($25 apiece). While based on prices at "Arc", Fairmont Waterfront's main grub shack where I chowed down just a few weeks ago, $28 is exactly on par with the cost of the average lunch there. And 'no' there were no freebie beverages tossed into the meal alcoholic or otherwise.

[Nparker]

If you think $28 for lunch at the Empress is pricey- then clearly you don't dine at other Fairmont (or ex-Fairmont properties) in other bigger markets like Vancouver...

I have dined at other Fairmont properties and yes if one compares the cost at the Empress to those it's not outrageous. However, as several others have remarked equally good meals can be had in Victoria for equal or less cost.

[AllseeingEye]

I have dined at other Fairmont properties and yes if one compares the cost at the Empress to those it's not outrageous. However, as several others have remarked equally good meals can be had in Victoria for equal or less cost.

Quite true: OTOH those other places also aren't paying for the overhead and upkeep and maintenance of the largest hotel in the city, nor the roughly $40 million bucks they just expended in renovations which ultimately needs to be recouped somehow. Nevertheless I agree you can certainly find excellent meals elsewhere and certainly for less $ in general.

[Bingo]

I don't think it's possible to like spaghetti and go to the Spaghetti Factory.

 

The thing is we're not talking about THE Spaghetti Factory in Gastown back in the 70's 'cause you haven't had all you can eat spaghetti like that here. 

[Bingo]

I like everything that has happened at the Empress since Bosa took over. It's just that simple.  

 

Humboldt Street side... face lift in progress.