17 replies to this topic

[Coopershawk]

We have a special birthday coming up and I'm wondering what the current thinking is regarding excellent steak dinners! I realize that everyone has a favourite spot and that it is subjectively chosen. What's your opinion?

Thanks in advance!

[Mike K.]

Honestly? The Keg. They'll make it right.

I'd recommend the Saanich location.

Anywhere else can be a gamble as one day it's great the next there's another team in the kitchen and the mojo just isn't there.

[Bingo]

If you want a good steak, you go to a steakhouse and the Keg built their reputation on that.

We go to the old Winery location in Saanich.

Remember when they used to be called The Keg and Cleaver.

[rjag]

Brasserie L'ecole for the best steak frites in the city

[Mike K.]

Yes, they serve steak. But best in the city is not how I'd describe it.

[spanky123]

Yes, they serve steak. But best in the city is not how I'd describe it.

 

There is no best of most types of food in this City. Being mediocre is about all you need to survive in a tourist town! Sad that we would consider the Keg as fine dining!

[Mike K.]

It's not fine dining, it's a steakhouse chain that is consistently above-average. And there's no stigma about sending your steak back if it's not done exactly as you'd like it.

It's mostly the same group of people working in Victoria's kitchens, regardless of the perceived quality of one place over another. But with the Keg that's what they do, all day everyday, so your chances of a solid steak made how you like it are virtually guaranteed.

[rjag]

Yes, they serve steak. But best in the city is not how I'd describe it.

 

Its all a matter of experience and right place right time. As a teen/young adult I loved the Keg but in the past decade or so every time I've gone its been barely mediocre.

 

Barclays always had great steaks but those days are gone now.

 

Vics at the Harbour Towers is really good

[sebberry]

Honestly? The Keg. They'll make it right.

I'd recommend the Saanich location.
 

 

Over the coming weeks (months?) they'll be closing for a few weeks for a renovation.  They weren't exactly sure when it would be when we asked them last week.

[Mike K.]

Which one, the downtown one or the Saanich one?

[sebberry]

Saanich.

[Mike K.]

Cool.

[Matt R.]

Oooooh I see Cafe Brio is offering their most excellent "Brio Steak" on their Dine Around menu.  If you've never been, cafe brio is legendary for good reason!  

 

Oh, it's actually back on their regular menu!  

This isn't your Keg 10 oz striploin with baked potato, but something far more interesting and satisfying.

 

Also, Olo restaurant has a charcoal grilled flat iron on their dinner menu right now.  If I was looking for a good steak dinner, I'd hit up either of these way before the Keg.

 

Matt.

Edited by Matt R., 10 February 2016 - 11:44 AM.

[Danma]

10 Acres had a pretty good steak if I recall from a Christmas get together last year.

[Wayne]

Great question.

 

Brasserie L'ecole, Catalano, Oak Bay Hotel($) and Cactus Club.

 

Looking forward to trying Café Brio.

[AllseeingEye]

Subjective is right for sure. Although sometimes I am mildly amused at what I will term "restaurant snobbery" (same thing as wine or whiskey snobbery) especially when "steak" and the Keg franchise are mentioned in the same sentence.

 

In Vancouver where I find myself often, and where I probably dine out as much or more than Victoria, virtually without exception the Keg locations are consistently rated by virtually every website right up there on par with - or higher than - Gotham, Bishop's, Hy's, Black and Blue, 900 West, and the Hamilton Street Grill, all of which I have partaken in at some point; and truth be told there is virtually nothing separating the quality of the steak at these supposed haunts for presumed, ahem, 'discriminating tastes' and the Kegs (Yaletown location being our favorite) - except for the fact most of the others typically present you with an absurd bill at the end of the meal.

[RFS]

Gotham, Bishop's, Hy's, Black and Blue, 900 West, and the Hamilton Street Grill,

All those great steak places you mention in Vancouver makes me sad that ricks grill couldn't make it out here. Downtown needs a great steakhouse to call its own

[AllseeingEye]

All those great steak places you mention in Vancouver makes me sad that ricks grill couldn't make it out here. Downtown needs a great steakhouse to call its own

I agree completely; loved Rick's when it was here. I first encountered them in Calgary at Stampede in 2006 and was instantly a fan. I think its location here doomed it. I probably went there 4-5x at the Government street location and could never fathom why it was almost always empty. In Calgary you practically had to beg them for a seat. The quality of the food was great but I think perceived hassles with parking among other things killed it here.