19 replies to this topic

[Holden West]

I went to the Milestone's in Langford tonight. Didn't know there was one there? Neither did I. It's in that crazy shopping plaza around that orphaned housing development. It's only been open two days. The interior looks exactly like the new Earl's. I had Thai chicken tacos--skewered chicked in Indian bread with Thai slaw. Tasty. Fairly reasonable prices and good service.

[Mike K.]

Interesting.

I think they might be opening one at Tuscany Village, too.

[VicHockeyFan]

Interesting.

I think they might be opening one at Tuscany Village, too.

I thought they pulled out of TV.

[G-Man]

Yeah I am pretty sure that they did pull out.

[osmich]

When Milestones first opened in the Inner Harbour wayyyyy back, around 1990, it was very good food (my thoughts.)

I went there this past summer for the first time in many years fully knowing that it was now owned by Cara http://www.cara.com. What I got is exactly what I expected and that was pre-fab food made in a massive factory/warehouse and shipped to their operations. How else do you do it when you run the operations they do?

Not my kind of restaurant.

[Holden West]

CBC reports on Milestone's downtown upgrade ($2-3 million to do seismic work and eradicate black mould).

[Rorschach]

I tried the upgraded Milestone's downtown and was quite satisfied. The look of the place is modern, service very good and food was great. This summer, the place is going to make a truckload of money. It's in the ideal spot, and with the look, food quality, and service I saw the tourists are going to flock there and not leave disappointed.

That restaurant will probably help several other tourist attractions since a positive first experience will lead to a positive visit to Victoria all-around. I think it will be a first stop for many people who visit. Anyone walking off the Coho around breakfast or lunchtime can get a nice experience there. I liked it.

A job well done by the people at Milestone's downtown. They even had a guy opening doors. The uniforms looked sharp and professional. High marks all around.

[gumgum]

I'll have to check it out.

[Rorschach]

I don't remember if they have flyers available on the Coho or BC Ferries, but I think that method of advertising would be particularly effective in getting visitors to dine there. The easy access to it from the Inner Harbor and the general high quality of the place is a good formula for success that any restaurant in Victoria would envy.

[G-Man]

I find Milestone very consistent and above average for a chain restaurant but would hardly choose to go their over all the great independant restaurants in the city. I have lived here for 12 years and have been there perhaps four times.

Never had a bad meal but can't say I ever had a meal blow my mind either.

[Rorschach]

It's good for tourists and it doesn't look like a chain restaurant. Not everyone lives here and can figure out the great restaurants. Would a tourist walk down Wharf St through the bums to the corner of Yates and figure out that hole in the wall French restaurant with the scaffolding on the side is the best place in town?

I think they did well with the refurbishing and will succeed in business. Obviously, there are better places. Didn't Smoken Bones win a big award? Who would have thought? Are tourists heading to Langford for big box store shopping or barbecue? They are going to happen upon Milestone's and they will like it and it will set the tone for their visit.

[G-Man]

^ I suppose that all depends on the tourist. I always try to do substantial research before going on vacation and try to find places the locals think are good. I am sure I am in the minority. That said whenever I have been travelling without doing research I would never choose a restaurant in what I perceive to be the "tourist" zone as it is invariably a bad deal, in this respect Milestones is an exception to the rule.

[gumgum]

So we went here yesterday to find the place closed.?? At dinner time? They will never build a local clientele base if they only open during tourist heavy times. There were no signs indicating open hours. It was odd.

So we went to lame Nautical Nelly's instead, which was actually very good. The food was tasty and the staff were very prompt and friendly.

[VicHockeyFan]

So we went here yesterday to find the place closed.?? At dinner time? They will never build a local clientele base if they only open during tourist heavy times. There were no signs indicating open hours. It was odd.

So we went to lame Nautical Nelly's instead, which was actually very good. The food was tasty and the staff were very prompt and friendly.

That doesn't make sense. They are normally open at 11 or 11:30am until at least 10 or 11pm year-round.

[gumgum]

There was no sign saying "Closed for ......... reason", or anything. The chairs were upside down on the tables, the lights were off and there was nobody there.
Edit: I just emailed the company. Hopefully I'll find out what's up.

[gumgum]

I just got an email back from the general manager. It turns out they were open. We had parked at the lower level inner harbour parking lot and walked directly to the "deck level". I didn't assume that only that portion was closed, and to check the other entrance. I told him it would be a good idea to leave a sign at the lower level, that was closed during the off season.

[Mike K.]

Brilliant. I would have probably done the same thing and gone elsewhere.

[vjm]

We miss the old menu at Milestone's since they changed hands. They used to have fabulous ribs with this cranberry glaze. Now everything on the menu is kinda weird. Haven't been back in a while.

[VicHockeyFan]

A sign might have made sense, but I thought most locals would have known the bottom only opens for less than a half-year.

[gumgum]

I guess I'm one that didn't.