42 replies to this topic

[Pyroteknik]

I have been there twice over the last 2 weeks and this place really seems to be taking off now. Both times were very busy and diners were still enjoying "small plates" up until midnight. The Martinis were excellent and the food my partner and I ordered was delicious and very well presented. I could see this place easily becoming a favorite hang out. Best time to go is around 9pm.

[VicHockeyFan]

I have been there twice over the last 2 weeks and this place really seems to be taking off now. Both times were very busy and diners were still enjoying "small plates" up until midnight. The Martinis were excellent and the food my partner and I ordered was delicious and very well presented. I could see this place easily becoming a favorite hang out. Best time to go is around 9pm.

Based on what I see and hear, their advertising budget is over $20k a month, so I hope they are seeing some return on that.

[Pyroteknik]

^^
Wow, with a budget like that they should be attracting attention. I have to say though, I have never been disappointed here. More and more people find it and have a great experience. It reminds me of some places in downtown Vancouver, environments that I've long wished for here in Victoria.

[VicHockeyFan]

^^
Wow, with a budget like that they should be attracting attention. I have to say though, I have never been disappointed here. More and more people find it and have a great experience. It reminds me of some places in downtown Vancouver, environments that I've long wished for here in Victoria.

I haven't been for a few months, when it was always dead, but from what you describe it sounds like what Hugo's used to be every weekend. We used to love that place, the restaurant side and the pub.

[julienne]

Rumour has it that Solomon will be running the bar at Veneto.

[Ms. B. Havin]

Rumour has it that Solomon will be running the bar at Veneto.

Yes, Facebook message he sent out reads:

Hi all, so I'm on my way to Veneto in the Hotel Rialto. I have just accepted the position as Restaurant Manger and Mixologist. So let me get my feet wet, then expect a new cocktail list and beer list by me. If you haven't been in yet the food is great and the wine list wonderful! The room is beautiful. I can't wait to get started. I look forward to seeing all my wonderful friend there, I miss you guys.

[Bernard]

There is an advert in Monday this week announcing Solomon Siegel being part of the management team at Veneto as of now.

[loopyca]

We just tried this place for the first time last night and quite enjoyed ourselves. Mind you, we were super early (5:30 ish) but each had the Chef's Choice (pick three tapas - me: seared scallop yum, back ribs yum, pasta - just so so) and shared the flat bread side to start. Was just the right amount of food for us. Would definitely do the ribs on their own another time.

We hope to return for their dessert cause it sounds yummy too (pick three again). I hope to be back to try some of Soloman's mixes once this baby comes out

[gumgum]

Went there last night.
Fantastic.

[Gary H]

Veneto

 

Okay, went to Veneto's tonight for the first time to try their happy hour specials - many of their tapas are half price from 4PM to 6PM and they have wine and beer specials.

 

The braised beef sliders for $2 each are great (and they're filling), as are the rockfish tacos for $14 (not discounted).  And don't forget your roasted veggies for $6.  A pint of Fat Tug IPA was $5.50.  We'll be back.

 

First up, the braised short ribs with marsala mushrooms and horseradish ailoi.

 

 

 

Next were the tempura coconut torpedo shrimp with thai curry dipping sauce ($8 for 5 big shrimp).  That sauce was awesome.

 

 

 

We love roasted veggies.

 

 

 

Finally, the grilled rockfish tacos with tequila-lime slaw, salsa fresca and pablano-mango sauce.

 

 

This should probably go under a Veneto review.

Edited by Gary H, 09 June 2014 - 07:55 PM.

[Gary H]

Not a full review but since this thread has been inactive for over four years take a look at my micro review of Veneto (with pics) from June 9th 2014 on the Huffington Post Best Victoria Restaurants thread.

 

http://vibrantvictor...rants/?p=216872

Edited by Gary H, 09 June 2014 - 08:44 PM.

[ZGsta]

I've had those fish tacos as well and (while they can get messy) they're delicious.

[jonny]

If a taco ain't messy it ain't worth eating.

[Citified.ca]

 

Rialto Hotel's Veneto to close for renos as Hilton's Foxtrot Tango Whiskey "done"

https://victoria.cit...bar-shuts-down/

[Matt R.]

Veneto is closing for good, maybe closed already, as the new owners are turning it into something called The Palms. Not sure of the theme yet, it was suggested it will be a casino theme, or a casual fine dining environment. Someone knows. Just not me.

New owners are the old owners of Steeples in Shawnigan Lake.

Matt.

[FogPub]

Can't say I'll miss Veneto in the least - far too hoity-toity for my liking.  Probably in an attempt to get as far away as possible from memories of the grotty-yet-interesting old Hotel Douglas bar ("the Douggy") they went to the other extreme.

 

My hope is that the new iteration will be somewhere between these two extremes.

[Szeven]

Veneto was definitely hoity-toity, but I do appreciate a place that makes you get a little dressed up to go for a fancy drink (and average calamari lol)

[Mike K.]

When they moved it from the original location to the Pandora side it lost its charm.

I’ll miss it. The last night I had been in the city for business prior to the covid lockdown I hung out there catching up on the day’s news with maybe one table occupied and the bar all to myself. It was cool.

[Redd42]

Veneto is closing for good, maybe closed already, as the new owners are turning it into something called The Palms. Not sure of the theme yet, it was suggested it will be a casino theme, or a casual fine dining environment. Someone knows. Just not me.

New owners are the old owners of Steeples in Shawnigan Lake.

Matt.

 

That doesn't sound good. Though Steeples got good reviews in the beginning it got lots of bad reviews near the end of its run. That's when I tried it - near the end, of course not knowing that was the case. I agreed with the bad reviews.