38 replies to this topic

[Sparky]

The Med Grill at Royal Oak is a place that we have always enjoyed. Reservations are a must. They have an elevated patio that is wonderful in the summertime.

There are a couple of other out of the way spots in Brentwood by the Mill Bay ferry.

Seahorse is below the ferry terminal on the dock, and the Blue Bayou is south of the Brentwood Bay Lodge, also on the water. All three of these are better in the summer, but you can check them out now during the slow season. The Lodge "bar" has a nice mix of sushi and Canadian fare, and is never slow on the weekend. All three have waterfront sunsets to paint by.

Happy dinning. Welcome to the "sticks"

[jdsony]

If you like meat Smoken Bones Cookshack in Langford. http://www.smokenbones.ca/

It doesn't look like much from the outside but it's nicely decorated inside and I love the food. Pulled Pork, or chicken, ribs, a lot of good southern flavors. With your dinner you get to choose two sides so you can have fries, potatoes, carrots, beans, dirty rice cake, can't remember what else. They like to use local ingredients and serve Phillips on tap. They have a gluten free menu which is nice so I usually get the pulled pork (which normally comes as a sandwich).

[Fresca]

The Seahorse Cafe next to the Brentwood Bay ferry might be up your alley. It's been a few years since the last time I ate there, but I remember it being a very pleasant meal and experience. If you want to drive further, try the Crow and Gate pub in Cedar. It can be busy, but it's especiall cozy on a cold day when the fires are lit: http://www.crowandgate.com/

[AllseeingEye]

Our family always enjoys the 4 Mile Pub (the actual restaurant upstairs, not the downstairs sports bar), and especially at Christmas. Reservations generally not required. Food is priced reasonably and always served in generous quantities. Nice atmosphere too.

I actually prefer the Fireside Grill in Royal Oak to the Med Grill mainly due to the fact it is far less crowded and IMO the food is better. Taste is subjective of course.

I second Kitty's for a weekend breakfast - the quantities are huge and the prices laughably low. Certainly the physical location is not 5-Star dining but at 10am on a Sunday who are you trying to impress anyway?

[vandervalk]

A little farther out to Sooke and you have the EdGe Restaurant. The old chef from Sooke Harbour House started this little restaurant.

Point no point has got to be my favourite lunch spot. Amazing views of the Juan de Fuca strait and the food is fabulous and very reasonably priced.

[julienne]

A little farther out to Sooke and you have the EdGe Restaurant. The old chef from Sooke Harbour House started this little restaurant.

That would be Edward Tuson. I recommend you phone if you are heading out there on weekends to make sure they are open. I've had some bad luck in the past. Lunch is excellent, hearty portions and lusty flavours with a value-drive price point. The squid and chips is a favorite or for meat-eaters check out Tuson's housemade sausages and salumi.
The space was a former fish and chip shack and the decor is suitably funky. It's got a clubhouse feel. Love it! No calendula blossoms or lemon geranium petals anywhere!

http://edgerestaurant.ca/

[vandervalk]

I think they are closed Sundays and Mondays at the Edge. Chef Tuson works the rest of the days and you can clearly see him preparing the food when you walk in.

Their lunch menu is different than their dinner menu as well. I would say it's worth the drive to Sooke to try it.

[concorde]

I love the Deep Cove Chalet in North Saanich. Gorgeous location and very reasonable prices - 5 course dinner for $65 which I get a lot and all of the portions are good sized. Easily compares with Sooke Harbour House.

http://www.deepcovechalet.com

[CharlieFoxtrot]

^
Best Beef Wellington.

Ever.

[Baro]

I think I'm going to go drive out and check out this "brig" place for lunch, well a late lunch. Not the nicest day but I've never driven the mallahat so it's something new.

Also "$65" and "reasonably priced" in the same sentence! For me a super fancy once in a year special occasion meal would be $20-25, tops. And I'd feel guilty and irresponsible after. What's almost more interesting than the recommendations in this thread is the totally different views on what is "reasonably priced".

[gumgum]

I don't know. $65 for 5 courses at a top restaurant seems pretty good to me.
Wouldn't dine there everyday, but I'd do it once a year in a heartbeat if it was good.

[AllseeingEye]

I second the Deep Cove Chalet: and $65 for a top notch 5-course meal is excellent value for money. Not sure what others define as "reasonably priced" but $20-25 doesn't even get you a top cut of meat at the Keg, which is not exactly fine dining.

[sebberry]

I second the Deep Cove Chalet: and $65 for a top notch 5-course meal is excellent value for money. Not sure what others define as "reasonably priced" but $20-25 doesn't even get you a top cut of meat at the Keg, which is not exactly fine dining.

I don't eat much at the Keg but it is pretty good food.

I'm there every week for appies with a couple of old coworkers tho.

[victorian fan]

The Deep Cove Chalet used to be extremely expensive. Nice to hear it's affordable now.

[Baro]

Ended up going to a Cafe by prospect lake and had a tasty $9 burger and then a walk around Durance lake, was exactly the sort of dining I was looking for. Just typed in "cafe" in google maps and picked the cheapest one near some sort of nature.

[victorian fan]

Ended up going to a Cafe by prospect lake and had a tasty $9 burger and then a walk around Durance lake, was exactly the sort of dining I was looking for. Just typed in "cafe" in google maps and picked the cheapest one near some sort of nature.

Ken's.... a great little place.

[pseudotsuga]

I haven't eaten more than a couple cookies at Kens yet, but I'd guess the food is much better than the Brig's and if you haven't explored Durrance and the Highlands yet it is definitely better than driving all the way to Maple Bay.
When you do get the chance to head up, hike Maple Mtn or Mt Tzouhalem and then head down to the pub for a pint. Google the mountain names for trail maps.

[LJ]

Ended up going to a Cafe by prospect lake and had a tasty $9 burger and then a walk around Durance lake, was exactly the sort of dining I was looking for. Just typed in "cafe" in google maps and picked the cheapest one near some sort of nature.

Is that the cafe at the golf course?

[Sparky]

Is that the cafe at the golf course?

Ken's cafe is located on the corner of West Saanich Road and Sparton, across from Rob Oldfield's service station. Ken's Cafe is in a nice old building that at one time housed the Prospect Lake General Store.

There is, as well, a restaurant at the Prospect lake Golf Course, good food, worth a visit. We also have the Saanich Roadhouse Pub that started out as the Cock Pheasant Restaurant.

We are fortunate to have so many choices to dine out here in the sticks. The Red Barn Market has a sandwich deli to die for. There must have been 100 people in that little store this afternoon.

There was a fundraiser dance at the Prospect Lake Community Hall on Sparton a short while ago with Barney Bental providing the entertainment.

Life is good out here at the lake.