108 replies to this topic

[Baro]

Clearly this building is two stories, what a misleading thread title! VV is always downplaying height!

[Holden West]

I did the demo on the place if y'all have any questions. I never did see the new plans for the place, so I don't know how much help I can be.

Was the stainless steel exterior from the old Earl's still under the Townline reno? If so, what was underneath the Earl's facade, or was Earl's a new construction?

[G-Man]

I believe the Earls exterior was still there.

[EskimoDave]

I believe the Earls exterior was still there.

Correct. Townline built a wall about 2 feet in front of the old Earl's Exterior. All the garage doors, windows, etc of Earls were still there with a sheet of drywall covering them.

It was kinda weird taking a roof off when there is another roof above your head.

[VicHockeyFan]

I am told by a soon-to-be employee here that they are hoping for a mid-October opening.

[VicHockeyFan]

Obviously someone was way too optimistic here. Looks like it'll be done by February at best.

[VicHockeyFan]

April maybe?

[Candarius]

April maybe?

Which year?

[Kapten Kapsell]

The restaurant is open, this can be marked as complete.

[Nparker]

The restaurant is open, this can be marked as complete.

Yay! It's close to work & home for me. I will have to check it out soon.

[VicHockeyFan]

Yes, it appears to be open.

I think it's a little boring looking. It's nice, new, but not really striking. Starting from scratch pretty much they could have put some kind of "wow" architectural feature into it, like a huge glass entry, but they didn't. The south side and wall facing the parking lot are very plain.

The patio has not yet been set up, there are some large steel mounting plates along the wall there, so it looks like they are expecting to install some type of canopy, or maybe just some gas heaters etc.

[Baro]

Bunch of expensive pub style food, will skip this one.

[Holden West]

Wildly popular in the 80s, it will be interesting to see if Romeo's recaptures that excitement in today's Prima Strada/Cactus Club/Pink Bicycle era.

When was the last time a purpose-built, stand alone restaurant was built in Victoria?

[VicHockeyFan]

Wildly popular in the 80s, it will be interesting to see if Romeo's recaptures that excitement in today's Prima Strada/Cactus Club/Pink Bicycle era.

When was the last time a purpose-built, stand alone restaurant was built in Victoria?

Not on mall property, (Appleby's Saanich, Boston Pizza Vernon Ave., Milestone's Wescom) I think you gotta go back an awful long way.

So I'll say it was either Princess Mary on Harbour Rd., or Hollyrood House.

[Bob Fugger]

Wildly popular in the 80s, it will be interesting to see if Romeo's recaptures that excitement in today's Prima Strada/Cactus Club/Pink Bicycle era.

When was the last time a purpose-built, stand alone restaurant was built in Victoria?

I think that the uninspired restaurant design is a pretty good indication of the food. Their grand design is very noveau-riche immigrant: like a 90's Gordon Head McMansion (I speak from experience). I'm sure that they think that they have built something great, when in essence, a remodled version of the open and airy old earls would have been much better. Even their "new" logo is very "so 10 years ago."

Romeo's take on Mediterranean fare hasn't been good since the 80s. Now you have mostly uninspired Sysco brand somewhat pre-prepared food contrasted with what is still (I think, at least) one of the best pizzas in town. It's just too bad that you're in for nearly $50 for two larges, delivered.

[Nparker]

Romeo's take on Mediterranean fare hasn't been good since the 80s. Now you have mostly uninspired Sysco brand somewhat pre-prepared food contrasted with what is still (I think, at least) one of the best pizzas in town...

I can't really argue with that espcially about having some of the best pizza in town. However, I think it's unfair to say they haven't been good since the 80's. I think they are good for what they aspire to be. I don't think they have any illusions of being a cutting-edge-nouvelle-cuisine-fusion-eurasion-hybrid restaurant. For a mid-price, vaguely Mediterranean style restaurant that is usually very reliable, I think Romeo's succeeds quite well.

[Bob Fugger]

I can't really argue with that espcially about having some of the best pizza in town. However, I think it's unfair to say they haven't been good since the 80's. I think they are good for what they aspire to be. I don't think they have any illusions of being a cutting-edge-nouvelle-cuisine-fusion-eurasion-hybrid restaurant. For a mid-price, vaguely Mediterranean style restaurant that is usually very reliable, I think Romeo's succeeds quite well.

OK, that's a fair point. Perhaps it would have been more appropriate to say that their middling attempts at Mediterranean-inspired classics have been consistent over the years.

On the other hand, NParker, would you agree that "good" is relative? I suppose what I meant by my remarks is that in the 1980s, their food was "good", relative to what was available and the tastes of the time. Our tastes have evolved and our palates refined in the intervening 30 years. For example, could you have imagined a Food Network back in the 1980s (notwithstanding that special networks were in their infancy)? I just find their interpretation of Mediterranean food dated.

In contrast, their pizzas have kept up. They offer whole wheat and gluten crusts, now, and their toppings reflect modern tastes. In the 1980s, for example, was anyone putting chicken, bacon and/or BBQ sauce on pizzas? The duality of Romeo's in this respect is really quite fascinating.

[Jill]

^In the early 80s Southside had a duck and papaya pizza on its menu. Does that count?

[Nparker]

On the other hand, NParker, would you agree that "good" is relative?...I just find their interpretation of Mediterranean food dated...

On this point I have to agree. Of course I almost always have either pizza or a salad at Romeo's so I may not be in the best position to evaluate the rest of their menu.

[Nparker]

In the early 80s Southside had a duck and papaya pizza on its menu. Does that count?

I remember that. I ordered it (at least) once. As I recall it wasn't bad. Would be nice to have Southside reborn.