Boom + Batten | Victoria International Marina | Cooperage Place at Westsong Walkway

First impressions...
 
Great restaurant, a welcome addition to our neighborhood.  We walked in without reservations and were seated in the bar area since they were completely booked for the evening.  Very comfortable seating.  We shared the awesome cabbage, potato, and basil appy and the halibut entree.  It's Master Chef quality food for sure.  As someone noted earlier, there is one slip that will block most of the harbour view along the south window and sure enough it was taken (see last 3 pics).  The freshly baked in-house pastries in the cafe are all reasonably priced.  At least half a dozen slips were occupied this evening - the most I've seen yet.  Not my usual image quality as I used the wife's iPhone.  We'll be back for more.  
 

 
 

 
 

cabbage, potato + basil cake 13

charred shallot aioli, shaved asparagus, radish, bonito

 

 

halibut 37

confit tomatoes, kale, local potatoes, rapini, chili + garlic sauce, parsley

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Edited by Gary H, 08 June 2019 - 12:21 PM.

Thanks for the write-up, Gary!

Not enough food for two adults was it?

Looks like restaurant patrons have a legitimate complaint about blocked views.

I'd not be interested in sitting down to eat or drink and staring at a wall of fibreglass 15 feet away.

Food and interior look very nice though.

Not enough food for two adults was it?

 

Luckily, for our wallets, we are not big eaters.  We can share most entries.  A beer and a couple of desserts at the cafe on the way out and we were set.  However, based on our dining experiences with others, I think we are more the exception.

Portion sizes look average for that style of cuisine. When you go out intending to have a few courses, you don't want each one to be on the larger side. Else you'll end up too full. Hopefully they figure out the moorage assignments and only use that slip last going forward. 

First impressions...
 
Great restaurant, a welcome addition to our neighborhood.  We walked in without reservations and were seated in the bar area since they were completely booked for the evening.  Very comfortable seating.  We shared the awesome cabbage, potato, and basil appy and the halibut entree.  It's Master Chef quality food for sure.  As someone noted earlier, there is one slip that will block most of the harbour view along the south window and sure enough it was taken (see last 3 pics).  The freshly baked in-house pastries in the cafe are all reasonably priced.  At least half a dozen slips were occupied this evening - the most I've seen yet.  Not my usual image quality as I used the wife's iPhone.  We'll be back for more.  
 
 
 
 
 
cabbage, potato + basil cake 13
charred shallot aioli, shaved asparagus, radish, bonito

 
 
halibut 37
confit tomatoes, kale, local potatoes, rapini, chili + garlic sauce, parsley

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Gary are you saying the halibut dish photod is $37?

Yes, it's $37.

 

For comparison, Cafe Brio's excellent halibut dish is $34, and Il Terrazzo's halibut is $32. 

Yes, it's $37.

 

For comparison, Cafe Brio's excellent halibut dish is $34, and Il Terrazzo's halibut is $32. 

 

Definitely at the high end for Victoria though, steaks are $32 - $99 as an example. If you cruise around in a 100 ft + yacht then the price probably isn't an issue. If you are looking to serve the local market then it may be a challenge.

They're not after the local market with that level of main course pricing ... how are their drink prices?

How much is a pint? ... will they sell you a pint without ordering food?

 

Some of those "snack" food prices in the cooler seem right on point for a quick bite, not out of line with other locations around town.

Eating out at Victoria’s higher-end restaurants is a pricey eandeavour. Boom’s prices appear to be right on par with restaurants in their league, but they’ve also got a true waterfront location which will be more expensive to operate.

We have yet to see any up-scale chains open in Victoria, like Ruth’s Chris (or the more swankier Pampa), where you’re lucky to walk out with a bill for under $300, before tip, when ordering two entrees, an appy or two, and a single glass of wine per person. Once we see those opening, the five-star market will take note and we’ll see even higher-end independent restaurants.

prime steak house tried. did not succeed in high end. I don’t know the keg seems to do it right. both locations can be busy on a tuesday night.

Whole sale halibut pricing is about $40/kg for skin on fillets, sometimes a bit less, and down from last year. First of the season copper river sockeye fillets are landing about $44, also down from last year. I didn’t even ask about spot prawns this year.
We’re blowing through about 30lb of fresh halibut every weekend just on fish and chips, people will pay just about anything.

Fresh, quality seafood is not inexpensive to purchase.

Matt.

Eating out at Victoria’s higher-end restaurants is a pricey eandeavour. 

Indeed, a solid reputation will ensure that you'll get local clients, and remain a viable business entity for years to come (or decades to come - see Pag's for example).

But you have to establish that solid reputation with the locals first, a process which can take a couple of years in and of itself.

Once the initial surge of being *new* wears off, will locals patronize the high prices despite a lack of any sort of established culinary reputation?

 

I guess we'll find out.

pescatores did really well with locals until that renovation. 

Once the initial surge of being *new* wears off, will locals patronize the high prices despite a lack of any sort of established culinary reputation?

I guess we'll find out.

Sam Harris already has a well earned culinary reputation. He’s chef’d at two top 10 (nationally) restaurants in Victoria the last few years.

Matt.

Edited by Matt R., 09 June 2019 - 11:44 AM.

I was there last night for dinner, with friends, and my spouse. We had reservations, which was good, because even after being open for only one week, every table was full.

Our friends had the pizza, and said it was very good. The spouse was very, very happy with the burger. And I had the confit chicken, which is possibly the best meal I’ve had out in a very long time. So good, that when we go back, I’ll more than likely not try anything else on the menu because that dish is so good. Two beverages, two mains, dessert (chocolate mousse) for about $100 with tip. Which, given the quality of the food, the service, and the room, seemed very reasonable to me.

As I understand it, the chef has come from Agrius, and the Courtney Room. Which under his direction were no slouches in reputation, which is good. I want that chicken again!

Look forward to trying this place. $37 for a very nice piece of halibut is worth it. (Matt - halibut in fish and chips is such a waste!  ) But I would not have stayed if I saw that boat, particularly when the marina is still mostly empty. But now I know to anticipate that and be prepared to have a plan B for dinner for some where else.

why no halibut in fish and chips? you want lowly cod? next thing I know you’ll support the ground owl.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 09 June 2019 - 11:50 AM.