The peak of the Malahat is home to the Malahat Chalet and Moon Over Water Lodge. This has had a variety of names and owners in the past, but new ownership has tried to add a little flair to the two buildings. I headed up this past week to meet a good friend from out of town for a meal and catch up. And to enjoy the much promoted view.
The view is excellent. One side of the restaurant is windows overlooking a large patio and excellent vista right down the inlet up towards the bulk of Saltspring Island. You can look down towards Brentwood Bay as well, and see much of the Saanich Peninsula. Views.. stunning.. check.
Inside, there's a slightly sparse feeling, though I think most of the seating during the summer is set up outside. There just feels like the space is a bit empty. On the other side of the entrance area, two large totem poles, from the original, burned down chalet, flank the wooden varnished bar. These nicely set of the bar area. One side of the main area is taken up with a chill display cabinet and line up areas for take out food. There's a small sofa/lounge section, and then a few more tables.
I got seated with my friends who were in full flow already, and checked the menu. Four decent drafts from Victoria, including Hoyne's Dark Matter were on offer. I was driving so took the diet coke with refills with my meal. There was a decent range of single malts too. Maybe I should check the room prices if I go next time.
The food was good. Not world class, but good, though prices were a little higher than I'd expect for what was served. We got some of the Bannock dipping bread to start. Served with a very savoury goat cheese and sharp jam, this went down well to kick things off between us all. For the main course, I ordered the 10 oz rib eye with roast potatoes and veg. There's a choice of potato, mashed, roasted, fries or dirty fries. The latter are fries dusted with garlic and pepper. Everyone who had them seemed to like them.
The rib eye was pounded or bashed, making it a thinner than I expected cut. However, it was cooked nicely to a medium-rare turn, and had a smattering of onions and mushroom on top. These were cooked to complement the beef, and worked well. Normally I like my steak unadorned and unfussed with. This worked in it's simplicity. The roasted potatoes were scattered underneath the steak, making it look a little bigger than it was. But ten ounces is enough meat for me. With the medley of vegetables (including some weird tufty strands of something tasting close to aniseed... which I assume was fennel stalks) it was a decent meal.
The two strips of halibut in the fish and chips were huge curly pieces and filled up the eaters, and the chicken cordon bleu filled our friend up that he cried of any of the desert. I tried a little of the seafood grill, and the fish was well cooked... possibly a little too far cooked for white fish.
We completed the meal with a slice of pecan pie a la mode. Share between about four. The pasty was short, crumbly and more-ish, and the topping a decent goopy mess of sugar and nuts. Stopping by for a slice of pie on the way up island isn't a bad plan.
That's the one problem with the location. The view is excellent, but it's a good 30 minute drive on a good day from Victoria proper. But not far enough to be a roadside stop on the way north if on a long journey. Being a place to travel too, alcohol sales will be reduced, which will make turning a profit slightly harder. The food is good. No complaints, though I'd have expected to pay 2-4 dollars less for my meal. It's worth the trip out for the view and somewhere a little unusual to eat. They also serve a breakfast, so an early morning run north could be stopped by a meal here once on the way.
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