Spinnakers is a bit of a Victoria legend. A gastro-pub before there was such a word in the trendy parts of London and a local craft brewer before local, micro-breweries were the rage in the CAMRA world. Every foodie tourist tells me about it. I went there in my first weeks in the city. As this combination has been going since about 1984, they must be doing something right.
Or something safe.
I last headed up there after a hockey game before Christmas to try out the Winter Ale and have a bite or two to eat. First the beer. I've had a wonderful pint in Spinnakers of there occasional brew, Doc Hadfield's Pale Ale. A light, refreshing, sessionable beer, with a wonderful clearness to it, served at cellar temperature (or "warm" as I'm constantly told English beer is). Non-chilled beer is great if it's designed to be drunk that way. BUT it's not always on the menu, and the last time I tried it, they had over hopped it, and screwed with it.
Which is unusual, as most Spinnakers beers are rather subtle, and don't have big flavours. They are eminently drinkable, but don't impose themselves on you. And that's the story with the Winter Ale. Promising "big ginger" and "cinnamon", it's certainly there. But it's not big. It's not a hugely warming pint. It's just... "not got any balls" as my erstwhile drinking companion says. It's safe.
The food... now the food is not safe. Not unsafe as in unhygienic or undercooked. The chef's at Spinnakers tend to push the edges a bit. This does mean occasionally the food is odd (the inside-out Cornish Pasty I had two years ago was the biggest failure, but I could see what the chef was trying), but mostly it's good-to-exceptional.
On this last trip I ordered the Pork Schnitzel, which came served on a bed of noodles with a side of greens. Perfectly cooked with a nice crisp covering. The noodles were perfectly al dente, and the creamy sauce was neither heavy or an after thought. Greens are greens. Until you get them wrong. Spinnakers didn't. There was also a plate of Albacore Tuna Salad ordered. Tuna was nicely seared on the outside, but still pink and most on the inside, with a good heaping of local greens and shoots.
A jumbo plate of nachos was also ordered for the table, with a good generous portion of Pulled Pork. Now, I don't like nachos. They are often too oily and cheesey for me. Or the tortilla chips are tasteless. Or justbadly prepared with only half of them having any toppings. This was good nachos. Plenty of toppings, lovely pulled pork, and easily enough for two or three or four to share. There was four, but two of us had had full dinners, so easily stretched.
The upstairs is always pretty laid back, and always great for a good long conversation and catch up, with, if your lucky, a view over the harbour during the summer. Downstairs is more restaurant driven, and the service is faster. Upstairs, they take there time... not that they don't know your there, but allow you to enjoy the beer, the company and the food and not trying to rush you out.
Location : 308 Catherine Street
Telephone : (250) - 386 - 2739
Website : http://www.spinnakers.com/
January 18, 2010
January 13, 2010
The Tapa Bar
The Tapa Bar website tells me that "Tapas are small, flavourful dishes that can be served as an appetizer or together as a meal." Tapas should be small plates of great food. Tapas comes from a Spanish tradition of having a small dish placed on top of your beer or wine glass with a slice of meat or bread on it. The saltiness of the food would of course encourage people to drink more. And bar owners competed to have the best tapas to get patrons in the door.
The Tapa Bar doesn't sell small plates. The chicken wings "Pollo Chipotle" were a full portion size, and the chick pea salad I had was enough for two. It's a shame, as I've had Spanish Tapas, and it's awesome to have an array of very small dishes, and the ability to get a couple more 'little things' as you want them, to pick out over a coffee and conversation. The menu doesn't have to be large, just interesting.
The other problem I had with the Tapa Bar was that what was served really wasn't very good. The Pollo Chipotle was supposed to be marinated chicken wings and finished with white wine and chipotle. They tasted more of burnt garlic and chilli paste. None of the smokiness I'd expected from chipotle was in there. The (basmati) rice and (pinto) beans tasted old or reheated. In fact they tasted a lot like my own attempts at cooking rice where I've caught the bottom of the pan. The chickpea and chorizo salad was pretty good, once it had been liberally sprinkled with lemon juice, but it was a bit too big portion for one (yeah I guess I was supposed to share), and the artichoke strands mixed in tasted limp.
My companion had the Chicken Breast pizza, where the tapa bar donates $2 of each pizza to the Our Place society. The toppings were good, but the thin crust base was not nearly crisp enough to support the weight of the pizza. Nothing I could complain about as being wrong. Just all executed badly.
Still, there was one bright mark. The waitress, Kirsten, was fantastic. Bright, efficient and fast, coming around with the food, chatting away to all the customers and really made the meal better than it was. Plus she did bring around very good coffee to finish the meal out.
The atmosphere would be perfect for a nice date, or a more cosy gathering of a few friends. Except I'm not sure I'd want my friends to be recommended to eat there. It's just not tapas, and it's just not good. Half the portion sizes, improve the cooking and it could be there.
Final Bill :
Rice and Beans - $3.50
Pollo Chipotle - $9.00
Chick Pea Salad - $5.00
Smoked Chicken Pizza - $14.50
2 Coffees - $4.00
Location : 620 Trounce Alley
Telephone : (250) - 383 - 0013
Website : http://www.tapabar.ca
The Tapa Bar doesn't sell small plates. The chicken wings "Pollo Chipotle" were a full portion size, and the chick pea salad I had was enough for two. It's a shame, as I've had Spanish Tapas, and it's awesome to have an array of very small dishes, and the ability to get a couple more 'little things' as you want them, to pick out over a coffee and conversation. The menu doesn't have to be large, just interesting.
The other problem I had with the Tapa Bar was that what was served really wasn't very good. The Pollo Chipotle was supposed to be marinated chicken wings and finished with white wine and chipotle. They tasted more of burnt garlic and chilli paste. None of the smokiness I'd expected from chipotle was in there. The (basmati) rice and (pinto) beans tasted old or reheated. In fact they tasted a lot like my own attempts at cooking rice where I've caught the bottom of the pan. The chickpea and chorizo salad was pretty good, once it had been liberally sprinkled with lemon juice, but it was a bit too big portion for one (yeah I guess I was supposed to share), and the artichoke strands mixed in tasted limp.
My companion had the Chicken Breast pizza, where the tapa bar donates $2 of each pizza to the Our Place society. The toppings were good, but the thin crust base was not nearly crisp enough to support the weight of the pizza. Nothing I could complain about as being wrong. Just all executed badly.
Still, there was one bright mark. The waitress, Kirsten, was fantastic. Bright, efficient and fast, coming around with the food, chatting away to all the customers and really made the meal better than it was. Plus she did bring around very good coffee to finish the meal out.
The atmosphere would be perfect for a nice date, or a more cosy gathering of a few friends. Except I'm not sure I'd want my friends to be recommended to eat there. It's just not tapas, and it's just not good. Half the portion sizes, improve the cooking and it could be there.
Final Bill :
Rice and Beans - $3.50
Pollo Chipotle - $9.00
Chick Pea Salad - $5.00
Smoked Chicken Pizza - $14.50
2 Coffees - $4.00
Location : 620 Trounce Alley
Telephone : (250) - 383 - 0013
Website : http://www.tapabar.ca
January 10, 2010
The Fireside Grill
It was the end of a long year, so I suggested that my team at work go out for a beer and bite to eat to celebrate Christmas, New Year and finishing projects. The closest food place is the Fireside Grill, so we headed up there for a sit in the bar and sample their menu.
The building itself reminds me of an old English farmhouse, complete with tudor beams, white washed panels and narrow windows. I'm not sure the history of the building, but both inside and outside I could have been in one of a number of country pubs just of the A-roads of Britain. The inside is wood panelled, old wood beams and I'm sure I saw a row of horse brasses next to the bar. That might have been a residual memory though. It's a relaxed atmosphere, but still feels refined. I understand it's popular with the executive level at work, and this seems to be the sort of customer they cater for.
We elected to sit in the bar area. The restaurant was pretty quiet, but it was only 4pm, and also looked a bit more formal than we really needed. Service was prompt after we sat ourselves down, and the waitress quickly provided menus and took our drink order. I was served a Beacon IPA, which must have been kept well, perfect temperature and still crisp and clean. It's only what you should expect, but I've been too many places that just screw it up. My colleagues drinks include a Malibu Pineapple which they said was good as well.
We examined the Lunch menu, and I ordered a beer-battered cod and chips, while my colleagues ordered a BBQ'd chicken sandwich and the chopped salad. The last of my group just reminiscenced over the pizza he'd just eaten at the Irish Times downtown, so we got him another beer. The dinner menu looks to be more adventurous, while the lunch menu seems to be variation of bar standards. And nothing wrong with that.
Food was served quickly. The chicken burger was good, as was the salad, with plenty there to eat on. Nothing spectacular, but good bar-style food. My fish and chips was a bit of a disappointment. The chips (well fries, not thick cut enough to be real chips) were well cooked, fluffy and light. The coleslaw was crisp and tasty. However the battered cod was over cooked and dry. There's only so much of this fish around and it seemed a waste to fry it to the point of losing all the flavour and softness I'd expect.
I did mention this later to the manager, and I believe this was conferred back to the kitchen. I didn't mention it at the time, which I realise is probably just my British reserve, but also doesn't give the staff a chance to rectify the problem. Lesson learnt after discussion with other people in the industry.
I can see being in here again once or twice for a beer when the management may want an off-site 'fireside' chat with me. There's few places to eat around the area that aim at this level of eating out.
Final Bill :
Beer Battered Cod and Chips - $16.99
BBQ Grilled Chicken Sandwich - $13.99
Chopped Green Salad - $8.99
Pint of Beacon IPA - $5.50
Location : 4509, West Saanich Road
Telephone : (250) - 479 - 1222
Website : http://www.firesidegrill.com/
The building itself reminds me of an old English farmhouse, complete with tudor beams, white washed panels and narrow windows. I'm not sure the history of the building, but both inside and outside I could have been in one of a number of country pubs just of the A-roads of Britain. The inside is wood panelled, old wood beams and I'm sure I saw a row of horse brasses next to the bar. That might have been a residual memory though. It's a relaxed atmosphere, but still feels refined. I understand it's popular with the executive level at work, and this seems to be the sort of customer they cater for.
We elected to sit in the bar area. The restaurant was pretty quiet, but it was only 4pm, and also looked a bit more formal than we really needed. Service was prompt after we sat ourselves down, and the waitress quickly provided menus and took our drink order. I was served a Beacon IPA, which must have been kept well, perfect temperature and still crisp and clean. It's only what you should expect, but I've been too many places that just screw it up. My colleagues drinks include a Malibu Pineapple which they said was good as well.
We examined the Lunch menu, and I ordered a beer-battered cod and chips, while my colleagues ordered a BBQ'd chicken sandwich and the chopped salad. The last of my group just reminiscenced over the pizza he'd just eaten at the Irish Times downtown, so we got him another beer. The dinner menu looks to be more adventurous, while the lunch menu seems to be variation of bar standards. And nothing wrong with that.
Food was served quickly. The chicken burger was good, as was the salad, with plenty there to eat on. Nothing spectacular, but good bar-style food. My fish and chips was a bit of a disappointment. The chips (well fries, not thick cut enough to be real chips) were well cooked, fluffy and light. The coleslaw was crisp and tasty. However the battered cod was over cooked and dry. There's only so much of this fish around and it seemed a waste to fry it to the point of losing all the flavour and softness I'd expect.
I did mention this later to the manager, and I believe this was conferred back to the kitchen. I didn't mention it at the time, which I realise is probably just my British reserve, but also doesn't give the staff a chance to rectify the problem. Lesson learnt after discussion with other people in the industry.
I can see being in here again once or twice for a beer when the management may want an off-site 'fireside' chat with me. There's few places to eat around the area that aim at this level of eating out.
Final Bill :
Beer Battered Cod and Chips - $16.99
BBQ Grilled Chicken Sandwich - $13.99
Chopped Green Salad - $8.99
Pint of Beacon IPA - $5.50
Location : 4509, West Saanich Road
Telephone : (250) - 479 - 1222
Website : http://www.firesidegrill.com/
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