Jonnie1010VictoriaSince November 30, 20088 Reviews
(3)- Food
(3.1) - Service (2.8)
- Value
(3.3) - Ambiance (2.9)
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(3) (3.1) (2.8) (3.3) (2.9)Went to Crystal Jade with some friends after hockey practice - it wasn't bad, but definitely nothing terribly special. The buffet was decent, although a few items were cold. We ordered a couple of other dishes which were fine but again just okay. The service was friendly enough and water refilled only occasionally when we asked.
Decided to give this place a try after their recent expansion and renovations to an adjoining space beside their existing restaurant. Big mistake on my part and the 3 others in my party. The Korean BBQ here is simply, flat-out, not worth it. They are trying to pay for their expansion by charging inflated prices for food that is sorely lacking in quality and quantity.
For example, we ordered 4 Korean BBQ menu items, including pork belly, BBQ ribs, steak, and spicy pork. The pork belly was an absolute joke. For $19.95, we got a plate of what looked to be a package of Maple Leaf Brand back bacon you could buy at your local grocer for $4. The ribs were lacking in quantity, and overpriced at $24.95. Likewise for the steak at $29.95 and spicy pork at $19.95. These are all prices you'd expect to pay to get a lot of food and have plenty of leftovers to take home. Not the case here. Even with ordering other appetizers and dishes totaling about another $60, our group of 4 wasn't even close to being full. For a bill that came to $200 ($50 per person), this was the biggest rip-off I've ever encountered. I'm never going back. There are better places to spend your money.
Izakaya - translated to Japanese pub food (tapas). Terrific assortment of traditional Japanese tapas that are all quite delicious and authentic. Having spent some time in Japan, I've learned to appreciate this type of food and I must say it's great to finally see an izakaya style restaurant in Victoria. The ambiance is also very authentic and servers helpful and friendly. Going back soon.
This place has to have the worst service in all of Victoria and likely beyond. Like the reviewer said below, it is an extremely frustrating experience to eat at this place. The servers have no idea what service is about. You literally have to run after them to get tea refilled, ask for extra napkins or get your order taken. Things operate at a snail's pace and the people seem absolutely clueless. I've been here 3 times because my girlfriend likes the food, but I have no patience left to ever return!
Have tried this place about 3 times now. The food is always excellent and priced very reasonably. I especially enjoy their red curry chicken over coconut rice. The satays here are also very tasty. One item you should try that's not on the menu is called "The Treasure Box", it comes as a cube of toasted bread on the outside and a wonderful seafood red curry on the inside. Very yummy!
The service is generally solid and friendly. Never overbearing and water gets filled when you need it. Highly recommend this restaurant. Good food, excellent value, and unique.
The Tapa Bar used to be one of my favourite restaurants in Victoria. Unfortuneately not anymore. The last two times I've been there have been very dissappointing. Tasty dishes that were full of flavour are no longer. The menu has stayed the same for way too long and the value isn't really there. The wait staff is decent and somewhat attentive. Overall, I don't think I'd go back to the Tapa Bar. Time for a new menu, an upgrade in food quality and a return to value.
I've been to Konpira about 5 times now and have never been dissappointed. I really enjoy having the Nabeyaki Udon which comes in a traditional Japanese individual serving pot with Udon, chicken, egg, and assorted tempura. The soup broth is very tasty and the Udon even more so. Another dish to try is their Sukuyaki which is a hot pot dish with vercimille, beef, veggies, tofu in a very flavourful broth served with rice on the side. For a dinner for two including both these dishes comes to under $25. A great deal if you ask me.
I'm going back again soon.
Had dinner here last night and really enjoyed the food. We had all you can eat hot pot which was fresh, flavourful and inexpensive. The selection of hot pot items was very large. It ranged from beef, lamb, seafood to veggies like shitake mushrooms, chinese cabbage, spinach, to different chinese dumplings and tofu. They also give you your choice of soup base if you prefer mild, medium or hot spice. We also had an appetizer of spicy fried tofu which was also excellent.
The wait staff was suprisingly very attentive and friendly. They helped us select the different dishes we ordered and told us what everything was. Overall this was a very good experience and would go back again. I saw that they had a regular chinese buffet dinner which also looked to have good selection.
