My wife, myself and friends decided to try Pescatores for the first time this past Saturday night to celebrate the lady's birthdays. All in all, a wonderful evening. The food was excellent and the service better. I would highly recommend Pescatores to anyone looking for a top notch seafood restaurant. Not a negative thing to say about our evening and I can't wait to return.

There's something about the heritage building that The Bent Mast is situated in. Although they periodically get called on their cleanliness controls by the VIHA inspectors, I can't really fault the staff of a building that seems (and sometimes smells) like there's dead things in the walls. I catch whiffs of mildew sometimes, other times I get nose full of strange cleaners, I can't tell if it's carpet cleaner, bathroom sanitizer or some sort of pest control chemical. Given the quality of food often served (a lot of it seems like it's take-aways from the Thrifty's across the street), I'm not sure if I'm glad I can't smell the kitchen or not. I've had everything from tepid borscht, to burnt "medium-rare" blade steaks (for $17!) to limp grease-saturated fries. I've also had more tolerable food, but there seems to be a frequent change-over in staff that doesn't lead to consistency from the kitchen or the servers.

The Bent Mast is probably the best, affordable outdoor patio in James Bay or lower Cook Street village, so I don't expect them to go away or change too soon. It can have a great neighbourhood pub vibe on warm summer nights when things are hopping under the tiki torches outside. Sadly, because of their license, the Bent Mast can't roll with what makes them truly popular (a great place for pitchers of beer), and occasionally you get a rather aggressive server trying to tell you that you can't drink beer without ordering food as well. Despite the smells, I'll still probably keep going back nonetheless.

Had dinner there with hubby and the kids.

The food is great at this steakhouse chain. I especially enjoy the prime rib. It was cooked exactly as I requested. It was served with a generous amount of veggies which were lightly steamed and were a little al dente (just the way I like them). There was a good kids menu and the children had a choice of entree, side, drink and dessert for only $9.99!! We choose the BBQ chicken, rice, Shirley Temple and Chocolate cake for each kid (excellent deal!).

The service was okay. Our waiter was pleasant enough - but not very knowledgable. I had a question about the kids menu (it listed the aforementioned $9.99 deal, but also stated that a kid's entree is free with purchase of an adult entree and suggested some special program. Our waiter was not aware of it, so I pointed it out on the menu. He went away and came back and stated he didn't know what the offer was. Huh - Mr. Waiter - that would be YOUR JOB to know about the special offer as advertised on the menu! I pushed the point and politely asked him to find someone who DID know what the offer was about. I female waitress was nearby and clarified that this offer was for Mondays only (this information was not stated on the printed menu). I thanked her for the clarification. Furthermore, I had a coupon for a free appy (up to $10 off). The waiter took my coupon before I ordered. When we got the bill, I checked it over and noted that he neglected to take off the amount for our appy. I went up to the front, explained to the same nice waitress who clarified our previous inquiry that the waiter took my coupon, but did not discount the item. She kindly adjusted our bill.

My husband handed the waiter (when he returned) the adjusted bill and his credit card. When the waiter returned with the credit card statement he said, "I had the appy taken off because you had a coupon" Ummm - Mr. Waiter.... I HAD THE BILL ADJUSTED because YOU forgot. I double checked the bill - yep - it was as I had it adjusted. Needless to say - his tip was a mere 10% (I usually tip between 15 and 20%).

I will return to this location again. It is on government street at a convenient location to the inner harbour. I like having prime rib when I visit victoria (I just wish someone would also serve it with Yorkshire pudding!!).

Hubby, sister-in-law, my two children and I went here for lunch. (Note - it is a brew pub, but there is family seating on the upper floor).

The waiter was fantastic. He was friendly and knowledgable, good with the children and timed everything well.

The food - ordered lots. Children's menu was good. They both had chicken strips and fries. Quibble - the chidren's order was served in a strange way. It was in a vertical like frame. This was too high for the children to be able to see their food. I just re-plated the food on the side plate that the vertical holder was on. I had the calamaria - it was very good. Light and crispy and a generous amount. I also had a mixed green salad with goat cheese - very tasty! Hubby had the halibut tacos. I thought they were just okay. They were smallish, soft shelled and made with nice fresh ingredients. I just didn't think that this dish warranted using halibut. I less expensive white fish would have sufficed and been just as good. SIL had the burger - which she enjoyed. We also shared some chipotle wings. I thought that these were just okay. It was not a smokey chipotle sauce and the sauce was not baked on. The wings were merely tossed in a hot sauce. I make much better wings at home and the price point was a tad high for what was received. BTW - the beer was very good. I had an expresso stout and a pale ale.

Value - a bit pricey - but one is paying for the view and ambiance. I thought charging my SIL $3 extra to substitute yam fries for regular potato fries a bit much (it should have been a gratis substitution, but if they HAD to charge extra - it should have been a buck or less).

Ambiance - excellent. The restaurant is located on the water front. It is comfortable and has interesting lighting and decorations. The tables are not crowded together so even if the place is full - it allows some elbow room. The washroom (it was a single unisex stall) was large and clean.

I would go back and share the calamria with some excellent beer!

The service was terriable. Young inexperienced kids. No leadership. Drinks took over 20 minutes. There was only 3 tables in the place at the time. The draught beer was not avalable due to a change over. Would it not be a good idea to offer a discount on bottled beer ? My wifes healthy choise quesadilla was the worst meal she ever had. It was full of grease .My pasta dish had no flavour...Like another review said it looked like it came out of the garbadge.No value in dinning here in anyway... Go to White spot or swiss chalet, they know how to run a company. I do not work for them. Very bad.

My husband and I thought we would use dine around as a good means to try this restaurant out. What a let down. Our meals looked like a child had put them together, not to mention the incompatibility of the flavors of plated items. My husband and I were both left feeling sick, and spent the evening taking turns in the bathroom.
The service, well if you like being ignored and waiting for food and drinks then this might be for you.
I will never spend another dime at this restaurant. There are so many more reputable places in Victoria.

...by the staff. Was made to wait 10 minutes on a Tuesday night when most tables were empty. Must be because I was alone. Had a discount bellini - very good. Waited to order quite a while. Two tables of 3 across from me got their food 10 minutes before I did even though I ordered first. Waitress said she'd be "right back with water" she never was. When my food was delivered it was by some kitchen lackey and not the waitress. No one asked if I would like another drink. So, I did not order one. I sat infront of an empty plate for over 10 mmintues before the waitress returned and exclailmed "WOW - I've NEVER seen anyone finish that whole thing" She dropped my bill off and added "I was sure you wouldn't finish, no one does, so I thought you wouldn't want dessert, but maybe you do". i had not eaten since a small bowl of cereal at 6 am - it was 8 pm - she might have just as well rang a bell and called me a hog. The food was good, but I left very embarrassed. What is wrong with people?

Tino's has been a place that my family and I have been visiting since I was just in a highchair. It is my favorite restaurant in Victoria. They have so many options for all times of the day and a great meal can always be expected. They have an awesome 2 for 1 breakfast all week long, no coupons required. They have probably the best eggs benny around. Monday and tuesday nights they have pasta night, you get a large pasta of your choice and garlic bread for under $6. Sundays they have the Steak and Pasta all day, which consists of a starter salad, 6 oz steak, pasta of your choice and garlic toast. All for $8.95. They also have many great greek food options and other choices to offer. It is a family owned business and you can usually count on being treated like family. Personally I am close friends with almost all the staff and the owners especially but many friends of mine who did not know about this place continue to go there even without me because of their great food and awesome staff. If you do keep going back the staff are pretty good about remembering people and treating you like a member of the family. The entire staff has a great sense of humor and loves to joke around with customers. Keep in mind they do get busy and they do get stressed and sometimes can forget things so don't let a small slip up by one of the wait staff stop you from returning. Give it a try, it is a really good place to eat!!

I really enjoyed my night out at this little hidden jem in Oak Bay (we are in the age group of 25 - 30 yrs old)....found atmosphere quite funky and simple. The FOOD HERE IS AMAZING!!! We were out with a group of friends so we decided to get numerous plates and share (which is an excellent idea). We started off with the Salt Cured Tuna Tataki....that melts in your mouth!!
We also tried the "Dry Ribs" which I had to order a 2nd portion of!
The pulled pork slider was also a plate my husband enjoyed.
THEN IT WAS THE MAIN COURSE....again, each plate was delicious and a nice portion size. I could list each one and salivate...but you should just go and try it!
The maple tart for dessert beats any dessert hands down.

I also love how they are using local ingrediants, wines and really incorporating the "West coast" feel into everything. Bravo!

Can't wait to go back! sunshinesmith

It was very frustrating to go to a restaurant, highly recommended by colleagues in the industry, and to be served very good food by staff who seemed unaware of basic service ideas.
Our before dinner martinis arrived after our first courses; our wine only arrived after a third request while we were a third of the way through our entrees; and no explanation or small apology was ever offered.
While we did think the risotto, in particular, creative and excellent, all the good food in the world has a difficult time competing with wait staff who fail to remember and fill orders, and who pace course (and drink) delivery so poorly.