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Small place serving local brews and regional food. Big outdoor patio on Bastion Square overlooking the harbour.
I've been to this place a few times before and always found the food to be mediocre and the overall experience to be somewhat hit or miss but this latest visit was saw some great changes. I don't know if they are under new management now or just revamped the menu (it's been about a year since my last visit) but the food choices and quality seems hugely improved.
I ordered the pancetta chicken burger, which was delicious, definitely one of the better if not best chicken sandwiches I've had in awhile. For a side I got the tomato basil soup which wasn't so wonderful and could've been a lot tastier imo. I think I was expecting something a little spicier and this tasted like they just blended up tomatoes and basil and sent it out, didn't help that it was a little cold too. Fortunately my girlfriend ordered fries with her wrap and there was plenty of them so we could share those, which were great albeit a little salty.
Everyone in our party seemed to really enjoy their food, it came at just the right time and was nice and hot minus the soup of course. Plus the portions were great! One guy had the big daddy turkey club that had the biggest stack of turkey I've ever seen on a sandwich.
The service was great. The girl serving us was very attentive her timing was great. She was there when we needed her and made a point of checking in a few times to make sure everything was ok without being annoying or intrusive.
Overall, it was a great dining experience (the beautiful weather definitely contributed) and I would definitely go back and recommend it to anyone looking for a great sunny lunch spot with a beautiful view. Glad I gave it another chance.
My friend and I typically get together once per month at Moon Under Water (awesome) and decided to give a new place a try. I my 20+ years of being in Victoria I had never been into any establishment that had occupied this space. I had no expectations and was very pleasantly surprised. The service was extremely attentive despite the fact that it was busy. The owner or management (both?) also seemed to err on the side of caution with regards to staff - there were lots and they were all keeping busy. On Friday nights they pump up the music - not my usual thing - but we were still able to have a conversation and really enjoy the night. My friend ordered a burger and I ordered the wings. Two basic staples you need to get right. His burger had a beautiful bun (brioche perhaps?), the fries were perfect and the patty clearly made in house. My wings were large, very tasty (salt and pepper) and crispy. the blue cheese dressing wasn't too strong either. These are not 25 Cent wings! Anyway I will be a local at The Local - thanks for a great night.
The Local was very expensive for the quality and quantity of the food. The location is perfect for trapping tourists. We decided to eat indoors and were forgotten when it came to service, and a gratuity was added to our credit card without our knowledge. I will never dine at the local again.
We went after a friend told me The Local plays Edmonton Oilers games. Unfortunately they were only playing the Flames and Canucks games when we were there.
The space itself is great, although the stairs seemed a little steep after a couple of pitchers of beer(the white bark was very smooth).
The service is good and the staff seemed pleasant.
I ordered the hummous and naan and my boyfriend ordered the chicken tacos. The hummous was good, but the naan came drenched in so much butter (which was greasy & messy) that even though I used napkins to soak up as much excess as I could, the taste and smell of butter completely overpowered The hummous and I only ate a few bites.
I enjoyed my taste of chicken tacos though, and would probably order them myself in the future; my boyfriend thought there was way too much sauce in the tacos for his liking, but said they were good overall.
The experience itself was positive and I would definitely go back during hockey season.
I'm a local, but I'd never been to The Local until my sister and mom were visiting last year. We had two infants with us and wanted a place with a patio, a good menu and beer....that would allow babies. That meant all pubs were out, but finding The Local was more than recompense. All three of us enjoyed our meals and drinks (the burgers and pulled pork sandwich are lovely), the prices are perfectly reasonable, the beer is cold and the babies were happy. I've been back twice since, once with my visiting mom and just today, with husband and now-toddling baby, and I'm pretty sure this will be our new weekend lunch and a pint destination -- with the baby, of course!
My first comment would be for "vicgirl" The Local Kitchen or as us "Locals" call it "The Local" is NOT owned by the previous owner of Garlic Rose. It has a new owner for the last 3 years. Totally NEW place. So I'm not sure if you are confused and just sound upset because you had unsatisfactory service at Garlic Rose - but this is a completely different restaurant.
I go to Local once a week in the summer (at least) with friends, co-workers, family etc. We love it! The food is fantastic. If you want something healthy their salads which are BIG are delicious. You want a burger? Try the lamb -yum! Want a wrap - try the Tandoori -chicken. My girlfriend is a vegetarian and she too has found something she loves. Bottom line it can be a casual place where you can have a bevie at the bar or sit on the patio and people watch.
I just recently had a bday party and booked their private room upstairs, it was AWESOME! Staff and ambiance - they are great and friendly and they play cool music.
I think if you are a local, check it out, if you are tourist - stop in. I'm always one to give a new restaurant a chance or two....these guys are fairly new and doing a great job. Keep it up.
Big Fan!
Everybody I know was skeptical - this is the old Garlic Rose location. Known for bad service and treating their staff even worse. My parents were in town and were jonesing for a patio so I thought - why not give them a chance. Bad idea - this is still tourist food in a tourist location. Beer was warm and service was sparse. Patio is so great for people watching - why can't they step up and complete the experience????
On my recent visit to Victoria, the hardest decision I faced was which restaurant to choose for dinner and whether or not it was a good choice amongst all the many other restaurants near by. We decided on what looked like the most popular spot in Bastion Square - The Local Kitchen.
The patio was fantastic - it's the perfect spot to just hang out with some friends over some drinks. Unfortunately, it was too windy that day and chilly, so we opted for a seat inside (all the while, envious of those sitting outside).
We weren't too hungry, so we ordered a drink and an appie each. I ordered the mussels and he, the homous and naan. My mussels were tasty, especially with the chorizo and sauteed cherry tomatoes. Whether or not they used frozen mussels like most places (I sure hoped not), it wasn't obvious. The homous was a little dry and the tapenade was really strong and oily. The naan wasn't exactly indian bread, it was more like house made flat bread - more crispy than chewy. The best dip plate? Not really, but it was well worth the value - I think it was about $8 for homous, tapenade, mixed olives and naan.
Overall, I would say we picked a good place - good food in an excellent location.
after a friend recommended the local i decided to check it out...
had dinner there on a tuesday evening and although it wasn't full it was very busy with what seemed to be regular customers - a good sign. the service was brilliant and the food was very good. the portions are massive so bring your appetite. would definitely recommend it and will be going back next time i'm in victoria.
We were in Victoria and thought let us go to a tourist kind of a place.
I had looked up the location.It was a warm sunny day .Lots of tourists around.The restaurant however was almost empty. Just one other couple Even if you take the location into consideration the food is expensive.
My sister had a small soup ,sandwich, and a coffee.
I had a wrap. It had only a small amount of chicken in it and the edges were burned. I also had a diet pop which was refilled.The bill was $ 35.oo
Expensive for a simple lunch
We had left another restaurant because of bad service after the appies and arrived at the Local Restaurant willing to give this new restaurant a shot. Wow, what a difference. Excellent, attentive staff. Great menu, wine and food. We will be back for more and also for the patio when the weather is warm. Kudos to this new restaurant and for hiring great staff.
On a trip in Victoria for the first time. Found this place our 2nd day here, and have been there 2 more times! Great service, great beer and great location to watch the sunset Crab and spinach dip is outstanding, seafood pot was perfect. Also less money for the same menu items than surrounding restaurants. Will return on next visit!
| 1. | Joint, The (25 m) |  |
| 2. | Darcy's Pub (28 m) | |
| 3. | Paradiso Di Stelle (29 m) | |
| 4. | Chef Suzi (39 m) | |
| 5. | Wharfside Eatery and Decks (59 m) |  |
| 6. | Joe's Seafood Bar (59 m) |  |
| 7. | Sauce Restaurant & Lounge (63 m) |  |
| 8. | Shima Sushi (67 m) |  |
| 9. | Veritas (76 m) | |
| 10. | Pita Pit, The (78 m) |  |
