New Art Showing by Bob McPartin on Thursday March 31st

On Thursday March 31st the spring show from the Island Illustrators starts this time with a solo show by Bob McPartin. Bob is renowned for his landscapes which are on display in several galleries around town. I was lucky enough to be able to meet with Bob at his home and to pick the pieces for this exhibit!

The landscapes that Bob has agreed to share with us for three months are not his usual ones – these are more “Lunar Landscapes!”

Come down on Thurs March 31st to see our new exhibit and meet Bob in person!

All things to all people

We are not – all things to all people. We are a small little neighbourhood brewpub that is trying to serve the best beer and food we possibly can in a warm and inviting atmosphere. We are trying to make a name for ourselves as a quiet, homey place where Mom and Pop come and talk to you. (this is Mom talking now) Where the staff get to know  your name. Where you can come for a pint and a meal at a reasonable price on your way home from work.

I think for the most part we are succeeding. Yesterday we had a group of teachers in from the mainland (Maple Ridge). One fellow’s mother had been to our place and told her son if he was ever in Victoria he should drop by. Well he did with 11 of his friends! They were staying at the Empress – they walked by all of the great places downtown to come to our place out in Rock Bay. One fellow made a point of telling me that our bitter was the best he had had in a long time and lamented that we were not closer to him. Everyone else at the table commented that the food was great and the atmosphere was relaxed.

I get down in the mouth sometimes when I read the negative reviews on line that people have written about us. I guess I have always been one to tell someone in person when I do not like something – rather than complain on line in one of the many restaurant review web sites.

But then I look around our place on any given night and I see people sitting enjoying a pint and a meal and talking with each other – they are laughing and smiling and many of them I already know by name! It is unfortunate that it is not these people who write the reviews!

But I can not complain too much – we have only been open for 5 months. If people are coming to our place for the first time I try to ask how they heard of us – most often now it is because a friend of theirs suggested that they come. I have come to the conclusion that Victoria is a small little town and no matter how much advertising I do in papers it will never come close to the power of word of mouth advertising!!!!!

We are not all things to all people – But we must be doing something right! BB

We are in this months Snap magazine

This months snap magazine

This is the link to our picture in this months SNAP magazine – they were here during our Grand Opening week.

St Patricks day!

Top of the Day to Ya! Today we all get to be Irish – so wear something green and come on down for a pint or two!

Specials:

Guninness braised lamb shanks with mashed potatoes and cabbage $15.95

Cottage Pie with fries, soup or salad $10.95

Taco Chicken Burger – Chicken breast encrusted in Nachos chips covered in salsa and guacamole – served with fries, soup or salad $11.95

 

Something new?

I know I should update this blog but to tell you the truth not much is new!

We have now been open for 86 days. To tell you the truth it feels like a lot longer! I guess it did take a year to get our idea off the ground and get all the licensing in place so that must be why it seems like a lot longer than just 86 days!!!!!!!

Things are going well – for a new fledgling pub that opened just before Christmas in a downward turn in the economy. (Timing is everything!) But we are growing one customer at a time – and it is those customers who are telling others that they should give us a try. Customers who were happy with their meal and enjoyed a pint of beer in quiet setting.

We want to thank you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Victoria is a town full of good restaurants and it is a real honour for people to come and spend their hard earned money at our place.

I can truly say that the nicest thing about being a publican is the people you meet. People you see weekly and get to know their names. It’s like a big extended family with many different personalities but the common thread is the love of beer and a good home cooked meal. It is very heart warming to hear the conversation and laughter as I travel around the room and to know that we have created a meeting place that people enjoy.

So I guess I should not be so negative that not much is really new – we are new and people are just getting to know us. I think in today’s hectic world  it is nice to be able to find a place where not much is happening. No weekly parties, no theme nights, or  ultimate sports events – just a place for a conversation, a good laugh, a pint and a good meal.

Well see what the next 86 days bring and change accordingly – or maybe we will just stay the same?

 

Thanks one and all!

For making our grand opening week a huge success!!!! I am so glad that it was the week of the 16th rather than this last week with all the snow! The gods were shining on us.

Highlights of the opening week – the food and the beer! That should go without saying but Jo and Chae in the kitchen whipped up some very appetizing and tasty meals. I think the toad in the hole will have to become a regular weekly feature. As someone described it in their blog – “brown gooey goodness” or words to that effect. The lamb burgers were also well received topped off with the mango chutney and the curry was a real hit with the Tranquility IPA.

The Full English breakfast and the roast beef dinner on Sunday’s are going to be regular feature items. (I do think you have to be of direct English decent to make proper Yorkshire pudding and Jo is.)

Don and Ron held up their part with the beer – and the small “nano” brews were gone in no time. The Brown Ale, the Chocolate Stout, the India Red Ale and the Raspberry Porter were all delicious and we will be making more in the future! Stay tuned.

The Tranquility IPA that is now our fourth mainstay is  sophisticated, well balanced and delightfully hoppy!  It is still only 5.2% ABV which is a little higher than our other beers but still not over the top like a lot of IPA’s that are being produced.

We now have a few bottles of the IPA, the Blonde Ale and the Best Bitter in bottles. They are 650 ml and are available for sale at the bar. The price for the Blonde and the Bitter is $4.75 and the IPA $4.90.

So thanks again everyone for coming out and making our grand opening week a great success!