The Cook and Butcher — Restaurant in Area D (Cowichan Bay)

manager PLEASE read** Ok, Honestly, i never really write reviews but this one was just too terrible to leave unsaid. The view was beautiful and the drinks were yummy, the ceaser was absolutely delishious. but that's about all that was positive about my experience at this resturant.

First walking into the resturant, we waited several minutes for the hostest to be present and greet us. Upon sitting down, we took drink orders fairly quickly but then the waitress didn't come back for quite awhile to take food orders. Some had already finished their first drinks before she came back to take our orders.

We were a large group all in our 20s and not one of us was ID'd. One girl at our table was literally 15 years old and was served alcohol by our waitress! The 15 year old didn't even order a drink, the waitress had an extra shaft and asked if she wanted it... She wasn't even accompanied by her parents. 😳

The food was overpriced and extreamly basic, I ordered the Mac and cheese. The bread tasted like card board and the Mac and cheese was very bland. I kind of expected at least some seasoning on the mac and cheese.. sure the salad was fine but it's pretty hard to screw up a salad.

My friend beside me ordered the fish and chips. Her fish batter was so dark, it was clear the oil was extreamly old. Her coleslaw tasted like it was several weeks old, many of us tried it and literally had to spit it out. It was so disgusting. Her fries were cold and soggy. She also had to remind the server several times to refill her iced tea even though she remembered all the alcoholic drinks ordered after the iced tea.

Our server also spilled my drink on me while she was putting it on the table, which stained my brand new dress and didn't even offer to reduce my bill for the drink.

Waitress staff all around seemed pretty grumpy and miserable, walked around with scowls on their faces. Made them all seem pretty unapproachable when needing something.

Super overpriced and really disappointing, honestly pretty concerning too about the IDs. Hopefully it was just a one off kinda day but it takes only a couple seconds to ask to see IDs and not risk serving a minor, which she did.

I would really love to get in touch with the manager of...

A Hidden Gem in Cowichan Bay – The Cook and The Butcher

During a recent overnight stay in the charming seaside village of Cowichan Bay, my fiancé and I had the pleasure of dining at The Cook and The Butcher — and it was truly an unforgettable culinary experience.

From the moment we walked in, we were impressed by the cozy yet elevated ambiance. The staff were warm and welcoming, making us feel at home while still offering the polished service you’d expect from a high-end dining spot.

We started our meal by sharing one of their signature Caesars, and it was easily the most luxurious version we’ve ever had. Topped with a lobster tail, shrimp, scallops, and smoked salmon, it was practically a meal in itself — fresh, briny, and beautifully presented. Every bite of seafood was melt-in-your-mouth perfection, and the drink itself was perfectly spiced and balanced.

For our mains, we shared two incredible dishes. The first was a rich, flavourful seafood linguine — brimming with fresh local catches and perfectly cooked pasta, tossed in a delicate sauce that enhanced rather than overwhelmed the dish. Every forkful was a reminder of just how fresh and abundant the West Coast seafood scene truly is.

The second dish was a standout: braised pork belly topped with a silky crab-infused hollandaise. The pork was tender and savory with a perfect crispy edge, while the hollandaise added a decadent, buttery seafood twist that brought the whole dish together in the most unexpected and delightful way.

Overall, The Cook and The Butcher delivered not just a meal, but a memory. Whether you’re a local or just visiting the Island like we were, this spot is well worth the stop. The passion for food, the attention to detail, and the incredible use of fresh coastal ingredients make it a true gem in Cowichan Bay.

We’ll absolutely be back next time we’re on the...

This is the fourth time my wife and I have eaten at the cow Cafe over the course of the last 3 years. This is my first review. The first time we ate here, the food was awesome. We went back a few months later and the menu totally changed, and unfortunately so did the quality of food. Service was slow, food was just okay. Because it was so good the first time, we hoped it was just a one off. A few months after that we thought we would try it for a third time. Exact same experience as our 2nd visit. Service was slow, food was okay. We love the view so tonight we thought we'll give them one more try. We arrived at 4:45 p.m. Again service was slow and our food was not very good tonight, mine or my wife's. We had two glasses of beer. Just before we left, I went to the washroom, and saw a sign that said, happy hour is everyday from 2 till 5. There is a separate beer and food menu for happy hour and prices are considerably cheaper then the expensive main menu. Our waitress never told us about happy hour when we got there. So I asked her just before we paid the bill. She apologized for not telling us and went on to say their clocks are 10 minutes fast. Huh?? That didn't make any sense because we were there at 4:45. So she adjusted our bill for the alcohol. We left there very disappointed. Strike three, your out! We won't be going back. Between slow service, average to okay food, and not telling us about happy hour 15 minutes before it's over, (which could very well be a restaurant policy,) we won't be going back until they get a cook like they had...