The Vine — Restaurant in Area D (Cowichan Bay)

This has been my favourite restaurant in the Cowichan Valley since it opened. I have often urged my family to celebrate special occasions at The Vine because the food is usually very good and the view is so lovely. I have assigned a star for each of these attributes.

Now in the time of Covid 19, with many restrictions put on seating and serving, it is important that restaurant staff attempt to anticipate the needs of large groups who have made a reservation and identified a special occasion.

Last night my birthday celebration at The Vine was derailed by staff with attitude. Instead of trying to give our 13 person group the best possible outcome under the ‘no contact’ Covid restrictions, by seating us where we could enjoy the view and actually see one another, we were strung along one wall.

My family, who wanted me to have a happy experience, tried to suggest better table options when they first arrived as it would have been impossible to even see one another from the tables on each end. Instead of being met with a warm friendly attempt to accommodate us within the current restrictions, they were served a dish of attitude. We all understand that there are strict Covid regulations In place and as a group we have eaten there several times since the pandemic began. When I arrived, there was palpable tension in the air. After a few moments, during which time I joined the discussion, the serving staff got out the written rules (which no one was disputing) and read them out loud.

I expressed my disappointment at not having a view and suggested a workable option at which time the server reluctantly agreed to move 8 of us into the platformed window area with the other 5 close by. We were going to accept that ‘begrudgingly offered‘ compromise when the issue of how to present the bill became the deal breaker. Staff were unwilling to put themselves out and wanted to set us up with either 1 large bill or a separate bill for each table. We were not anticipating having to sit in groups that matched our billing needs so both options put the onus on us to do the appropriate math. In this computer age, when bills can be easily assigned to seat numbers on a map, it seemed like an inappropriate request to make of an obviously unhappy group. My family, knowing how much I enjoyed eating at The Vine, were still willing to do whatever I wanted but the tension filled atmosphere, and the lack of people skills that had been demonstrated by our wait staff, made me super uncomfortable.

It was my decision to leave or stay, so we left. Lucky for us we did because after a few phone calls another Cowichan Valley restaurant was able to accommodate our group (three tables as per the Covid rules).

Happy ending for us when this other restaurant (and my new favourite) served us amazing food and moved tables around to be as close together as compliance allowed. While ALL of the restrictions (including no visiting other tables) were maintained, we were able to have a birthday toast that everyone could see and hear. The staff were both warm and welcoming. Our waiter worked on customer service all evening and we had a fabulous time.

Sad ending for The Vine because they lost some...

Disappointing. Their website and external appearance gave us the impression this was a very sophisticated restaurant but it's really not. The interior is very run down, the decor is a bit of a mish mash and there was no hot water in the restrooms. Menus were beat-up and curled so the lack of attention from management/ownership was quite surprising. We were in on a busy Friday night when they appeared to be under staffed so our service was poor, although it was clear our waitress was doing the best she could. I had some questions about the two types of mussels on the menu and then ordered the traditional one. However when my dish arrived it was the other. Fair enough, mistakes can be made but our waitress' response was not an "I'm sorry", but rather "if you send it back it'll be a while because the kitchen is busy." That took me a bit my surprise but it wasn't too big a deal so I said that'd be fine. However there was not even a tiny discount, no attempt to make up for the mistake. The quality of my wife's salmon burger was not much better than a chain restaurant. It's a bit of a shame because they have a nice view of Cowichan Bay and there is a ton of potential here, but the execution is really poor. Other reviewers here seem happy enough eating here and perhaps you will have a better experience, but if you're in any way a foodie, you better adjust your expectations down...

Have been to the Vine 3 times now and would give 10 stars for the food. I have the seafood crêpe mussels in cream sauce for appetizer’s. The margaritas were delicious!!! Reason for 3 stars and not 5 - our waiter Daniel It was so much different when we had the other young man as a leader he was friendly and engaging and made a whole me extra enjoyable. Daniel was the complete opposite. My husband and I were sitting at around table looking out at the water facing the houseboats. Our Waiter decided to stand in our bubble Directly behind us so we would have to completely turn around and face our waiter just inches behind us I specifically asked him if he can go to the other end of the table and serve in front of us...Not only did he not do it but he continue to stand and serve behind us it made no sense where he was standing furthermore everything I asked him he quickly said No, Daniel can we sit on the patio No, Daniel can I substitute rice with mashed potato No! without even checking with anyone his instant answer was always No. He was frumpy dressed in black wrinkled clothes and wear a mask but pulled it down over his nose what good is that? And this time of Covid wise stand inches behind us and at the back of us it made no sense now I want to go back because the food is so good but it’s not worth putting up with terrible service.

It’s a shame because the right way to make such...