Fluid Bar & Grill — Restaurant in Courtenay

It could do with a makeover, perhaps. It's probably nicer when the patio is open. Was last here over 10 years ago and seem to remember it being a little fancier. It might have just been me and the difference between daytime and nighttime meals. Seems they have embraced the sports bar theme and have a few good specials on game day, including a contest where you receive a puck with a players number, and if he scores, your bill is free. Fair happy hour prices on $5 high balls, $8 doubles, and $6 beers, in early 2024. Check on line for current hours. Went in for a family lunch with both an adult child and 3 y/o child. They seemed short staffed, although it was about 4 pm on Saturday. When we did get seated, they were quick on the booster seat and many extra coloring pages to go with the crayons. Once we were seated, service improved, and the wait staff were polite and friendly and quite patient with our table. The food, although perhaps a little pricy, but isn't everywhere nowadays, was fairly good. Definitely, quality ingredients were used. The portions weren't huge but not tiny, small either. Everyone was happy with the food we ordered and said it tasted really good. The menu, however, was quite limited. Our adult son mentioned it more than once. It was also he who complained about a bowl costing $29, but he is still young and learning. He did enjoy the jumbelia bowl though even if it wasn't spicy enough for his taste, but our waitress was quick to bring everything he might need to fire it up a few notches. We did not stay for dessert or linger for too long due to the 3 y/o being autistic and had to sit still. Overall, I like Fluid and would recommend it to others. I'm not sure about for a family, but for a date night or a get-together w/ friends, for sure it's an upscale, sort of hip place. I'd like to come back in the summer and edit my review, so check back...

We went as a party of 10 for my brothers birthday. They don't have much variety on there menu in terms of dishes.. but I don't want to completely knock this place, as it is a nice environment. Our waitress also went above and beyond. She really did her best to take care of us. So no hate on this woman! Upon arrival we had jugs of water.. which tasted of cleaner - not faint (tasted like pure cleaner) so I quietly mentioned it to her and she apologized (I get things happen sometimes) she had gotten us new water.. Upon arrival of food you could tell everyone wasn't impressed but was just trying to make the best of their experience for my younger brother.. It's also quite pricey for what you get. I got a fluid burger - loaded with grilled chicken and fries. My total afterwards was $30 the fries are like a handful of crisped dirty oil. Literally "chips" they were crunchy and no flavour. Which everyone noticed and no fries were even touched by any of us after the first bites. My burger was delicious but felt not worth the $30 the beef patties that other family members ordered they complained of being very dry and didn't really want to eat it..on top of this myself, my brother and my partner all got food poisoning. I wonder about cross contamination and the cleaner tasting water... Just felt like the kitchen should be more observant. No one likes to be violently ill after hoping for a good experience. Maybe it was an off night for them... Didn't feel...

Eaten here a number of times. Date night with my wife and bigger groups. Always been enjoyable. Was really looking forward to a delicious Cobb salad. But on this recent occasion, we knew what we wanted 5min after sitting. 10 more before we could order. Iced tea was way too sweet. Appetizer came pretty quick, spinach and artichoke dip was yummy. But after another 40+ min, our sugary tea and appetizer plate long gone, we finally got a refill and a promise, our dinner was coming right out. We both ordered salads. Chicken needs to be cooked, no doubt, but really? It was over an hour since we sat down. We dropped some cash to cover what we ate and drank and left. Waitress seemed like she had many tables, spread around and at least 1 out on the patio. She was moving pretty quick. I suspect either she didn’t finalize the order and send to kitchen or the kitchen lost track of the order. Food previously was good, I’ll say that much. But this is a 1st for me, never walked out before. Only once have I left a low tip. I’ve worked service industry before, so I’m sympathetic, but very...