Browns Socialhouse Nanaimo North — Restaurant in Nanaimo

My son and I come to Browns every so often and usually enjoy it, but our most recent visit was a bit of a mixed bag.

Our server was absolutely lovely — warm, attentive, and professional — and she really was the highlight of our visit. Unfortunately, the kitchen missed the mark this time.

We ordered the calamari to start, and it was overloaded with jalapeños and so salty it was inedible. We had to send it back, which we rarely do. When we let the manager know, he simply took it back to the kitchen without much follow-up, which felt a little brushed off.

Both of us ordered steaks medium rare. Mine came out fine, but my son’s was well done — twice. They remade it once, but the second one still came out overcooked. On top of that, the fries were overly greasy and unappetizing, so I left most of them untouched.

We could also hear multiple dishes being dropped and broken in the kitchen throughout our meal, which didn’t help the impression of a smooth or organized operation.

We’ve had better experiences here, so this was disappointing. I hope the kitchen tightens things up, because we’d like to keep coming back — but...

My mother and I came in the other days for a few much needed drinks after saying goodbye to our dog who passed suddenly. It wasn't five minutes from when I was stroking her ears and crying my eyes out to when we sat at a table. We were a mess. It was embarrassing, and I'm sure super uncomfortable for everyone around us. Our server was super understanding, and shared that she had also recently lost a dog. It wasn't only losing a dog that made our day difficult, but my father is also going through some very tough health problems. The dog got sick the day he got home from the hospital. I've been in the industry for a long time, and I've learned that you never really know why people act out of the ordinary when you're serving them. We are all just living lives, and sometimes they are hard. The point of this long winded review is, when it came time for the bill, they had comped it. We both started ugly crying. It doesn't take a grand gesture to turn someone's rotten day around, but it takes a special person to realize how a little one can make a huge difference. It really did, and you don't know how thankful...

I really want to share my terrible experience with Brown social Nanaimo. Everytime I order over the phone their staff and chef are so inefficient that they can't even take correct order. I I have ordered four times blackened chicken rice bowl and when I reach home I find there is chicken missing in my order. When I call the restaurant they ask me to come and replace it. The same thing happened today it's 10.30 in the night and I find there is no chicken in my chicken bowl. I went all the way back to the restaurant gave their bowl back and they just replaced with a chicken bowl. The manger did not even offer to refund my money. He mentioned I will give feedback to my staff. Like really?? I don't care what feedback you give. My time is wasted I traveled to and fro two times just to get my order right?? This has happened now for the fourth time. Victoria Brown social was so amazing it never had such problem. But Nanaimo Brown social sucks!!. Everytime I order on call I need to tell them make sure chicken is there in the bowl.. .this is so embarrassing and frustrating. Such a bad...