Tapas on Oak — Restaurant in Oak Bay

I am surprised by the positive reviews. I went to Tapas on Oak with a friend yesterday. I would sum up our experience as "the most money we have paid for the worst food we have had" in a long time. We ordered 4 dishes to start, including bread and olives. On the menu, the plates were an average of about $18 - $22. Most are "Asian influenced". The most expensive we ordered was a Japanese-style chicken - I can't call it a true chicken Karaage. It was coated in a sauce which we found so salty that neither of us could get it down and we left most of the dish untouched. It came with a cucumber garnish that was so doused in vinegar that it made our eyes water. Although garnishes are sometimes just for decoration, it is nice when you can eat them and they add to the over-all taste experience of the dish. We had szechuan - style green beans which were OK-to-good if somewhat "standard" but at $18 we could have found same or better in any reasonable Chinese restaurant for, given the small portion served at Tapas on Oak, 1/3 of the price. In addition we had a teeny-tiny caprese salad that was dowsed in a balsamic glaze, which, to my taste at least, extinguished all flavours in the dish behind a vale of cloying sweetness and at about $18, it was tiny: basically, just cherry tomatoes (I get that tomatoes are out of season) and those little bocconcini balls which are never as good as the real thing. For $7, about 5-6 paper thin slices of baguette, toasted, with some incredibly salty garlic butter. The olives, at around $8, were OK - but tasted like grocery store mixed olives that had been heated up with some roasted garlic thrown in. Some fennel seeds, citrus or rosemary, for example, would have made this more distinctive. Normally, when we go out for Tapas we start with around four dishes and then order more as the evening progresses. Not here. There was nothing in our initial order that instilled confidence that anything else would be to our liking and worth the money. Although we were hungry when we left, we decided it was better to make something when we got home. The cost, with tip and 1 glass of wine, was about $100. The waitress was very nice and tried her very best to be attentive, but she was alone and, to us, she did not have the level of skills or experience appropriate for a restaurant that charges so much - i.e. dropped cutlery, spilled water and not entirely confident in the menu. This is fine - she was really nice, but l think you have a right to expect a more professional and polished service at a restaurant that charges so much, as opposed, for example, to a cheap-and-cheerful burger place where you can be much more forgiving and typically are. Ultimately, you should get what you pay for. And yet, the place was full. Maybe we were missing something or were unlucky. People...

Second time dining at Tapas on Oak. Amazing food and wine! Trinity, the front-house manager is so attentive and such a great personality. She was able to recommend some great menu suggestions. Her ability to serve her customers in a friendly manner and be the single person handling all the tables and do it with great humour is a tribute to her customer service skills. The tapas options are amazing; thanks Jason for the wonderful cuisine! Your ability to do all of this as the sole chef is a testament to your culinary skills.

Our table of 3 really enjoyed the crab cakes, chicken karage, prawn risotto, bread with garlic butter, dumplings, bison tenderloin (wow!!!), and. patates bravas. Also the ginger cake was delicious. Thank you and we raised many glasses to the wonderful food, wine, service, and atmosphere.

Update: My husband and I have dined here multiple times. Service, food, and drinks are always exceptional! In addition to the above great choices, we also recommend the Szechuan style green beans, Tuna tataki, and the tacos .

This is one of our favourite places, please show them some ❤️!

Dan, you have a great restaurant and a wonderful...

Just found this gem had just opened down the street from our house with my wife. We went Saturday evening and the food/wine was delightful and delicious. Even better was our server Jason (his name i think/forgive me if i'm wrong). Honestly the best service we've ever had in 67 years of my existence! He went above and beyond taking his time describing each dish and helping us order as we have never had tapas before. He was patient with us even though they were very busy and he did everything with a big smile. This is my first ever review as my wife forced me to do it. Jason had shared with us some of his health issues and struggles currently and in the past and we thought he was just a remarkable young man to do what he is doing with such a positive attitude and big smile on his face. Thank you Tapas on Oak for such a wonderful experience, the food and service were some of the best we've ever had!!!!!! We will be back with some family and...