Brasserie L'Ecole — Restaurant in Victoria

Excellent french cuisine, the reservations are first come first serve though so you much show up immediately when they open if you want a table.

Update Mar 22, 2023:

My mom's birthday dinner at Brasserie L'Ecole was an unforgettable experience, thanks to the restaurant's commitment to seasonal, locally available products cooked in a classic French-country style. We were blown away by the quality of the food, and each dish we tried was outstanding.

The endive salad was a refreshing start to the meal, with the combination of bacon, apple, hazelnuts, and mustard wine dressing creating a perfect balance of flavors. The frites were also delicious, with the Parmesan, garlic, parsley, and truffle oil making for a decadent and indulgent treat.

The house-made charcuterie was a standout dish, with the Secret de Scey cheese and marinated olives perfectly complementing the array of cured meats. The pork belly was also fantastic, with the romesco, chicharron, chive oil, and coffee glaze creating a unique and flavorful combination.

One of the highlights of the meal was the sole and scallop terrine, which was beautifully presented and full of delicate flavors. The preserved lemon aioli and marinated mussels added a wonderful depth to the dish.

Throughout the meal, the service was attentive and accommodating, and the ambiance of the restaurant was cozy and romantic. We couldn't have asked for a better experience on my mom's birthday.

Overall, Brasserie L'Ecole is a must-visit restaurant for anyone looking for a great French dining experience. The quality of the food, the service, and the ambiance are all exceptional, and I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a memorable...

We think this small French bistro is by far and away Victoria's best restaurant, and has been for years. The menu is simple, but the food and service is impeccable. The atmosphere is cozy and unpretentious and it retains a certain classiness and je ne sais quoi that is hard to pinpoint. We were referred by a friend years ago on mention of an incredible hamburger (turns out to be true) and creme brûlée (best I have tasted worldwide, which I realize is a bold statement). The endive salad is really (really) good, and this place has been serving legit parmesan truffle fries since before they suddenly became a thing elsewhere. In any event, I won't wax on any longer, but after coming here for years, I thought I would drop a well-deserved review to this place. You can stroll in solo for a beer or cocktail (try a vieux mot) and a relaxed meal at the bar, or dress it up and come black tie with a date: both styles will work. The only minor inconvenience is that reservations are not accepted which means that if you want to dine on a weekend, you have to line up to get your name on the list at 5:30pm (but come a little earlier to line up...I know...crazy...but we do it!). They then seat you for the 530 sitting or the later sitting. If you are coming mid week and like to dine later, you won't have a problem usually if you just show up...we usually aim for 730 and breeze in. Like I said...we like it...not only best food for value, but if you like French cuisine, we think it actually delivers the best food and service in...

We had an unforgettable dinner at Brasserie L’Ecole to celebrate my wife’s birthday, and every detail exceeded our expectations. From the moment we walked in, the hospitality and professionalism stood out.

Virgil, our server, was absolutely outstanding — attentive, warm, and incredibly knowledgeable. He provided top-tier service that made the evening feel truly special. A huge thank you as well to Vinnie, who went above and beyond to help us secure the perfect reservation time. His kindness and professionalism set the tone for a wonderful night.

The food was phenomenal. We began with the chicken liver mousse, which was velvety, rich, and perfectly complemented by a punch of grainy mustard. For mains, we enjoyed the signature burger — perfectly cooked and full of flavor — and the gnocchi, which was light, delicate, and beautifully balanced. Dessert was a decadent caramel creation that ended the meal on a high note.

Our dishes were expertly paired with a glass of 2021 Montagny white wine, which brought everything together beautifully.

A huge thank you to the team at Brasserie L’Ecole for making our evening so memorable. We’ll absolutely be back — and recommending it to...