Rabbit Rabbit — Restaurant in Victoria

One of the worst restaurant experiences not just in Victoria but anywhere. I hope the owner takes what I’m writing to heart.

I suggest that the chef and patrons go to ‘part and parcel’ or endive or ‘stage’ to see what service and creative cooking really looks like.

I can only imagine that this restaurant gets a high rating because the hype has created the undeserving ‘bandwagon effect’. People are saying great things because everyone else is saying great things.

Where to begin..the one and only really good thing was the design. Elegant, contemporary, interesting artwork.

The service:

Given that the owner is a Sommelier (among other things), I think she would be horrified to hear what I’m about to write.

We ordered a bottle of $90 Chablis which was served luke warm. When we brought it up, the server said that it came out of the fridge and she had a cold vessel for it to sit in and it would become colder. It didn’t.

No offer to change the bottle which in any decent restaurant, of supposedly this stature, would be the first thing that a server would say. I don’t think the server was trained very well.

We asked the server to leave the bottle on the table so that we could pour it ourselves, and not be interrupted constantly. Unfortunately, our server came back so many times to change our plates and change our cutlery and pour water that we were interrupted an inordinate amount of times. Poor cadence of service.

We were also never told that each course will come out separately, like a tasting menu concept, which I abhor. This food was not deserving of being part of a tasting menu concept.

The only time our server couldn’t be found was when it took 30 minutes in between our last appetizer and our first main. She didn’t bother to check on it until we asked her to. Apparently the kitchen didn’t cook the sable fish properly and wanted to do it again.

It was obvious how bad this experience was and absolutely nothing was done other than the apologies. In future, tell your manager, how bad this evening has been for your guests and ask what can be done…that is service 101. You advocate for your guests.

Food:

Basic and without creativity.

The Crudo was bland and unseasoned; had no acid to give it a punch.

The special squash salad was a bunch of squash (not even roasted to the point where there was any caramelization) with some bland whipped ricotta and croutons. Basic and mediocre.

The dumplings - which are supposed to be something special - were not. The cream sauce with Yuzu had no real depth of flavour and wasn’t seasoned well. The pork inside the dumpling was crumbly; it wasn’t unctuous and fatty which is what you’d expect.

The sable fish was well cooked the second time around, but the sauce was extremely salty.

Finally we were served 4 very thin slices of duck in a nondescript sauce; also not memorable and certainly not worth the wait or the price. The moment it was dropped on the table I asked for the bill.

I would describe this restaurant as ‘lipstick on a pig’. I’m sure the wine list is great, but if you’re going to serve warm whites, you shouldn’t be serving wine at all.

So for the warm Chablis, the super slow and mediocre food, the constant interruptions, in return we received a lot of apologies.

I was upset my daughter was upset that this wasn’t the experience that we had hoped for. No one in the service industry (let alone this type of restaurant) should have guests leave a restaurant feeling the way we did.

For those who understand food and proper service there are way better experiences in Victoria.

Fortunately for rabbit rabbit they’re in a less sophisticated...

I wasn’t going to take the time to write a review for Rabbit Rabbit, but after sleeping on it for two days, the experience is still running through my mind and makes my heart feel heavy.

We had the pleasure of enjoying Rabbit Rabbit on Saturday evening — until we didn’t. We reserved their champagne booth weeks ago for our mom’s 80th birthday, adding a note that this was a very special occasion, and that any small gesture would make the night even more memorable. Upon arrival, we ordered Veuve Clicquot for the table, followed by a lovely bottle of red and six dishes (the charred romaine salad was unbelievable!).

At the end of the meal, I had to ask the server — in front of my mom — if they were planning to do anything special. A small dessert, perhaps. Nothing major — just a simple gesture of celebration. The server responded by handing me the dessert menu and saying we could purchase any dessert we liked. She must have noticed how astonished I was because they eventually brought a (very dry) piece of cake. I appreciated the attempt, but it still left an awkward feeling.

We paid the bill — nearly $500 — and as we were leaving, the server asked me to follow her to the back kitchen, where the manager wanted to speak with me. My family was already heading out the door, but I said okay.

In the back, the manager bluntly told me, “We don’t do free things here.” I explained that it was my mom’s 80th birthday, a very special occasion, and that after spending so much, I had hoped for a small, thoughtful gesture. The manager responded, “You can’t afford $12?” I told her, of course we could — but it was the principle that mattered. Because of this attitude, we will not be back.

To any potential guests: while the food was lovely/decent, if you’re planning a celebratory meal, I would suggest choosing a different restaurant — one where the birthday person will be made to feel respected, honored, and...

🌟 An Unforgettable Dining Experience at Rabbit Rabbit – A True Gem in Victoria, BC 🌟 If you’re ever in Victoria and looking for a truly special dining experience, Rabbit Rabbit is an absolute must-visit. From the moment we walked in, we were wrapped in the warm, inviting ambience that makes this place feel like home — but with a touch of culinary magic. We tried six vegetarian dishes along with the duck, and every single plate was a standout. The mushroom lo bok and milk buns were the perfect starters — beautifully balanced, rich in flavour, and thoughtfully plated. But the real showstopper? The duck. Paired with carrots, a scallion patty, and a sauce that was to die for, it was easily one of the best duck dishes we’ve ever had. The meal didn’t end there — we finished with two exquisite desserts: the bread pudding and a delicate tart, both of which offered the perfect sweet ending to an already unforgettable evening. Their wine selection is excellent, with plenty of great options to pair with your meal. And we can’t say enough about the service — Jasmin, our server, was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive, making us feel completely taken care of from start to finish. A huge shout out to the chef for crafting such an inspired and satisfying menu. Every dish was clearly made with passion and precision. And finally, a special mention to Sydney, the host and owner, who greeted us with such warmth and energy — she set the tone for the entire experience. It’s clear this place is run by people who care deeply about what they do. Rabbit Rabbit is a rare find — a beautiful blend of atmosphere, incredible food, and heartfelt hospitality. We’ll absolutely be back, and we’re recommending it to anyone visiting Victoria. Treat yourself to a night here. You...