OEB Ambleside 1390 Marine Dr, West Vancouver, BC V7Y 1B5
OEB Ambleside has garnered significant buzz, often boasting long wait times and high expectations. I decided to experience the hype for myself during a visit to the area. Upon arrival, I was informed of a 20-30 minute wait, which I opted to endure given the time I had to spare. Unfortunately, what awaited me fell far short of expectations.
Food
Korean Bulgogi Benny This dish, consisting of Korean-style shaved inside-round beef, peperonata, eggs, and waffle fries served atop a butter croissant, had potential on paper. The beef itself was tender and well-seasoned, offering a pleasant balance of sweetness and savory flavors. However, the dish faltered with its execution. Both the croissant and the waffle fries were served cold, which significantly detracted from the overall experience. For a dish priced at a premium, the lack of attention to basic temperature standards was disappointing.
Rating: 5/10
Breakfast Tacos The breakfast tacos were, regrettably, forgettable. While competently assembled, they lacked the bold flavors or unique twists that would set them apart. The result was a dish that felt more like a generic offering than a signature item on the menu.
Rating: 5/10
Drinks
Vanilla Latte and Pomegranate Nojito The drinks provided a rare bright spot in an otherwise lackluster meal. The vanilla latte was rich and well-balanced, while the pomegranate Nojito was refreshing and thoughtfully prepared. These beverages stood out as the most enjoyable aspect of my visit.
Service
Service is often the backbone of a memorable dining experience, yet this was where OEB Ambleside faltered the most. The server was inattentive, failing to engage or follow up after delivering the dishes. Basic courtesies, such as checking in on the table or ensuring drinks arrived in a timely manner, were conspicuously absent. The lack of professionalism was glaring and left much to be desired.
Rating: 1/10
Ambiance
The restaurant’s atmosphere was lively, but not in a way that enhanced the experience. The space was overly crowded, and the noise level made conversation difficult. Furthermore, the pacing of service was poorly managed; drinks took 15 minutes to arrive, while the food followed almost immediately afterward, disrupting the flow of the meal.
Rating: 2/10
Price
For a restaurant with high pricing, the quality and execution did not justify the cost. The cold dishes, small portions, and lack of attention to detail made the experience feel overpriced and underwhelming.
Verdict
OEB Ambleside may attract crowds, but my visit left me questioning the source of its popularity. While the drinks were enjoyable and the menu concept intriguing, the execution was lacking in nearly every other aspect. Poor service, subpar food quality, and an overcrowded ambiance overshadowed the positives. For those considering a visit, temper your...
Read moreI would really like to give OEB a better score than this but there are a couple of things to be noted. My family of 4 dined there two days ago. The food is always on point, I like their menu, the quality is always there and the portion sizes are great ( if not a little big). The big fall down for this place is the service in my eyes. Listen, I know its tough out there on a staffing level, I understand that there is a lack of people in the service industry and I know businesses struggle with staff retention but, this is a service industry where I pay for service. if we have to wait for a table, that's fine, then tell me how long, we were told 10 -30 mins which to be is ambiguous at best. So we wait, tables turning over and pre booked customers coming in and taking seats right away ( in hindsight we should have done this, lesson learned), my gripe is we stood around for 15 minutes, no conversation from the staff, no update on time frame nothing, until one server came over and asked " can I help?" this is where the big fall down is, we had been stood in front of here for 15 minutes, how was she unaware that we had been there ? its a total lack of awareness and poor training when it comes to the FOH staff. For the price you pay to eat here this needs to be improved, I'm not looking for 5 star silver service but a quick heads up or a "something while you wait" even offering a menu to look at ? (I got my 6 year old daughter to grab one so we could look) is all it takes to feel like a valued customer. That being said there were some highlights, once we got seated the service was fairly good, drinks orders were turned around quickly and brunch order the same. my kids had pancakes and the waffles, both of which were ridiculous !! super light and fluffy pancakes and the waffles were like a really light fluffy cake...super good. I took the lobster crepe which was just about right for the price, hollandaise wasn't over served and it was delicious in fact. The wife had the veggie offering of the same which she enjoyed also. I do like the Umbria coffee they served and have made a note to get some form Bosa Foods the next time over that way.
All in all its a good spot for some eats, my advice, book ahead as its always rammed at the weekend.... a little more FOH training will...
Read moreFrom the moment we walked into OEB Restaurant, we knew we were in for something special. The design and layout of the space are absolutely stunning — modern yet warm, vibrant yet comfortable. You can tell that a lot of thought and care went into creating an environment where guests feel welcome and relaxed.
The food was simply outstanding. Every dish we tried was full of flavor and beautifully presented, but the absolute standout for us was the poutine — it was hands down the best we’ve ever had! Rich, savory, and perfectly balanced, it truly set the bar high for the entire meal.
What made our experience unforgettable, though, was the incredible staff. From the first moment we were greeted, every single team member who interacted with us did so with a genuine smile and a welcoming attitude. It wasn’t just a first impression — their warmth and friendliness stayed consistent throughout our entire visit. They were attentive, always checking in to make sure we had everything we needed without ever making us feel rushed or pressured. You could tell they genuinely cared about providing an amazing experience.
The food was handled with visible care and attention, and it showed not just in the taste, but in the whole dining experience.
We left feeling happy, full, and already excited to come back again. OEB Restaurant is a place we would recommend without hesitation — whether you’re visiting for a casual brunch, a special occasion, or just because you want to treat yourself to fantastic food in a beautiful space with the best service. Truly a five-star experience! Here is my Daughter feedback: it was amazing truly worth a wait my family and I will be looking forward to coming here again anyone who comes here should try the poutine another thing you should try are the fries they are truly astounding...
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