Victoria - Saturday Night at Prime

We decided to try Prime at the Magnolia Hotel for my daughter's 16th Birthday. We allow the kids to pick where they want for their birthdays (with some guidance / power of veto) and over the past two years and 6 bithdays have not had a bad experience. Prime not only continued that run but raised the bar.

Given the we had a diverse group of 10, aged 97 to 7, we were looking for something that could meet most demands. Prime offers a simple menu with enough items to cover any taste. It is pretty much a classic steakhouse menu, heavy on the beef, with lamb, chicken, fish and pasta offerings. All plates (less pasta's) come with seasonal vegetables and a starch of your choice (of three offered last night). Appetizers are numerous with salads and seafood dominant.

The room is simple with clean lines. Nicely lit. Our view out of the windows in the top back area was along Gordon across the Empress to the lit-up Legislature. Surprising as we didn't even consider you might have such look out the windows. The restaurant has booths and tables and the chairs are comfortable. There is a lot of space and you will have a feeling of privacy / comfort with pretty much any table.

The food. Amongst the group we had three of the salads (Caesar, Wedge, Spinach). All were shared and all were very good. The dressing on the wedge was excellent with a very good amount of a beautiful blue cheese. The 3 16yr-olds present raved about the mussel and clam special (steamed, curry flavoured in a broth). I love rare tuna in almost any form and the Sesame Crusted Rare Tuna (over salad) was very good (though I might have like a bit less soy). For mains two had pasta (simple Linguini, lots of cheese, exactly as desired), two had the 6oz fillet (Med Rare - could have been in a food magazine when cut), one Halibut, one fresh Salmon special, one NY, one Rib Eye, one Dry Aged Bone-in NY (their signature cut) and one Lamb. We also ordered three "sharing" sides; steamed asparagus, roasted muchrooms and the Buttermilk Onion Rings. The steaks were all excellent and exactly as ordered. My 12oz Rib-Eye, which was mostly appropriated by the 7yr old sitting next to me (who gave me her Linguini in return) was a beautiful cut of meat and perfectly done. I was informed by her that the Garlic Mashed it came with were also very good! The side sauces tried (Bernaise, Peppercorn and demi-glaze) were all good. The Lamb also got rave reviews (and we are a family that eats a lot of lamb, mostly grilled and always fresh). My wife loved the signature cut NY (and finished the huge cut this morning at breakfast). The birthday girl enjoyed the Halibut. It was a good sized portion, very rich and she couldn't eat it all. The salmon was a little bit over cooked but that was the only fault found.

All of the deserts were very good with the Gelato, Key Lime pie and Molten Cake all getting the stamp of approval. After my 7yr old polished off half of my Molten Cake it dissappeared down the table and only an empty plate returned.

The service. In a word - perfect. Even if the food had been average we would go back just becasue of how the group was attended to from the moment we walked in the door until we left. Our waiter, Andrew (who also served my wife an I on our anniversary at Pescatore's two years ago) is one of the best in the city. Knows when to turn it up and when to leave the table alone. Never pushes. Knows the menu and offerings inside-out. He played to the 7yr old at all the right times (though I wish he had actually sent her to the kitchen to do dishes so I could have had some of "my" dessert). With his supporting staff made this an excellent experience for all.

My Father and his girlfriend who travel and eat their way around the world thought it was a great meal in a very good restaurant. As we sat and talked it came up that Prime reminded us of some of the classic Toronto steakhouses we visited growing up.

The Damage: Avg 75 per person all in (Note we had 2 btls of wine total 114). Service for a group over 6 is 18%. Wine mark-up is 100% in most cases.

We will go back (but maybe just the two of us so I can actually eat my meal)

sdmwest in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Victoria and Area - Looking for Reviews - Prime Steakhouse / Seagrille

That's the one.

sdmwest in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Victoria and Area - Looking for Reviews - Prime Steakhouse / Seagrille

Anyone been to Prime Steakhouse in the Magnolia or Seagrille in Brentwood Bay? Have found a few reviews for both on other sites but looking for more. No reviews yet here.

sdmwest in B.C. (including Vancouver)