We serve breakfasts and dinners to hotel guests at any time in our
comfortable licensed dining rooms.
On weekends in the summer season, the Lodge Restaurant is open to the
public for gourmet dinners. The menu changes
every week, depending on what is in season. There is a fixed price
menu, with guests being able to choose from a small selection of appetizers, entrees and desserts. Salad and freshly baked bread are included
in the price of the meal. We can always prepare delicious vegetarian or vegan
dishes if you give us advanced notice.
The restaurant trend is moving towards smaller plates and more
courses so that people can enjoy the whole meal without feeling guilty.
That’s the kind of meal we really prefer and want to offer our
guests. People with smaller appetites can order individual items
without having to order a whole meal.
We serve a selection of excellent Vancouver Island and BC wines and
specialty beers. We can also offer cocktails and drinks at the table or in
comfortable lounges before or after dinner.
Reservations are required.
The idea of opening a restaurant had been brewing for some
time. Jill grew up in the European tradition and enjoyed dining in
France, where restaurants serve amazing food that people take the time
to appreciate. So it was quite a shock when her first restaurant meal
in North America took 45 minutes from beginning to end, and she had to
leave most of the food on her plate because there was so much of it!
We have always been interested in fresh, local food. On our
organic goat farm we grew many of our own fruit and vegetables, had our
own milk, yogurt, eggs and cheese, and raised our own meat. We sold our
dairy products and cheese at the local farmers markets and stores in
the Lower Mainland, where we were surrounded by amazing fresh food. And
here on Vancouver Island there is also so much incredible produce
– local seafood, organically grown vegetables and fruit, dairy
products, meats and wine. We want to celebrate Vancouver Island’s
bounty by serving great food, attractively presented, in a warm, casual
restaurant where you can take your time to enjoy the food.
To prepare for opening and learn more about restaurant
management, Jill took chef training in the Culinary Arts Program at
North Island College in Campbell River. We opened the Lodge
Restaurant on the weekend of July 4, 2008. In
September, 2008, we finally got our liquor license!
In the first season, the restaurant was open for dinners on
Friday,
Saturday and Sunday evenings from 5.00 p.m., with our last service
being at the end of September (when Jill went back to complete her
final term of chef training).
Over the winter months, the restaurant is only open for special events
by prior arrangement. We open for more complete weekend
service in the summer.
