Categorized | WEST COAST

Dockside Grill

** SADLY DOCKSIDE GRILL HAS CLOSED**

Having travelled the world and then lived in beautiful Sidney, BC (a 20 minute drive from Victoria,) I can tell you it’s one of the most picturesque towns I have ever seen.

It’s perfectly situated on the Saanich Peninsula and boasts incredible views of the ocean, Olympic mountains and Gulf Islands.

Sidney also happens to have some wonderful restaurants and Dockside Grill is one of them.

I have eaten at Dockside many, many times (I used to live right across from it), and can tell you that I have never had a bad meal here. In fact, I can actually say I’ve only ever had GREAT meals here.

Marina Views From Dockside Grill

Every time I go, my taste buds are swept away with the chef’s latest creations.

Their philosophy is “Fresh, Seasonal and Local”, and that’s really the secret to their success if you ask me. Well, that and their perfect location on the beautiful Van Isle Marina.

When I visit in the summer I like to sit on the patio so as to take in as much of the view as possible (though the views from inside are just about as good).

My dining partner Mark and I have spent many hours eating and drinking on this patio while watching the sun go down behind the luxurious yachts on the marina.

Inside Dockside Grill

It’s extremely relaxing on a summer evening and if the night brings in a bit of a chill, there are heaters and blankets to warm you up.

Wonderful atmosphere aside, I must tell you more about the food here. Because they change their menu weekly, you may or may not be able to sample the dishes I will describe below.

Fear not! Both Mark and I have found the quality of food to be consistent and as I said before, we’ve never ordered something we didn’t end up really liking.

They also have a “Signature Staples” menu of items that are always available.

Asparagus White Spot Prawn Ravioli

One of my favourites off this menu is their “Famous Seafood Chowder” ($4.95 /small bowl, $8 /big bowl). It’s chunky and creamy and seafoody all at the same time. I like it so much I think I’ve had it pretty much every time I’ve been here!

For dinner this time out I decided to try some of their pasta and ordered the “Asparagus White Spot Prawn Ravioli” ($20).

This was yet another excellent entree that I have had here and I especially loved the cream sauce it came in.

Mark ordered the “Pork Tenderloin” ($23), which was served with yam mash.

He described the pork as being extremely tender and the yam mash as being so sweet it was literally like candy in your mouth.

Pork Tenderloin

I was lucky enough to get to try this yummy potato side and whole heartily agree!

Another thing I must mention is the freshness of the veggies that was on our plates.

As they say on their website, at Dockside their “..chefs work hard to create a fresh, exciting, and ever changing menu by both visiting the local farms and working with our westcoast seasons.”

Speaking of fresh, I have to tell you about the incredible desserts here! All of their desserts are made in house or brought in from Pender Island Bakery and wow, are they ever sanfrantastic!

My personal favourite is the “Famous Pecan Square” ($7.50).

Famous Pecan Square

It’s served with caramel sauce and ice cream and mmmmm, if you’ve got any kind of sweet tooth, you just have to try this one.

In closing I have to say I give kudos to the chefs here who are daring enough to keep a fairly small and simple menu.

I absolutely agree with world famous Chef Gordon Ramsay who believes that simplicity is essential to a successful menu, and this is why Dockside succeeds at exciting our taste buds every single time we visit.

But don’t take my word for it, come see (and taste) for yourself.

IN A NUTSHELL…