Visiting the place on a Sunday night in the first week of opening we found the room already three quarters full before 7 pm. There was a mixed crowd of young couples on first dates, trendy locals celebrating birthdays, and middle-aged couples needing a break from the teenagers.

We tried the Salt Spring mussels with herbed foccacia in a masala coconut curry. They were plump and tasty with a flavourful sauce for bread dipping. The gourmet thin-crust pizzas were also a hit (try either the BBQ chicken, or tomato, boccocini basil), but a spinach and Portobello mushroom salad was saturated with vinegar. The kitchen had missed that that key three to one ratio of olive oil to vinegar.

Onto mains of eggplant stuffed chicken breast, seafood risotto, and an organic beef burger, the salad error was soon forgotten. The chicken was tender and served without the usual mashed potatoes, and instead with a delightful celeriac puree. The risotto was a perfect al dente, and the burger, a definite crowd pleaser. A ciabatta bun was stuffed with smoked bacon, mozzarella, greens, tomato and caramelized onions, elevating the beef patty to a new level.

You’ll also find this is a cozy place to come just for drinks. There’s a decent wine, cocktail and beer list and the bar seats have a perfect view of the big screen TV’s. Order up a bottle of wine and the artisan cheese plate and watching the game will suddenly become a sophisticated venture.