Amuse Bistro - Cobble Hill

Too bad it closed, it used to be a very good restaurant when it was in Shawnigan Lake but it didn't do so well when it moved to Cherry Point. The chef went completely out of the restaurant business, opening up a deli instead.

While staying at a guest house nearby, one of the locals recommended Amuse as one of the top places to dine in the valley, so we made a reservation for a Saturday dinner one Winter night.For starters, we both had the sweetbreads, something which can be a variable experience at many restaurants, but here the sweetbreads were very tender and beautifully cooked. Mains consisted of a local pork chop and pan seared salmon, both very tasty. Feeling indulgent, we finished the meal with apple fritters with red wine caramel and whisky cake. The cake was served with bread ice cream which was very unique, with subtle flavours and an interesting texture. Portion sizes overall tended towards larger and also on the table was some great bread with a very tasty tepanade.The service was attentive and friendly and our server was well informed about the menu and was happy to make recommendations. The old house setting was quaint without being precious and felt a bit more like a country estate than a restaurant.I'm not sure if the location of this restaurant is a blessing or a curse - close to some of the best product in BC, but in the middle of the countryside far from the big city. But make the effort to get here and you will be rewarded with excellent food from a very creative chef.

We turned up on spec to a splendid garden setting and were welcomed warmly. Service was excellent - knowledgeable and friendly. The food was well presented, served promptly, without being too quick to preclude careful preparation, and used local produce with distinction. It was quiet, so neither the kitchen nor the wait-staff were stretched. The cost was reasonable. While Cherry Point wines may have some way to go to be up-market, the whites were just right for an informal lunch on that day.

Sinced they moved to Cherry Point they have been working very hard to catch up. The food is still very good but the location is not great. The patio is very nice, but inside is pretty plain. The service varies. Hopefully once they get better settled they will be back to their old standards of great food and service.

I had a terrible experience at this locale. Do not dine here. The three course (plus canapé) meal took about 4+ hours total. It took so long my guests had to leave because they had babysitters that could not stay any longer. My celiac best friend was served gluten in her food (when the restaurant boasted to me about being celiac association approved!) and I was served food I was allergic too as well (twice), even though we had a contract detailing the dietary restrictions 2 months in advance and the individuals with the allergies were pointed out. While booking the contract the owner, Bradford, had all the details incorrect in our contract even though we discussed it over the phone prior to him emailing me. He had lost the paper he wrote it all down on and "made up what he thought was right" in the contract he submitted to me. He also emailed me in error (numerous times) while emailing his staff because I had the same name as one of his servers. Extremely unprofessional. The venue did not uphold their end of the contract and I was so embarrassed that this was the experience my friends and family had for my wedding that I had to leave the table due to crying twice. This is not what you want to do to a bride the day before her wedding! The wine was the only good thing about this venue. Which is a shame, because the vineyard will lose my business (and the business of the other 23 people in attendance) due to the shoddy service and follow through of the contract on Bradford's behalf. Terrible place, avoid it at all costs.