My first Dine Out ’08 experience took place at Five Sails Restaurant at Pan Pacific Hotel. Because it’s a 5-star restaurant, quite frankly I had high expectation. My reservation was at 8pm. The restaurant actually didn’t accept any Dine Out reservation from 7pm to 8pm so when we got there at 7:35pm, they were cleaning up and getting ready for the 8pm service. We ended up walking around the hotel till about 7:50pm before we were seated.
On Food
The food was good. Food portion was on the small side but the taste was good. I liked the scallop appetizer as well as the chocolate torte for dessert. Both can be ordered from the regular menu at $18 and $13, respectively. The entrées were ordinary.
On Presentation
The food presentation was really simple: white plates and simple garnish. They didn’t go crazy on sauces or extra things to add more colours to the dishes - which is not necessarily a bad thing - it focuses your attention to the food, to the main ingredients. Must compliment on the presentation of the chocolate torte; everyone loves it when they see the picture.
On Environment
For a 5-star restaurant, for a restaurant located at Pan Pacific Hotel, its décor was too uninspiring. It’s chic, no doubt, but it doesn’t have any class. You can find the same décor, if not better, at any Dine Out restaurant. Because the colour scheme is white, it doesn’t have the warm and cozy ambiance that some restaurants would have. I guess that’s there class.
On View
Combined with the view, I think $35 was a great deal dining at this restaurant. The view was great at the restaurant, looking over the waterfront. Looking out from the window, we saw that the new BC Ferry vessel, Coastal Renaissance, was in exhibition. Unfortunately from where I sat, my view was partially blocked by the new convention centre. If they will have a restaurant at the new convention centre, its view will be even better!
On Service
It wasn't very busy on that day, so they served the food in lightning speed. I finished the dinner within 1 hour. For a 5-star restaurant, I'm a little bit disappointed by the quality of the service. There were services, but they weren't superb. The servers were more like "doing their job" and I didn't feel very welcoming. It almost seemed to me that they didn’t care for people who were cheap enough to dine there for a $35 Dine Out menu. The servers had some attitudes.
Five Sails Restaurant
Food: 8.5
Presentation: 9
Environment: 7.5
View: 9
Service: 6.5
Overall: 8.1 (They would have a much higher score if services were better.)
Photos
Complimentary appetizer for everyone: Ahi tuna sashimi
Appetizer: Roasted butternut squash soup
Appetizer: Pan seared Weathervane scallop (small portion, but it was pretty good)
Entree: Tiger prawns wrapped in pancetta
Entree: Duo of Alberta beef
Dessert: Okanagan apple tarte tatin
Dessert: Flourless chocolate torte (YUMMMMMM)
