Hastings House - Salt Spring Island

Beautiful views, nice comfy rooms and a really great breakfast experience. Their restaurant is top notch and their staff are cheerful and accomodating.

We had a beautiful meal, in a breezy dining room over-looking Ganges Harbor. The meal was delicious, beautifully presented, and was probably the best dinner we had on Salt Spring Island.

We love dining at Hastings House. Last evening we went with friends, again anticipating a marvelous meal with impeccable service and outstanding ambiance. The ambiance is indeed wonderful, and it's a bit of British in B.C Where the performance stumbled was with the lack of follow through with a food allergy. When we made the reservation we were asked about allergies and we informed staff then. When our server took our order she indicated she was aware of the food issues. When the main dishes were served nestled under the fish was a medley of fresh vegetables, including an abundance of the offending bell peppers. The plate was sent back, and the three whose meals were correct sat back and waited for the repeated meal, which arrived a cold 12 minutes later. While the meal was delicious the slip up broke the spell. A brief apology from the server was offered, but the chef was nowhere to be seen, no manager, just a flustered young lady who served us. When an allergy alert is offered in advance these days you expect follow through. Not only was this disappointing but could have been a potential health issue. We left disappointed.

Hands down the least appetizing dinner I've eaten on SSI. The $40 halibut entree (small portion) was lukewarm bordering on translucent with a dry bread crumb topping adding an unpleasant taste and texture, the quinoa tower side was bland and looked like a few bits of canned veggies were added in while the mushy squash mixture underneath the fish was anything but complementary. Tasteless, poorly cooked and ill conceived - how could they get it so wrong at a purportedly "fine dining establishment?" So disappointing.

I rarely push a 5 * review but the Bistro hit the mark for us last night. Impeccable and personable service without one glitch. Although the room was packed on our arrival it was neither crowded nor noisy. The view was very SSI. Our two appetizers and the SSI lamb were as fine as you can get. Right size, temperature, texture and flavor with perfect presentation. Do not forgo the desert! We are on island for only 6 nights, but despite the $$$$ rating we will be back this week.