Boom and Batten Restaurant and Cafe
2 PAUL KANE PL VICTORIA, BC V9A 7J8
250-940-5850
info@boomandbatten.com
reservations@boomandbatten.com
What I love about it
Brand new, beautiful restaurant in a spectacular location with excellent food, great service and modern accessible bathrooms.
Having a delicious pastry and a cup of coffee on the patio at Boom and Batten while looking out on beautiful views of the inner harbour (think marinas, float planes, the snow capped Olympic mountains, and people watching!) can only topped by one thing – having brunch or lunch out on said patio! Situated along the scenic Songhees Walkway on the south end of Victoria’s iconic inner harbour, you can start the morning with an accessible ocean side stroll. Check out my review for this beautiful walk here: https://www.girlabouttown.ca/reviews1/songheeswalkway
I’d heard the food at B + B is excellent so my friend and I popped in to check it out the other day. We both ordered brunch and were very impressed! My friend ordered the Sea Benny, which was an upscale eggs Benedict with smoked sockeye salmon, potato home fries and salad greens (yum!), and I had the Veggie Benny, also very nice, which came with the home fries and the salad greens as well. Our server was very polite and efficient. AND there are also many gluten free, vegan and vegetarian options which are clearly marked on the menu.
Click on this photo to see the slideshow some of the other parts of our exquisite experience!
I popped in another time very recently for lunch and again was very impressed. My friend and I split two small personal pizzas and a side green salad – delicious, and these menu items were great value! This time we sat in the restaurant, which is very modern and upscale feeling with lots of windows and a true west coast vibe.
Accessibility factors
Along with being beautifully designed inside and out with a nautical feel, the restaurant is also extremely wheelchair and scooter friendly. Many tables are high, with bar stools, and the centre of the restaurant is raised up a step, but there are many booths on the accessible main level with large, moveable benches. There are a limited number tables with chairs, so phone ahead to make a reservation to let them know what you require for seating, and the staff have always been happy to accommodate my scooter.
There is a gently inclined ramp which brings you to the front door, around the west side. When the exit door is propped open on sunny days for staff to bring food out to the patio, it blocks the accessible route to the entrance, but if the staff do not notice you to assist with this issue, you can go the long way around the restaurant to the east side (enjoy the oceanside views along the way) to get to the front door. There is street parking at various places along the Songhees Walkway.
The bathrooms are spacious and immaculate, and there is a dedicated single stall bathroom specifically for people who need some extra space.
While the food at the B + B is top-notch, it is the experience of being in such a world class location that makes enjoying a meal (or a delicious coffee and pastry) an absolute must do. Currently, amidst the pandemic, the inner harbour is quieter than usual, but no less fabulous. There are still lots of people (mostly locals, with some Canadian tourists) strolling/jogging along, taking in all the sights.
We saw otters and seals swimming past, and afterwards while cruising along the walkway, the Canada geese and their goslings were waddling along the path with all of us. It was an enjoyable outing for all!
The Verdict
The Boom and Batten is a wonderful, accessible spot to go for a special occasion or for an indulgent splurge!