Arbutus

Went to Arbutus last weekend with my boyfriend. And it was OK. Really OK. In fact this whole place just sits in this sort of flannel like state of mediocrity.
We are shown to our tables, the restaurant interior and atmosphere is quite nice. The staff are pleasant and helpful with the wine menu. They bring round some decent bread- no salt and not enough butter (maybe I am just greedy!). There is so background music- I like no music and I think a restaurant has to actually be quite brave to do it. No music is far superior to bad music. Which incidentally, restaurant music usually is.

Food:
We both had the much talked about mackerel burger to start. It was ok. It was edible, I was hungry so I ate it. I mean it did not offend me, but it could have done with some more seasoning, the texture was a bit spongey too. It tasted quite fresh. All OK. But not setting the world alight or anything.

Main course: I had the rabbit with rabbit cottage pie, endive and another green vegetable (?). Again, it was ok. A little dry but not enough to take back, again could have done with some seasoning. I was hoping for sumptious comforting cottage pie and rabbit and it was all a bit measured, neat and boxed in every way possible.

My boyfriend had a steak. It was OK. BUT..listen up folks. The dauphonoise potatoes he had with his steak were just the best things I have eaten in a long time. Just creamy and perfectly salty and garlicky, soft with just enough bite and that nice skin on the top. These were good. Go to this place and order these potatoes. Three of them. Then leave.

Anyway, then had the apple tarte tatin. I am particular about pudding. I am particularly particular about tarte tatin. Decent amount of caramel, no soggy pastry but not too dry either and the caramel should clump up a bit around the edges with a good dollop of vanilla cream or ice cream. This was not tarte tatin. This was stewed apples on pastry with a bit of caramel which had not been cooked for long enough. The pastry did not have that buttery warmness which you expect when ordering this very special pudding.

This place has a Michelin star. I do not see how. Really do not get it. I think its actually just quite OK. If I went with the expectations which I would have when going to a high street chain French bistro-ey brasserie/gastro restaurant (like chain Cote or something similar) I would not have felt so dissapointed. In fact would have thought it was perfectly fine. As it is, its 'okishness' irriritated me. Alot.

Nice, had the tripe; partner had a chewy steak but they gave us a free tarte tatin in compensation. Other partner's bouillabaisse was quite rich. All palatable and reasonable for the area.

Contrary to other posters I enjoyed the lack of music. Means you can hear the conversation.

Well priced quality restaurant for the area.

First time diner at Arbutus - food and service was very good, friendly and informative. Pig's head starter had fantastic flavours. My wife had the Cod and vegetables (need to find out the recipe for those vegetables - superb) A little light music in the background would add to the atmosphere.

Another fine evening at Arbutus.. Fantastic food and great service. Starters were a bit tardy, but waiters were gentlemenlike and cannot complement the food enough.

The food here is incredible - the chilled carrot and pink grapefruit soup is truly outstanding....

Also the service is fantastic....

One slight suggestion would be to perhaps create a little bit of atmosphere in the place.......maybe a hint of background music???