Vancouver Island University

Visited the Culinary Institute of Vancouver Island, located in the Discovery Room inside the upper cafeteria Thur Feb 11, 2016 for dinner, party of 6.
Pros
The room has seating for about 20 guests.
The view of the campus is amazing, and it felt like a fine dining experience.
The pappardelle pasta portion was more generous and it was excellent.
Octopus appetizer looked and tasted great.
They have bar service available.
They have a coat check.
They have daily printed menus.
Service was very attentive.
Cons
Called earlier in the day to make reservations and they were full. I was on the waitlist and then there was a cancellation.
I ordered the Lamb cooked well, the portion a bit too small for $ 15.95.
There were 6 – 8 many students hanging around before the guests arrived which felt like they were watching us, not sure if it’s because of the teaching environment.
Pro tip — they recommend 90 minutes to experience a 3-​course dinner.
Not sure if I would take a date here, but it was was a unique experience still.
Damage $ 42 for 2 people tip included.

I did my 1^st year of college here and promptly left. The location is beautiful but I was actually mildly insulted by some of the 1^st year classes. English where I’m learning the «their/they’re/there» differences? Um I graduated high school so… that kinda should be covered already. I shouldn’t be forced to pay to take remedial English especially when I had only graduated high school 1 yr prior with straight As.
Several instructors seemed very arrogant and odd. Off beat. I didn’t like 60% of my classes or instructors. Sometimes felt that they were only reading to us from a text and not really teaching anything. The program I was in was business/​Econ so I can’t speak much to other areas. I felt that it had a lot of improving to do. Hopefully now that it’s gone from a college to a university it’s gotten better.

The Discovery Room — This is a little known delight in Nanaimo well worth a visit. I had lunch there today with my husband and we really enjoyed it. It is a training ground for students; the food is good and well presented and very reasonably priced, and the view is great. I recommend it! Call 250−753−3245, local 6338, to make reservations. Go to
for a campus map and look for building 300.