Zougla Restaurant - Nanaimo

Although this Mediterranean/Greek restaurant is classified as casual, it exudes a formal ambiance. It offers table seating for larger groups and high tables for more intimate dining experiences, as well as expansive floor-to-ceiling windows. The use of tablecloths adds to the sophisticated culinary atmosphere. The menu features a beautiful array of items to suit various appetites. I opted for the 10oz New York Steak, which was accompanied by a choice of potatoes and vegetables. Prior to our meal, we were served complimentary hot sourdough bread with butter, a nice touch that was warm and delicious. The steak was cooked to perfection, with a lovely char on the outside and a delicate, flavorful interior that rivaled steaks found in top steak houses. I chose the Greek-style mini lemon potatoes as my side, which were well-prepared and tasty, albeit lacking in traditional "Greek Potato" flavor. The vegetables were fresh and lightly cooked. The service was attentive and friendly, with a kitchen that paid close attention to detail. Overall, the prices were reasonable for the quality of food and service provided.

My friend and I went out for dinner and tried the Spanakopita dish. The spinach pie was tasty, and the rice was also delicious. However, I was disappointed by the potatoes as I was expecting traditional Greek roasted potatoes. The potatoes were small and lacked seasoning. Adding some lemon and oregano would make them more authentic. The service was excellent, and the restaurant is conveniently located with a large parking lot.

I was taken to Zougla for my birthday dinner. They were having a Steak Extravaganza and I decided to order a steak with a mushroom sauce. It was the best steak I have ever had. The steak was thick, tender, and cooked perfectly on the grill. Our waiter, Quinn, was very attentive and provided excellent service. This was my second time celebrating my birthday at Zougla and I plan to make it an annual tradition. The name Zougla means 'rain forest', which is a fitting name for the restaurant's ambiance. The only suggestion for improvement would be to offer a complimentary dessert for special occasions like birthdays.

My husband and I ordered to eat beach at the departure bay. We ordered prawn and scallop souvlaki and beef ragu. When we arrived at the beach, we realized that we had no goodies to come with every meal. The scalops were as dry and overboiled as the small shrimps. The tzatziki had no taste. We have lived in the area for a few years and were excited to try this local restaurant. But we'll never eat here again. Not only was it expensive, it was very disappointing.

Our family group of 8, including seniors, parents, and a 6-year old, thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience. The server (Katherine) was very thoughtful, timely, and gracious. She immediately suggested bringing the child's meal to the table sooner rather than later. She also accommodated our request...for separate bills without a problem. The food was excellent and everyone enjoyed their meals, including one person who is very picky. The atmosphere was very relaxed. Can't believe it took us this long to try it out. We will be back.