– by Lara Gladych –
This is the third in a six-part series of profiles featuring some of the Saanich Peninsula’s wonderful restaurants and pubs.
In the course of covering the Peninsula Restaurant Profiles feature over the past year, I’ve visited the Prairie Inn on more than one occasion. Getting to know the pub and the staff has lent me a finer perspective when it comes to capturing the Prairie Inn experience.
Manager Jamie Day and I have developed a less formal interview process that is easy and relaxed. I essentially drop in, hang out, have fun conversations with the staff and make a few notes.
This is what I continue to see and experience when I visit: there are regulars in the pub throughout the day, and the wait staff know them by name; the employees genuinely love the food and they are always praising Chef Liz; and it’s clear that Jamie really cares about his work and making the Prairie Inn a consistently great place to eat and socialize.
I’ve come to know the menu well, and I have some personal favourites, one of which is the PI.’s Cobb Salad. It’s fresh, substantial, and loaded with quality ingredients.
Just in case you didn’t know, the Prairie Inn also serves breakfast, and on this visit I decide it’s high time I try it. I order the Classic Eggs Benny. It comes out promptly, and I realize I’m eating breakfast not only in a bar, but at the bar! Lina is bartending, and like all the waitstaff here, she’s friendly and personable, and just like many of the servers and clientele, can’t say enough about chef Liz’s cooking. Lina mentions she has many food allergies, and tells me that Liz is incredibly accommodating when preparing food for her. This extends to all customers whenever possible.
Liz makes an appearance to share some details of what’s coming up in the New Year at the PI. She doesn’t have much time to spare on this particular morning, as they have a major catering job to prepare for. Still, she is as pleasant and helpful as ever.
If you’re looking for something to celebrate after New Year’s Eve, there’s still a lot to look forward to! On Monday, February 8th, you can celebrate Chinese New Year at the Prairie Inn, and enjoy a Chinese sampler platter. In February, there’s Valentine’s Day, for which there are always great specials, and the usual party for Super Bowl, which includes free giveaways.
While Liz is still with me, I mention how incredible her made-from-scratch hash browns are. They’re those potatoes you can’t leave behind. My Classic Benny is just that – classic. The hollandaise is rich and creamy, and homemade, as is almost everything from Liz’s kitchen.
When I finally get a chance to catch up with Jamie, he’s eager to talk not only about what’s happening in early 2016, but also about what a great month December was. Jamie wants to thank the organizers of both A Touch of Saltspring and the Annual Saanichton Community Christmas. Events like these boost the pub’s patronage by bringing in a lot of foot traffic, for which he’s always grateful.
With a broader stroke of thanks, Jamie would like to acknowledge all the neighbouring local businesses that continue to do an admirable job in their own right, making Saanichton a continually popular place to shop, eat and visit.
Jamie reminds me to mention that, as always, every hockey and NFL game on TV can be seen at the Pub. They’re all crossing their fingers that come late March, the Canucks will be in the playoffs, and that everyone can look forward to watching and celebrating at the PI. Come in and support your team!
At the end of the day, the Prairie Inn is a consistently warm and welcoming place to frequent, and in that way, I hope things never change.
