The Nest Bistro - Nanaimo

This cafe was full of owl designs The owner of this cafe must love owls a lot Every single owl design matched every single corner at the cafe.

The food was good but it took 45 minutes to get it _You have to order at the counter and then find a seat and wait.

This is a very charming cafe located on a busy street where other cafes/eateries are located._The cashier, server, and kitchen staff were pleasant and

Tried this restaurant for the first time for dinner last week. Was too hot to sit outside so we sat in but I found it quite dark. Our waiter was very attentive and quick to serve us. I ordered the special, which was duck ravioli...it was not quite as I had expected...there were three very large ravioli smothered in a white sauce and chopped mushroom. Each ravioli was a different shape and one was so stuffed with duck that I found it way too rich to eat. My husband had the Chicken Alfredo Pasta which were small shell pasta - he said it was tasty. My daughter had the Seafood Risotto which had a nice selection of seafood. I wanted to like this restaurant as I have heard such great things about it over the years...was a bit disappointed.

This is still one of those (surprisingly) secret restaurants that not all the locals have found yet - but they will. Had asked several people if they had eaten there and most had not....the one person I did find said she had the best burger of her entire life there. Although in retrospect I certainly wouldn't call it a burger joint.First - do yourself a huge favour and make reservations - although I know they try to accommodate folks, you really wouldn't want to be disappointed and not be able to get in.Its not huge and they do fill up!Located in downtown and close to the Old Town, on Skinner Street, its secluded on a cliff above the highway and the ocean - although you cannot see the ocean, you feel as though you are hidden away in a Nest from the moment you walk in past the beautiful grape vines shading the patio and into the beautiful, inviting dining room, and possibly thru to the glassed wall that overlooks the trees and highway on the other side. Really lovely.Cannot think of a place I would rather be for lunch or dinner on a warm summer day or evening than on that patio.The service was excellent, warm friendly, knowledgeable, attentive but not overbearing. And the food was fabulous - all sourced locally, organic and fresh. We all had meals and appetizers and as everyone had something different and would recommend what they had, I wont bore you with specific recommendations but will absolutely say that the homemade raspberry and chocolate chip cookie sandwich with homemade Salted Caramel Ice Cream was over the top for dessert.....still dreaming about it a week later. Wine selection is very well done, great variety of both local and international wines.This is a gem and a must-do. For us it will be a must-do again and again and again.