Treetops Tapas & Grill - Parksville

A meal like this is rarely found within BC, let alone North America. 18 separate tapas dishes served leisurely over the course of at least a few hours (longer if you wish), your choice of any more tapas you would like after sampling all, and all while you lounge in a robe in an eating area devoid of all electronics and with views out onto the surrounding spa in a forest. If that doesn't sound like your sort of thing, read no further, but I highly recommend trying out this place if you're feeling a bit flush with funds one day.The first thing to note is that the restaurant is not accessible unless you partake in at least one item offered by the spa. You are free to treat yourself to anything you wish while there, but the minimum is a dip in the mineral pool/hot tub as a precursor to the restaurant. We were treating ourselves as a 10th anniversary gift, so went a bit beyond that, but no need to partake in any pricey treatments if you don't wish.The food was excellent. 18 separate tapas dishes, ranging from lime/coconut gazpacho to flatiron steaks to smoked salmon wrapped around panna cotta and grape, so a wide variety of items from which almost everybody should find something to enjoy. Even if all the dishes are not to your taste, fear not, as another dish is coming up shortly. Upon first viewing of a tapas dish, you may think to yourself that you won't be full after you've sampled all 18, but looks are deceiving, and you will be feeling quite sated by the last dish. Even if you aren't quite satisfied, you are free to order more of the tapas you enjoyed best...hence the name, Endless Tapas! The meal ended with a chocolate dish, 3 different preparations of chocolate mousse (milk, white, and dark), each delicious. A full drink menu is available if you wish as well. Finally, if you feel like going a little more often than once every ten years, they change up their menu from time to time, so different visits should result in different culinary adventures.The service was excellent. The waiter was well-versed in each meal, obviously having tried all of them at different times. We were never wanting for drinks or water top-ups, and didn't wait for great lengths between dishes, but he was never obtrusive.The atmosphere is quite interesting. As this is a spa, and as you are required to partake in a spa service beforehand, everybody in the restaurant is wearing a spa robe. No phones or electronics are allowed...no televisions in the restaurant. You are forced to enjoy the company of your dining partner(s) :) You will definitely find this relaxing, even if it's a bit odd at first, but everybody's in the same boat, and the decor and view is very west coast...spa in the forest, much wood decor and local artwork. The meal will probably take at least 2 hours, and by the time it's all said and done, you will be surprised at how much time has actually passed, a sure sign of having enjoyed yourself.Due to the uniqueness of the dining experience, it is not cheap, but it is not a ridiculous price either. The tapas is a set price, drinks are extra, and on top of that you have to pay for whatever spa service you've decided to use...plus tips. Having written that, I am very happy that I tried this out. It is definitely worth the money, even if you only ever go once for a special occasion and never again.

What a dining experience THIS is! Nineteen separate dishes arrive over an up to two hour period, and each one is amazing! What a culinary experience. Our Waitress was exceptional, and extremely knowledgeable. After a Spa treatment at the Grotto, this was a perfect way to relax. At the end, if there are any dishes you really enjoyed, and you still have any room, you can reorder ANY of the previous dishes. Truly endless Tapas. We totally enjoyed our dining experience. We will go again.

Tapas are supposed to be small deliciously seasoned dishes that pop with flavor. Unfortunately, this was not my experience here. I took the mineral pool and tapas package, which is 1 hour in the pool and 2 hours for the tapas. It starts with a rotation of the dishes on the menu and after that they will bring you additional of any dish you like for as much as you can eat. Honestly, the food prep and taste was bland. Every dish that came, came so with the hope that this one will taste better than the last. Very disappointed, as I was so looking forward to a great tapas dinner

The food here was amazing. It was great to try all these different dishes all the while sitting in our robes.

After a swim in the Mineral pool at the Grotto Spa, go up for 16 course Tapas! It takes about 2 hours, and there's too much food, we turned down three courses. Good value if you stay at Tigh NA Mara, they knock a fair amount off your bill! Great end to a wonderful stay.