Blackberry is a little bit of a cookie cutter restaurant by design, but not painfully so. That said, when it comes to a restaurant located near the highway, a nod to convention is probably a good idea - attracting both a local and passer through audience, by creating a very non-threatening menu and ambiance.

We were seated quickly on the enclosed patio. The decor wasn't remarkable, but it provided a comfortable atmosphere. Our server attended to us quickly and had clearly received some training. He brought me the wine list and I was pleasantly surprised. Blackberry is located next door to a large liquor store that carries a extremely good selection of local and BC products. It seems sensible to have a good local wine list in the adjoining restaurant, but this sense of coordination is so often overlooked. When I saw a good selection of wine I was not only happy to have the selection, but it gave me confidence that the management was on the ball.  I was even happier to see that most of them were available by the glass - yay!!

The food was by no means exceptional, but the menu was well designed and suitable for a number of different types of palate. We started with a prawn cocktail ($5.95). It wasn't very expensive so I didn't have high expectations and it was more or less what I expected - eight prawns hooked on a glass with cocktail sauce. Not inspired, but pleasant enough.

Our second course was fried Fanny Bay oysters ($9.95). The oysters were tasty and fresh and the presentation was attractive. The portion however, was a little small for the price and perhaps the biggest crime of the day - it was accompanied by the same cocktail sauce as the prawn cocktail. Not only was it repetitive, but it wasn't really a very effective condiment with this dish.

We topped off our lunch with a duck pizza ($12.95). Compared with the oysters, this seemed like really good value. Lots of duck, mushrooms, pine nuts and spinach. Between the duck and pine nuts, they can't be making much money on this one. The base was some sort of soy based sauce and I thought it was a really well executed dish.

The service throughout the meal was good and most importantly, it was efficient, but not rushed. I wouldn't call it a destination restaurant, but Blackberry is very practical option for people passing through Duncan. Easy food, good wine and efficient service. 

Value of food: 71/100

Quality of food: 77/100

Service: 81/100

Ambiance: 71/100

Average 75/100

Reviewed August 4, 2007