Rob Ekstrom, owner of The Palms Restaurant and Lounge in downtown Victoria, looks back on a long career in the restaurant industry – showcasing The Palms Restaurant and Lounge for a growing clientele – as time well-spent.
“I came out of retirement for this, and I drive to work every day with a smile on my face,” says Ekstrom. The Palms offers patrons a variety of dining experiences including a very comfortable sports lounge, an intimate dining room and a refined cocktail bar.
The newly renovated dining room has been scaled down to create a cosy inviting space, for a warm, intimate setting.
For those seeking an action-packed experience, the sports lounge has quickly become a hot spot, complete with a full cocktail bar, great menu and large screen TVs for game-viewing. Meanwhile, patrons who want a quieter, more refined experience can unwind at the craft cocktail bar, where The Palms serves carefully curated drinks, including house specialties like their Mai Tai, Pina Colada, Shafts and Espresso Martinis.
Though each area has its own vibe, Ekstrom emphasizes that the Palms is rooted in community. “We’re a locally owned business, and our whole approach to pricing is geared toward providing locals with a great place to go without breaking the bank,” he says.
Approaching the festive season, Ekstrom encourages patrons to make reservations, especially as the holidays bring in a high volume of Christmas parties. “Most of the key Fridays and Saturdays are already booked,” he says, “but we’re happy to accommodate people on other days so they can enjoy a fun and memorable experience.”
For those looking to experience the best of Victoria’s dining scene, The Palms offers a blend of comfort, community and quality – a place where locals and newcomers alike can gather and enjoy.
For Ekstrom, his passion for being a leader within the service industry is simple. "I derive the most satisfaction by standing in the background and looking out at either the cocktail bar, the dining room or the sports bar, and just seeing people having a good time, and hearing the happiness in our guests' voices."
You can find The Palms Restaurant and Lounge here, online at thepalmsrestaurant.ca/ and on Facebook and Instagram.