I’m a big fan of small plates and I’m delighted by the rate with which they are catching on in Victoria. A well portioned multi course menu is great too, but that’s a lot harder to plan and execute than a menu composed of smaller portions, giving diners the opportunity to mix and match. In addition to better suiting small appetites it also accommodates large ones at the same table, without creating an obtrusive distinction among tablemates. No one wants to look like a piggy or a little bird when they’re dining in mixed company. For that reason, small plate menus lend themselves nicely to dining with people whose tastes you’re not familiar with – relatives, employers/employees, long lost friends etc.... It is however friendly in these situations, if needed, to provide a little guidance with respect to the style of menu and indicate that they can order as little or as much as they like. A good way to present this information is to ask the server about portion size, they’ll do the rest.
My favourite small plate restaurants:
- Stage - George's charcuterie is always a winner. Great wine, service and a good neighbour
- Café Brio - I love that you can pick small plates or big plates of the same items. Great housemade charcuterie too.
Others I like :
- Tapas Bar - an oldy, but always a crowd pleaser, not to mention who doesn't like Wine Wednesday.
- Sips -Featuring a great wine store next door and the opportunity to experiment with lots of great wine, including an excellent selection of BC and Island wines.
- The Superior - Great ambiance
- Bistro 28 - New on the scene, featuring small and large plates. My highlight is the yummy foie gras torchon.