Hospitality and Product Recommendations, Recipes and Resources in Victoria BC and more, since 2003
The former Paprika restaurant, remerged last year as the Italian themed Padella. I loved the idea and thought it was a good business move to make the restaurant more approachable, but the menu was a bit unusual. I’m now happy to report some recent changes, including a new menu and new chefs that has…
The wave of Spanish influenced menus and restaurants that has flooded the culinary world over the past few years has for the most part left Victoria dry. For all that Spanish cuisine seems like an easy sell, Victorians have been slow to jump aboard. With the familiarity of European cuisine, but with…
Burger, how much do I love thee? Well apparently, Victoria really loves a burger judging from the selection of burger restaurants we’re currently enjoying. One might think we’ve reached the saturation point, but hey, only time will tell.
I can only imagine that there’s a little teeth grittin…
2232 Oak Bay Ave 250-590-7524
UPDATE March 2013 - Vis a Vis gave up. Yep, it's over. They're re-launching the space, integrating it into the pub next door, but with restaurant licensing. The only bright side, if you wanted to go the Penny Farthing Pub with your kids, there is now a space licensed …
The Black Hat by Bistro 28 has opened at Langley and Broughton St in downtown Victoria and in the process transformed the appearance of the entire block. Holly financial investment! They've converted the old Tony's Trick and Joke Shop into a flashy 85 seat restaurant. It looks great. This kind devel…
I continue to be delighted by the increasing availability of Middle Eastern food in Victoria. I have now consumed all of the Beirut Express menu and last night's lamb schwarma platter ($11.99) and falafel platter ($10.99) definitely take the cake for variety and value. The wraps are tasty too, but …
Zambri's at the Atrium 820 Yates St
If you're thinking about checking out the new Zambri's, I'll start by recommending you visit at off peak times, unless of course you enjoy the social camaraderie of a big queue. Patty and I arrived at 530pm on a Saturday night to be seated quickly, but by the time…
Patty and I are enjoying a rather indulgent culinary adventure. We've spent a week in New York state and are now at our home away from home in the Auvergne region of France.
Some highlights of the trip so far:
Seattle Airport: My friend Rob highly recommended the fish tacos at the take away windo…
Nostalgie Restaurant - 3838 Cadboro Bay Rd, 250-590-5159
I may be alone on this one, but I think there should be more Russian/Eastern European culinary choices available. I'm a fan of what I think is the original comfort food. Nostalgie offers a combination of pub style fare and Russian specialties…
509 Fisgard street, Victoria, BC 250-590-8795 dinner from 5:30 Tuesday to Saturday
Call it a bad economy, legitimate fear of opening a new restaurant, or what have you, but it seems like a long time since a swanky new restaurant opened. I was so excited about something new, I actually got down there…
Ayo Eat in Market Square is filling a protruding culinary gap in Victoria, serving a small menu of classic Indonesian dishes. From the take away window on the second story of the northwest corner of Market Square you'll find some fairly sophisticated dishes. Look past the styrofoam box and even the …
I remember the first time my dad let me order the wine for a family dinner outing. It was Christmas Day 1999, I was 23 and we were at the Empress Dining Room. My dad, a former wine columnist for the Vancouver Sun, had been nurturing my interest in wine and wine service for many years. I have no idea…
I have longed for a broader Middle Eastern restaurant menu in Victoria. Kebab is great and I'm happy with the addition of Turkish cuisine at Nar in Oak Bay, but I yearn for something more...
For what Al Sultan lacks in ambiance and booze, it makes up for with food. Al Sultan is located in the f…
Nar Cafe Bistro 2540 Windsor Rd 250-598-1085
Get ready to put on your explorers cap as you begin your voyage into deepest darkest Oak Bay...Well, not really, Nar is only around the corner from the Marina Restaurant, but this part of Oak Bay is known as a bit of a commercial wasteland.
Located in th…
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 …
I've been hearing the complaints about the pedestrian nature of Japanese menus in Victoria for quite some time. I agree for the most part, but I also know that it's hard to mix up the menu, when it appears to be the consumer, not the provider, who is perpetuating the menu rerun. That said, maybe the…
Update - November 2009
Brasserie L'Ecole no longer accepts reservations, see details here: http://www.lecole.ca/reservations.htm
It's a bummer, but I'll get over it. I still love them and if I had to stand in a queue for anyone, I guess it'd be them.
| 2006 Oak Bay Ave, tel 250-592-5111, closed Sunday and Monday http://www.blightysbistro.com/ |
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Update - November 2009 If you haven't been for awhile you might find Blighty's is worthy of a return trip. The menu has changed considerably since my last visit, with strong Asian and seafood… |