All blog posts tagged with restaurant

Vis a Vis

Posted November 19, 2011

2232 Oak Bay Ave 250-590-7524

By far the Victoria culinary powerhouse of the moment. Great vision, execution and innovation. There's a lot of intellectual and physical work going into this menu. Patty and I have been sitting at Vis a Vis, rubbing our heads overwhelmed with the energy going into som…

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The Black Hat

Posted September 18, 2011

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…

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More Schwarma Love

Posted August 24, 2011

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 …

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Zambri's

Posted November 14, 2010

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…

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On holiday...in New York

Posted October 22, 2010

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…

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Freindly and filling ... old country style

Posted September 27, 2010

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…

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Ulla...la..la

Posted July 29, 2010

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…

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Indonesian food ... finally

Posted July 9, 2010

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 …

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A Sommelier's Nurturing Embrace

Posted June 30, 2010

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…

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I can barely contain my excitement - Al Sultan makes my day

Posted March 18, 2010

 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…

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Turkish Food Behind the Tweed Curtain

Posted January 31, 2010

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…

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Small Plates Make Me Happy

Posted January 9, 2010

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 …

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Breaking out of the sushi menu rut

Posted December 21, 2009

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…

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Brasserie L'Ecole - reservation policy change

Posted November 11, 2009

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.

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Blighty's Bistro

Posted November 11, 2009
 
2006 Oak Bay Ave, tel 250-592-5111, closed Sunday and Monday http://www.blightysbistro.com/

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…

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