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…
The Tartan Toque is Victoria's first winghouse. The absence of a local winghouse had never affected me directly, but hey, why not.
Located in the Old British Fish and Chip space in Stadacona Centre, the Tartan Toque features a selection of 20 housemade wings sauces, burgers, hot dogs, wraps, sala…
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 …
Chef Ito is leaving his position as executive chef at the Fairmont Empress and reportedly heading to the Inn at Laurel Point to lead their kitchen. Apparently, Chef Ito is looking to spend his culinary golden years in a kitchen where he can better express his personal vision and creativity.
The h…
Two new lunch options have just emerged. For those of you looking for an elegant end of week lunch break Paprika Bistro is serving lunch on Fridays and Saturdays. There is a shortage of fine dining lunches in Victoria outside of hotels, so this is a nice addition.
Also, Foo is now serving lunch on S…
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…
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…
Chinese takeaway is a comfort food to most. Like many comfort people tend to be fairly particular about the contents and executions of their favourite dishes. Once you’ve found your Chinese food restaurant soul mate, it can seem treacherous to divert from your ordering course. On principle, I try to…
Italian food occupies an unusual place in our food culture. While dominant in every aspect of our dining lives; from university diets of spaghetti dinners, the drudgery of sodium laden lasagne on buffet tables and drunken pizza binges; to summer fresh caprese salads, lip-smacking cotechino sausages …
2656 Quadra Street
I've had kabab on the brain lately, so it's quite fitting that Royal Kebab has finally opened their doors. They've been teasing me with signage for what seems like months. This time I went by and a flurry of new signage appeared declaring that they were open at last.
Unlike Al-Sul…
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…
531 Yates St tel: (250) 382-3838
There’s a place for The Podium, the sports bar the fills the former Periklis Restaurant location on Yates St. Tonnes of seating if you wanted to watch a game, comfortable ambiance and decent service. For what the food lacks in execution, it makes up for in value: yo…
Victoria has a reputation for fish and chips. I’m fairly confident this reputation has more to do with throw back “old English” tourism marketing campaigns, then it does with a legitimate culinary tradition. One thing leads to another and I think it’s safe to say that a genuine fish and chip culture…
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…