cassie's Profile
Late June Honeymoon in Victoria/Vancouver/Seattle - A little help please.
timely article LotusRapper - and thanks for the link (and a new blog to follow!) Thx
Late June Honeymoon in Victoria/Vancouver/Seattle - A little help please.
A few more cents on Victoria. Lure is really nice for seafood - and a beautiful setting in the Ocean Pointe Hotel. All the meals I've had there - the seafood has been prepared perfectly (and you'll get a selection of different types). RFBF - excellent choice. If you're near fisherman's whart, there's The Fish Store (beside Barb's on the wharf). Tacos, traditional F&C, steamed shellfish, fishwiches, on salads. They also do a nice lightly curried fish soup. Fresh shucked oysters ($1 after 3pm!) and a bunch of other stuff. Been there twice and loved everything I had (including the fact you're buying from a fish store run by fishmen). They also do a bunch of gluten-free options. And for $5 of fun - 6 small fish to feed the harbour seals beside the dock. Also at FW - great mexican @ Puerto Vallarta Amigos Mexican (in a float home across the FishStore).
Vancouver/Victoria
I second the seacider rec - beautiful setting as well
for wine - also try Muse winery (Chalet Rd, across from the Deep Cove Chalet) - this and above wineries are Saanich Peninsula - if you can - quite a few more in Cowichan Valley.
Another small plates - Vis a Vie in Oak Bay (excellent food, wine flights and a cozy little patio).
Non-restaurant eats in Victoria (to take back to Vancouver)?
Also - if (when?!) you come back in the summer, Fol Epi might have their home-made soft ice-cream in handmade cones again.
Agreed on the smoked tuna.....it's fabulous.
Victoria
I've heard rave reviews about the White Heather in Oak Bay - not in downtown, but worth the (very short) drive (also cute stores to stroll by in the Village, further past the WH). Small restaurant, but excellent tea service. There's also a westcoast tea at the Grand Pacific Hotel.
Victoria
Old school french. I've really enjoyed the 2 times I've been there - but it's classic (think table-side caesar salad, crepes suzette, etc). Stunning views and property. Still popular - but more with the "our family has been going there for years" type crowd.
Victoria
The Aerie's closed, recently sold (it's on the Malahat, across the inlet from Brentwood Bay; BB has the BB Lodge - haven't eaten at the restaurant there in a bit, can't comment on it). The previous suggestions are still good: Camille's for intimate, quiet; Cafe Brio for more boisterous. I just went to Aura (Inn at Laurel Point) and it was excellent. Stunning view, top-notch food and perfect service. I also really like Lure (across the inner harbour at the Delta Ocean Pointe - saw they have some exterior renos going on - not sure if it's affecting the view tho).
Moving to Victoria - ethnic grocery help please, esp. vietnamese bakery, mexican foodstuffs, etc!
Grocery (general)
- Market on Yates (they carry a lot of smaller "boutique" lines of groceries).
- Fairway Market (Quadra location) - largest asian selection of this chain's locations
Produce
- hit chinatown - there are a few produce options
- Rootcellar on McKenzie/Blenkinsop - by far the BEST produce section in town, including an asian/indian specific selection. Talk to the owners - they'll let you know if they can get something in for you.
Tofu/Sunrise
- maybe Sakura Japanese food on Quadra (right beside Market on Yates).
- or Fujiya (Shelbourne, near Pear St.) - it's Vic (not Vanc) sized though ;-)
Mexican
- Mexican House of Spice (Douglas St, near Queens)
good luck!
Victoria - Lunch Spot on Sunday?
Both Ferris' and Mo:Le are great. Ferris' may have a brunch menu that day tho - check their website, whereas Mo:Le will have more lunch items (and less of a line-up after noon). Downtown is also Lady Marmalade. A hole in the wall place I like for breakfast/lunch is Dish Cookhouse in Sidney (not in the town, near the airport). House smoked meats, pulled pork, burgers (and it's on the way to the ferry). Are you hoping for something in particular (seafood, burger, ethnic?)
Best spots for Beer in Victoria
And Phillips' shop has taps - so you can taste some of their beers (and purchase a Growler, if you want a big take-home).
Although a newer pub (not a brew-pub), Irish Times serves (on tap) Driftwood, Lighthouse & Phillips (so one-stop shopping, although lacking the connection to the actual brewery...and not the cheapest place either). Website lists which beers from each.
Bengal room/lounge in the Empress
Are you thinking "worth a try" for the food? - or the experience of the Bengal room? For the latter - I say definitely. The buffet is small, but nice, IMO. Lentil soup, tandoori chicken, pakoras, lentil dahl and a few other dishes - nice selection of condiments & rice/cardamon pudding for dessert. Room is beautiful to sit in (not as comfy for eating though - it is a lounge).
Whistler Sushi?
Sachi is pretty much a sister resto to Village (both have the SASS roll I love)
I thought there are more interesting hot food options at Village, but both places are really similar for sushi. Maybe more box sushi at Sachi. Love them both tho. Bummer about Sushi-ya.
In Victoria: If I like Ulla and Vis a Vis, I'll also like...
I haven't been yet (it just opened this weekend) - bin 4 burgers. Near the old location of Zambri's (on the corner of Vancouver & Yates). Soft opening looked busy when I strolled by. They tweeted about an Elk burger. Lunch & dinners.
-----
Zambri's
911 Yates St, Victoria, BC V8V4X3, CA
In Victoria: If I like Ulla and Vis a Vis, I'll also like...
Devour (lunch M-F, earlier dinners Th-Fr)
bistro 28 (dinners)
Ulla, Victoria
Bob Mac - for a nice lunch, hit Relish on Pandora btw Vancouver & Quadra (lunch only M-F). Devour on Broughton (usually only lunch, sometimes 'til early evening on Fri's - microscopic spot, but fab meals). Small menu @ PicNic on lower Fort (check his twitter; 2 sandwiches/1 salad) but they are good. Black Hat Bistro dwtn is new, but I like their original -bistro 28 in Oak Bay - on Cadboro Bay Rd.
Victoria / Vancouver Island Restaurant Reception
Café Brio is one large, rectangle room with a smaller area in the front that’s separate (nice space for your group probably). Very earthy tones, excellent food/service. My only off meal there was a NY Eve where it felt very assembly line (but with 2 sittings and a full house, it’s hard to not be like that). You can see Bon Rouge’s interior on their website (full 360 tour). Your group would probably fit nicely on the restaurant side (or possibly at the front end of the bistro side). There's another area, down a short flight of stairs, it's quite small and right beside the bathroom entrance (so if they mention that space, don’t go for it). Food here is good. I’d rate Café Brio higher, but Bon Rouge is good. I’d lean towards Café Brio.
Cakes Etc.- is great for cakes (look & taste fabulous). Another is Ooh La La Cupcakes (cakes as well – I’ve only had the cupcakes, which are excellent, but the cakes look wedding-worthy).
Portlanders in B.C. (Reviews, Victoria/Vancouver)
Yes, great report, thanks for posting. I shudder that you were at Wharfside. It is the anti-chowhound. They've been known to have a "locals" menu (with different pricing) than the regular (slam the tourist?) one. A few Victoria restaurants are breaking the Sun/Mon closing thing (Zambri's, Ferris' but still - slim pickins'). Prima Strada Bridge st. is (sometimes) easier to get into vs. Cook St (sometimes hunger pains have to trump neighbourhood ambiance needs; FYI Bridge St also hosts long-table dinners from various regions of Italy).
Portlanders in B.C. (Victoria Edition)
And it got mentioned on the Vanc thread by mistake - but yeah, Relish for lunch (M-F only) is fabulous Yates st. Also Foo (Asian/fusion street food) is great (some counter seating indoors) lunch & dinner. For non-sushi japanese (well, they may have a negitoro roll on the list) Dadaiko is great (again, M-F lunch only - need to arrive at 11:45 to get any selection - salmon don, teriyaki local chicken, tuna tataki, organize squash salads) - but if you're aiming for sushi - save your cravings for Vanc.
Portlanders in B.C. (Victoria Edition)
I mourn the closing of Niche as well - check for the chef in Vancouver (at a newly reopened Boneta, I thought I read?). Camille's is great, very cosy, intimate setting with very fresh, local food on the menu. Cafe Brio is more bustling, again, excellent food and their own cured meats. I'm fence sitting on this one - maybe someone else can push you towards one over the other - I love them both.
Ulla's is fabulous and everything I've had there has been prepared perfectly (octopus, chicken).
I think you mean Aura, not Aqua. I've yet to get there, but I've heard rave reviews on their burger (go figure!) - the best in town, apparently. Both Aura and Lure have upped the anti for hotel restaurants IMO. Veneto's is good - rich, filling and a novel set-up with the trios of food (duck three ways, scallops three ways). The room gets very noisy as well. Well prepared drinks here too. Reservations are a good idea.
Your lunch choices are great (hopefully RFBF's lines are getting smaller). Choux choux is still fabulous. If you walk the Galloping Goose (or are driving on the other side of the Harbour at lunch), you may pass Fol Epi (398 Harbour Rd, bakery + sandwiches - smoked tuna, roast beef/cheese - on crusty baguette - delish. And possibly homemade soft vanilla ice cream in crisp, fresh cones). A new meat/cheese dinner place is the newly opened Vis a Vis in Oak Bay (2232 Oak Bay Ave, 5pm-)
For chocolates, try Chocolat 703 Fort St (near Douglas St) - made right there with more interesting flavours (wasabi, chili). For traditional belgian chocolates - our branch of the Bernard Callebaut is good (621 Broughton). Have a great time - I just got back from your town and am still dreaming of the food carts.
-----
Cafe Brio
944 Fort St, Victoria, BC V8V3K2, CA
3 nights in Bear Mountain - Restaurant recommendations please!
For Victoria? Specifically @ Bear Mtn? Have you checked the Victoria boards to narrow down options?
Cowichan Valley in August
Yes, thanks for the great report.
Saison - so glad you were told to go there. A must stop if you're around Duncan on the weekends. At Christmas they have huge tortierre pies in a rustic crust (chicken pot pies other times of the year) - both are incredible (as well as everything else there)
Considering Butchart Gardens Dining Room
I haven't eaten at Butcharts, so can't comment on there. The Fairmont Tea isn't a tourist trap (although the summer pricing is) - the sandwiches & desserts are great - and the setting is classic. I've been several times (at low-season pricing) and never been disappointed.
Check out Church & State Winery - pretty much next door to the butterfly place. Not open everyday, but food is quite nice. Setting is fabulous - especially on the veranda overlooking the vines. You almost forget the highway is really close.
Your recommendation for a venue for a 7:30am business breakfast meeting near Magnolia Hotel and Spa in Victoria.
John's place is a diner - good big breakies, booths & tables. Weekends are bustling (read:noisy) - but a Tue shouldn't be a problem. I think you can a reservation.
White Spot is like Denny's - is that what you're looking for? Larger layout, quieter, reservable, but not typically a foodie-destination.
Any reasons why your boss didn't like Vista?
Empress hotel has a daily breakfast buffet in the Empress Room - $30/ea
Upcoming trip Vancouver/Victoria, looking for some suggestions to fill gaps.
You'll be exiting the whale watching right outside Red Fish Blue Fish - great place to grab lunch, if the line-up isn't crazy. Pig downtown is open Sundays (but not the Colwood location) - pulled pork, fried chicken, Sunday sometimes has chicken & waffles (they tweet daily offerings usually). Hernandez (in walk through building btw Yates & View) is great mexican (authentic).
-----
Red Fish Blue Fish
1006 Wharf St, Victoria, BC V8W, CA
Upcoming trip Vancouver/Victoria, looking for some suggestions to fill gaps.
Any ideas on type of cuisine for Victoria?
The every-present Sun/Mon closure will hit you. Zambri's is open 7 days a week - excellent Italian. White Heather would be fabulous for Tue tea - you may need a late (or smaller) dinner after tho. If you don't tea (or eat late) - Brasserie L'Ecole for dinner. Or Ulla's in Chinatown (it's not chinese).
Sunday late breakfast/brunch instead?
Gardens are great - throw down your blanket when you get there, then walk to the gardens. Bring a flash light for the pack-up at the end and cattle walk back to the parking lot.
-----
Zambri's
911 Yates St, Victoria, BC V8V4X3, CA
Cowichan Valley in August
Deerholm is a fabulous experience. More like eating in someone's home and having a guest chef. Check his website for dates and menus. I was at a mushroom dinner that was incredible.
Looking for good sushi and dim sum in Victoria
For dim sum places – try either Jade Fountain (Red Lion Hotel). 4km from dwtn – take bus 30, 31, 50 from downtown to Douglas & Saanich. Two entrances – through the hotel (and down the elevator, I think), or right off Douglas street – two doors that lead down a staircase. Crazy busy on weekend (about 90% Chinese people) – try and get there around 11am on Sat/Sun. Some carts – mostly trays/or order.
Don Mee’s – in Chinatown (Fisgard St.) – not as good as Jade. All carts. Weekends are best (but DS served everyday).
For non-DS Chinese – grab the #6 Quadra bus from downtown to Quadra/Cloverdale – Halibut House (yes, it’s Chinese, really). Hole in the wall. Closed Mon. Great, fresh, no-msg Chinese (plus sui mai if you want dim sum as an appy). Sherry’s awesome – she’ll help you order.
For sushi – I like Ebizo on Broughton (btw Broad & Gov’t) – try and get a rez, it’s pretty busy Fri/Sat. Haven’t been in a bit, but have heard good things around Shizen on Gov’t (40ft N of Fisgard).
I 2nd the rec for RFBF – outside stools/counter for seating. Excellent fish/chips, grilled fish salad, spot prawn tacones, curry chips. Big line-ups.
-----
Halibut House
3500 Quadra St, Victoria, BC V8X1G9, CA
Don Mee
538 Fisgard St, Victoria, BC V8W1R4, CA
Jade Fountain Restaurant
3366 Douglas St, Victoria, BC V8Z3L3, CA
Victoria
a car, well, she's set! If she gets you at the BC Ferry terminal (Sidney) - stop at Dish Cookhouse for breakfast or lunch.
Forgot to mention Relish for lunch (downtown on Pandora, east of Quadra) 7-3pm (I think) questionable area, but this place is worth it. Scones/muffins/light breaky or lunch.
If there's a specific type of food, let me know. I don't know them all, but might help with other suggestions.
Victoria
She’s right in the thick of things (and Vic is very walkable). Veneto’s in her hotel is nice (good cocktails, food is mostly trios of small plates, bustling in the evenings). They serve light lunches in the café part.
The Mint has opened an additional storefront at street level that serves lunch (original is below ground and is the dinner venue). Both on Douglas, same block as hotel.
Sizzling Tandoor on Johnson St has a nice Indian buffet (lunch/dinner) and regular menu as well.
Lotus Pond on Johnson as well is great if you want vegetarian/vegan. Chinese/Buddhist with a weigh-buffet at lunch, regular menu at dinner.
Mo:Le on Pandora (west of Government) is great for breakfast & lunch (and grab a coffee at some point beside them at Habit…really well done coffee). Or at Habit's other spot in the Atrium - Yates/Blanshard.
Lady Marmalade on Johnson is another good breakfast/lunch spot.
Pagliacci’s is great for their daily bowl of soup (and that bread!) – excellent deal.
Lully’s Sandwich Bar on Broughton is great – BIG sandwiches – montreal smoked meat, roast turkey.
Other casual spots that are usually mentioned – Foo, Red Fish Blue Fish, Pig, Pink Bicycle, Devour, Pizza Prima Strada, Ferris Oyster Bar, Dadaico.
For a nice meal out – the usuals again – Brasserie, Ulla’s, Café Brio. I believe that Camille’s (fabulous restaurant) may do a tasting menu as well – but their menu is a fresh sheet everyday anyway. Nice, intimate – great special-meal sort of place.
-----
Lady Marmalade
Victoria, BC, Victoria, BC , CA
Red Fish Blue Fish
1006 Wharf St, Victoria, BC V8W, CA
Mo:Le
554 Pandora Ave, Victoria, BC V8W, CA
Dadaico Restaurant
633 Courtney St, Victoria, BC V8W, CA
Pagliacci's
1011 Broad St, Victoria, BC V8W2A1, CA
