First Look: Flourish BeauTea
Hey FAM, there’s a new tea cafe in town — Flourish BeauTea. Located in Downtown Victoria, this spot offers carbonated fruit tea incorporated with fresh fruit, unique blends of coffee and light refreshments. Since their carbonated fruit tea is their most signature drink, it can be a healthy substitute beverage in your daily life too. To make it even better, they serve each drink with such creativity and passion. In addition to that, they also have cute cups to choose from and it comes with different sizes.
September 28th, 2020The King of Market Square: The Making of Los Panas Kitchen
It’s a busy summer afternoon at the historic centre of Market Square in downtown Victoria. Down in the lower courtyard, people line up to grab a seat on the patio of local brewing company Whistle Buoy. With the brewery’s varied selection of drinks and surrounded by food pop-ups, the crowd sits back and soaks up the sun. A tricolour food cart stands in the left corner of the patio, showing off the vivid red, blue, and yellow colours of the Venezuelan flag. Every Friday and Saturday afternoon, Los Panas Kitchen set up and open up their business to serve authentic Venezuelan arepas.
September 11th, 2020Island Holiday at The Fairmont Empress - A magical experience
Millions of people have had to cancel their holiday plans, meaning that the Victoria tourism industry has taken a massive hit. But, why not do a Staycation in your own town? Victoria is a beautiful city, people all over the world come to visit and explore all Victoria has to offer and we could definitely take the time to appreciate all we have around us while supporting the local economy.
August 27th, 2020First Look: ASH Refillery & Co.
Cook Street Village’s newest kids on the block are here to make incorporating sustainability in your daily lifestyle even more easy and accessible.
August 17th, 2020Grocery shopping a little more Low-waste
Being environmentally conscious when out in the community is equally important as making good choices at home and in the kitchen. There are a ton of environmentally friendly restaurants in town so what can we do at home?
August 12th, 2020Recipe: Cypriot Cooking - Halloumi-Mint Scones
Cypriot cuisine has a Mediterranean allure, mixing Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours and ingredients. It is similar to Greek food, but say where a Greek recipe might use dill, the Cypriot recipe might use mint instead. I am thrilled to be sharing this recipe in the run up to the release of my cookbook coming out September 27 called Cypriot Cooking.
July 28th, 2020Recipe: Cypriot Cooking - Garden Greens Phyllo Pie
I have been a big fan of the Tasting Victoria platform for awhile now. So I am thrilled to be sharing two recipes in the run up to the release of my cookbookcoming out September 27 called Cypriot Cooking. Cypriot cuisine has a Mediterranean allure, mixing Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours and ingredients. It is similar to Greek food, but say where a Greek recipe might use dill, the Cypriot recipe might use mint instead.
July 23rd, 2020Recipe: Gochujang Chicken Wings
If you can’t decide between spicy or sweet chicken wings, these Gochujang Chicken Wings are the best of both worlds! This recipe uses delicious Korean Gochujang paste, local honey, and a few other simple ingredients. These Gochujang Chicken Wings are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed at any occasion including a fancy cocktail party, on game day, or even on a weeknight!
July 19th, 2020Summer’s Calling! Burgers, Wraps, Treats and More! 5 Tasty Restaurants to Try this Summer
Have you been in search of some delicious casual restaurants and eateries to try? Well, look no further then these hot spots in Victoria. These popular restaurants are a ‘must try’ for any foodie or newbie to Victoria. Check out these restaurants, and you'll be dying to go back again!
July 16th, 20207 Ways to Start Your Morning Right in Cook Street Village
Nestled right by the ocean and Beacon Hill Park, you’ll find Cook Street Village tucked away in this beautiful, charming, tree-lined neighbourhood that’s brimming with history. With its array of coffee houses and bakeries, patios, restaurants, and local independent shops, there’s always something for both locals and visitors alike.
July 9th, 2020The Making Of: Blue Nile East African Restaurant
Opening a restaurant is never easy, especially in a place like Victoria where the restaurants per capita is said to be the highest in Canada. Add to the mix two broken arms, a baby expected to arrive any day, and a cuisine relatively unknown to most of the city’s residents, and you get a whole lot of nerves.
July 7th, 2020The best spots in Victoria to grab a bite/drink after a run, long hike or bike ride
There’s nothing quite so satisfying as capping off a long hike or bike ride with a delicious meal, fresh cup of coffee, or sweet treat. In Victoria, we’re lucky to have both an abundance of beautiful hiking and biking trails and a collection of restaurants and cafes designed to serve them. Keep reading for some of our favorites.
June 28th, 2020Healthy & Easy Recipes For Home Cooking - ‘Vegan Explosion’ Addition
Plant-based, hearty and absolutely delicious! These healthy vegan recipes are not only easy to follow but produce wholesome and amazingly satisfying dishes! Whether you're a meat eater, a seafood connoisseur or a vegan yourself, these recipes are a fun and healthy incorporation into any diet!
June 18th, 2020Recipe: Cast Iron Pan Pizza
If you’ve never made bread from scratch before, homemade pizza is an easy way to break into making your own dough for the first time. It’s nearly impossible to go wrong, and even if you do, the sauce, cheese, and toppings are there to cover for you! This recipe requires no kneading at all, and the timing is incredibly flexible. You can make the dough up to 4 or 5 days in advance, whenever you have some free time, and just let it chill out (no pun intended) in the fridge until pizza day.
June 9th, 20206 Local Gift Ideas you’ll Love
When you’re buying a gift for someone, you’re not just acquiring an object. An item they’ll love or an experience they’ll cherish in years to come are gestures that show that special person that you’re thinking about them. Gifts are a way of keeping in touch with them and bringing a little happiness to their day, wherever they may be.
June 5th, 20205 picnic-spiration spots in Victoria
As BC navigates Phase 2 of re-opening amidst COVID-19 and warmer weather becomes more frequent, making a picnic out of your favourite eateries is a perfect way to support them as much as possible while getting out of the house. Victoria is surrounded by gorgeous scenery so you never have to venture far to find an idyllic spot to enjoy some takeout--the hardest part is narrowing them down.
June 2nd, 20205 Easy and Inexpensive Ways to Upgrade Your At-Home Coffee
We’ve all been spending a lot more time at home this year, and whether this spring of isolation has been one of stress or boredom for you, a better cup of morning coffee is a surefire to boost your spirits. And it’s easier than you think! Read on for six easy ways to improve your morning brew, none of which costs more than a couple of jaunts to the Starbucks.
May 29th, 2020Top 5 Bakeries/Cafes in Victoria to Combat Your Sweet Tooth
Are you looking for new cafes and lunch spots around Victoria to try, whilst indulging in your sweet tooth? Well we have some of the top spots here in Victoria to satisfy all those cravings and awaken your inner foodie!
May 28th, 2020Four Great Falafels in Victoria
The very best are fried fresh to order, leaving them light and crispy rather than greasy -- and fortunately, Victoria has some great options!
May 20th, 2020Healthy & Easy Recipes For Home Cooking - ‘Asian Fusion’ Addition
Looking to expand your repertoire of recipes and explore new dishes? Try this collection of Asian fusion recipes! These dishes incorporate a wide array of ingredients and flavours to satisfy any palate and appetite. Widely tasty, healthy and easy; these simple to follow recipes do not disappoint!
May 14th, 2020Victoria Restaurants Offering Free and Discounted Goods for Healthcare Workers
It's National Nursing Week this week, and our community is very grateful to all those who risk themselves to help others. Local restaurants and food businesses are offering special healthcare discounts as appreciation and we are happy to share these offers with you!
May 11th, 2020Recipe - Rhubarb & Cream Cheese Danish
Treat your mom to a very special breakfast this Mother’s Day with these Rhubarb & Cream Cheese Danishes. While this recipe looks impressive, the use of store-bought puff pastry makes this recipe incredibly fast, and is simple enough for chefs of any age or cooking level to make!
May 7th, 2020Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Home
Cinco de Mayo Celebrations are just around the corner! Since part of the Tasting Victoria team is originally from Mexico, we couldn't help but share with you some local options, a guacamole recipe and a mexican playlist to celebrate Cinco de Mayo at home!
May 3rd, 2020Recipe - Thai Red Curry Noodles
While we may have lots of time at home these days to cook and experiment with new recipes while staying at home, sometimes you just want a quick and easy meal made with just a few ingredients. Or even better, a quick and easy meal made with ingredients that you already have in your fridge and pantry!
April 23rd, 2020Victoria Lunch Spots to Order From if You’re Working From Home
Staying home as much as possible goes a long way, and helping out local restaurants while practicing self-isolation is one of the ways we can support the community that, not too long ago, was part of our everyday life.
April 16th, 2020Healthy & Easy Recipes For Home Cooking - ‘Feeling Fruity?’ Addition
Stuck at home and looking for some new recipes to try? These simple and healthy dishes will just do the trick; not only are they packed with tasty ingredients but they use foods that can fit any budget!
April 10th, 2020Bubble Tea in Victoria
From its chewy and sweet pearls, the tea based drinks and the right amount of ice and sugar, Bubble Tea is one of the favorite drinks of all time in Victoria
April 7th, 202013 Local Businesses that are Adapting to Coronavirus
Due to the current pandemic, many local businesses have had to close or reinvent themselves. Small businesses have moved quickly to make changes to survive and keep services relevant during this period of uncertainty. We can’t name them all, but here are our favourite iniciatives from local businesses.
April 3rd, 2020COVID -19 Guide for Local Restaurants and Food Businesses
The COVID-19 crisis took us by surprise, without any preparation. It is affecting everyone, in every industry. The restaurant and hospitality industries are without a doubt some of the most affected in Victoria.
March 31st, 2020Sausage, Kale & White Bean Soup
Today, I am sharing a one-pot recipe for Sausage, Kale and White Bean Soup. This recipe is simple to make and uses fresh and local ingredients! by Melissa from @seasonserveblog
March 22nd, 2020How to support Local Businesses during the COVID-19 Outbreak
COVID-19 has presented all of us with a big challenge. As we social distance ourselves, in order to help support local businesses, the people they employ and the charities they support, we can help by doing small things.
March 16th, 2020Our Dine Around & Stay in Town 2020 experience
Our 2020 Dine around experience: Victoria's biggest food and drink event, happening every January!
March 5th, 20208 Reasons why we love Fresh Prep - a local meal kit delivery service
We find too many obstacles when it comes to cooking to ourselves. Planning meals, finding the time to go to the market, looking for the best local ingredients, and cook them when we are already hungry.
March 4th, 2020Low Package Alternatives and Where to Find them
Are you also feeling guilty about the amount of disposable packaging in your life? Breaking up with this convenience isn’t easy, but there are other fish in the sea. Here are a few of my favourite local alternatives.
February 27th, 2020How to enjoy Brunch in a more Nourishing way
Balance is key! We interviewed Holistic Nutrition student Jimena Conde and here are her simple tips to enjoy brunch in balance.
February 20th, 202012 Brunch Spots to Visit in Victoria
Our favourite part about weekends is brunch! Here is a list of our favourite Brunch spots in Victoria.
February 13th, 2020Fresh, Delicious and Nutritious - A Hawaiian restaurant in Victoria - Poké Fresh
Video Interview with local entrepreneur Aviv Guy, owner of Poké Fresh in Cook St. Village.
February 4th, 2020The Most Romantic Restaurants in Victoria
Did you know Valentine's Day is the 2nd most popular holiday to dine out after Mother's Day? And it’s just around the corner!
January 30th, 2020BEST New Restaurants/Eats opened in 2019
Our city's food scene keeps growing and growing! We love that! These are our top favourite openings from last year!
January 23rd, 2020Who we are - Tasting Victoria
A description of who we are, what we do and why we do it!
January 23rd, 2020TOP Coffee Shops in Victoria
We asked our community and these are our top coffee shops in Victoria!
January 22nd, 2020
