Good morning foodies!

It’s September, which means I’m powering through my last bit of energy and serotonin so I can enjoy all of these awesome festivals going on around me.

What about you?

- Ryan

😍 5 spots to try right now

Parachute Ice Cream: Check out the amazing ice cream flavours in the heart of Rock Bay at 105 Bridge St.

Dumpling Drop: This classic pop-up-turned-restaurant at 556 Pandora Ave. gives you the best options for dining in and taking out.

Eva Schnitzelhaus: German schnitzel in the heart of Chinatown with great gluten-free options, and 99 red balloons (maybe).

Villa Eyrie: Speaking of great schnitzel, head up the Malahat for one of the most stunning views and meals of your life at Alpina Restaurant at 600 Ebedora Lane.

Iluka Espresso: Cute décor with a namesake latte that’s one of the best, and it’s tucked in Esquimalt near the Gorge at 101 Island Hwy.

Know a great place we should add here? Reply back and let us know!

FEATURED

Free Beer* bike cart carries brews you can (legally) enjoy in public

For a couple decades now, Victoria’s award-winning breweries have been a huge part of the craft beer revolution. That creative explosion has brought an emphasis on flavour and experience into beer drinking.

Could the next evolution be delivering all that taste and variety without beer’s defining ingredient—alcohol?

Local musician Aidan Knight thinks the time is ripe for more brewers—and more drinkers—in this craft mecca to explore the non-alcoholic side of beer.

SPONSORED BY LURE

Every day is happy at Lure Restaurant & Bar

You need to take advantage of LURE Restaurant’s happy hour for a lip-smacking selection of some of the restaurant’s favourites and the breathtaking views of our beautiful harbour – it truly can’t be beat! LURE also boasts $6 hi-balls, sleeves and feature wine. Daily from 3pm to 6pm.

Visit www.lurevictoria.com.

FEATURED

Two Crows Craft Foods purchases Victoria Pie Company

One of the longest running pie shops in the Victoria Public Market has sold—but luckily, everyone’s favourite pies will still be available.

Two Crows Craft Foods—which provides specialized and wholesale mustards, compote, spreads, and jam—has purchased the popular Victoria Pie Company, with the intent to merge the two businesses into one, owner Marie Takahashi told Tasting Victoria. Two Crows was started by Takahashi and her son in 2021.

Read more about the sale and plans for Two Crows.  

🗞️ News

• Denny’s Restaurant will relocate to the former Shark Club this fall. The new location at the Sandman Hotel will feature an outdoor patio and a Bar One. This is in line with plans for the Sandman Hotel’s intended expansion.

• Get cozy with a cocktail at these 7 Victoria bars this fall. Autumn's not all pumpkin spice and cinnamon; it’s also espresso martinis, old fashioneds, and cacao cocktails.

• Paris Hilton visits Humboldt Bar at the DoubleTree Hilton. Bartenders served the Hilton hotel heiress a mojito before her gig at Rifflandia on Friday night. See the picture.

• Tacofino expands to Squamish, White Rock, and Burnaby. First opened in 2009 at the back of the Live to Surf parking lot near the windy shores of Tofino, Tacofino has since spread the good word of the holy taco down the island to Victoria, across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver, and now, finally, up the Sea-To-Sky corridor to Squamish.⁠

Have a restaurant, business, or event to promote?

Get in touch with our team for small business-friendly advertising plans.

🗓️ Events

• Hot dog eating contest: This Saturday, Sept. 16 at 3pm, Missing Link is hosting its first ever hot dog eating contest with live music and other fun at 3925 Quadra St. Tickets range in price for beginner competitors, competitive eaters, or general admission.

• One Wave South Pacific Feast: Celebrate the beauty and richness of South Pacific cultures with food, dance, and a silent auction at Cook Street Village Activity Centre on Sunday, Sept. 17 from 5 to 9pm.

Coming Up

• Brewery and the Beast: Grab your tickets for the most anticipated beer and meat festival in Western Canada on Saturday, Sept. 24 at Starlight Stadium in Langford.

• Ile Sauvage celebrates 5-year anniversary: On Saturday, Sept. 23, celebrate Victoria’s finest purveyors of sour beers, with beer releases, live music, and lawn games at 2960 Bridge St. First 100 people who attend get a commemorative glass. Entry is free.

• Colwood hot sauce competition: About 30 competitors will see who can temper their mouths after eating hot sauce, hot wings, and hot peppers in this charitable event on Saturday, Sept. 23. Entry by donation.

• Victoria International Wine Festival: From Sept. 24 to 30 at the Victoria Conference Centre, get schooled on and indulge in the finest wines the world has to offer. Tickets range in price from $50 for seminar access only, or $150 for a wine dinner.

 💸 Deals

• $6 Tuesdays at CRAFT Beer Market. Grab a $6 burger, with extra toppings for $3, and select drinks every Tuesday.

• Boomtown’s house lager is just $5.75 during happy hour, from Monday to Friday between 3:30 and 5:30pm. Enjoy it alongside $12 nachos and $10 wings.

• Churchill on Government Street has a new happy hour from 2 to 5pm daily: $5 shafts and highballs, $7 house wine and prosecco, and $9 old fashioned cocktails.

• Click here for more deals of the week.

🧑‍💻 Jobs

• Comedian Dan Duvall is looking for a venue for an open-mic comedy night in Victoria. Message him here.

• Two Crows Craft Foods is looking for full-time and part-time employees to serve pies and manage its social media. Email [email protected] or contact Marie at 236-882-6654.

• Small Gods Brewing in Sidney is looking for team members. Email [email protected] with the subject line: Attn Sierra - Taproom Team.

• Dietary Aids and Cooks are needed at AgeCare Glenwarren. DM Brandon Elderton here.

That’s it!

If you enjoyed today’s newsletter, consider forwarding to your friends; if not, let us know down below.