May 25 - What's going on in Victoria's food scene?

Good morning foodies!

I just got back from a week in Montreal, and wow, the food was delicious! I had all of the Quebec classics: late-night poutine, savoury crêpes, and classic fine dining favourites. And I’m happy to have gone, but really excited to be back on this beautiful rock in the Pacific Ocean. With that said, do you know where I can get a good savoury crêpe? For some reason, I have a hankering for one…

Let me know by replying to this email!

Cheers,

5 spots to try right now

Esquimalt Roasting Company: Knowledgeable staff and unforgettable lattes.

Hank's *a restaurant: Head to this discreet downtown restaurant for a unique tasting menu.

Songhees Food Truck: Nothing beats its Bannock breakfast sandwiches.

Little Jumbo: Great cocktails and incredible food.

Clive’s Classic Lounge: Impressive cocktails and food at 740 Burdett Ave.

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

FEATURED

This flower farm in Saanich is totally edible

Ariel Rubin grew up on Vancouver Island, but throughout most of her adult life she lived in the Silicon Valley while working for Apple, where she helped build and design art education experiences in stores across the world.

After over 10 years in the US, she and her husband decided it was time to move their family of four back to Vancouver Island. A combination of the pandemic, US politics, and burnout, Rubin said, spurred her desire to come back home.

“I was at this point in my career where I was traveling the world and doing all those big massive scale things you dream about doing. And I was just super burned out.” she said. “I joke that I made it to the top of the mountain, looked around, and said, ‘I want to go home.’”

In 2020, the family returned home; and in January 2021, Rubin, her husband, and her two kids settled into a sprawling flower farm in Strawberry Vale that she calls Rockrose Farm.

SPONSORED BY LURE RESTAURANT & BAR

LURE Restaurant & Bar welcomes new Executive Chef, Curtis Toth

“I always want to use the best products available and I’m excited to collaborate with the many amazing local Island producers that are as passionate about food as I am. I want the food to be a little like me—a little different and a little off the wall”, says Chef Toth.

To reserve, visit LureVictoria.com.

FEATURED

Best fine dining restaurants in Victoria 2023

These three restaurants, as the French say, have a certain je ne sais quoi. Each are quaint but renowned, unassuming yet impressive, and locally celebrated and internationally awarded. The fine dining experience isn’t all garçon! or white-table cloths. It’s about dedication to inventive dinner experiences.

I’d say we have some winners.

🗞️ News

• Help a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school learn from the world’s best fighters. West Coast BJJ Victoria is heading to Calgary for a four-day Jiu Jitsu training camp, and is hosting a bake sale fund the trip. Head to 851 Johnson St. between 3 and 7pm on Friday, May 26 to help

• New west coast tapas and wine bar opens near Johnston Street Bridge. Bray’s Victoria recently opened in the historic Janion building near Nubo Kitchen + Bar.

• Fire up the BBQ! Introducing Refire Toasters, an ever changing variety of ooey-gooey cheese bread perfect for indirect heat on the BBQ. This week try the cheesy pulled pork with pickled jalapeño.*

*Sponsored Listing

🗓️ Events

• AfriCa Fest: Browse food and craft vendors today at the African Festival Night Market in Centennial Square, 6-9:30pm.

• Spot Prawn Festival at MacDonald Park. This weekend, head to James Bay for this free two-day event featuring spot prawns, rugby, local artisans, and live music. Fun for all ages, and dogs.

• The Bastion Square Public Market. On Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, from 11am to 5:30pm, and Sundays from 11am to 4pm, check out food carts, clothes, and live music in Bastion Square; .

• Drink’s Academy presents Why Aren’t You a Gay Bar Yet? Next month, Clive’s Classic Lounge is hosting a session on how to create inclusive environments in the hospitality industry for queer and trans people.

 💸 Deals

• Half price wings on Wednesdays at Leopold’s Tavern

• Union Pacific Coffee has a Tuesday $2 latte deal: this isn’t advertised, so ask the barista for a 12oz or 8oz latte with regular milk for $2.

• Part and Parcel has a $3 tuna melt or a $5 chickpea panisse between 3 and 5pm every day.

• CRAFT Beer Market is serving $6 fish tacos and $10 margaritas today.

🧑‍💻 Jobs

• Store Manager at Starbucks.

• Shift Manager at Earl’s Kitchen + Bar

• Director of Food and Beverage at Holiday Inn

• Vessel Crew at Vessel Liquor

• Assistant Deli Manager at Root Cellar