😋 What is happening in Victoria's food scene this week?

Good morning foodies!

There’s something about Italian food—it’s always a crowd pleaser. From antipasto platters to bowls of pasta, wood-fired pizzas, tiramisu and gelato, it’s always a good option. So we rounded up six of the top Italian restaurants in Victoria where you can satisfy all those cravings. That’s in our top story today followed by a list of the city’s best restaurants that have all expanded west.

Over in the news, you’ll find announcements of some closings at the Victoria Public Market, paired with some new restaurant openings this week. Now let’s get to it.

😍 5 spots to try right now

☕ Saint Cecilia: Welcoming coffee shop that serves up great coffee and baked goods at 535 Yates.   

🥢 Block Kitchen and Bar: Sharable Asian fusion eats and cocktails at 538 Yates.  

🍷 Bar Poco: Share small plates and enjoy a glass of wine at 616 Trounce Alley.  

🥯 Shanzee’s Biscuit Cafe: All-day breakfast on amazing biscuits.

🍳 Blue Fox Café: Line up early for this delectable all-day brunch spot at 919 Fort St. 

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

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 Italian restaurants to check out in Victoria

Whether you're craving handmade pasta, wood-fired pizza, or a decadent tiramisu, the city has a variety of Italian restaurants that capture the essence of Italy’s culinary traditions. 

We’ve curated a list of must-visit Italian spots in Victoria, perfect for a romantic date night, a family dinner, or simply indulging in your love of authentic Italian cuisine.

Check it out.

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Some of the city’s best restaurants are heading west 

The 2024 Tasting Victoria Restaurant Awards are out, and across the 18 categories, there were quite a few winners from the Westshore. The list focuses on the best of the best mostly in Victoria itself, but winners are spread out across the CRD.

Five of the categories featured local institutions that have called Victoria home, and are now expanding west with second, third, or fourth locations. So for those who don’t live in the city or get downtown as often as they might like, good food is just around the corner.

Here are the Westshore’s top winners. 

🗞️ News

OOTA-YA will be closed as of Dec. 28. The sushi restaurant at the Victoria Public Market announced yesterday that it is closing after Coho Commissary, the kitchen operator, announced it will be leaving the market at the end of the month.

Soft opening for Roast at Uptown. Starting today from 11am to 3pm, the new Roast kiosk at Uptown shopping centre is having a soft opening for one week.

New pizza joint in town. Pizza Garden just opened its doors this week at 898 Government St. It opened its first location in Vancouver in 2012 and is known for its Neapolitan-style pizzas that are available by the slice.

Chinatown gets a new wine bar. We’ve been waiting for this news to drop. Rabbit Rabbit is now open at 658 Herald St. in Victoria’s Chinatown. Reservations can be made online.

The Tasting Victoria Restaurant Awards have been announced. See who topped the list.

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🗓️ Events

Moss Street Holiday Market: Discover local vendors in two full days of holiday cheer on Dec. 14 and 15. There will be hot apple cider, local businesses offering crafts, clothing, jewelry, toys, delicious food, and live music.

Oops I Forgot Holiday Market: Your last chance to shop for gifts and goodies before Christmas at Junction Orchard and Cidery on Dec. 21. 

Santa Claus at My-Chosen Cafe: Visit My-Chosen Cafe on Dec. 21 and Dec. 22, bring your own camera and capture special moments with Santa Claus, enjoy a festive atmosphere, and holiday cheer. Carlos, Tootsie, and Mack are so excited that Santa is stopping by the My-Chosen Cafe this year, they have made a special Santa menu and the proceeds from that menu will go to help support their friends at The BC SPCA Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre.

Thrift Sale and Community Coffee: Shop second hand treasures and enjoy a coffee with neighbours at Oak Bay United Church on Friday from 9am to 1pm.

Merry Witches Yule Market: Check out this not-so-traditional holiday market at Prospect Lake Community Hall, Saturday from 10am to 4pm.

Brunch with Santa: On Sunday from 11am to 2pm at The Courtney Room, Santa Claus is coming to town. Enjoy a delicious buffet brunch with Santa for $90 per adult and $45 per child.

Are you hosting a food event? Let us know

 💸 Deals

• $8 mini-egger breakfast sandwich with a 12 oz. drip coffee at Union Pacific Coffee daily.

• $8 truffle fries and $6 draft pints at Spinnakers during “hoppy hour”, Mon.-Fri. 3-5pm.

• $10 Boomtown buns and $12 loaded tots at Boomtown during daily happy hour, Mon.-Fri. 3:30-5:30pm.

• $10 Cabana Jr. burger and $5 16 oz. lager at Superflux {Cabana} during daily happy hour, 4-5pm. 

• Dinner for two and a bottle of wine for $99 at Nowhere *A Restaurant on Wednesdays. 

🧑‍💻 Jobs

• Restaurant Manager at SSP

• Barista and Front of House at The Breakfast Shop

• Dishwasher at Earls Bay Centre

• Line Cooks at Boom + Batten

• Host at Earls Bay Centre

📸 Post of the week

Goodside Pastry House has released its lineup of bûche de noël flavours and they sound delicious: matcha yuzu, bailey’s with cherry and hazelnut, and milk chocolate orange. They are sure to wow on any holiday dessert table, get your orders in now.

That’s it!

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