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

Good morning foodies!

It’s officially December and the holidays are right around the corner. Are you gearing up to cook a feast for your family? For anyone looking to order in a big family meal or head to a restaurant rather than do all the work at home, we’ve got you covered. Our featured story today is about all the local spots where you can have that quintessential holiday dinner—without all the work.

Plus, we’ve got the scoop on some local restaurants hosting New Year’s Eve dinners. It may be a month away, but these spots will be reserved fast!

😍 5 spots to try right now

🍩 Esquimalt Bake Shop: Delicious donuts and baked goods at 21-1153 Esquimalt Rd.

🍷 The Courtney Room: Modern Pacific North West Cuisine with an elegant environment and fine dining. 

🍕 Virtuous Pie: Vegan pizza and ice cream at 530 Pandora.  

🥘 Biryani Palace: Halal restaurant serving Indo-Pakistani cuisine at 2709 Quadra St.

🍔 Odd Burger: Plant-based restaurant serving burgers, salads, wraps, fries, and more.

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

FEATURED

These Victoria restaurants are serving Christmas dinner

It’s early December but we at Tasting Victoria are starting to  seriously consider what we are going to eat for the big holiday dinner. If you don’t feel like cooking this year, many Victoria restaurants have you covered. We have compiled a selection of restaurants that are serving both take-out dinners to enjoy at home and dine-in options to make the day a special one. Make sure to reserve your spot!

Check them out.

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FEATURED

Five local restaurants with special New Year’s Eve dinners 

Prepare for course after course of delicious locally grown and sourced dishes at these local restaurants. Details are beginning to be released for some of the most delicious chef’s tasting menu experiences to close out 2024. We’ve got the scoop on five restaurants with special menus for New Year’s Eve. Spots will be reserved fast, so make your pick and finalize that reservation.

Check out our list.  

🗞️ News

A new waffle cafe just opened. Wonderffle Cafe is now open at 632 Yates St. The cafe specializes in drool-worthy waffles and is open daily from 8am to 3pm. Waffle creations include matcha, strawberry, peach mango, and many more, and they can be paired with specialty coffees and entrees.

Slow food series at Cafe Brio. The next instalment is the Feast of the Seven Fishes and will take place on Dec. 15 at 6:30pm. The dinner will include anchovies, mussels, tuna, scallops, cod, clams, and octopus, and tickets are limited.

Italian cocktails on the Island. Campbell River’s Dominic Resicini recently launched Dom’s Spritzers, a line of ready-to-drink Italian spritzer cocktails that are available in all Cascadia Liquor Stores on the Island. [Victoria Buzz]

Mexican specialty food store expands in Nanaimo. The family-run shop, Mary’s Mexican Shop, has now moved to a larger location at Country Club Centre. [CHEK]

Have you checked out the list of winners? We released the 2024 Tasting Victoria Best Restaurant Awards last week. Find out where your favourite restaurants ranked here.

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🗓️ Events

The Langford Station's Winter Village Market: Get ready for a magical winter evening at the Langford Station at Veterans Memorial Park on Dec. 7. There will be opportunities for photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a hot dog station, a hot chocolate and hot apple cider station, live music, a tree-lighting ceremony, and more. 

Christmas Cookie Decorating Class: Join the coffee bar in Oak Bay on Dec. 7 and Dec. 18 for a cookie decorating class by Bobbi’s Sweet Treats, where you’ll get hands on decorating instructions, everything you’ll need to decorate, a complimentary drink and treat, and prizes.  

Pancakes and Santa: Visit Romeo’s in Westshore Town Centre and join Santa for breakfast on Dec. 7. Space is limited and proceeds will be donated to the Goldstream Food Bank.⁠

Holi-slay Drag Brunch: Visit Darcy’s Pub in Langford on Saturday for a fabulous drag brunch. Entry is with a food or $5 donation, with all proceeds supporting the Goldstream Food Bank. The show starts at 12:30pm.

Cookie Decorating: Visit Mayfair mall for a fun-filled cookie decorating event on Saturday from 11am to 3pm near the guest service kiosk.

See upcoming holiday markets here.

 💸 Deals

• Give a gift and get 50% off your burger entree at Bin 4 Burger Lounge (all locations) on Dec. 9.

• Half off cocktails, highballs, beer, and cider at Fathom during social hour daily.

• Tasting menu for two and a bottle of wine for $125 at Matadora Taperia on Thursdays.

• Three-course menu for two and two glasses of wine for $80 at 10 Acres Bistro from Sun.-Thurs.

• $6 Cabo fish tacos and $10 lime margaritas at CRAFT Beer Market on Thursdays. 

🧑‍💻 Jobs

• Server/bartender at Sawmill Taphouse and Grill

• Dishwasher at Saxe Point Public House

• Line cooks at Superflux {Cabana}

• Front of house-host at Denny’s

• Server at Thai Green Elephant

📸 Post of the week

Head to Q Bar or the Festive Veranda throughout December to grab a cup of the wish worthy hot chocolate. For every purchase, $2 will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

That’s it!

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