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

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

Plus, new restaurant coming to Esquimalt, Instagram-worthy restaurants, and Deer & Dough Bakery is reopening

Sarah Madsen
July 11, 2024

Good morning foodies!

This week we are bringing you a round-up of picture-worthy restaurants as well as a story about a new restaurant that will be opening in the former Old English Inn in Esquimalt.

It will be among a number of new and returning eateries—Deer & Dough Bakery also announced this week it would be reopening—that are popping up across the city.

What type of cuisine would you like to see more of in Victoria?

😍 5 spots to try right now

🍣 Kappo Marta: Modern Japanese restaurant serving donburi, noodles, and teishoku at 1600 Bay.

🍺 James Bay Inn Pub: Neighbourhood pub serving local brews and comfort food at 270 Government.

🧀 Ottavio Italian Bakery & Delicatessen: European specialty store that serves breads, pastries, and deli goods at 2272 Oak Bay Ave.

🍪 Chubby's Cookies: Made to order cookies with a range of exciting flavours.

🌮 Taco Justice: Food truck serving Mexican street food at 1580 Cook.

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

FEATURED

New Restaurant coming to Esquimalt heritage building

Rosemead House. Photo: Submitted

Janevca Kitchen & Lounge will open in the restored Rosemead House—formerly known as the Old English Inn—in August.

The new restaurant at 429 Lampson St. aims to celebrate heritage in a heritage home. It will focus on open-flame cooking, using a wood-fire grill to offer dishes like steak and charred vegetables.

The kitchen will be led by executive chef Andrea Alridge, who was a finalist on the cooking competition show Top Chef Canada. Alridge will take inspiration from her Filipino and Jamaican heritage in designing the restaurant’s menu.

Read our full story on what to expect from Janevca Kitchen & Lounge.

FEATURED

7 Instagram-worthy dining rooms in Victoria

Victoria is full of beautiful sights, and that certainly doesn’t exclude its restaurants. From candlelit rooms decorated with brick fireplaces to sky-high seating that overlooks the city, there are spaces that are practically screaming to get their photo taken.

Check out our list of seven of our top Instagram-worthy dining rooms in Victoria, featuring an ambiance you’ll want to come back to again and again.

🗞️ News

Deer & Dough Bakery is reopening: The cafe and bakery formerly located in Fairfield will take over the former Shatterbox Coffee location in the Victoria Public Market. Set to open in August.

CrabFest returns this weekend: Enjoy a bucket of crab, prawns, and clams at Banfield Park on Saturday, 12-7pm. The crab festival will also have a beverage garden, vendors, and live music.

Canadian Beer Festival is moving: The annual craft beer festival will relocate to Topaz Park for this year’s Sep. 6-7 weekend. The festival was previously at Royal Athletic Park.

Refuge Tap Room is turning five: The tap room on Fort will celebrate its birthday with $7.50 shafts throughout the week and cake on Wednesday.

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🗓️ Events

Cole Ashley Quartet: The tenor saxophonist will be joined by pianist Rick Son, bassist Harold Cui, and drummer Hans Verhoeven at Hermann’s Jazz Club. Today. Doors 5:30pm, show 7pm.

SKAMpede: The outdoor live performance festival returns this weekend with venues across the Galloping Goose trail, Songhees Park, and Songhees Walkway. Performances will include comedy, dance, puppetry and more. Tomorrow until Sunday.

Festival Mexicano: This festival celebrating Mexican culture will take place at Ship Point in the Inner Harbour this Saturday and Sunday, 11am-6pm.

ReLove Market: Shop secondhand and vintage clothes and accessories in Market Square this Saturday and Sunday, 11am-5pm.

Club Voltaire: The band will perform music inspired by Django at Hermann’s Jazz Club. Saturday. Doors 5:30pm, show 7pm.

Get On Bad: Dance along to reggae, dancehall, and afrobeat music at Victoria Event Centre. Saturday, 10pm-2am.

💸 Deals

$8 porcini mushroom arancini and $8 chip buttie at Saxe Point Pub during daily happy hour, 3-5:30pm.
$13 butter chicken poutine and $8 featured cocktails at Varsha Indian Kitchen during daily happy hour, 3-6pm.
$10 lychee elderflower martini and $10 old fashioned at Bray's during late night happy hour from 9pm to close.
$10 chicken karaage and $9 gyoza at Taisho Japanese Grill and Bar during happy hour from 3-5pm and from 9pm to close.