Located in the newly restored Rosemead House, a historic mansion dating back to 1904, Janevca Kitchen & Lounge in Esquimalt offers an elevated yet approachable dining experience. Since its opening in October last year, the restaurant has been praised for its stylish atmosphere and commitment to high-quality cuisine, gaining a reputation as a go-to spot for those looking for a memorable dining experience, whether it is a romantic evening, a celebration, or casual meal. 

Dining at Janevca Kitchen & Lounge is far more than just a meal—it’s an experience. From the moment guests arrive at Rosemead House, they are greeted by valet personnel who make parking effortless. Inside, a welcoming host offers to take your coat and takes you to your table. 

The restaurant ambiance blends contemporary chic with historic charm. Warm lighting, comfortable seating, and thoughtful design details honour the building’s history while providing a modern and elegant dining space. The lounge area is beautiful and offers front-row views into the open kitchen. It’s an ideal spot for cocktails or small bites. Regardless of where you’re seated, you can expect attentive service and an ambiance designed to elevate your evening.

The staff’s knowledge of the menu and enthusiasm for sharing recommendations enhances the dining experience. During our visit, the service was impeccable, making us feel well cared for throughout the evening.

Janevca’s family-style menu features globally-inspired flavours crafted from locally-sourced ingredients. The kitchen is led by executive chef Andrea Alridge, a former finalist on Top Chef Canada, with experience leading renowned Vancouver restaurants like Osteria Savio Volpe and CinCin Ristorante. Her creative approach to blending diverse culinary influences results in dishes that are innovative and flavourful.

What we tried

We began our culinary journey with the Hokkaido scallop crudo, a dish that was bold and refreshing. The fresh scallops come with calamansi, pyanggang sauce (a classic Philippine curry), and fermented chilies. The result was a spicy, fresh, and unique dish—unlike anything we’ve had in Victoria.

Next, we tried the “BIANCAAA!!” pizza, featuring mortadella, pistachio tapenade, and lemon. The wood-fired crust had the perfect balance of crispness and thickness, and the combination of toppings delivered rich, vibrant flavours in every bite.

For our main course we selected the wood-grilled primrose pork chop and accompanied it with the charred broccolini. The primrose pork chop was generously portioned, featuring bone-in pork chops and sliced pieces. Crispy and flavourful on the outside, it is served with a spicy picapeppa sauce and butter beans. This dish again, like the scallops, features flavours we’ve never had before in Victoria. It is inspired by one of the chef’s favourite childhood dishes, with Jamaican influences. The broccolini, lightly charred and drizzled with black garlic dressing and gomashio, balanced smoky and savoury notes that we enjoyed very much.

We opted to skip cocktails and wine during this visit, but the lounge’s mixology program is worth noting. It features signature cocktails crafted with premium spirits and fresh ingredients, as well as a thoughtfully curated wine and beer list highlighting BC wineries and craft breweries.

To end the evening, we indulged in the chocolate black sesame tuxedo mousse. This dessert was a perfect combination of textures and flavours, with a dense chocolate sesame cake layer, a sesame namelaka layer (a creamy ganache), and a milk chocolate mousse layer, accompanied by a creamy black sesame ice cream with a crispy black sesame snap base, it was a decadent and innovative way to end our meal.

Overall, Janevca Kitchen & Lounge offers an exceptional and creative dining experience that combines high-quality food with unique and different flavours, stylish ambiance, and excellent service. While the restaurant feels upscale, it remains approachable and relaxed, appealing to a broad audience. Whether you’re a foodie, a cocktail enthusiast, or just someone looking for a great night out, Janevca is a truly one of a kind spot in Victoria.

Note: This visit was not part of a collaboration or media event. The restaurant was not informed of our visit beforehand and all opinions are our own.