We tried Janevca Kitchen & Lounge: Here’s how it went

Janevca Kitchen & Lounge opened in October 2024 at Rosemead House in Esquimalt, a restored mansion dating to 1904. This review was published in January 2025.

The experience

On arrival at Rosemead House, valet staff handle parking and a host offers to take your coat before showing you to your table.

The dining room has warm lighting and comfortable seating. From the lounge, you can see into the open kitchen while having cocktails or a small plate.

The staff knew the menu and offered recommendations. We felt well cared for throughout our visit.

The cuisine

At the time of our visit, executive chef Andrea Alridge led the kitchen. The former Top Chef Canada finalist had worked at Vancouver restaurants Osteria Savio Volpe and CinCin Ristorante. Her family-style menu drew on several cuisines and used local ingredients.

What we tried

We started with Hokkaido scallop crudo with calamansi, pyanggang sauce, a Philippine curry, and fermented chilies. It was spicy and fresh, with flavours we hadn't tried elsewhere in Victoria.

Next came the BIANCAAA!! pizza with mortadella, pistachio tapenade and lemon. We liked the crisp wood-fired crust and the combination of toppings.

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 skipped cocktails and wine on this visit. The drinks menu included signature cocktails, BC wines and craft beer.

Dessert was the chocolate black sesame tuxedo mousse: chocolate sesame cake, sesame namelaka (a creamy ganache) and milk chocolate mousse. It came with black sesame ice cream and a crisp sesame snap base.

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.