Victoria Restaurants

[tsquare]

Did a search and found only one recommendation on egullet - and half hearted at that. Is it just too much of a tourist town? Do any of the restaurants in Victoria live up to the Vancouver reputation for fine dining?

Especially interested in in-town places for non-vehicular visits. Thanks.

[Junior]

The last time I was in Victoria My girlfirned and I aate at The Tapas Bar and It was great. I would suggest the Empress hotel. It is one fo the oldest hotels in BC and is a part of the Fairmont chain. Delta hotels which is owned by Fairmont also has the OceanPoint Resort on the opposite side of the harbour. If you are staying in the downtown area of Victoria, everything you need is within walking distance.

[mb7o]

Jogging my memory, these are the two good places I've been:

Pagliacci's. Italian and also brunch.

Re-Bar is more interesting, sort of a vegetarian restaurant except the food is excellent and may not actually be vegetarian.

Zagat does include it as part of 'vancouver (island)' if you can't find anything else. Also search here for "vancouver island", though of course most things will be further than in town. Also check what dates you're searching here.

[Bux]

We were in Victoria for a couple of days about three years ago. We had a meal at what I think was a new restaurant whose name I don't remember. We chose the restaurant because they chef came from France where he had a restaurant with a Michelin star. My wife ordered scallops with some confidence. The came out rather over cooked and she played with them more than she ate them. The waiter picked up on it and asked if something was wrong. My wife is not the sort who says "if's fine" when it's not. She told him she found them seriously overdone and not very appetizing. They were whisked away and redone for her, with an apology from the chef who was happy to prepare them properly for her after so many locals had returned properly cooked ones because they were "not cooked enough." Basically, what we learned is that the locals don't have the same standards for food, one is more likely to find in Vancouver or Seattle where things were generally cooked to our standards--although I didn't always appreciate some Pacific Rim food in Seattle that seemed less fused than advertised.

A second meal at a Hunan Restaurant in Chinatown, ("Hunan" was in the name and there were not a lot of Hunan restaurants in Victoria) was exceptional--although I was told Victoria didn't have good Chinese food. We had black cod with bean curd and it was one of the best fish dishes I've had. You rarely see black cod (sable) here on the east coast for one thing and for another it was just perfectly done. A dish of twice cooked pork (with cabbage) was also better than I've had it here in NYC since.

However, I'd say you're safer with burgers and beer except for the fact that one couldn't get a rare burger. Good local beer, maybe not from the island but from BC at any rate. I believe there is at least one restaurant on the island with a good reputation, but it's not in Victoria. Fat Guy should kick in here. He has experience in the area, but he was also the one who told me not to expect much from Victoria in comparison to Vancouver.

[Rhea_S]

Pagliacci's. Italian and also brunch.

Pagliacci's was one of my best dining experiences. However, I was only about 14 at the time with very unsophisticated taste buds (not that different from today) and I was ravenous from having played at a field hockey tournament the whole day. I had a very rich and creamy pasta with pancetta and peas.

[tighe]

It's nothing fancy, but I've always gotten really good fish & chips at Spinnaker's Brew Pub. It's on the other side of the harbor from downtown, so you have some really nice views from the restaurant. Good beer too!....

[quaker]

I realise I am a little late on this topic, but I don't wnt to see Victoria dismissed entirely. For unknown reasons it has turned nout a very high number of good cooks. I am amazed that Zambris' restaurant wasn't mentioned, It is somewhat hidden beside a giant drug store on Yates street, but it is almost always full. The food is extremely authentic Northern Italian, lots of slow braised rabbit veal cheeks etc. Service is informal and friendly. lots of good Italian wines.

[bean]

we've stayed at 'sooke harbour house' a few times over the years. tho i am not happy that they have expanded (loosing some of the intimate charm), the meals there have always been revelatory. worth the hour drive out of victoria.

[chantrelle]

we've stayed at 'sooke harbour house' a few times over the years. tho i am not happy that they have expanded (loosing some of the intimate charm), the meals there have always been revelatory.  worth the hour drive out of victoria.

I loved the Sooke Harbour House! We stayed there for 2 nights, and it was ridiculously expensive but sooooooo good.

They gave us little box lunches every day to take on our hikes around the area and they were the best damn sandwiches EVER!

I wrote a review of the dinner on FoodPorn but i wrote it about a year or so after the meal (we ate there before i launched the site) but i remembered some stuff

http://foodporn.com/tabledance/sooke.html

[Mme.Aimee]

I had a great meal out in Victoria last summer at a place called Paprica Bistro. It was out in Oak Bay on a street called Estevan. Excellent meal, fresh seafood, nice little wine list, very romantic. It's chef owned, and his wife ( former hostess from Bishops) is a charming hostess. It had just been mentioned in Bon Appetite when I was there.

Check it out.

[jcsaucey]

The very best food spot in Victoria is Zambris. Owned by the chef Peter and his sister Jo, they deliver no-nonsence Northern Italian food using organic and farmgate products. Absolutly stunning flavours and technique. Winelist is small but works very well with the food. Go for dinner and have the tasting menu with matched wines.

[Explorer]

Friends of mine just raved about one called Trio in Victoria. Nothing more to add.

[jcsaucey]

Where is Trio, I live in Victoria and I have never heared of it. Tell us more. Paprica Bistro is great as well, my wife is the former pastry chef so I ate there often and well. Cafe Brio is also very consistant and has great wines. Sooke Harbour House can be very hit and miss.

[Explorer]

jc- sorry; i meant Brio (not Trio).

[merlin]

It has been a few years since we managed to get out to Victoria but do recollect that Cafe Brio was a fun, noisey, trattoria type spot to dine and wine...yes, as Saucey pointed out, they have a good wine list and recollect a person who I think was the owner was more than pleased to discuss the wines.

We also enjoyed the casual atmosphere, large portions and good prices at the Herald Street Cafe.

I think we walked by Zambris on a couple of occasions and am "kicking myself" now for not having given it a try as it sounds like a spot we would have liked.

We had a so, so lunch at the Blue Water Cafe in the Coast Hotel and were overcharged for our wine...wine list error...said it was the Blue Mountain reserve whereas what was poured was their beige label. I did not know the striped v. beige label distinction until later. To be fair, when I pointed our that error in a letter to mgmt they apologized and offered another bottle upon a return visit...unfortunately that has not happened yet.

Had an outstanding dinner at the Victorian Dining room in the Ocean Pointe. Top notch from food through wine through service.

Brilliant evening at the Aerie but I sure wish there was an easier way to get there that driving the pitch black Malahat. Had to curb my interest in their wine list.

Camille's was ok. Have had better during other visits.

To you locals, whatever happened to Rebecca's? [now replaced by the D'Arcy McGee pub at the foot of bastion square]. That used to be our all time Victoria favourite for lunch and dinner given the inventive cuisine.

[M'd]

Victoria has some very fine rooms to dine in. Young and driven local chefs are proud of the island's bounty and they show it off best (in my opinion) here:

1) Cafe Brio -Honest and unpretentious with a wine list that is much more interesting than the usual Wine Dictator/I mean Spectator influence all over it. Chris is the new head chef there now that Jeff Kennliside has moved on to help open Shelter restaurant in Tofino BC. I have been to Brio many times and as regulars we could not be more proud of how well Chris has stepped up from Sous to Head Chef. I am sure Jeff is happy to know that he left his kitchen in good hands.

2) Speaking of Brio; their opening chef Sean Brennan has opened up what is now one of the top dining spots in Victoria. Between his french fundamentals and his business partner Mark's french wine program you really can't go wrong enjoying some of the finest combos in town.

Brasserie L'Ecole I think is the name.

3) If you can afford it (I rarely can) than a trip to Sooke Harbour House is worth a trip out to Sooke. Edward Tuscon and his brigade are some of the most innovative menu planners I have ever seen.

Ps Zambri's and Paprika are AWESOME too but somebody already mentioned them and I beleive my wrists are beginning to cramp.

Enjoy Victoria,

M'd

[mingus]

I'll second the recommendation for Brasserie l'Ecole, which to me has more of the warm and cosy feel of a chummy neighbourhood Paris bistro than a brasserie - like Le Pichet in Seattle, only more intimate.

The service is friendly, discreet and attentive. The staff seem to enjoy working there. Mark puts together an interesting list, with affordable wines by the glass. The menu, like the decor, is unpretentitious. Sean Brennan's cooking is always a delight. We had a lovely beet and goat cheese terrine last time we were there, along with some bistro standards, ie, endive salad with lardon and hazelnuts, steak frites, etc.

The place is usually hopping on a Friday and Saturday night. What's more, the place attracts a wide range of ages - young, middle-aged and older - who feel comfortable with the atmosphere. That tells me the restaurant is doing something right. If you can't get a table, it's very relaxed and convivial eating at the bar, where you can yak about the food and wine with the accomodating staff.

It's a shame there's nothing quite like it in Vancouver.

[spazzley]

Cafe Brio on Fort St. is very good and a new one called Temple is descent but pretentious, ex-sous chef of Sooke Habour House.

[edm]

Breakfast :

Spinnaker's pub

Lunch :

Zambris (worth going anytime. On saturday nights, they have a set 5- course menu for 40 bucks)

Diner :

Brasserie L'ecole, Cafe Brio, or out-of-town, for a splurge, The aerie.

Vegetarian :

Re-bar

[bbmcd]

Victoria is touristy, but there are several fine restaurants. Our favorite is Camilles (camillesrestaurant.com) for its exquisite food, superb service and romantic atmosphere. Others are: The Tapas Bar (fun, casual, good food, in an alley); Harbour Canoe Club (great fish and chips, English pub, waterfront), Ches Daniels (French), The Bangal Bar (in the Empress Hotel; a must see, even if you don’t eat there); Herald Street Caffe (upscale bistro); and The Victorian (in the Ocean Pointe Resort, outstanding cuisine, superb night views, formal setting).

[Derek Diggler]

Rebar is great. Make sure to try out the apple cider they have there. The blue fox cafe on Fort (Fart) Street makes #1 french toast in my books.

[butterchik]

Happy to be back on the Island, I have been hitting all my favourite spots, andman is my belly glad to be home.

My "They've never let me down" list

Brekkie - Willie's Bakery - killer hot breakfast specials mixing up polentas, veggie sautes and yummy baked stuff

Lunch - Zambri's - Peter is my lost Italian Mamma

Dinner - Brasserie L'Ecole - the house cocktail (Passoa, sparkling and bitters?) , the smoked tuna appy, the steak and the excellent service help to keep me stuck in my rut. Keep on going back for more...

[newsbabe]

It's not a resturant, but Rogers' Chocolates on Government Street have the **BEST** Victoria Creams. I don't even like creams, and their's are heavenly! It's turned into a Christmas tradition for my family -- and for more than 25 years, we know Christmas has arrived when we get our big boxes of pink wrapped creams. Definitely stop in there and try one -- and don't go for the minitures -- get the big ones.

[style councillor]

I'm so glad that by the end of this thread the plot was found!

I was getting a bit worried in the beginning...having lived in victoria, opened a restaurant and been involved with several (all of them very good and all have been mentioned) - it has a surprisingly number of very good places relative to it's size and now that I'm in vancouver the one thing i miss the most are the restaurants.

In no particular order, the best dining in victoria is:

zambris

paprika

cafe brio

the victorian

camille's

brasserie l'ecole

john's noodle house

a little place in chinatown (not asian tho) run by a crazy lady - can't remember the name...

ottavio (well it's a deli/gourmet store/cafe)

temple? (impressive room, frankly havent eaten enough of the food)

and outside of victoria, the aerie and sooke harbour house.

[merlin]

My wife and I got back to Edmonton from our annual visit to the west coast earlier today.

We left the "monsoon" rains of mid-month October and encountered snow here in "King Ralph's Domain"...we prefer the rain....

Just read through the posts above.

We agree wholeheartedly with Mingus. Brasserie l'Ecole was our "find" of this visit to Victoria.

We had dinner there on two of the three nights we stayed in Victoria after almost a couple of weeks in Tofino. I am sure that this spot will not work for everyone. The bistro styled food and limited menu will "turn off" some.

Not us. The "frites" disappointed but everything else worked.

We too tried the beet and goat cheese terrine. Very good.

The servers, in our case Marne <sp?> and Richard as well as the rest of the staff do appear [as someone else pointed out] to enjoy working.

My halibut and my wife's roast poussin were both terrfic. I had the Sooke trout on the next night which was equally good.

The carmelized lemon sabayon tart with tayberry coulis was simply put, ouststanding.

The wine list was very well chosen and priced especially with their everything [except bubblies] by the glass, ie. take the list price and divide by 5 to come to the glass price. I wish more restaurants would take their lead from Mark and co..

We also tried Zambri's based, at least in part, upon comments here and at other "foodie" internet sites. I was mistaken. I had thought Il Terrazzo was what people were commenting on when they mentioned Zambri's.

The former was ok, but not great. The wine list was impressive.

Zambri's was very good. Mind you we ventured up Yates at the lunch hour and were not expecting the semi-cafeteria style. Given what was up on the blackboard from the previous nite's dinner we decided to go back to L'Ecole rather than them for dinner but for lunch it was very good.

The pasta dishes we had were flavourfull. The place was "hopping" for lunch.

We stayed at the Ocean Pointe and were pleasantly surprised by the food at their Boardwalk restaurant. The soy marinated halibut burger was very good and a lot better that what I originally thought I would be getting as was the bottle of Poplar Grove Pinot Gris we had with it.

We hope to take advantage of WestJet and get back to Victoria sooner than later.

Were disappointed that the the lunch options are fairly restricted. Herald Street Cafe for example was open only for dinner whereas that had been a spot we had lunched at previously...admittedly some years ago.