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

Good morning foodies!

This week we are bringing you a round up of restaurants to check out for Valentine’s Day dinner and a feature on a hot chocolate festival that’s starting this weekend.

All of this week’s snow and cold weather really has us wanting to curl up on the couch with a hot beverage in hand. It’s got us thinking, what is your favourite hot drink to warm up with?

😍 5 spots to try right now

🐟 Boom + Batten: Sit on the waterfront and enjoy dishes inspired by the Pacific Northwest at 2 Paul Kane. 

🌯 Al Barak: Grab amazing shawarma at 569 Johnson.  

🍳 House of Boateng Cafe: West African-Caribbean-Pacific Northwest fusion brunch in Langford at 2854 Peatt.   

🍷 Tourist Wine Bar: Natural wines and shareable plates at 1002 Blanshard.   

🍨 Churros and Mor: Plant-based and gluten-free churros at 325 Cook.

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

FEATURED

Victoria’s hot chocolate festival kicks off this weekend

If there’s anything that the chilling temperatures and blistering winds of this past week has reminded us of, it’s that there is nothing better than a steaming cup of a hot and frothy drink. Just in time to cure our winter blues, the Victoria Hot Chocolate Festival is kicking off this Saturday for its first year. 

The festival has partnered with 15 businesses across the city until February 20 to create featured hot chocolates, with $1 from each hot cocoa sale going to the BC SPCA Victoria Community Animal Centre. 

Read Tasting Victoria's feature on the festival and check out the signature hot chocolates! 

SPONSORED BY TOURISM VICTORIA

Tickets are flying for the Dine Around Gala!

There are still tickets left for the Dine Around Gala, happening January 25 from 5-8pm at the Victoria Conference Centre. The night will dazzle foodies with unlimited bites and sips from 50+ eateries and beverage purveyors, live entertainment, and lots of socializing. It will be a night to dine for! Get your tickets here!

FEATURED

The 10 best Valentine’s Day dinners in Victoria

Though it may not seem like it, Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. It’s time to hunker down, do some research and make a reservation for a romantic dinner for you and your loved one (or best friend, or mother, whatever!) to avoid scrambling at the very last minute.

We have picked out some of Victoria’s finest dining establishments with great atmospheres and even better food for a gorgeous, candlelit and stress-free night. 

Check out Tasting Victoria's Valentine’s Day spots here!

🗞️ News

Vagabond Pies announces pop-up. The pizza joint will take over Picnic Coffee on select Friday evenings beginning January 26. 

Victoria Whisky Festival kicks off today. The annual festival at Hotel Grand Pacific will feature whisky tastings, masterclasses, and awards. Until Sunday.

Former Romeo’s to become a park. The building on Blanshard that previously housed the Italian family restaurant has been vacant for years. [Victoria Buzz]  

🎨 From scraps to art: SUPPLY Victoria boosts affordable creativity by tapping into the landfill’s artistic potential. Now the non-profit is moving to a brand new home in Victoria. Read the full article here.*

🍽️ Nominate your favourite local restaurants in the Tasting Victoria Restaurant Awards. Enter your nominations in any of the 18 categories here!*

*Sponsored Listing

Have a restaurant, business, or event to promote?

Get in touch with our team for small business-friendly advertising plans.

🗓️ Events

Semi Qualified Queens: Synthia Kiss and Juice Boxx from Canada’s Drag Race are hosting their podcast live tonight at Paparazzi Nightclub, 8-10pm. 

Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada: Play ball and street hockey, enjoy a pancake breakfast, and see the Stanley Cup at Ship Point. From today until Saturday.

Art Battle: Watch local artists compete to create the best artwork at Victoria Event Centre tomorrow. Doors 6pm, show 7pm. 

Longwalkshortdock: The electronic musician will perform alongside Shman and Gasolina at Capital Ballroom tomorrow. Doors 9pm, show 9:30pm.

Served Up! A Drag Lunch Experience: Leo and Aries Moon will host an all ages drag show at Moon Under Water Brewpub and Distillery this Saturday, 11:30am-2:30pm. 

Robert Burns Memorial Concert: The performance on Sunday at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Kirk Hall to honour the Scottish poet will feature music, poetry, and Scottish dancing. 2:30pm.

 💸 Deals

• $17 burgers and $8 Guinness at The Local on Wednesdays.  

• $15 wild prawn flatbread and $5 shafts at The Monkey Tree Pub during daily happy hour, 3-6pm. 

• $7 cauliflower wings and $8 pita pizzas at Lido Waterfront Bar & Bistro during happy hour from Monday-Friday, 3-5pm.   

• $14 seasonal feature cocktails and $6 house wines at The Snug Pub during happy hour from Monday-Friday, 2-4pm. 

🧑‍💻 Jobs

• Executive Director at Capital Bike

• Staff Lawyer at Together Against Poverty Society

• Sales Associate at Hey Y’all Southern Style Hard Iced Tea

• Barn Worker at Tally-Ho Carriage Tours

• Third Cook at Fairmont Empress

📸 Post of the week

These strawberry scones form The Hidden Gem are not only the perfect treat on a winter morning, but they are also completely vegan!

That’s it!

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