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

Good morning foodies!

This week we are bringing you a feature on a new local vegan meal prep service as well as a round up of the most anticipated restaurants that are opening up in 2024.

We are getting super excited about these new spots and we want to know which one you most want to go to!

😍 5 spots to try right now

🥘 Messob Ethiopian Cuisine: Enjoy wot served on injera at Cook Street Village Food Court.   

🥙 Bold Butchery & Grill: Grab tasty shawarma at 1420 Quadra.  

🥐 Friends & Family Bake: Pick up amazing Filipino baked goods in Fan Tan Alley.  

🍲 Stir It Up: Delicious Caribbean fare at 760 Yates.  

☕ White Heather Tea Room: Share afternoon tea and sandwiches at 1885 Oak Bay Ave. 

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

FEATURED

The most anticipated restaurant openings in 2024

The last few months have been filled with sneak peeks and pop-ups that are making Victoria foodies excited about the new restaurants set to open across the city this year. We gathered all the information you need to know to best prepare yourself for expected menus and opening dates. 

From new ventures by established local favourites to entirely new endeavours, these are the restaurants that are coming soon or have recently opened that we are most excited to check out!

TASTING VICTORIA RESTAURANT AWARDS

Nominate yours faves in all 18 categories

Do you have a favourite bakery? Sushi spot? Burger? Patio? Show your favourite restaurants some love by nominating them in the 2024 Tasting Victoria Restaurant Awards.

Fill out as many nominations as you can in this form, or if you just have one favourite, skip to that category and just nominate the one!

FEATURED

A new vegan meal prep service is now available in Victoria

Though Victoria and the rest of Canada are no stranger to meal prep services—looking at you, Chef’s Plate and Hello Fresh!—there’s certainly more of a scarcity in vegan and vegetarian options. 

Luckily, Victoria is now home to Easy Vegan, a 100% plant-based meal subscription box that caters to both experienced vegans and complete beginners, providing a wide range of exciting options that prioritize locally sourced food and seasonal ingredients.   

Check out Tasting Victoria's feature on the new meal prep service here. 

🗞️ News

Gingerbread Showcase winner announced. This year’s theme for Habitat for Humanity's fundraiser was family traditions. 

Rudi opens coffee and sandwich bar. Rudi Express will have a salad bar, grilled sandwiches, and freshly baked cookies. Open Monday to Friday from 8am-3pm. 

Victoria could be getting its first Chipotle. The Mexican-inspired restaurant chain’s website says it is hiring a General Manager for a location on 1070 Douglas. 

Riot Brewing Co. shuts down due to financial stresses. The craft brewery in Chemainus opened its doors in 2016. [Victoria News] 

Have a restaurant, business, or event to promote?

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

🗓️ Events

Cirque Du Soleil: The circus group will begin its performances at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre beginning today. Until Sunday. 

Rakata Latin Night: Dance along to Latin music with special guest EP The Latino at Capital Ballroom tomorrow, 9pm.

Poetry in Light: An evening of poetry at Greater Victoria Public Library James Bay Branch. Tomorrow, 7-9pm. 

Aisslinn Nosky plays Bach and Vivaldi: The violinist will lead Victoria Baroque in a concert of Bach, Vivaldi, Telemann, and Emily Doolittle at Church of St. John the Divine. Tomorrow, 7:30-9:30pm.

Block Kitchen + Bar anniversary week: The restaurant on Yates is celebrating its one year birthday starting Sunday.

Hotel Mira: The Vancouver-based rock band will perform alongside Fake Shark and Cold Fame at Capital Ballroom on Wednesday. Doors 8pm, show 9pm.

 💸 Deals

• $6 highballs and $7 house wine at The Surly Mermaid during daily happy hour, 3-5pm. 

• $12 Detroit style pizza and $8 shafts Virtuous Pie during happy hour Sunday to Friday from 2-5pm and from 9pm until close.  

• $6 kennebec fries and $8 cocktails at Spinnakers during happy hour Monday to Friday, 3-5pm.  

• $13 cheeseburgers and $7.75 pints at Irish Times during daily happy hour, 2-5pm.

🧑‍💻 Jobs

• Barn Worker at Tally-Ho Carriage Tours

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

• Product Designer at Outway  

• Chef de Partie at Fairmont Empress

• Hospitality Corporate Controller at Westin Bear Mountain Resort & Spa  

📸 Post of the week

This featured fried artichoke dish from MeeT on Blanshard is calling our name! Available until Jan. 14.

That’s it!

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