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

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

Plus, dry ramen bar opens, where to find unique brunch, and fire at Sooke pub

Sarah Madsen
March 07, 2024

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Good morning foodies!

This week we are bringing you a story on a new dry ramen bar and geekware shop that has opened downtown as well as a roundup of some of the most unique brunch dishes being made across the city.

All this talk about the most important meal of the day has us curious, what is your favourite brunch dish?

What is your go-to choice for brunch?

😍 5 spots to try right now

🥗 Cafe Brio: Italian fine dining that uses local and seasonal ingredients at 944 Fort.

🍬 Loveleen's: Pick up Indian sweets and snacks at 852 Fort.

🥖 Fry's Bakery: Sourdough bakery that makes pastries, bread, and pizza at 416 Craigflower.

🍺 Lighthouse Brewing: Grab a pint of craft beer and a bite to eat at 836 Devonshire.

🍷 Vis-à-Vis: Enjoy French-inspired dishes and a glass of wine at 2232 Oak Bay Ave.

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

FEATURED

Dry ramen bar opens in downtown Victoria

Oni-Oni / Facebook

Victoria has a new spot for all things instant ramen and geekware. Otaki opened its doors at 551 Johnson—previously occupied by Citizen Clothing—on Wednesday and is the new home of a dry ramen bar and a vast selection of anime items including figures, plushies, and model kits.

Otaki’s selection of over 30 flavours of cup noodles provides a unique addition to Victoria’s ramen scene, with nearby ramen joints like Ghost Ramen offering hot, dine-in noodle experiences.

Otaki is the new endeavour from Oni-Oni, the Japanese snack and sweet shop just a few steps away on Lower Johnson. Oni-Oni is known for its onigiri, candies, and Japanese shaved ice.

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FEATURED

Check out unique brunch dishes at these Victoria restaurants

Photo: Bear & Joey / Facebook

Brunch in Victoria is an experience in and of itself. From deciding on the restaurant to waiting in line as your stomach rumbles, the finale is picking the perfect dish to start the day with.

Luckily, Victoria is certainly not lacking when it comes to amazing spots to enjoy your favourite breakfast foods. (You can also vote for your favourite brunch spot in our Tasting Victoria Awards, here are the top eight nominees.)

Here we have compiled a selection of some of the most unique brunch options that can be found across the city. From cinnamon bun pancakes and breakfast tacos to jerk caesars and shaft milkshakes, these are some of the dishes worth lining up for.

🗞️ News

Victoria Beer Week continues until Saturday: Check out brewery tours, beer launches, and more during the craft beer festival.

A&W will open on Government in the old Birks jewelry location and will feature a walk-up window. Opening date still unknown. [Retail Insider]

Fire at 17 Mile House Pub in Sooke: Staff and customers battled the fire on the pub’s outdoor patio, extinguishing it before firefighters arrived. The restaurant remains open due to no interior damage. [CHEK]

Have you voted for your favourite restaurants yet?

The voting phase for the 2024 Tasting Victoria Best Restaurant Awards is OPEN! Vote now!

🗓️ Events

Shochu and umeshu tasting: Taste the traditional Japanese spirits and meet the makers at E:Ne Raw Food and Sake Bar this Sunday, 5-8pm.

Gluten-free sourdough workshop: Learn how to make vegan and gluten-free bread at The Art of Slow Food Bakery this Saturday, 4-6pm.

Ghana Independence Day Celebration: This potluck-style event celebrating Ghana’s 67th independence anniversary will include music, cultural displays, dance, and Ghanaian cuisine. This Saturday at James Bay Community Centre, 3-7pm.

Friends-themed trivia night: Test your knowledge on the hit television show at The Mint this Saturday, 7pm.

💸 Deals

$7 fish pakora and $6 naan at Varsha Indian Kitchen during daily happy hour, 3-6pm.
$8 blistered shishitos and $7 shafts at Part and Parcel during happy hour from Tuesday to Friday, 3-5pm.
$11 maple whisky sour and $12 masala cheese fries at Moon Under Water during daily happy hour from 2-4pm and 8-10pm.
$9 Thai nachos and $7 wok fried beans at Baan Thai during happy hour, 2-5pm.