tasting victoriaEst. 2019Vancouver Island
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What's happening in Victoria's food scene this week?

Eva Rasciauskas, Team Tasting Victoria·Oct 5, 2023·7 min read
Tasting Victoria
Newsletter №015

Hey foodies!

This week, we’re talking all about the unexplored wonders of Pacific Northwest cuisine as well as (per usual) the wonderful restaurants that make up Victoria’s unique and colourful food scene. With such lush, green environments and endless cooking traditions from a variety local chefs, we believe the surface of flavour possibilities has only merely been scratched. And boy, are we ever excited about that!

What makes Victoria's food scene stand out?

  • Its diversity
  • Its local ingredients
  • SEAFOOD
  • Other

Subscribe to participate in polls.

😍 5 spots to try right now

Frankie’s Modern Diner: A cozy, down to earth spot for pizza and pasta.

Ithaka Greek Restaurant: Traditional Greek fare served in a bustling environment.

Young’s Restaurant: Great Chinese food in a wholesome, family-run eatery.

Caffe Fantastico: Coffee, dry goods and a thriving community hub all in one.

Chocolats Favoris: Victoria’s finest selection of all things chocolate.

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

FEATURED

Where to find Pacific Northwest cuisine in Victoria

What’s the first thing that pops into your mind when you think of Pacific Northwest cuisine?

Seafood is a given, as Victoria is surrounded by the never-ending waters of the Pacific Ocean and is undoubtedly home to some of the best seafood in the world. But what else? With a bounty of luscious rainforests, mountains, meadows and other diverse ecosystems, the island is also home to a wide array of local plants (AKA a universe of undiscovered flavours and ingredients that create the taste of the Pacific Northwest).

Here are some local restaurants that strive to showcase these flavours, combining traditional cooking techniques with new flavours to present a truly unique dining experience.

Catch all the best events and things to do happening around town. Sign up for This Week In Victoria, and get a free weekly newsletter that curates everything all in one place.

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SPONSORED BY LURE RESTAURANT & BAR

LURE Restaurant & Bar Welcomes Group Reservations

Have a group? We all know how hard it is to find a restaurant that will take a reservation for more than ten—look no further!

LURE Restaurant & Bar welcomes groups for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And for dinner, Chef Curtis’ family style group menus offer a selection of starters, mains and desserts so everyone can try a little of everything without any FOMO.

LURE Restaurant & Bar is located on the waterfront in the Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort.

Visit lurevictoria.com for more information and call 250-360-5873 for your group reservation.

FEATURED

New Wind Cries Mary spinoff will take over Sherwood cafe space

Photo: Wind Cries Mary / Facebook

This week has been bittersweet, as popular Victoria-based restaurant chain Wind Cries Mary has announced it will be replacing Sherwood—a once-beloved restaurant in Victoria’s colourful food scene—and opening its new sister restaurant in the same space.

More details are yet to come about the upcoming restaurant, which is named Rudi. But from what we’ve seen from the Wind Cries Mary group so far, a continued emphasis on local, farm-to-table dining seems to be the direction they’ll be heading.

Read more about Sherwood Cafe and Wind Cries Mary.

🗞️ News

Food insecurity is on the rise in Victoria, according to food banks. In preparation for Thanksgiving, food banks are preparing to serve increasingly large numbers of families. Numbers have more than doubled throughout the past two years.

A Victoria ice cream shop has been forced to stop selling wholesale products. In an effort to support local dairy farmers, Cold Comfort Ice Cream had to take its wholesale products off market shelves to comply with dairy regulations which require producers to buy from authorized, licenced dairy plants.

More healthy food options will become available to low-income households following a provincial investment of $14 million into the Critical Food Infrastructure Fund for local community organizations. Charitable organizations such as non-profits will be able to apply for the grant.

SPONSORED BY BC CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

Make a difference for BC’s Kids

Victoria’s cherished holiday event is returning November 16.

Festival of Trees features up to 100 decorated trees on display at the Bay Centre over the holidays. Sponsor a tree in support of cancer research at BC Children’s Hospital. If you're seeking a fun team-building event—this is it!

Have a restaurant, business, or event to promote?

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

🗓️ Events

Drop Dog Wednesdays: Join fellow hot dog enthusiasts at Smiths Pub this coming Wednesday for a delicious dog with endless toppings—veggie dogs are available too!

Peninsula Country Market: This coming Saturday, October 9th, is the last day you can visit this wholesome farmers’ market for the season. Find everything from produce vendors to freshly baked pies and music.

Absinthe Masterclass: Go through a variety of absinthe preparations in this intriguing, hour-long class at Vessel Liquor this Saturday.

Apple Fest: It’s officially apple season! Enjoy cakes, pies and other delicious apple sweets under heritage apple trees at Ross Bay Villa Historic House Museum this Friday.

 💸 Deals

• $50 3-course Thanksgiving meal at Boom + Batten this coming Monday—reservations are available online!

• $3.99 tacos every Tuesday at 1550’s, as well as $4.99 highballs for the ideal Taco Tuesday pairing.

• $6 burgers and beers every Tuesday at Craft Beer Market for a $12 match made in heaven. 

🧑‍💻 Jobs

  • Night crew member at McDonald’s

  • Server at Earls

  • Bartender at Swans Pub

  • Full-time cook at Nubo Kitchen + Bar

  • Full-time cook at Roast Meat & Sandwich Shop

That’s it!

If you enjoyed today’s newsletter, consider forwarding your friend; if not, let us know down below.

What did you think of today's newsletter?

  • 😋😋😋 Tasty and delicious
  • 😕 So so, needs some spice
  • 👎 Send it back

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About this story

An archive story about Wind Cries Mary Victoria, Pacific Northwest dining, downtown restaurants, and Victoria food news coverage. Use it alongside the related Victoria guides below for current restaurant, cafe, market, and neighbourhood context.

Topic
Wind Cries Mary
Coverage
Victoria
Guides
6
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tasting victoria
Est. 2019Vancouver Island
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