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

Plus, Pride events, Savour Saanich Flavour Trails, and Somewhere* A Restaurant at Dorothy's opens

Sarah Madsen·Jun 27, 2024·7 min read
Tasting Victoria
Newsletter №053

Good morning foodies!

This week we are bringing you a story about the Savour Saanich Flavour Trails that are happening next weekend as well as a roundup of the food-related events that you need to check out across the city during Victoria Pride Festival.

There are so many fun events happening during Pride that are packed with live performances, community, and—of course—delicious food and drink!

What is your favourite way to celebrate during Victoria Pride?

  • Pride Parade
  • Memorial Drag Ball Game
  • Drag brunch
  • Big Gay Dog Walk
  • Queer market
  • Roller derby
  • Festival in the Park
  • Drag show
  • Pride celebrations at community gardens
  • Other (tell us in the comments!)

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😍 5 spots to try right now

🧁 Pure Vanilla Bakery: Cafe and bakeshop serving pastries, cakes, coffee, and lunch at 2590 Cadboro Bay Rd. 

🌮 La Fogata Mexicana Restaurant: Authentic Mexican dishes at 1310 Douglas. 

🌭 Big Bad Bob Hot Dogs: Filipino food truck serving Asian street food and hot dogs.  

🥗 Naami's Mediterranean: Tasty Mediterranean-inspired dishes available at Victoria Public Market.    

🐟 The Fish Store: Delicious fish and chips and oyster bar in Fisherman’s Wharf.

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

FEATURED

Celebrate Pride in Victoria at these food-related events

Photo: Victoria Pride Society / Facebook

Victoria Pride Festival returns this week, celebrating the city’s 2SLGBTQ+ community. Until July 7, events are taking place across the city and many of them involve delicious eats and drinks. We have compiled a selection of festivities that you do not want to miss this Pride including everything from community ball games and picnics to drag brunches and queer markets.  

Check out Victoria's Pride events!

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Meet our roster of incredible broths. Has 10 grams of protein and 50 calories; holistic gut and skin health. Beloved by NYC since 2014. Shop now.

FEATURED

Saanich is getting its very first Flavour Trail this year

If you’re eager to explore Victoria’s hyper local food scene, spark lively conversations with farmers and surround yourself with passionate foodies, clear your calendar for Saanich’s very first Flavour Trail.

Taking place next weekend from July 6 to 7, the Savour Saanich Flavour Trails is a self-guided tour comprised of nine trail stops with tours around community gardens, flower farms and multiple tastings and demonstrations along the way. The trail stops allow visitors to learn more about food production on the Island, purchase from a variety of unique vendors and bask in Saanich’s beautiful landscape.  

Read more about Savour Saanich Flavour Trails.

🗞️ News

Somewhere* A Restaurant at Dorothy’s opening: Hanks* A Restaurant is taking over Friends of Dorothy’s kitchen beginning today. The collaboration will see the 2SLGBTQ+ restaurant and bar’s cocktails paired with a new dining experience.  

Macaloney’s Island Distillery launches new Peat Project: The award-winning distillery is collaborating with Cascadia Seaweed on the world’s first sugar-kelp infused peat-smoked whisky.

Chef cook-off will fundraise for Our Place: Top chefs from local restaurants chose their proteins this week for their cooking face-off at the Hungry Hearts gala, taking place at Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort on Sep. 21. [Times Colonist] 

South Island FarmHub launches summer pop-ups: The local produce hub that partners with Island farms and producers will be available at pop-ups at Victoria Public Market on Jul. 31 and Aug. 28.

Have a restaurant, business, or event to promote?

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

🗓️ Events

JazzFest: The 40th annual music festival brings jazz, blues, and funk performances to locations across the city until Sunday.

Pride Party: Maryze will perform alongside DJ Lunasty and Vanessa Whyte at this party at Quadratic Sounds. Tomorrow, 6-9pm.  

Strath Laughs Stand Up Comedy Pride Edition: J. McLaughlin will host this comedy night in the Maple Room at The Strathcona Hotel. Featuring headliner Zane Oak and additional stand up guests. Tomorrow, 8:30pm.   

Fernwood Summer Nights Market: Check out over 50 craft vendors, food trucks, music, and kids crafts at Stevenson Memorial Park tomorrow, 4-8pm.  

Hollow Coves: The Australian folk duo will perform at Capital Ballroom, with an opening performance from Billianne. Sunday. Doors 7:30pm, show 8:30pm.

Jasper String Quartet: Quarter Fest West welcomes the award-winning ensemble to Phillip T. Young Recital Hall on Sunday, 7-9pm. 

Canada Day: Victoria’s Canada Day celebrations brings live performances, food, and a family zone to the Legislature Lawns. Monday. 11am-11pm.

 💸 Deals

  • $10 Boomtown buns and $6.25 Boomtown lager at Boomtown during happy hour from Mon-Fri, 3:30-5:30pm.

  • $12 per lb. of wings at The Beagle Pub on Tuesdays.  

  • $15.50 prawn tacos and $12.50 sweet potato blinis at Finn's during daily happy hour, 3:30-5pm. 

  • $12 kale caesar salad and $4 crispy chicken slider at Craft Beer Market during happy hour Mon-Fri from 2-5pm and Mon-Thu from 9pm to close.

🧑‍💻 Jobs

  • Community Engagement Consultant at Sooke Regional Museum & Visitor Centre

  • Executive Director at Capital Bike

  • 1st or 2nd Cook at The Blue Poppy Restaurant at The Butchart Gardens

  • Organizing Coordinator at Dogwood

  • Enhanced Executive Support Analyst at ISM

📸 Post of the week

ferncafeandbakery on Instagram
@ferncafeandbakery
View on Instagram →

The ultimate vegan doughnuts made by Fern Cafe and Bakery! Pictured here are Oreo, peaches and orange, and cinnamon sugar doughnuts. Find them at 1115 North Park.

That’s it!

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tasting victoria
Est. 2019Vancouver Island
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