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

Plus, Quadra Village getting new bistro, where to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, and Phillips Brewing wins gold

Sarah Madsen·May 2, 2024·7 min read
Tasting Victoria
Newsletter №045

Good morning foodies!

This week we are bringing you a story about a new bistro that will be opening soon in Quadra Village from the previous owner of Vancouver’s beloved Dock Lunch as well as a round up of restaurants across the city to enjoy amazing Mexican food in celebration of Cinco de Mayo this weekend.

What is your favourite Mexican dish?

  • Tamale
  • Enchilada
  • Taco
  • Torta
  • Burrito
  • Pozole
  • Flauta
  • Tortilla soup
  • Quesadilla
  • Other (tell us in the comments!)

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😍 5 spots to try right now

🥧 Two Crows Craft Foods: Handmade pies, mustards, and dips in the Victoria Public Market.   

🍫 Sirene Chocolate: Award-winning artisan bean to bar chocolate handcrafted in Victoria.  

☕ Discovery Coffee: Roastery and four cafes serving up coffee and doughnuts.  

🍨 Parachute Ice Cream: Handmade ice cream available in scoops, pints, cakes, and milkshakes at 2626 Bridge and 735 Goldstream.   

🍷 Zero Lush: Premium alcohol-free wines made using traditional winemaking methods.

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

FEATURED

Victoria’s Quadra Village is getting a spunky new bistro

@docklunch_offmain / Instagram

There’s certainly a lot to look forward to this summer.

Lately, we’ve got our eyes set on the opening of Emmaline’s—a stylish new bistro set to open its doors in Quadra Village. While the restaurant is still under construction, patrons can expect the 2,400-square-foot space to be fully up and running in just a couple of months.

Inspired by Dock Lunch, a previously beloved bistro situated in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant neighbourhood that fostered a tightly knit neighbourhood community, Emmaline’s main focus will be to bring that neighbourhood bistro energy back in Victoria.

Read more about what to expect from Emmaline's.

FEATURED

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at these 11 Victoria restaurants

Kattia’s Kitchen Authentic Mexican / Facebook

This Sunday is Cinco de Mayo, the annual celebration of Mexico’s victory in the 1862 Battle of Puebla over the invading French army. Primarily celebrated in Puebla, the holiday commemorating the 5th of May has also become a wider celebration of Mexican heritage and culture across Canada and the US. 

In honour of the holiday, we have compiled a selection of restaurants that serve delicious Mexican food not only this weekend, but throughout the year. From tacos, enchiladas, and tamales to churros and arroz con leche, we have you covered when it comes to choosing the perfect spot to enjoy Mexican fare. 

Celebrate the holiday at these Victoria restaurants.

🗞️ News

Phillips Brewing wins gold at World Beer Cup in Las Vegas for its Dinosour Stone Fruit beer in the American-Style Sour Ale category. 

Victoria brunch spots named among best in Canada: OpenTable's Top 100 Brunch Restaurants featured Boom + Batten, Glo Restaurant + Lounge, Med Grill, and Vista 18 Restaurant + Lounge on its list, based on diner reviews and metrics. 

Sunset Sips at The Empress: Tea-infused cocktails and mocktails served in glass teapots are back at the historic hotel starting tomorrow.

Taste the City coming to Victoria: The digital tasting guide connects restaurant-goers with multiple eateries over the course of an evening.

Have a restaurant, business, or event to promote?

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

🗓️ Events

The Courtney Room x Lupo: David Rye and Justine Leboe of the Banff restaurant will host a collab dinner at the restaurant in The Magnolia Hotel today, 6pm. 

TEDxRRU: Listen to talks from Canadian changemakers at the Dogwood Auditorium at Royal Roads University tomorrow, 5:30-9pm.     

Kim Churchill: The Australian singer will perform at Capital Ballroom to celebrate the release of his four new EPs tomorrow. Doors 8pm, show 9pm.

Mary Poppins: Victoria On Stage Musical Theatre will perform the play based on the classic P.L. Travers book at McPherson Playhouse from tomorrow until May 12.

James Bay Market: The farmers market at the corner of Menzies and Superior kicks off for the season this Saturday and Sunday, 9am-3pm.

Damien Jurado: The Seattle-based singer will be joined by Lilly Miller at Capital Ballroom this Saturday. Doors 8pm, show 9pm.

 💸 Deals

  • $9.00 crispy cauliflower and $8.75 double watermelon social soda at Browns Socialhouse during happy hour. 

  • $7 shafts and $5 house lager at The Surly Mermaid during daily happy hour from 3-5pm. 

  • $16 lamb meatballs and $9 hibiscus lemonade at Glo Restaurant + Lounge during happy hour. 

  • $16 brunch and $8 mimosas at Leopold's Tavern during Breakfast Club from Sat-Mon, 11am-3pm.

🧑‍💻 Jobs

  • 2nd Cook, The Blue Poppy Restaurant at The Butchart Gardens

  • Horse-Drawn Carriage Driver & Sales People at Tally-Ho Carriage Tours

  • Dental Assistant at Peninsula Dental

  • Program Coordinator at Scale Collaborative

  • 1st Cook, The Dining Room Restaurant at The Butchart Gardens

📸 Post of the week

stage.fernwood on Instagram
@stage.fernwood
View on Instagram →

Stage Wine Bar is launching its summer hours and a brand new happy hour menu for the season. Try out its gorgeous cocktails, burgers, and oysters for a steal daily from 4-6pm at 1307 Gladstone.

That’s it!

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tasting victoria
Est. 2019Vancouver Island
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