Good morning foodies,
The holiday season is approaching and for us foodies it can be a season to indulge and savour new foods. Today we are bringing you a story about a local company hosting a Christmas food tour sampling Victoria’s holiday food scene as well as diving head first into the holiday spirit. The Christmas food tour starts today and it runs until Dec. 31.
We are also bringing you a list of places where you can find a mezcal cocktail locally. With its rich, smoky flavour, we think this is the perfect time of year to try mezcal.
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😍 5 spots to try right now
🇹🇭 Real Thai: The new Thai place in James Bay is rising and getting great reviews on Google.
🍳 The Breakfast Shop: A new breakfast restaurant collaboration between The Ruby, Jones Bar B Que, Discovery Coffee, and Yonni’s Donuts at 1025 Cook St.
🏔 Alpina Restaurant: A European inspired West Coast dining experience paired with awe-inspiring views from every direction.
🍝 La Pasta La Pizza: A casual dining experience, focusing on high-quality, house-made pasta served fast. The menu includes pizza, appetizers, salads and more. Located inside the Victoria Public Market.
🍺 Herald Street Brew Works: Offering a unique tasting room experience that is both enjoyable and educational at 506 Herald St.
Know a great place we should add here? Reply back and let us know!
FEATURED
5 mezcal cocktails to try in Victoria
Mezcal cocktail from Wind Cries Mary. Photo: Website
Mezcal, with its rich, smoky flavour, is the perfect spirit to try out this winter and warm up. If you’ve never heard of it or have never tried it, we’ve compiled a list of great mezcal cocktails you can find locally this season. Whether you're looking for a refreshing and fruity cocktail with mango and blackberry, or something akin to an old fashioned or margarita, these five spots have a mezcal cocktail that's right for you.
FEATURED
The Cozy Christmas food tour is back
Last year’s Cozy Christmas food tour. Photo: Submitted
Victoria-based Off the Eaten Track is hosting an epic Christmas food crawl that’ll put seasonal treats directly in the spotlight—egg nog chocolate, spiced nuts, gooey cheese, decadent hot chocolate, and much more—giving you the chance to sample Victoria’s food scene as well as dive head first into the holiday spirit.
🗞️ News
Ugly Duckling Restaurant and The Butchart Gardens Dining Room make it on to OpenTable’s Top 100 Restaurants of 2024 list, based on insights and reviews from verified diners.
Uber Eats names Victoria Canada's top-tipping city on its 2024 Cravings Report. Campbell River, Nanaimo, and Courtenay are in the top 10 as well.
Sushi Jiro on Cook Street will be permanently closing its doors on Nov. 27.
Cafe Zanzibar in Brentwood Bay is closing its doors on Dec. 31. [Peninsula News Review]
Cafe Olive Olio in Cadboro Bay is set to close its doors after 30 years. Owner and operator William Hall reflected on the many years serving coffee and connecting with the community in Oak Bay. [Oak Bay News]
Our guide to Victoria restaurants booking holiday parties, small and large.
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🗓️ Events
Sidney Holiday Shopping Night: Experience unique shopping at your favourite downtown Sidney shops. There will be treat stations, free gift cards with purchases, a wreath-making station, live music, mulled wine, cider, and grilled cheese bites at The Farmer’s Daughter, chocolate and candy stations, photos and cookies with Santa, and more.
Empire Donuts 10th Anniversary Celebration: Visit the Cook Street location of Empire Donuts on Nov. 23 to celebrate. There will be door prizes, face painting, a balloon artist, cake, and more.
Holiday Markets at Sea Cider: A European-style holiday market with a West Coast country charm on Nov. 24 and Dec. 1. Explore the Forest Village, Ciderhouse, and Pavilion, and find 40+ hand-selected local artisan vendors, food and drink offerings and wreath-making workshops, live festive music, carollers, and more.
EFM Annual Holiday Market: The Esquimalt Farmers Holiday Market is where food lovers do their Christmas shopping. The market showcases 90+ vendors who feature gourmet treats, artisanal condiments, and culinary-inspired gifts like handcrafted pottery, linens, and kitchenware. There will be live music and food trucks. Nov. 24.
Paint and Cider: Paint, be merry and leave with three adorable holiday ornaments on Dec. 4 at Sea Cider Farm. Local artist Kelsie Gibson will guide you step by step while you paint each ornament.
💸 Deals
• Free appetizer with your ramen until Nov. 30 at newly opened Raku Ramen at Broadmead. (California roll, yam roll, or wakame salad.)
• 25% off all food all day long and $6.50 pints of local brews at Belleville’s on Saturday, Nov. 23.
• $40 all-you-can-eat Mexican food buffet on Sundays starting Nov. 24 at Kattia’s Kitchen. $3 per year of age for children 12 and under.
• $13 crispy duck wings at Heron Rock Bistro during daily happy hour.
• $39 four-course dinner at Block Victoria Mon.-Wed. Courses to choose from include edamame, tako yaki, Korean fried chicken, seafood curry, Thai mushroom risotto, Korean bbq short ribs, and a variety of desserts.
🧑💻 Jobs
Full-time and part-time barista at Fern Cafe and Bakery
Supervisor/Manager at Rhino Langford
Server at Swans
Server at Thai Green Elephant Restaurant
Kitchen Helper at The Dutch Bakery and Diner
📸 Post of the week
Savoury s’mores at Parkside Hotel 😋 Sit back, relax, and cuddle up around the rooftop fire pits to enjoy a blend of melty cheese and a savoury medley of flavours. Three different options to choose from, one of them is vegetarian.
That’s it!
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