New Victoria restaurants put fantastic twist on old favourites
French, Thai, Creole, Cajun and Latin American flavours spice up local food scene
Many people still see Victoria as a place to ride in a horse-drawn carriage and have high tea at The Empress Hotel, but the city's food scene may surprise you, says Anya Levykh, food columnist with On the Coast.
In fact, says Levykh, Victoria's eateries are so progressive and forward-thinking, they beat out Vancouver's food scene in some ways.
Keep reading for her recommendations on where to grab a bite.
A favourite reborn
The popular and much-lauded Ulla recently closed down and re-opened as Olo. The word means "hungry" in Chinook Jargon, which is a derivative language of English, French, Chinese and Chinook.
Owner and chef Brad Holmes has crafted a menu that reflects the area's roots as a trade hub.
You'll find chicken wings in nam-jim sauce, noodle soup with confit pork and cabbage, sweetbreads with onions and mushroom sauce, grilled octopus with chickpea puree and crispy semolina cubes.
"It's very light and fresh and filling food at the same time," Levykh said.
Brand new restaurants
"The Ruby at Hotel Zed has to be one of the best breakfasts I've had in Victoria in years," said Levykh.
The restaurant serves lunch and dinner daily, but Levykh said she's fallen in love with the breakfast and brunch items on the menu.
They specialize in rotisserie chicken and duck confit served with just about anything, and their chickens come from the Fraser Valley, Levykh said.
Part and Parcel on Quadra Street is another great choice, Levykh said. The casual counter-service restaurant specializes in sandwiches and soups, all built around local and seasonal ingredients.
Notable offerings include their kamut-fried chicken sandwich with coleslaw and bacon, the parsnip and apple soup with pickled plum puree and the grilled cheese sandwich with roasted beets and horseradish mustard.
Food truck fair
Though Victoria's street food scene is relatively young, there are a few fantastic food trucks already up and running, Levykh said.
These include the Pig BBQ Joint; A Streetcar Named New Orleans, which serves up Creole and Cajun fare; The Love Perogy, which makes rather fantastical burgers stuffed with perogies; and Puerto Vallarta Amigos, which specializes in Mexican and Latin American cuisine.
The best part is that you can try all of them in one place, Levykh said. The Royal BC Museum has converted its back courtyard into an outdoor food fair, which features several food trucks every day through October.
There you'll find shaded eating areas with recycled or re-used outdoor furniture, as well as a catering station selling local beer and wine.
"It's free to enter, but I would say it's a great pit stop after checking out the museum. Give your kids some culture, and then feed them outside," Levykh said.
To hear the full interview with Anya Levykh, listen to the audio labelled: Victoria's best eats.