While I’m in the mountains hiking, I thought I’d share with you a couple more super places for delicious dining in Victoria. If you’re not in Victoria anytime soon yourself, make a point to tell any friends who are!
Il Terrazzo Ristorante
555 Johnson Street
Victoria, B.C.
1-250-361-0028
Il Terrazzo Ristorante has been voted Best Italian Restaurant by the locals for fifteen years! Preparing Northern Italian cuisine, including wood-oven roasted meats and pizza, home-made pasta, and fresh West Coast seafood, the food is superb and the setting is magical. It’s tucked off a little laneway in a vintage building with six fireplaces and several lush courtyard dining zones. The service is superb.
Here’s a photo of the Caesar Salad and the Fire Roasted Garlic with Rosemary Flatbread and Camozola Cheese:
We enjoyed a Linguini Carbonara with Homemade Meatballs braised with smoked bacon, marsala wine and tomatoes; a Cannoloni with Butternut Squash and Asiago Cheese topped with fresh arugala, cherry tomatoes and thinly sliced smoked ahi tuna with horseradish creme fraiche; and Cannoloni stuffed with Braised Pulled Pork baked with gruyere cheese, apples, savoy cabbage and smoked bacon. Check it out!:
Cafe Brio
944 Fort Street
Victoria, B.C.
1-866-270-5461
Yes, I’ve saved the best for last! I met the proprieters of Cafe Brio, Greg Hays & Silvia Marcolini, years ago when they entertained the post-disco crowd at the much-missed Herald Street Cafe. Now they’re garnering attention and awards from Gourmet Magazine, Conde Nast Travel Magazine, and The Zagat Guide to name a few. My family and I adore the owners and this restaurant. In fact, I never miss visiting here whenever I come to town. It’s regional food with local ingredients, great wine pairings and friendly service. We always depart with full bellies from the amazing food and glowing faces from all our laughter.
Here’s a pic of the Local Corn Soup with chanterelle and corn relish; the Seared Qualicum Scallops with heirloom tomatoes, local watermelon, rosemary and white balsamic vinegar; and the Heirloom tomato salad with ricotta cheese, balsamic vinegar mousse, tomato water and cucumber:
For our mains we enjoyed Pan seared local rockfish on a bed of local vegetable ratatouille, romano bean salad and basil pesto oil; the Seared rare albacore tuna with a ‘nicoise’ salad, black olive aioli, and tuna bacon; and Parry Bay Farm Lamb on a bed of ratatouille with mergeuse sausage, perpperonatta, sultanas and a tomato caper vinagrette; and a plate of frites!
Oh I know, the pics are crappy but I promise you the food wasn’t. Rest assured these are phenomenal west coast dining destinations!
~Steven
Restaurants & Bars
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