I can sum up my experience at the Blue Crab in one word: stellar. The food was impeccable, the menu outstanding, and the wine list was great. The service was top notch and the view was breathtaking.

This review is for the brunch buffet at the Marina Restaurant. Reservations are definitely required for this popular scenic brunch spot.
The spread of food almost overwhelming, from a made-to-order omelette station to cold offerings of meats and cheeses to a ridiculous spread of elegant desserts. The food is delicious and the ambience is lovely but family friendly as well. Highly recommended!

Fan Tan Cafe is a little spot right on the edge of Fan Tan Alley and Fisgard, in the heart of Canada's oldest Chinatown. They have yummy, fast and inexpensive lunch combos where you choose either one or two items from a prolific list. My favourite lunch, however, is the Wor Won Ton soup. In my experience, Fan Tan has the best wonton soups in Victoria. They are huge and come with amazing amounts of food in them - real prawns, chicken, greens and veggies. You can also get the specials to-go in a little chinese noodle box from the side door. Love it!

I had been to the Fountain restaurant previously, and was underwhelmed, but when I saw a "new buffet" sign hanging over the front door, I thought I'd give it another shot.
To be very blunt, I wouldn't eat there again. The food selection was below average and the dim sum advertised on the sign was conspicuously missing.

Victoria has an excellent restaurant scene downtown, however the farther you are from the city centre, the harder it is to find great food - especially asian cuisine. I ended up at Yoshi when we had limited time and couldn't drive all the way into town. The menu is vast, and there are many authentic Japanese dishes. You can order many things as a dinner set or a la carte. We tried the karaage chicken, yakisoba with beef, various rolls, and sunomono salad. I have to say the food was excellent - the sunomono had real crab on it. Highly recommended but it fills up quickly so make a reservation!

The Superior is another one of those gems, located outside of the downtown core, away from the tourist bustle. The staff are experienced and knowledgeable, the wine list is expertly curated, and the food focuses on local, in season ingredients. The atmosphere is unique and funky, and you will notice a cool local crowd. I tried the crab fritters and ginger cake. The crab fritters were some of the best: no bread fillers, they were 100% real crab. I also highly recommend the flatbread and root chips as sharing appies. The Superior is popular in the summer as well, for it's amazingly cozy and tucked-away patio.

I recently went to Guu after work with a few friends on a Friday night. Reservations are absolutely necessary, and even with them, you have a 2hr limit on your table. There was a fairly sizeable lineup by the time we left.
The staff are high energy and the atmosphere is loud and boisterous. The food offerings are izakaya-style japanese, which can be compared to tapas-style, small plates meant to be shared over drinks. I would not recommend this restaurant for families with kids.
We tried 10 different dishes and none disappointed! One thing to note - if you're not familiar with Japanese cuisine and are not adventurous with food, you probably will be missing out on about 3/4 of the menu. I ate octopus balls, raw eggs, and pureed raw tuna all in one delicious outing. The beef short ribs were amazing - korean BBQ style. I can't wait to go back on a sake monday and try the rest of the menu!

I love living on the Westcoast - I recently had breakfast, in a t-shirt, outside on a patio a week before Christmas!
After a big night out we decided to try Havana for re-fueling. The atmosphere was great - awesome music and you can't really beat the people watching on the patio, which had such awesome heaters that we only had to wear a t-shirt. We tried the soft tacos and the eggs benedict. Unfortunately the staff entered our order wrong, so instead of the avocado and shrimp benny, we got a regular ham one. Still, the benny was delicious and the egg was poached to perfection. The hollandaise was surprisingly light and airy - I think it was whipped. And the hash browns - to DIE for! I think they were deep fried. The soft tacos were delicious but the meat was a little tough. Overall, a great experience and a good value.

Ric's Grill is a traditional upscale steakhouse, with dark wood interiors and excellent service. When we went there it was for a birthday celebration, and we were the youngest around - definitely a mature crowd. The server gave impeccable wine advice and the food was superb. Actually, it's the best steak I've had in Victoria. They generously comped our appie as a birthday gift. Thumbs up!

So this is my second review of Solomon's. I had to add another since this experience was special - Solomon has a new breakfast experience which I'm so excited about! All-you-can-eat self-serve cereal bar! Millions of cereals, types of milk, granola, or hot porridge for a fiver! The excellent coffee is also bottomless for $2. The *best* part is that you can add a shot of liqueur to your cereal for an extra $5.
Major points for originality and fun.

Lucy's had been on my radar for a while, having the notable menu item of 'bacon waffles.' Yes, I tried them and they did not disappoint.
Small, local-ingredient inspired menu. Full drinks list in the AM - who can argue with that! Lucy's = love.

My dining partner and I went to Med Grille for a late lunch at an odd time - around 3pm. There were only three other parties in the restaurant, and still the kitchen managed to serve up sad and uninspiring dishes. My steak, ordered "rare" was a full blown medium-well. The greens were shamefully overdressed and the goat cheese was bland. Not a great experience, wouldn't recommend!

Tamami Sushi has the best Japanese lunch specials in the city. I probably shouldn't give away my little secret - but there it is. Every day there is a sushi special set, or a bento set. The chef is Japanese and the food is authentic and delicious.

May Gold Village, where have you been my whole life?!
If you are in the mood for Chinese buffet, do take the 15 minutes to drive out to May Gold. I have tried every Chinese buffet in Victoria, and this is by far the best - excellent selection of seafood, old favourites, and they even have sushi.

Cafe Ceylon is a family-run gem of a restaurant just outside of downtown.
The main courses are $20 and up, but are expertly prepared and exquisitely spiced. Every menu item I've had was amazing, but my favourite is the hot pot. The service is also impeccable and the ambiance is cozy - perfect for a family dinner or a nice date.

Sookjai Thai came onto the scene at a moment in time when thai was really coming onto the scene in Victoria. They definitely have created a niche for themselves, and most nights you will have to wait for a table in this tiny little Fort Street nook. The food is worth it - a little more sophisticated than the other thai restaurants around. I highly recommend the crunchy sweet and sour snapper!

Koto is the closest that Victoria has to truly authentic Japanese food. Tamami rooms are available, as well as traditional western tables. The waitresses wear kimono and the decor will transport you away. The sushi is delicate and delicious - they have the best rice in town - and the dinner sets are a fantastic deal with many courses. Koto is worth checking out, especially if you have someone to impress.

Pho Vy is the worst-looking restaurant that I frequent. Wallpaper is falling off the walls, paint is chipping, and tacky velvet paintings proliferate. That being said, out of the many Vietnamese establishments we have to choose from, I always go back to Pho Vy.
The pho broth is the best in town, and everything else is also delicious. Definitely try the garlic pork salad rolls! To die for.

Brasserie L'Ecole has an impeccable reputation built on excellent, well-priced food, amazing service, and the biggest beer and wine list EVER.
They recently changed the reservation policy, so they now only seat people on a first come, first serve basis, so arrive early!!

Bengal Lounge has it all - old world glamour, delicious food, and amazing service. It is a fine dining environment, but the staff are not fussy. The curry buffet is renowned and the death by chocolate dessert table is not to be missed!

Sen Zushi has a great menu with many items you may not find at other Japanese restaurants. Some of them are very traditional, and some are a western fusion (such as the spicy karaage chicken sushi roll).
Good for lunch or dinner, the food is worth trying.

The Blue Fox is a mainstay on the vibrant Victoria breakfast scene. This Zagat rated, funky hole-in-the-wall is right in the heart of the Antique Row area of Fort Street, making it accessible to many of the local folks as well as tourists who are staying in the downtown hotels. I’ve honestly never been to BF when there wasn’t at least a few people waiting in the queue. The menu is breakfast-heavy but boasts lots of original ideas and flavor combinations. I love that you can get anything- sweet, savoury, spicy, ethnic or whatever you’re in the mood for. On this particular occasion my friends and I ordered four dishes – Eggs Blackstone, which is eggs benedict on a bagel with tomatoes and bacon; a veggie omelet; banana porridge with pecans and sour cream sauce; and yogurt and fruit salad. Let’s start by saying the portions are generous, reflected in the slightly higher prices that you’ll find at the Blue Fox. My female companion came on an empty stomach and left half her porridge behind because she was simply stuffed. That said, it was probably the most delicious porridge I’ve ever tasted! The interplay of sweet syrup and sour cream was delightful. The Blackstone was to die for. A bit hard to cut, because of the bagel consistency, but the whole thing was a thumbs up – and I couldn’t even finish the half-order! The veggie omelet and fruit salad were both large and delicious as well. The review can’t conclude without a mention of their fabulous drinks menu. Excellent craft brewed sodas, delicious homemade tea and coffee frappes, and special breakfast Caesars made it difficult to choose.

On a westcoast style red cedar patio, overlooking one of the most magical views on Vancouver Island, I found myself enjoying a warm summer afternoon cocktail in paradise. The bellinis were perfectly balanced, but the beer was served in a room-temperature mug. Not impressed! The friendly and attentive service made up for this minor oversight. The menu is focused on amazing local seafood, which makes sense considering this patio is right on Brentwood Bay overlooking the ocean and Mill Bay Ferry. Definitely on the higher-end of pub price ranges, but you’re paying for location location location, and I’ve never had a meal there that didn’t impress. Try the crabcakes or the steak sandwich… tried and true! The fries are pretty deadly as well, Kennebec’s cooked to perfection. You can’t go to the Brentwood and have a bad time.

Il Terrazzo has been voted the best Italian food restaurant in Victoria for 14 years in a row!! That’s really a tough reputation to beat. It is also known for its extensive wine list, excellent waitstaff and sommeliers, and the beautiful intimate setting. Il Terrazzo is one of those places that’s great for a business lunch, an early wine with your family, or to propose marriage. You can feel like home there, and that’s what keeps people coming back. My favourite dinner item at Il Terrazzo is the roasted chicken. It’s to die for. During this particular outing, I was having an early lunch with a colleague, and so I was searching for something light. After an agonizing decision (so many great choices!) I went for the Insalata con Gamberi – an amazing warm prawn salad over two avocado halves. Did I mention you get free focaccia bread with a heavenly olive tapenade? My dining partner had the fishermans’ soup and was slurping and scooping down to the last drop. I love this place!

The Pink Bicycle had a lot of hype surrounding its opening and menu a few months back. So, I had high expectations when I finally made a date to check it out for lunch with a colleague. We arrived at 12:30pm and there was a table available right away – what an unexpected bonus! Water was on the table in a recycled wine bottle (ok this place gets a thumbs up from this alone) for us to serve as we liked. This was fortuitous as it was very warm and very crowded in the little restaurant. The menu was full of local beef, local bison, local bun….how’s a girl to choose? My dining partner went for the Blue Flame – a beef burger with hot sauce and blue cheese. I finally eeny-meeny-miney-moed on the Swine Burger. Bad name, considering recent flu pandemics, but a delicacy nonetheless. The burger was juicy, very tasty, and smothered in a rich teriyaki sauce. Messy just like a good burger should be. The fries rival any other in the city – I’d say they are on par with my absolute favourite, the frites at Brasserie L’Ecole. I was underwhelmed with my roasted garlic mayo dip, but that was the least of my worries at this point. I think despite my initial skepticisms, Pink Bicycle lives up to its slogan of “Best Burger in the City.”

ReBar is a great place to go for a light lunch. The service is not fast - if you have a strict one-hour lunch break, I'd skip ReBar. You also *always* have to have a reservation if you're coming around noon. Why? Because the food is so good, it's always packed! ReBar is known for mostly vegetarian fare with an organic, local bent. I recently had the soup and salad lunch combo and for $9 you get a giant salad with chickpeas, grated carrot and beet, and lovely homemade dressing. I also got a delicious lemongrass carrot soup. With a fresh baked cornbread muffin on the side, I couldn't even finish my portion! Food is great, service is friendly, and the decor is funky.
If you're into delicious and healthy, you'll love ReBar!

Konpira is known for the handmade noodles available in limited quantities for lunch. They come in various preparations - regular udon broth, shoyu, curry udon (my fave!) etc. They are the perfect mix of tender and chewy, and have an interesting shape because they are hand cut. Konpira is not known for excellent service, ambience, or sushi. So keep this in mind when you check it out!

Ahhh Solomon's. Such a welcome addition to the Victoria lounge scene. Solomon is an award-winning mixmaster who takes pride and care in making his delicious creations.
I've also tried dining at Solomon's three times - take my advice and don't bother. The drinks are such higher calibre that it makes the food seem sad and disappointing.

Although I've never sat down to a full meal at the Bard & Banker, I do come back time and time again for excellent drinks and 69 cent oysters during happy hour. That's right - 69 cents! And they are good ones! I've also tried the yam fries - very yummy with curry dip, and the crab 'croquettes' - for anyone who's ever been to Japan (or France for that matter) and knows what a real 'croquette' is, don't hold your breath. What's on the menu at the Bard is a dry, sad little crab cake, nothing more. That said, the beer selection is great, there are tons of nooks and crannies for a quiet dinner for two, and lots of bigger tables if you feel like inviting a big group. The service is hit or miss but the attitude is always friendly.

Sunday, 7pm and we're starving. What to do - most places other than pubs are closed on Sundays in Victoria. Driving downtown we spot the familiar Baan Thai, and it looks full! Relief! I couldn't believe it, but we had to wait a few minutes! The spring rolls were hot and delicious, nothing out of the ordinary. The pad thai was good with an excellent portion. The snapper in sweet and sour sauce was thickly battered in an even thicker sweet sauce - definitely not for the faint of heart. It's stick to your ribs, heavy food but just what the doctor ordered on a cold and blustery Sunday night.

Smugglers is a little diamond in the rough neighborhood pub. The waitstaff are pleasantly consistent and the regulars are always hanging around. There is a small patio that gets sun until around 4pm, and seating inside with a few TVs. I always order the mussels in chipotle - I think I've had it at least 10 times. Its a thick and spicy chipotle cream and you always have to order more bread, but I love it. Beer selection is good enough for me, and when you're looking for a simple, quiet, straightforward pub with nary a tourist in site, this is the place for you.

So I have to admit, I've been to Veneto three times and hadn't written a review. I wanted to wait until I ordered a full meal - which is difficult to do, since the martinis and desserts are decidedly distracting. My favourite drink so far is the Florida's Key - I'm not a sweet cocktail kinda girl, but this has the most deliciously fruity zing - I wish I had one in hand while typing this! My first entree foray was Chef's Choice - striploin remoulade with lobster, chile rubbed prawns, and duck jambalaya. Everything was absolutely delicious. Not one negative. Great drinks, great food, awesome atmosphere and really cool washrooms! Check it out, but be warned that on the weekends this is a jacket required establishment.

The Mint is a downtown favourite of the young hip crowd. The underground location has exposed brick walls and local wrought iron artwork. The music is loud and the excellent drinks are strong. On the weekends there is a live DJ on the decks and a wait to get in the door. The food is Tibetan, and the curries are excellent. I've eaten at the Mint probably 20 times and never been disappointed. One of the best deals in the city is the Thunder Spaghetti and a pint for $10!

On a lovely, warm, sunny summer day in Victoria, when I'm looking for a business lunch location, my mind always drifts to the Canoe Club. With arguably the best patio in the downtown core, this restaurant is a summer staple for business people and holiday makers alike. The patio is nestled down next to some docks on the inner harbour has a lovely marina-style, quiet view. One of my favourite features of this location is that it has it's own Harbour Ferry stop, which means you can hop on the next ferry that comes by and quickly putter over to one of the many other lovely pubs and restaurants located on the harbour.
The Canoe Club is a true gastropub, which prides itself on using local and sustainable ingredients. Their menu is inventive and enviable. It includes items at every pricepoint, which makes it group-friendly.
On this particular day, my lunchmates and I ordered three menu items:
BLAT sandwich, with bacon, lettuce, avocado and tomato on ciabatta bread . It was served with local organic greens in a dijon shallot vinaigrette. This sandwich was quite good - the bread was porous enough to soak up the runny tomato and keep the ingredients from sliding around and getting too messy. The bacon was the star, was crisp and salty, and the portion was generous. The organic greens, although large and a bit tough, had an excellent crunch and flavour. The vinaigrette was barely perceptible. For $12, this dish is something I would order again.
Pad Thai, with chicken and shrimp, was the daily special. At $11.50 it was a generous portion of noodles with a light and authentic pad thai sauce. The flavour was good although the dish lacked colour.
Calamari with sesame ponzu was delicious. Light and crisp, not oily, with just the right amount of seasoning, this is one of the best calamari plates in the city. Perfect for a light lunch for one, or a sharing plate for 3 - 4 people with beers.

Spinnakers GastroBrewpub is another favourite of locals because of the brews, views, and innovative food menu. Although you can see the cruise ships across the inner harbour from the pub, its rare to find the throngs of tourists which are so common in the Government Street pubs.
My friends and I headed to Spinnakers for some drinks and oysters one evening and were surprised to learn that we could order both small ($2.50) and medium sized ($3.00) one by one. There is nothing fancy about the oysters at Spinnakers - they don't come with mignonette, cocktail sauce, or even lemons (which we specifically requested). The flavour and freshness surpassed expectations and the oysters themselves needed just a hit of citrus to bring out their natural flavour. One dozen turned into two, and then…. I won't get into it. The stellar oysters were starkly contrasted by the lackluster cocktails. The bourbon manhattan left much to be desired, and the lime margarita on the rocks was disgraceful. Watery, bitter, and almost un-drinkable, this is one menu item to avoid.
On the way out the door we passed Spinnaker's genius little Provisions shop, and were drawn in by the delicious looking truffles, which are made on site. Prices are steep - truffles cost almost $1 each, but when all you want is a little taste of heaven, this is definitely my choice. Although the names escape me, my two favourites were definitely the coffee flavoured and salt flavoured truffles.

Stage Wine Bar is a little 50 seat gem in the heart of the up and coming foodie neighborhood of Fernwood. Located outside of the downtown core, this restaurant has a bright and open atmosphere that entertains locals who are in the know and love the excellent wine menu.
I was delighted to start my evening with a bubbly cocktail of prosecco and blackberry port while perusing the menu. I have to admit I had a strong idea of what I was going to order, because I had been drooling over the online menu in preparation for the outing. I could actually hear the chefs in the kitchen sharpening their knives on the long steel, at which time I knew I was ready to commit.
The first dish I ordered was forest mushrooms with bread. It sounds boring, but it was perfection. A medley of mushrooms including oyster, button, and many others I couldn't discern, were cooked to perfection with a healthy dose of garlic and finished with sherry. The charred grilled bread nicely complemented the earthy mushrooms, and though I ordered the dish to accompany the charcuterie plate, the doomed little mushrooms didn't even last that long. For $8 this is a steal.
The charcuterie plate ($11) lists three items on the menu: duck rillette, house salami and farmers sausage; we were served a surprising diversity of cured meats, including something the wait staff described as "porkciutto." The abundance of meats necessitated that I order a side basket of bread, which was similar to a focaccia with salt and herbs, which cost a worthwhile $3.50. The duck rillette was by far my favourite - with a smear of grainy dijon and a slice of house-made sweet pickle, this was absolutely delicious. Next on the menu was a great recommendation by the server: a sweet glass of dessert wine to complement the goat cheese cake with lemon curd and pistachio biscotti ($8) was rich, creamy and dense. The sweet-tart lemon curd complemented the goat cheese cake, which was very simple in flavour. This dessert was perfect for sharing between two people, as it is quite rich.