Dining Around Victoria

Tea-time martinis, artisan cheese and lunch-and-learn cooking classes:
the new Victorian culinary scene in a nutshell. Our tour:

shop
Skip the clothing boutiques and explore the great
artisanal shops that feature a tasty of array of goodies to take home
(or eat on the ferry ride back). Scoop up charcuterie goodness from Choux
Choux and samples cheeses at Hilary’s
Cheese Shop. Pick up some of the the St. Clair brie (from $7). Best
brie ever.

cook
Hone your cooking skills with a culinary
class at The London Chef. British-expat and Chef Daniel Hayes can
show you a thing or two in the kitchen. Prefer not to get your hands
dirty? Opt for a lunch-and-learn
class where you watch a cooking demo then reap the rewards in the
form of a delicious meal shared with your classmates at the communal
dining room table. The London Chef, 953 Fort St., Victoria,
250-590-1865, www.thelondonchef.com

dine
Cafe Brio, a long-standing Vic establishment,
offers modern West Coast cuisine. Not sure what to order? Choose the
Brio Family Meal a selection of six dishes chosen by the chef all served
family style. Don’t miss the Olive Ascolane, meat stuffed olives made by
the owner’s Italian mother, it’s the olive for those who don’t like
olives (trust me!). Cafe Brio, 944 Fort St., Victoria, 250-383-0009, www.cafe-brio.com

drink
Hit up the Bengal
Lounge at the Fairmont Empress and sip the Empress 1908. This
tea-infused martini that comes with a mini scone is the hotel’s
contemporary take on their traditional afternoon tea. Turn a couple
drinks into a night out during the Bengal Affair which takes place the
third Thursday of every month when the lounge reveals its wilder side.
Bengal Lounge, The Fairmont Empress, 721 Government St., Victoria,
1-866-540-4429, www.fairmont.com

stay
Old world opulence paired with top-notch service
sums up the Fairmont
Empress Hotel’s Gold rooms. These luxe suites include access to the
Fairmont Gold Lounge with delectable sweets straight from the Empress’
stellar pastry chefs (macarons, tarts and more), complimentary breakfast
and hors’ oeuvres served daily from 5pm till 7pm. The Fairmont Empress,
721 Government St., Victoria, 1-866-540-4429, www.fairmont.com

do
Take advantage of Victoria’s emerging culinary scene Dine
Around where Victoria’s top restaurants offer three course meals for
$20, $30 and $40 per person. Bonus: all meals are paired with BC wines!
Kelsey
Mulyk

Dine Around Stay In Town runs until March 16, www.tourismvictoria.com/dine