“FoodTrip” is a culinary focussed trip where I visit food areas of interest which include restaurants, cafes, bakeries and/or other places such as wineries, distilleries, chocolatiers and more that people can visit as well as a hotel stay experience. This is about offering Taste and Sip readers a chance to travel to explore, learn, taste and experience.
Food Trip to Victoria
In September, my family and I visited Victoria, we left Vancouver and headed on to Hwy 99 going South, then taking the exit onto Hwy 17 towards the Tsawwassen terminal of BC Ferries (30 minute drive) where we then sailed on the Spirit of British Columbia (90 minutes) to the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal.
Inn at Laurel Point
After a 30 minute drive we arrived at the Inn at Laurel Point to check-in for the first night stay. I then headed out to visit Pizzeria Prima Estrada, a local restaurant specializing in Neapolitan style pizza where I was meeting up with Gary Lindsay (Purveyor of Precious Liquids for Driftwood Brewery and Cristen Dallas, Co-Owner of Pizzeria Prima Estrada) both who I then interviewed for my SIP & TASTE feature on Just Here for the Beer RadioShow.
Pizzeria Prima Strada
Funghi Pizza
While talking a sampled some of their pizzas falling in love with the Funghi pizza. They focus on local and Italian products and strive for quality, taste and freshness.
Pizzeria Prima Strada
2960 Bridge Street
Victoria, BC
http://www.pizzeriaprimastrada.com
Phone: 250.590.4388
Aura Restaurant
I then headed back to the hotel and straight to dinner at Aura Restaurant. Located on main floor just off the lobby of the hotel, dinner is served nightly at Aura, it’s a good size dining room with great views overlooking the Victoria harbour.
Arugula Salad
Sable Fish
Surf & Turf
Butternut Squash Creme Brulee
Aura Restaurant
680 Montreal Street
Victoria, BC
http://aurarestaurant.ca/menus
Phone: 250-414-6739
The Inn at Laurel Point
680 Montreal Street Victoria, BC
Phone: 800-663-7667
Fol Epi Bakery
The next day I visited Fol Epi , one of the areas’ best bakeries located about 10 minutes away by car or about 20 minutes for me as I walked.
The shop was quite small connected to Café Fantistico where they have seats.
Fol Epi Bakery
398 Harbour Road
Victoria, BC
Phone: 250-477-8882
The London Chef
Salmon Burger
After eating some of their delicious baked goods at Fol Epi, I headed back to the hotel to check out and then visited The London Chef downtown for lunch. At this ever so tiny gourmet café I ordered the Salmon Burger.
The London Chef
953 Fort Street
Victoria, BC
Phone: 250-590-1865
Delta Ocean Point Resort
After lunch I drove 10 minutes over to the Delta Ocean Point Resort located West over the Johnston Street bridge to check-in for the second night. After a rest, I had dinner at Lure Restaurant located on the lobby level of the hotel.
Sweet Corn and Coconut Bisque
Oven-Roasted Pacific Halibut
Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb
Goat Cheesecake Mousse
Lure Restaurant
45 Songhees Road
Victoria, BC
http://www.lurevictoria.com/menus.htm
Phone: 250- 360-5873
The next day I walked around the city visiting shops and the collections in the Victoria Art Gallery.
Art Gallery of Victoria
After visiting the gallery, I walked about 30 minutes back to the hotel to check-out.
Delta Ocean Pointe Resort
45 Songhees Road
Victoria, BC
http://www.deltahotels.com/en/hotels/british-columbia/delta-victoria-ocean-pointe-resort/
Phone: 888-778-5050
Schedule and information for BC Ferries is here http://www.bcferries.com/
By: Richard Wolak
