You voted for your favourites—the best places to eat, dine, and shop for food and wine on Vancouver Island—and here are your results to all thirty-two questions. Taken together, they make a delicious snapshot of a moment in our culinary times. There are no losers; we all win by shining the spotlight on a robust and healthy food scene on the Island. Our neighbours can only drool with envy. Not only do we get the mildest climate in the country but we also have some of the best food products around for our chefs, vintners and brewers to create with.
In looking over the tally of votes it’s immediately clear that ours is a not food scene controlled by big corporate enterprise with profits sent to head offices in far away places, but, like peas in a spring risotto, it’s a food scene where small, independent, local businesses dot our communities and neighbourhoods, satisfying our appetit e for eating and drinking local.
We’ve organized the results into four groups: eating in, eating out, drinking and finally, giving credit to those who inspire us. You’ll find some of the questions are different this time around—because isn’t this year different from the last?
These are our food and drink heroes. Thank them, support them, and enjoy them— indeed, we are all very lucky to live on this island.
—Prepared Gary Hynes with assistance from Gillie Easdon and the EAT contributors.
let’s eat in
You are totally transfixed by the wall of olive oil selections. What store are you in?
Specialty Food Shop or Deli
Ottavio Italian Bakery & Delicatessen (GOLD)
Charelli’s Cheese Shop and Delicatessen (SILVER)
Blair Mart (BRONZE) 924 Pandora Avenue, Victoria
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
• The Market on Yates & Millstream
• Mediterranean Speciality Foods (Lakehill Grocery) 3949 Quadra Street, Saanich,
• Italian Food Import 1114 Blanshard Street, Victoria
• Plenty Epicurean Pantry bsp;
A dear friend is in the area for the first time. What local food or local ingredient from our Islands do you have on hand to tempt them.
Best Take-Out/Delivery
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
On Saturdays, you like to drive to the farm stand. Which one has your loyalty and respect?
Local Farm Produce
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
“MsoNormal”>Artisan butchers are in a renaissance period. Where do you go for that unique cut of rarebreeds pork or the finest quality charcuterie?
Butcher Shop
Slater’s First Class (GOLD) 2577 Cadboro Bay Road, Victoria
The Village Butcher (SILVER) 2250 Oak Bay Ave, Oak Bay
Island Meat & Seafood (BRONZE)
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
• Ronald Orr & Son Family Butcher
• Quadra Village Halal Butcher Shop 2618 Quadra Street, Victoria
You’re not a fan of big-box shopping. Pick a store that deserves merit.
Grocery Store
SMALL
LARGE
Market on Yates/Millstream (GOLD)
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
• Ambrosio Markets 1503 Wilmot Place, Victoria
let’s eat out
Consistently excellent food, fantastic service, welcoming and wonderful ambience. What restaurant can you always say that about?
Restaurant of the Year
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Pleasure for the taste buds, easy on the wallet, where are you going for lunch these days?
Place for Lunch
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
• Zambri’s
• Foo
• EdGe
You go to this restaurant because they cook with local seasonal ingredients very very well. Which one is it?
Restaurant Cooking Local
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
• Zambri’s
Table for one? Stool at the bar? What restaurant do you go to when dining alone?
Place for Solo Dining
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
• Foo
• Relish
• Zambri’s
What is your favourite restaurant that’s within walking distance in your own neighbourhood?
Neighbourhood Resto
Pizzeria Prima Strada (SILVER)
5th Street Bar and Grill (BRONZE)
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
You have kids. You want to eat out with them because this should be a beautiful thing. What restaurant “gets” it?
Place to Feed a Kid
Crumsby’s Cupcake Café (BRONZE)
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Sweet! Tell us at which restaurant you had an ending to a meal that rocked your socks. And what was the dessert?
Restaurant Dessert
Goat cheese cake with preserved sour cherries, fennel biscotti- Stage Wine Bar (GOLD)
Chocolate truffles - Cafe Brio (SILVER)
Crème brûlée - Brasserie L’ecole (BRONZE)
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
• Chocolate cake, rice crispy crunch, hazelnut cream and brittle – Ulla
• Maple tart, pecan crust, whipped cream - Bistro 28
• Warm ginger cake -The Marina Restaurant
The best bite of the year. What restaurant dish made such a lasting impression that you wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to your B.F.F.? Name the dish and the restaurant, please.
Best Plate of the Year
Steak Frites, red wine & shallot sauce, Roquefort butter - Brasserie l’école (GOLD)
Spaghetti aglio olio peperoncino - Zambri’s (SILVER)
Preserved lemon risotto, pan seared West Coast scallop - Stage Wine Bar (BRONZE)
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Crispy chicken roll, Israeli couscous, carrots, bacon, chanterelles, chicken jus – Ulla
Local mussels, caramelized onion & fennel, maple chipotle cream sauce - Bistro 28
Brio Family Meal – Cafe Brio http://www.cafe-brio.com/
Margherita pizza, Fairburn Farms mozzarella di bufula, fresh basil - Pizzeria Prima Strada
You’ve got a ten-spot. What’s your best bet for a bite? Where and what?
Dish Under $10
Tacos de Pollo - Hernande’z Cocina (GOLD)
Pulled Pork Sandwich - Pig (SILVER)
Vietnamese Ginger Caramel Chicken - Foo (BRONZE)
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
• BBQ Wild Salmon Tacones -Red Fish Blue Fish
• #20 or #34 – Pho Vy 772 Fort Street, Victoria
• Chicken Club with Brie - Relish Food & Coffee
Just a drink and nibblies. Or maybe two drinks. And a few more nibblies. You don’t want to leave yet. Where are you?
Place for Appetizers and Drinks
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
• The Mint
Food carts are here. Which one tops your list?
Best Mobile Eatery
Mr Tube Steak (BRONZE) Outside Capital Iron
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
• Galloping Goose. Sausage at Moss St. Market
• Pizzeria Pr ima Strada mobile oven
Hankering for that naughty perfect pastry, gelato or other delight? Where will you go? What will you have there?
Place for a Snack Attack
Pain au Chocolat – Fol Epi Bakery (GOLD) 398 Harbour Road, Victoria
Cinnamon Bun - Bubby Rose’s Bakery (SILVER)
Lemon Tart – Pure Vanilla Bakery & Cafe (BRONZE) 2590 Cadboro Bay Road, Oak Bay
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
• Gelato - Ottavio Italian Bakery
• The Elvis - Pink Sugar Cupcakes
• Almond Croissant – Patisserie Daniel 1729 Cook Street, Victoria
• Fruit Tart – Wildfire Organic Bakery
let’s drink
What shop has the most comprehensive wine selection and has the most knowledgeable staff and best customer service?
Best Wine Store
PRIVATE
Spinnakers Spirit Merchants (BRONZE)
GOVERNMENT
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
A true foodie knows craft beer. What store knows theirs?
Place to Buy Beer
Spinnakers Spirit Merchants (GOLD)
Cook St. Village Liquor (BRONZE)
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
• The Strath Ale, Wine & Spirit Merchants
Drinking beer is a highly social activity—and pubs come in all shapes and sizes. Which one do you like best when you want to hoist a pint or two?
Pub
Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub (GOLD)
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Was there a local wine, beer, cider, tea or any other drink you tried this year that surprised you with its originality? Tell us what it was and which company made it.
Innovative Beverage
Heatherdale Ale - Salt Spring Island Ales (GOLD)
Victoria Gin - Victoria Spirits (SILVER)
24-Mile Blueberry Pail Ale - Phillips Brewing (BRONZE)
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
• Rumrunner - Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse
• Belle Royale - Driftwood Brewery
• Oolong Tea with Fresh Grand Fir Needles - Silk Road
Coffee. Coffee. Island owned and operated—where do you go to buy, and drink, that sublime nectar?
Café
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
• Street Level Espresso 714 Fort Street, Victoria
You’re heading out of the country (or to another province) and want to take a local wine to impress your hosts. What do you bring?
Local Wine
Brandenburg No.3 - Venturi Schulze (GOLD) ;
Célébration Brut - Starling Lane Winery (SILVER)
Damasco - Zanatta Winery (BRONZE)
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
• Cowichan Blackberry - Cherry Point Vineyards
• Pinot Noir - Averill Creek Vineyard
• Pinot Noir – Alderlea Vineyards
• Ortega - Blue Grouse Vineyards
let’s give credit | people | groups | food heroes | trends
So many events, festivals, classes and seminars on food and drink—which one really did it for you?
Food/Drink Experience of the Year
Feast of Fields (GOLD)
The Great Canadian Beer Festival (SILVER)
Defending Our Backyard (BRONZE)
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
• Chef Heidi Fink cooking classes
• The London Chef cooking classes
Who raised your awareness and gave you a deeper appreciation of food issues in your community?
Group, Association, Business or Gang
EAT Magazine [aw shucks. thx- editor.] (GOLD)
Island Chefs Collaborative (SILVER)
Lifecycle Project Society (BRONZE)
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
• Victoria Downtown Public Market Society
• CAMRA
What was your favourite local food trend?
Top Trend of 2010
Eating local food (GOLD)
Cocktails (SILVER)
Small plates/half portions (BRONZE)
HONOURABLE MENTIONS< /p>
• Food carts
• Charcuterie
• Downtown farmers markets
• Traditional, simple food
• Eating less meat, more vegetables
• local, free-range meat
• Vancouver Island salt
• Sustainable fish
• Chocolate-covered bacon
What was your least favourite local food trend this year? (feel free to rant)
Worst Trend of 2010
Pork belly, pulled pork (GOLD)
Cupcakes (SILVER)
Sliders (BRONZE)
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
• Foam on food
• Small portions
• HST
• No reservations policies
• Cilantro
• Lame food words – gastro, deconstruct
• Being asked “Are ya still workin’ in it?” at restaurants
• Nutraceuticals/Bio Yogurt/ Engineered Foods
• Chocolate-covered bacon
class=”MsoNormal”>Who, in the food and beverage industry, do you turn to for advice (on food and beverage, people). A stalwart. Let’s fete him/her now!
The Foodie’s Foodie Award
Heidi Fink (GOLD)
Gary Hynes (SILVER)
Shawn Soole (BRONZE)
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Whose writing makes you sit up and take notice?
Local Food Writer
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Best new addition to the food and drink scene on the Island in 2010?
Best New Restaurant, Shop, or Café
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
• Pig BBQ Joint (Atrium)
• NOW- Noodles of the World (Duncan) 161 Station St. Duncan
• Simon Holt (Nanaimo)
Lifetime Achievement Award 2011 (PAST WINNER: David Mincey)
Greg Hays has been raising the bar on Victoria’s food and wine scene for close to 30 years. This is the man who started the legendary Herald Street Caffe in 1982, went on to redesign, rebuild and reinvigorate the Marina Restaurant and, most recently, dream and bring to life one of Victoria’s best-loved restaurants, Café Brio. Since its opening in 1997, the restaurant has accumulated a well-deserved collection of accolades, receiving top honours from Zagat, Fodor’s, Frommer’s and Where to Eat in Canada, as well as glowing reviews in Gourmet Magazine and Condé Nast Travel. In 2003, together with his wife and business partner Silvia Marcolini, Greg received the prestigious Provincial Restaurateur of the Year Award for Fine Dining from the BC Restaurant and Food Association. Greg is also known for his wine pricing innovations, first implemented at the Herald Street Caffe. The $10 mark-up on all wines makes higher-end bottles more accessible—definitely a worthwhile and appreciated measure when facing the ever-changing yet always impressive wine list that Café Brio offers. With this award, we honour Greg for his longstanding and ongoing commitment to supporting the region’s ingredients and wines. Bravo! —R.Baugniet
The Winners of the Prize Draw
Acer Fine Woodworking – 2 Bamboo Trays
WINNER Julie Akeroyd
Bubby Rose’s Bakery & Café – Gift Certificate
WINNER Karen Cooper
Butchart Gardens – Admission & High Tea for 2
WINNER Cindy Bendall
Carrot on the Run – Gift Basket
WINNER Sean Fenzl
Cascadia Liquor – An Expert Guided Wine Tasting at Home for 12
WINNER Meg Dunning
Chef Heidi Fink – Culinary Tour of Chinatown for 3; Cooking Class
WINNER Denise Hogue
WINNER Brandy Patterson
Devour Food – Gift Certificate
WINNER Niki Sacoutis
Endless Pawsibilities – Gift Basket
WINNER Chivonne Graff
Fernwood Inn – Gift Certificate
WINNER Kasia Waissmann
Lifestyle Markets – Gift Certificate
WINNER Lani Caldwell
Muse Winery & Bistro – Gift Certificate
WINNER Karen O’Mahony
Ottavio Delicatessen – Ottavio T-shirt & Apron
WINNER Kim Smith
Rocky Creek Winery – Wine Tasting Experience
WINNER Catherine Holt
Sea Cider Farm & Cider House – Long Flight & Platter for 2
WINNER Katie Tomlinson
Silk Road – Group Tea Tasting
WINNER Lon Temereski
Sips Artisan Bistro – Dinner for 2
WINNER Erin FitzPatrick
Sooke Harbour House – 1 Night Stay, Breakfast & Dinner for 2
WINNER Kristina van Vloten
Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub – Chefs’ Table for 2 w/ Wine/Beer Pairings
WINNER Dan Macdonald
Stage Wine Bar – Gift Certificate
WINNER Danielle Topliss
True Grain Bread – Gift Certificate
WINNER N. Moen
Wickaninnish Inn – 1 Night Stay, Valet Parking & 3-Course Dinner for 2
WINNER Bob Tyrrell
Victoria Spirits - A Gift Basket
WINNER Michelle Cowan