Edible News + Notes: June 15, 2022
New and Renovated Places
At the Victoria Public Market, just in time for the sunny days ahead, you can indulge in some sweet, cold treats from the newly opened Medzo Gelato Bar. They make their artisanal gelato and sorbet from scratch, one pan at a time. And they’re open seven days a week, so you get your ice cream fix any day!
Scrolling through Sidney Scones’ social media pages is sure to set your mouth to drooling, so follow your sweet tooth all the way to their new storefront location at 2310 Beacon Ave to pick up one, or two (or a whole box!) of their mouth-watering, buttery scones.
Have you been to Nanaimo Bakery and Café recently? If not, it’s time to schedule a visit, as they recently renovated their space and updated their menu. Did you know the bakery is also a social purpose company, supporting the work of Island Crisis Care Society?
From Facebook: left, Sidney Scones; right, Nanaimo Bakery & Cafe
A new Mexican restaurant has joined downtown Victoria: Alchile serves flavourful Mexican cuisine and is the perfect spot for a hot quesadilla or taco this summer.
Port Alberni, start lining up now: the long-awaited reopening of Mags 99 Fried Chicken and Mexican Cantina is coming on July 1. They’ll be offering some of their favourite classic recipes alongside a new look and can’t wait to be opening their doors.
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, chances are you’ve made your way to the wildnerness of Northern Vancouver Island, and if so, perhaps you’ve stopped in at Scarlet Ibis Pub and Restaurant in Holberg, the Island’s most remote pub. In a town of just 35 residents, the pub is a popular stop for loggers as well as hikers before and after an outdoor adventure. It was recently purchased by 12 partners (10 of whom live in Nanaimo) and given a facelift, so stop in for a fresh experience and to try their signature beer, the Red Bird Logger, brewed at Longwood Brewery in Nanaimo and available only at the Holberg pub.
Events
The Victoria Beer Society has launched Fridays at the Station at the Langford Station for the summer, a pop-up event series fgeaturing live music, food trucks, local business booths and the Victoria Beer Society’s Beer Truck, which will be offering beer from some of B.C.’s best craft breweries.
In honour of Father’s Day, Shelter Point Distillery will be offering free guided tastings of their award-winning whiskies and spirits for dads on June 17-18–visitors can simply mention it to the distillery staff upon arrival and enjoy the $10 tasting fee waived. For those unable to celebrate in-person at the distillery, enjoy 10% off all bottles available through Shelter Point’s online store and door-to-door shipping using the promo code DAD2022 at check out.
Show your pride in style and celebrate Victoria Pride Parade with VIP Seating at Pride Lunch on the Lawn at Fairmont Empress on Sunday June 26th. It’s the ultimate al fresco dining experience on the hotel’s iconic front lawns, with stunning views of the Inner Harbour. Photo left by Jenn Chan Media, courtesy of Fairmont Empress.
On Saturday, June 25, head to Cumberland for the The Cumberland Home, Garden and Culture Crawl. Immerse yourself in the art exhibits, live music, upcycled goods, flowers and farm stands, food gardens, unique renovations, quaint studios, technological innovations, garden parties and more. 100% of funds raised support the ongoing land protection and stewardship work of the Cumberland Community Forest Society.
On July 11 and 12 at Das Nest on Mayne Island, Acorn Restaurant’s head chef Devon Latte and Das Nest's Jan Gumbmann will join forces to bring a unique, vegetarian, multi-course family style dinner using the best seasonal and wild-crafted ingredients available. Tickets are $89/person, and will include aa special beverage pairing option and full drinks list.
Island Accolades
Q Burger in Qualicum Beach got themselves on a list of best hamburgers in Canada in an article by Canadian Living, and we can’t say we disagree with their choice! Juicy, flavourful, fresh hamburgers with delightful toppings that are sure to please even the most discerning hamburger experts.
According to OpenTable’s annual Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants for Outdoor Dining list, there are three particular locations you should make sure to check out on the Island for ultimate outdoor dining experiences: Unsworth Restaurant in Mill Bay, The Dining Room at the Butchart Gardens in Victoria, and Finn’s Seafood, Chops and Cocktails in Victoria.
And according to Canada’s 100 Best, which just released their list of top bars in Canada in 2022, Clive’s Classic Lounge is the place to go for ambitious cocktails and rare and unique local and international libations.
Things to Know
Wayward Distillery in Courtenay has partnered with Pollinator Partnership Canada and The Bar Cart to create a limited-edition 
cocktail kit that gives back to bees, butterflies and other pollinators. It showcases two complementary and unique cocktails, Float Like a Butterfly, which features Raspberry Gin, agave syrup, lemon juice, vegan foamer and is garnished with a blue butterfly pea flower rim, and Sting like a Bee, a brighter and sharper, featuring Raspberry Gin, lime, grapefruit bitters, and honey & orange blossom syrup.
If you haven’t gotten your hands on the Island Eats cookbook by Joanne Sasvari and Edible Vancouver Island co-founder Dawn Postnikoff, we have to ask—why not? In the meantime, take a listen to this podcast, where host Megan Cole talks to Joanne and Dawn about the diverse products found on Vancouver Island as well as why we love regional cookbooks.
Speaking of cookbooks, A Taste of Life on Quadra Island is a narrative-based portrait of a coastal community, with tips for wild harvests and gardening, foodie profiles, and 240 recipes, illustrated in full colour with photographs of place and dishes, and well worth adding to your cookbook shelf.
