Edible News + Notes: February 13, 2023
Awards
Congratulations to the following three restaurants on Vancouver Island, who have been listed among Canada's Top 100 Places to Eat by Yelp for 2023:
-- Shirley Delicious Cafe in Shirley, B.C.
-- Fishhook in Victoria, B.C.
-- Jam Cafe in Victoria, B.C. 
Shelter Point Distillery in Campbell River has been presented with the honour of being the first in Canada to join the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Shelter Point Distillery is the first Canadian distiller to ever meet the high standard of the society.
DEVINE Distillery's Ancient Grains 'Young' Whisky has won the top honors at the annual Canadian Whisky Awards held in conjunction with the Victoria Whisky Festival. It received the awards for Whisky Spirit of the Year, Innovative Whisky of the Year, and a Gold Medal, showcasing the distillery's commitment to high quality standards. Saanich-based Macaloney Brewers and Distillery Ltd. took home silver medals for it’s Glenloy and Killeigh whiskies.
Clive's Classic Lounge and its lounge manager, Shawn Soole, have been recognized by Whisky Magazine's Icons of Whisky as the Whisky Hotel Bar of the Year (for the Rest of the World) 2023 and Bar Manager of the Year. Clive’s Classic Lounge is one of the only Canadian bars to ever be given this distinction and plans to continue growing its whisky selection for its guests. This recognition adds to the numerous achievements of the Clive's Classic Lounge team who have been creating a top-notch whisky program, featuring over 250 whiskies from various regions.
New Places
In October 2022, Chelsey Columbus's popular gourmet scone business Sidney Scones was unexpectedly forced to shut down. When she arrived at her commercial kitchen, she learned that the rental space would be closing indefinitely. Thanks to the support of the community, she is now opening her own shop in Sidney. The exact opening date has not been announced yet, but the shop will be located at 9762 Third Street and according to her social media post, she is hoping to open sometime this month!
Ugly Duckling, a Chinese-fusion restaurant, is set to open its doors on Feb. 9th beside the historic Fan Tan Alley in Chinatown. Lead by former Wind Cries Mary sous-chef Corbin Mathany, the intimate eatery will feature farm-to-table cuisine sourced from local farmers, such as Muddy Feet Farm and North Star Organics. With Mathany's background as a chef at Hattie's Farm to Table, diners can expect a commitment to fresh and locally-sourced ingredients at Ugly Duckling. February reservations are now open! (
A new Korean-inspired restaurant and bar has opened in Nanaimo! They offer the combination of traditional dishes and tapas that adds a modern twist. Their Honey Yuzu Glazed Ribs sound especially intriguing. And with a great drink menu, it sounds like the perfect spot for a night out with friends or a special occasion. If you're in the Nanaimo area, it's definitely worth checking out! horang.ca/dining
Victoria Pocha, a new Asian fusion pub, has opened in downtown Victoria at 650 Yates Street. It offers a traditional restaurant ambiance with a contemporary twist on street food and pub-style dishes, accompanied by a delicious selection of Soju. The menu focuses primarily on Korean cuisine, while also featuring a variety of Chinese and Japanese dishes. Happy hour is available daily from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
Little Viet (photo left) is a new Vietnamese restaurant located in Nanaimo. They specialize in Southern Vietnamese cuisine and are open Monday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Their Salad Rolls are a must try!
An oven-roasted chicken eatery just opened up on Fort Street in Victoria. With the recent increase of new fried chicken establishments in Victoria, this establishment offers a healthier take on chicken with a Korean twist. They are currently offering a great soup and sandwich combo for $10! They are located at 799 Fort Street, Victoria, BC
Benjo's Tacos has big news for Mexican food enthusiasts in Victoria. The popular taco shop is relocating its Esquimalt location to 230 Cook Street, where it will continue to offer their famous tacos alongside Empire Donuts. Customers can call ahead to place their orders and the location is an excellent spot to enjoy your favorite donuts and tacos.
Closures
It's always sad to hear about a beloved restaurant closing its doors, especially one that has received recognition for its innovative cuisine and commitment to using local ingredients—but that's the unfortunate case for the Agrius Restaurant. Cliff Leir, owner of Agruis and Fol Epi will continue to operate his successful Fol Epi bakeries — one on Yates Street and the other at 398 Harbour Rd. While Agrius may be gone, the local community can still enjoy the delicious baked goods from Fol Epi and reminisce about the memories they had at Agrius Restaurant. (https://www.folepi.ca/)
