Field Notes — January 16, 2024 | Edible Vancouver Island

New spaces and places

Rudi, the latest project from the team at Wind Cries Mary, has recently debuted at the old Sherwood Restaurant location in downtown Victoria. Anticipate a menu infused with the essence of traditional European cuisine and cherished family recipes.

We're thrilled to share news of an upcoming Japanese Grill & Bar launched by the team behind Nubo Restaurant Group. Set to be situated in Cook Street Village in Victoria, the establishment is slated to welcome guests starting February 1st.

Stay tuned for the arrival of a fresh food truck in the Nanaimo area! Introducing Street Eats Nanaimo, a new food truck that will be mainly serving up sandwiches. Make sure to follow them on their social media pages to see where they will be popping up next!

A new Vietnamese restaurant is set to open in Sidney: Sea Breeze Restaurant is scheduled to open its doors on February 1st.

News worth sharing

Congratulations to Little Qualicum Cheeseworks! Their Island Brie secured the 3rd position, and their Sunshine Feta claimed the 2nd spot nationwide in their respective categories, at the 101st edition of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair held in Toronto.

A huge congratulations to Sheringham Distillery on achieving a double gold win in the 2023 PR%F Awards! They are also excited to unveil their latest creation—a limited release of rye whisky, now available for presale. This marks the distillery's first whisky launch in over two years.

Delicious events

Join Blue Grouse Winery for a Chocolate Masterclass featuring special guest Taylor Kennedy from award-winning Sirene Chocolate. Explore the art of pairing wines and handcrafted chocolates while delving into the origins of cacao. Click here for a list of wine and chocolate pairing dates and Chocolate Masterclasses.

Speaking of chocolate: The Victoria Hot Chocolate Festival is a delicious 32 day event, running from January 20 to February 20, 2024. Local businesses joining the event will demonstrate their creativity and community spirit through crafting unique hot chocolate experiences. A portion of the proceeds from these delightful creations will go towards supporting the BC SPCA Victoria Community Animal Centre. For a list of participating businesses, click here.

Whisky lovers, mark your calendars! On Friday, January 19, Fairmont Empress Hotel will unveil the Dalmore’s iconic masterpiece whisky collection. Become a part of this unique experience in the rich ambience of the Bengal Lounge and experience a beautifully curated five-course dinner expertly paired with exquisite whiskies from the renowned Dalmore distillery. Purchase your tickets here.

The Annual Victoria Whisky Festival is being hosted this year at Hotel Grand Pacific. Fathom, the hotel's dining venue, will be presenting thoughtfully curated 5-course Whisk(e)y pairing dinners. Secure your tickets here.

Farewell

We regret to hear that Niche Grocerant, which opened its doors during the pandemic, has quietly closed. Renowned for their dedication to supporting local farmers and artisans on Vancouver Island, their absence will be felt deeply.

Toscanos in Comox also closed their doors at the end of December, a hard loss for anyone who loved a hearty Italian dish served just a minute's walk from the picturesque harbour.