“FieldTrips” is either a day trip or a few days where I visit food areas of interest which may include farm visits, producers, wineries, restaurants and/or other places that people can visit. This is about offering Vancouver Foodster readers a chance to get out of town and take a “Field Trip” for the day or a few days to explore, learn, taste and experience.

Field Trip to Victoria

I revisited Victoria recently, driving the scenic route to take BC Ferries over to the island. 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) sailing on the Spirit of British Columbia (90 minutes) to the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal. There is a lot to do once on board the ferry.

I stayed close to the Victoria harbour for the first time at the Coast Victoria Hotel.

After settling in I had room service at the hotel, the Tempura Halibut Burger was perfect, it was served on a brioche bun, lettuce, tomato, and chipotle aioli.

The next morning I enjoyed breakfast at the Blue Crab Restaurant in the hotel having the Baked Strawberry Stuffed Pancakes, a huge buttermilk pancake baked with fresh berries frittata style, with warm syrup.

Blue Crab Seafood House

146 Kingston St, Victoria

Phone:(250) 480-1999

In the afternoon I visited one of my favourite cafes downtown close to Chinatown, Habit Coffee for an espresso macchiato.

Habit Coffee

552 Pandora Ave, Victoria, BC

Phone: (250) 294-1127

The next day I ventured downtown and had breakfast at The Clay Pigeon having the delicious Kale Forentine with braised kale, caramelize onions, parmesan, baby red potatoes, bacon and toasted focaccia.

The Clay Pigeon

1002 Blanshard St, Victoria, BC

Phone:(250) 590-6657

That afternoon I visited the Victoria Public Market for the first time. The Pie Workshop at Victoria Pie Co inside the Victoria Public Market a cool spot with hand pies and large fruit pies.

I then walked the downtown core visiting Café Bliss for a pick me up smoothie. Protein Berry with blueberries, banana, brown rice protein, hemp hearts, chia, date, vanilla, and almond milk

Cafe Bliss

556 Pandora Ave, Victoria, BC

Phone:(250) 590-5733

 

Later that night for dinner I had takeout from Fiamo Restaurant, tried a couple of dishes, the Farfalle Boushino was a delicious mix of roasted chicken, artichoke hearts, kalamata olives and sundried tomato tossed with pesto and parmesan; along with the Pollo pizza with Smoked paprika roasted chicken, spinach and onion confit on a pesto base.

Fiamo Italian Kitchen

515 Yates St, Victoria

Phone:(250) 388-5824

The next day I ventured a couple of miles East to Cook Street Village where I had breakfast at Bubby’s Kitchen a restaurant that I had wanted to visit for quite some time. Since they were out of the Hash was going to be my dish of choice, I went with Bubby’s Scramble with Tofu instead of eggs scrambled with crispy bacon, caramelized onions, mushrooms, maple cheddar & fresh scallions, served with baby potatoes & toast.

Bubby’s Kitchen

355 Cook St, Victoria, BC V8V 3X8

Phone:(250) 590-8915

Then it was a visit to Discovery Coffee in James Bay for an Espresso Macchiato and a Coffee Toffee Donut very good donut made in house known as Yonnis’s donuts great pairing to start off my day

Discovery Coffee

281 Menzies St, Victoria, BC

(250) 590-6323

It was time to leave Victoria and head back  to the ferry terminal to take the BC Ferry back to Vancouver.

This hotel was a pretty good place to stay and it’s walking distance to the city centre.

Coast Hotel Harbourside Victoria

146 Kingston Street

Victoria, BC V8V 1V4

Ph: 250.360.1211

Stay tuned for my next Field Trip outside of Vancouver.

By: Richard Wolak