“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.  It was a busy summer weekend which meant we had to wait for the ferry, luckily the ferry terminal is filled with places to eat and have coffee. I visited Salt Spring Coffee for a Dirty Chai, one of their popular beverages that I love. There is a lot to do once on board the ferry.

I stayed downtown Victoria at the Parkside Victoria Hotel which was minutes away from the Parliament Buildings, Royal BC Museum and nearby shops.

Had takeout from the original Noodle Box located a couple blocks away from the hotel which is a great spot for some quick eats.

The next morning I had breakfast at Jam Café, a cool hipster café that only serves breakfast and lunch located in Chinatown. I had the Chicken French Toast, delicious buttermilk fried chicken stacked sky high on brioche French toast with Tabasco honey and jalapeño sour cream.

Jam Café

542 Herald Street

@jamcafevictoria

Later on I visited a popular café which is off the beaten track for a Cortado, it is quite the purist café featuring their house roasted coffee along with some home-made baked goods.

Parsonage Cafe

1115 North Park Street

Tel: (250) 590-3320

Later in the day it was time for another café visit and of course one of my favourite beverages, an Espresso Macchiato made with the Ritual Espresso in this recently opened café.

Hey Happy Coffee

122-560 Johnson St.

@heyhappycoffee

The next morning I visited on of my favourite bakeries in Victoria, Fol Epi which is actually located in West Vic area of the city, just West of downtown. I had one of their outstanding Almond Croissants.

Fol Epi Bakery

398 Harbour Road

Phone: 250-477-8882

 

Then it was off to Habit Coffee newest location which had opened about a year ago, here I sat at the large wooden communal table with a Cortado in hand. They use local Victoria roaster BowsXArrows coffee.

Habit Coffee

808 Yates Street

@habitcoffee

 

I then met up with my friend travel writer friend Lawrence Ferber, next door at Zambri’s for brunch. It was a great coincidence that Lawrence was in Victoria on a Westcoast visit the same weekend as me. I had the delicious Meatballs & Polenta with tomato sauce and olive oil along with some toast and an orange juice.

Zambri’s 

820 Yates Street

@ZambrisVictoria

 

That afternoon before leaving Victoria I visited TreFantastico which was conveniently located in my hotel for an Espresso Macchiato.

Tre Fantastico

810 Humbolt Street (inside The Parkside Hotel and Spa)

@TreFantastico

 

The Parkside Hotel and Spa

810 Humbolt Street

Victoria, BC

Schedule and information for BC Ferries is here http://www.bcferries.com/

Stay tuned for my next Field Trip outside of Vancouver.

By: Richard Wolak