Ça Va Restaurant is now open for luch, dinner and brunch on Saturday and Sunday . Located across from the Belfry Theatre. Ca Va emphasizes local, organic and ethically raised produce whenever possible.
Brunch
9am-2pm
saturday & sunday
Lunch
11:30am-2pm
tuesday – friday
Dinner
6:00pm -late
tuesday – sunday
Address:
1296 Gladstone Ave, Victoria BC
Reservations:
250-590-7982
Email:
info@cavavictoria.com
Complete information on fishing in BC Tidal waters including licencing, season openings and catch limits see the DFO site at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/tidal-maree/index-eng.htm
Now that I have developed an appreciation for B.C. Wines I decided it was time to sample a wine made closer to home.
I chose the Saturna Chardonnay 2006 (twist top) which I found on display at the Strathcona Hotel Liquor store for $18.95 (including taxes).
Saturna recommends this Chardonnay with halibut and as that happens to be my favourite fish I was happy to oblige. I baked a fresh white steak with mushrooms, onion, bay leaf and garlic. Roughly 25 minutes until a thin, crisp texture is reached on the top and bottom. The halibut was accompanied by boiled new potatoes and broccoli.
The Chardonnay 2006 proved a fine accompaniment. It was fresh, clean and fruity.
Saturna declares this wine “…unspoiled, spirited and bright” and that it has “…spicy vanillin aromas, complemented by pineapple, citrus and white flower overtones. This chardonnay has gone through 100 % ‘malotactic’ fermentation, and consequently exhibits a beautiful creamy mouthfeel. Flavours of green apple, pear, vanilla and hazelnut balance the fresh acidity.”
Saturna Island Family Estate Winery comprises four vineyards covering sixty acres. The island has its own micro-climate which is likened to Northern Mediterranean and therefore has ideal conditions for a long growing season. The first vineyard was opened in 1996 and the last in 2000. Grapes under vine are Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir and Merlot.
Tours, followed by wine tasting, are available. There is a bistro but it is closed in winter and reopens in May.
Having declared that Lighthouse Lager is my new favourite lager in the world I decided it would be a good idea to sample the Victoria brewery’s India Pale Ale.
I found it on tap at the Strathcona’s Stickey Wicket Bar and ordered a sleeve. I am not a big fan of India pale ale’s in general as I find that often they have a strong kind of ‘preservative’ taste to them. This was not the case with Lighthouse India Pale Ale. I found it to be a light golden colour, medium bodied with a clean, smooth, refreshing taste.
Lighthouse Brewing declares that its India pale ale “Should not be confused with any other pale ale.” I agree and this is beer that I would happily drink again and again.
My brother Rick, out Christmas shopping in Downtown Victoria, invited me for a late lunch so I thought it appropriate to suggest Ric’s Grill. I hadn’t been to Ric’s before but had heard good things about the Island’s only reperesentative of this popular Western Canada chain.
It was a cold, rainy day so I was quite pleased to find at the top of the stairs a warm, comfortable and very spacious restaurant, with modern décor in a combination of charcoal and warm autumn colours. Rick, who dabbles with the oils, was impressed with the original abstract art. There is a holding lounge with comfortable seating and a smartly lit bar (plazma TV) with high, cushioned bar stools.
Our server, wearing a white blouse and black slacks, was welcoming and offered us a choice of a table by the windows with views of the street below or a booth. Rick and I both remarked that she was the spitting image of our lovely cousin Cindy.
We chose a booth. These are not your typical diner type booths but ultra comfortable, large booths with seating for four that could easily accommodate six. As we were dining at an odd hour the restaurant wasn’t busy but I got the feeling that even if it was full I wouldn’t feel uncomfortable or crowded because there is so much room.
We were brought water and our drink order was promptly taken. I ordered a Peller Estate Pino Gris ($7), and Rick asked for decaf coffee. The server said there wasn’t any on the go but she would make a fresh pot.
As it was a late lunch we weren’t looking for a big feed. I requested the grilled cheeseburger and Rick ordered the chicken quesadilla with side salad and Ranch dressing.
My burger came with a garnish of tomato, lettuce, raw onion and a large slice of pickle. The burger was a good, plump patty of grade A beef covered with melted cheddar cheese. It was excellent as were the crispy fries.
Rick declared his quesadilla was very good. He said he had hesitated in ordering the quesadilla because quite often there is too much cheese and not enough chicken but he said that Ric’s version had plenty of chicken and it left him little room for the salad.
We were so comfortable and warm we lingered over coffee. The bill, not including tip, was $36.14
Ric’s Grill is located at 910 Government St on the corner with Broughton. Tel: 250-381-7472 or e-mail Victoria@ricsgrill.com.
I like places that offer gift certificates as they make good gifts for those difficult to buy for. Ric’s has gift certificates of $25 and $50 and you can purchase them online or at the restaurant.
My good friends Melanie and Tom recently returned from a trip to the Okanagan and they brought with them a bottle of Pinot Grigio with the name of Ogopogo’s Lair.
Ogopogo’s Lair ($14.99) is a product of the Ganton & Larsen Prospect Winery and is named for the area of Okanagan Lake near Kelowna where according to Legend the giant serpent rests when not prowling the lake’s waters.
After trying the wine with a chicken dinner Mel and Tom declared it to be delicious.
Says Mel, “We enjoyed a glass, well chilled before dinner and really enjoyed the crispness and subtle fruitiness. The wine was paired with a traditional chicken dinner. The nice thing about this wine is it would pair well with poultry, seafood or on it own. We both felt this wine was good value for a mid-priced wine. This wine could quite possibly be our new favourite white wine.”
Ogopogo’s Lair won a gold medal at 2007 Okanagan Fall Festival and was named one of the top 25 Wines of Show at the 2007 Whistler Cornucopia.
Ganton & Larsen describe the wine thus – “Our uncorked 2007 Pinot Grigio is bright and juicy with rich tropical fruit aromas. Peach and apricot notes combine with lovely balance and a rich clean finish.”
Purchase a bottle Okanagan’s Lair at the Wine Barrel at 644 Broughton St. or at your nearest BC Liquor store.