Skinny Tato Polish Restaurant Downtown Victoria BC

A friend recommended this small Polish Restaurant at 615 Johnson Street to me a couple of weeks ago. Tonight we gave it a try and absolutely loved it. The first thing I heard from the cook in the kitchen was, this is a disaster. Well if this dinner was a disaster, the bring on the plague. Katherina, the cook and owner was upset because her normal cook and server did not show for work and she was left alone. Well, dinner was served in good time and it turned out to be one of the best meals we have had in a while. When we left, the flavour remained in our palate for a long time. All four of the salads were very good and the Potato Pancake was to die for! I had mine stuffed with Polish Sausage and Sauerkraut and Linda had spinach and feta. So, I am passing on the recommendation for a West Coast Polish Disaster Dinner at the Skinny Tato. Katherina has a great sense of humor and I am sure she will appreciate the humor. I am going back for sure.
If you are staying with us at Heminways by the Sea, you are just minutes to downtown and once you cross the blue bridge. just go about 1.5 blocks up Johnson Street and you will see the Skinny Tato on your right.

Ric's Grill 910 Government Street Victoria BC

My wife Linda and I were fortunate enough to be invited to a wine and food paring hosted by Ric's Grill in Victoria. For a photo-pictorial of the event and some great pictures of their food, please go to our Facebook Wall. The staff were amazing. Our servers Meghan and Amy were constantly available refreshing our drinks, taking away our empty dishes and bringing us one great dish after another. We started with some incredibly delicious bread pared with Prospect Riesling. Then came the appetizer plate, followed by a seafood plate and then a 3-steak plate. Chef Randy Davis and Sous Chef Brett Hewitt prepared excellent dishes. Valerie-Marie Lessard, the Wine & Beverage Director did an excellent job finding just the right wine for each course. Thanks to host and CEO Sonny Gupta for providing us with an overview of the history and direction of their restaurant chain. They definitely are on the right track, excellent food, great drinks at reasonable prices and staff that are friendly, helpful, and courteous. A job well done! Look for their opening at The Prestige Oceanfront Resort in Sooke.

While in Victoria, stay at Hemingways by the Sea Bed and Breakfast. We are only minutes away from Ric's Grill.

Great Picnic Spot - Inner Harbour Victoria BC

On a warml summer day this is probably one of the best spots in Victoria for a picnic. You just have to be the first person there. Only one table but what a view. From here you can watch the harbour traffic come and go - pleasure craft, the Coho Ferry, float planes by to dozen, whale watching charters,kayakers, the 3-hour sail, fishing charters, fish boats, the coast guard, Helijet to Vacouver and much much more! You can also see the Olympic Mountains across Juan de Fuca Strait and watch marine vessels and cruise ships come into the Port of Victoria. It is truly amazing what happens here on any given day. Check out our facebook page for more photos and "Like Us" while you are there and win! You are just minutes away from this spot while staying at our B&B!

Downtown Public Markets - Bastion Square and Centennal Square Victoria BC

You can tell that spring has arrived when the public markets open up downtown!

Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from now until October 15th, Bastion Square is transformed into a colourful and eclectic European-style artisan's showcase and open-air marketplace; vendors sell original paintings and prints, stained glass, multi-media jewelry, woodwork, pottery, herbal soaps, clothing and accessories, and so much more.

Many artisans will be demonstrating their work on-site from 11am on.
On May 1st, the popular Government Street Market moves into Centennial Square, to offer its exciting assortment of crafts, locally-designed clothing, imports, food, and entertainment, as well as a farmer's market. The "Sunday Market in the Square" will run from May until September 25th, every Sunday from 11 am - 4:30 pm.

When you stay at our B&B you are just minutes from these markets.

Golden City Seafood Restaurant - 721 Fisgard Street Downtown Victoria

Last night I attended a familiarization dinner at the Golden City Seafood Restaurant - 721 Fisgard Street Downtown Victoria. The purpose of the dinner was to educate and demonstrate to members of the Victoria Guest Services Network how different and special a Chinese dinner could be. As Daniel Low, our host stated...."no chow main, no chop suey". His mission was to show our members how the restaurants chefs could prepare and present a different Chinese dinner experience to visitors coming to Victoria. All guest have to do is call the restaurant or have a hotel concierge contact the restaurant and indicate that they would like to have a different and special dinner. Golden City will custom make a menu that features local specialties and local cuisine. They can also accommodate dietary restrictions guests may have. The restaurant also serves traditional menu items, but after experiencing the dinner Daniel presented, I would certainly recommend his approach. The food was delicious and very well presented. Our mouths were watering before we dug in.

If you check our Facebook page you will see more pictures of the restaurant and the unique dishes that were presented. The signature dish was Sauteed Prawns with pees and Honey Glazed Walnuts. The seafood was very fresh and super tasty. Every dish we had was very good.

Golden City is a large, well lighted and bright and clean restaurant that is tastefully decorated. There is ample space for large parties. The service was excellent and I would certainly recommend the delicious food.

Members of the Victoria Guest Services Network are all front line staff working in the hospitality sector. Through these kinds of sessions members learn first hand about services available to visitors to Victoria.

Stay at my B&B, we are just minutes away from the Golden City Seafood Restaurant in downtown Victoria.

Race Rocks Light Station - superb scuba diving and more.

If you are looking for an ecological experience unsurpassed, you will want to go to Race Rocks. Many of the local whale watching tours often go to Race Rocks when whales are nearby but also go there when they cannot find whales because it is such a great experience. There are hoards of seals and sealions on and around Race Rocks as well as many sea birds. Below the surface is a world that surpasses Butchart Gardens. It is my favourite diving sight in this area.

For more pictures and a detailed description of the undersea life at Race Rocks please follow the link to our facebook page. You can also read additional information on our web site. Stay at our B&B and then visit Race Rocks.

Spring in Esquimalt

The township of Esquimalt wins my vote for the pinkest area in Greater Victoria. It is amazing to drive through the streets and see what is unfolding this time of year. Some streets are like driving through a pink tunnel. This is a sure sign that spring is here for good. Our weather is headed towards 15C by the weekend. You gotta love it! For more pics go to our Facebook page. While there, indicate that you like our page and you will be entered into a contest for one of our pdf books that we call the Best Kept Secrets of Victoria. It is an insiders guide to Southern Vancouver Island. You can check out this book on our web site. We will be giving out 1 of these books for every ten additional likes that we get. Have fun, it is spring.

If you stay at one of these Bed and Breakfasts, you will be in the middle of all this pink splendor. Hemingways by the Sea or Denniston by the Sea