Victoria's restaurant scene has lots to offer, columnist says

Between the whimsical buildings, cultural attractions and laid-back pace, Victoria has long been a popular weekend getaway spot for people living on the Lower Mainland.

But in addition to those reasons to visit, Victoria has its share of top-notch dining destinations too, says On The Coast food columnist Gail Johnson.

"I just find Victoria so relaxing. I love the fact that you don't have to drive anywhere. You can just wander around, check out shops and buskers," she told host Stephen Quinn.

"There's a Friday Night Market all summer taking place right on the harbour-front. And of course, a trip to Victoria isn't complete without walking around the Fairmont Empress."

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While many people are familiar with the Fairmont's Lobby Lounge, with its high teas and cocktail hours, here are some of Johnson's other picks for great places to eat in B.C.'s capital.

Q at the Fairmont Empress

"Start out in the Q Bar with charcuterie and cheese boards with all sorts of cured meats from B.C. farms, Salt Spring Island cheeses, house-made breads, and pickled morel mushrooms and fiddleheads.

"I'd recommend a NorthWest Collins to go with it a cocktail made with Vancouver Island gin garnished with a sweetened fir sprig.

"Then slide on over to Q Restaurant. A couple of nice dishes are the roasted salmon it has extra crispy skin and comes with roasted cauliflower and tomato jam and poached halibut, a perfectly poached filet on top of a bright green bed of minted peas and kale."

Olo in Chinatown

"The menu is focused on farm-to- table food; apparently the chef knows the 50 or so suppliers and farmers they source their food from by name.

"Olo just started offering brunch seven days a week, and that's what I was in for. Now, the menu is always changing, but for brunch, you'll find things like smoked wild sockeye salmon with roesti, poached eggs, potato puree, and nasturtium leaves.

"They make their own pasta in house; one is a spinach gemelli with herbs, grilled oyster mushrooms, peas, asparagus, garlicand chili. There's an endive and apple salad with crunchy pumpkin seed praline and nostrala cheese from the Kootenays."

Fol Epi Patisserie in Downtown

"This is one of the best European-style bakeries you'll find outside of Paris.

"Owner Cliff Leir mills his own organic flour right onsite at his original location, the Fol Epi bakery on Harbour Road. It also offers items like croissants, pain au chocolat, and a fluffy, lavender brioche.

"They make cream puffs with rose-water whipped cream and raspberries and almond slices with seasonal fruit, like rhubarb. I would be very happy if they opened up in Vancouver."

With files from CBC Radio One's On The Coast