Breakfast at Shine Café

It's my mom's 60th birthday, and it's Father's Day weekend; that's why my siblings and I planned a long weekend (3 days, 2 nights) trip to Victoria, BC. It's our parents' first time travelling outside of Metro Vancouver since migrating to Canada, so this is an important trip for them. It's also my first time in Victoria, BC, so yay!

Happy Sunday! It's our last day in Victoria, BC. The trip felt long and short at the same time. I know, it doesn't make sense. 😂

We started the day by visiting St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Cathedral. Originally, I planned to have breakfast at the famous JAM Cafe. However, it's so far from where we were, and I just don't have the energy to walk even such a short distance. I opened one of my favourite apps, Foursquare, to search for nearby breakfast spots with a high rating. That's how I found Shine Café. 

It's also a bonus that they got featured in the Food Network show, You Gotta Eat Here.

Full Breakfast

Hubby ordered the Full Breakfast to try their bacon, ham, and sausage. It's standard brunch fare. For his sides, he chose Potato Scone and Cornbread. I highly recommend the Potato Scone just because it's different. I think it's my first time trying this dish.

Full Breakfast
3 eggs, 2 pieces each of bacon, ham, and sausage, grilled tomato, cornbread, and Scottish potato scone

Unfortunately, the cornbread was dry, but putting the runny egg and grilled tomatoes on top made it such an amazing delicious vehicle.

Nemo Eggs Benedict

Finally! I thought I'll be leaving Victoria without trying salmon eggs benny. This is so good! 

Nemo Eggs Benedict with Hash Browns
Smoked salmon, red onion, avocado, and regular hollandaise

Check out the runny yolks from the poached egg.

Like our breakfast at Q At The Empress yesterday, I was asked how I like my eggs to be - I chose soft because I like my eggs perfectly soft poached runny.

Famous Pancakes

For our extra meal, we were discussing whether to get French Toast or Pancakes. We end up with Pancakes because we had pancakes yesterday, and I need to make some sort of comparison. The pancakes at Shine are much bigger and fluffier than the one from Q. However, I'm still dreaming over the blueberry compote from yesterday.

Famous Pancakes
Classic comfort served with real butter & pure maple syrup.

I recommend the Nemo Eggs Benedict, but I don't think you'll go wrong with any of their dishes.

It was an awesome short trip to Victoria, BC. I can't wait to come back to eat and visit the museums I missed during this trip. Thankfully, Victoria is only a couple hours away by Ferry plus another 30 minutes of bus ride to Downtown.

This is my last post as part of what I now call the "Victoria Food Series." Let's go back to the mainland and continue food exploring.

Unplanned dinner at 10 Acres Commons Restaurant

It's my mom's 60th birthday, and it's Father's Day weekend; that's why my siblings and I planned a long weekend (3 days, 2 nights) trip to Victoria, BC. It's our parents' first time travelling outside of Metro Vancouver since migrating to Canada, so this is an important trip for them. It's also my first time in Victoria, BC, so yay!

I plan my vacation (specifically the food aspect) with research and reviews. I do my best to find the best places to eat in every city I go to unless it's a sudden unplanned trip. Dinner at 10 Acres Commons Restaurant is not part of the plan.

I was planning to go to Big Wheel Burger at Cook Street near Beacon Hill for dinner tonight. Unfortunately, we had to walk the opposite way going back to our hotel. My younger sister is craving steak while I am still feeling full from lunch, so we ate at the closest possible restaurant, and that's 10 Acres Commons Restaurant.

Since I did no prior research and their menu during the pandemic is quite limited, hubby and I ordered three rolls. I honestly thought it'll be a light dinner, but I am so full I didn't even want to walk back to the hotel, which is literally across the street.

For recommendations - I would recommend the Prawn Tempura Roll if you want something crunchy, Spicy Tuna Roll if you like spicy food and the Avocado Roll for something creamy.

Avocado Roll, Prawn Tempura Roll, and Spicy Tuna Roll

Avocado Roll
Pickled shitake, avocado, cucumber, green onions, and spicy mayo

Prawn Tempura Roll
Cucumber, avocado, spicy mayo, and tobiko

Spicy Tuna Roll
Cucumber, sesame seeds, green onions, and dashi mayo

Wild Wild West
Bourbon, lemon, and something else that I forget since I didn't take a picture of their menu and I can't find it in their online menu

French Bulldog
Citrus vodka, St. Germain, grapefruit, and lemon

Happy Saturday!

Beat the Heat at MOSI Gelato

It's my mom's 60th birthday, and it's Father's Day weekend; that's why my siblings and I planned a long weekend (3 days, 2 nights) trip to Victoria, BC. It's our parents' first time travelling outside of Metro Vancouver since migrating to Canada, so this is an important trip for them. It's also my first time in Victoria, BC, so yay!

Ice cream! A friend of our only brother recommended that he tries the ice cream from two places: Kid Sister Ice Cream and Parachute Ice Cream.

Kid Sister Ice Cream in Fan Tan Alley in Chinatown is closed, while Parachute was nearly a 30-minute walk from Rialto Hotel (where the family is staying), so we end up searching for the closest best ice cream and found MOSI Gelato.

Salted Caramel Gelato

There was a long line 5-minute before closing, and we felt bad for the only worker there. I am sure she's eager to close, but the line after us is pretty long (more than five people).

After enjoying our gelato, we went to Beacon Hill Park.

Lunch at Pagliacci's

It's my mom's 60th birthday, and it's Father's Day weekend; that's why my siblings and I planned a long weekend (3 days, 2 nights) trip to Victoria, BC. It's our parents' first time travelling outside of Metro Vancouver since migrating to Canada, so this is an important trip for them. It's also my first time at Victoria, BC, so yay!

After a delicious breakfast at Q At The Empress, we went to The Butchart Gardens then the Hatley Castle. By the time we're back in Downtown Victoria, it's past 2:00 PM, and I am starving. We planned to have lunch at Pagliacci's, and that's where we went.

The patio at Pagliacci's on a beautiful sunny day.

Honestly, Victoria is such a delicious city (meaning a lot of amazing restaurants). I thought Barb's Fish and Chips yesterday was going to be the highlight of the trip, then I tried Pagliacci's pasta, and I just can't stop grinning from ear to ear.

Focaccia

Let's talk about the free bread they give out while waiting for your order. It's fluffy yet chewy - it's so delicious, and only after doing a Google search did I find out that it's Focaccia. The only reason I am familiar with the term is because a mobile restaurant game I played has focaccia on the menu. But this is the first time I am trying it, and I can't believe how good it is. The focaccia is such a great way to start the meal.

Focaccia from Pagliacci's

The Previews

Deciding which appetizer to get is so difficult when there's a lot of options. We thought of ordering Ocean's Eleven, but hubby said that according to Google Maps, the Crab Cakes are popular, plus I wanted to try Minnesota Fats (risotto), so instead of Ocean's Eleven, we got both crab cakes and crispy risotto balls.

Edgar Allan Poe's Crab Cakes and Minnesota Fats

Edgar Allan Poe's Crab Cakes

The Crab Cakes is amazing! To be fair, I don't remember having a memorable crab cake, and this is packed with A LOT of crabs - none of those extenders.

Edgar Allan Poe's Crab Cakes
Dungeness & rock crab, panko, and lemon aioli

Admire the shredded crabs

Minnesota Fats

Meanwhile, I prefer the Minnesota Fats as is (no marinara sauce). The outside was crispy, while the inside is creamy and cheesy. It's the perfect combination.

The marinara sauce was perfect for the focaccia.

Minnesota Fats
Crispy risotta rice, asiago & mozzarella cheese balls, marinara sauce 

Look at the cheesy goodness inside.

Minnesota Fats topped with marinara sauce.

The Pasta

Hubby relied on Google Maps to see what people are saying, and he got the lasagna while I know what I want - I am turning into a seafood in white sauce monster. 😂 At any restaurant that specializes in pasta, I order the one with seafood in a cream-based sauce.

Dempsey's Lasagna

It arrived at our table pippin' hot. The cheese was melted, and it's truly beefy.

Dempsey's Lasagna
AAA Angus beef, mushroom, ricotta & mozzarella cheeses, marinara

Layers upon layers of beef and cheese

Sophia

This is the best dish I have had in Victoria, BC, so far. The next time I come back to Victoria, I will come back here and order this again.

Sophia
Canadian Dungeness & rock crab, shrimp, white wine cream sauce, smoked salmon, fettuccine

The Sophia is LOADED with seafood. The white wine cream sauce is not too heavy like Olive Garden. It's much better than the one from Vancouver Fish Co. in Granville Island, and it doesn't even deserve to be compared to the seafood pasta dish from Bridges Restaurant.

As you know by now, on a normal day, I would order desserts. But by the time we're finished with our meal, we're food coma. I haven't been this food coma in a long time.

I am already looking forward to the next time I come back to Pagliacci's.

Breakfast at Q At The Empress

It's my mom's 60th birthday, and it's Father's Day weekend; that's why my siblings and I planned a long weekend (3 days, 2 nights) trip to Victoria, BC. It's our parents' first time travelling outside of Metro Vancouver since migrating to Canada, so this is an important trip for them. It's also my first time in Victoria, BC, so yay!

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It's our second day in Victoria, BC. Hubby and I are staying at the historic Fairmont The Empress. I chose a room with a harbour view, and I love it. For breakfast today, we decided to enjoy a meal at Q At The Empress.

Q represents Queen - essentially, it's saying Queen at The Empress. We went down to the restaurant shortly after 7:30 in the morning, and there are a couple of occupied tables already. 

I honestly miss what I will call the "hotel life." Once upon a time in the year 2014, I would travel for work and would stay at hotels for a week at a time in some places a couple weeks even, and I miss having someone else clean the room and serve me breakfast.

Anyway, we ordered three items from the Favourites section of their Breakfast Menu.

Free Run Farm Fresh Eggs

Hubby ordered the Free Run Farm Fresh Eggs with a choice of bacon and whole wheat toast.

Free Run Farm Fresh Eggs
Bacon, crispy potatoes, roasted tomatoes, and Portofino toast

Classic Eggs Benedict

I thought of getting their PNW Benedict, but it doesn't have salmon, and I am a sucker for salmon benny.

Classic Eggs Benedict
Back bacon, poached eggs, hollandaise, and crispy potatoes

Runny egg yolks mixing with the hollandaise

Buttermilk Pancakes

The pancake was thin and so soft. I think this specific pancake converted me. In the forever duel between Pancakes VS Waffles - my younger sister and I are Team Waffles, while our only brother and youngest sister are Team Pancakes. The Pancakes from Q At The Empress changes my preference. It's making me Team Pancakes.

Buttermilk Pancakes
3 pieces buttermilk pancakes served with Canadian maple syrup, fresh berries, and butter

It's also my first time trying Blueberry Compote, and it's so good. How am I missing this all my life? I keep hearing compote from watching Food Network, but trying it with the pancakes here is such an amazing experience. I will dare to say I prefer it over syrup.

We also ordered drinks. Hubby had their Latte while I had Homemade Hot Chocolate.

Is breakfast worth it at Q At The Empress?

It's definitely pricey, and I have learned from my younger sister that Victoria, BC is a brunch city, so there are A LOT of places with great breakfast/brunch menus. It's worth a try at least once, but it's not something I would go back to over and over again - except maybe for those pancakes.

Trip to Victoria, BC: Dinner at Barb's Fish and Chips

It's my mom's 60th birthday, and it's Father's Day weekend; that's why my siblings and I planned a long weekend (3 days, 2 nights) trip to Victoria, BC. It's our parents' first time travelling outside of Metro Vancouver since migrating to Canada, so this is an important trip for them. It's also my first time in Victoria, BC, so yay!

Best Fish and Chips in Victoria, BC

We boarded the 1:00 PM, BC Ferry today and arrived in Downtown Victoria at 4:00 PM. It was exhausting, but I am just eager to travel that after 30 minutes of unpacking, hubby and I started walking the Inner Harbour towards Fisherman's Wharf. It was a good 20-minute walk of sightseeing and taking pictures.

When we got to Fisherman's Wharf, it reminded me of Steveston in Richmond, BC. There are a handful of food places here - there's pizza, seafood, Mexican cuisine, ice cream, mini donuts, and of course, fish and chips.

I did my "food research" on the best fish and chips in Victoria, BC and one of the results is Barb's Fish and Chips. Unfortunately, there's a long line, and we had to wait 10 minutes before our dinner is ready.

2-piece Wild Pacific Sockeye Salmon and 2-piece Pacific Halibut & Onion Rings with the usual tartar sauce and coleslaw and Seafood Chowder Bowl

I ordered a lot (as expected), but I am delighted with the salmon and halibut. They're both fresh and perfectly cooked. But more importantly, their chowder is one of the best I've had. It's second on my list of favourite seafood chowders (number one is at Whistler). I will actually go back just for the chowder, and, unfortunately, I didn't take a photo of it.

2-piece Wild Pacific Sockeye Salmon and Chips (Fries)

2-piece Pacific Halibut and Onion Rings

Sticky Toffee Pudding Cake

We enjoyed our picnic-style meal. My parents brought the foldable chairs and picnic mats, and we placed them at nearby Fisherman's Wharf Park.

My parents and siblings ordered from The Flying Otter because they serve Seafood Paella, our mom's favourite dish.

Happy tummy first day in Victoria, BC!

Trip to Victoria, BC: Lunch from Triple O

It's my mom's 60th birthday, and it's Father's Day weekend; that's why my siblings and I planned a long weekend (3 days, 2 nights) trip to Victoria, BC. It's our parents' first time travelling outside of Metro Vancouver since migrating to Canada, so this is an important trip for them. It's also my first time at Victoria, BC, so yay!

We boarded Spirit of Vancouver Island from Vancouver (Tsawwassen) at 1:00 PM. After exploring the ferry (since it's our first time), we grabbed lunch from the café area. I'm pleasantly surprised that their menu is mostly Triple O's and White Spot food items. I am a fan of both chains, and since they're BC brands I am happy to see them available on the ferry.

Hubby and I ordered a West Coast Salmon Burger from the White Spot menu and exchanged the French fries with Sweet Potato Fries and got the delicious Triple O Chipotle Mayo dip.

West Coast Salmon Burger
Wild Pacific Sockeye salmon fillet with pickled onions, tartar sauce, arugula, tomatoes & mayo

This burger made me realize that I love Wild Pacific Sockeye salmon. It's nice to have it documented so that given a choice, it's the one I will pick in the future.

Sweet Potato Fries
Cajun seasoned and oh so crispy. Our sweet potato fries go perfectly with our signature Chipotle mayo.

I love the signature Chipotle mayo the Sweet Potato Fries comes with a bit of heat. It's delicious.

Can't wait to see what food adventures we'll have in Victoria!