Only half a block from Victoria's City Hall, this intimate restaurant offers a warm atmosphere and a cuisine with strong Mediterranean influences. The kitchen acquires as much of its produce and meat locally as possible. One of the house specialties is rack of lamb, which is served with a red wine/rosemary demi-glace. Other dinner entrees include Kouneli, local rabbit braised in a sauce of red wine and prunes; Winemaker's Duck Breast, pan-seared duck breast flambéed in a cherry, wine and sherry sauce; and pan-roasted halibut served with capers and roasted red peppers in a sauce made with citrus, white wine and butter.
Black Olive Restaurant
739 Pandora Ave.
Victoria, BC V8W 1N9 Canada
250-384-6060
theblackolive.ca
The culinary influence at this restaurant is unmistakably Italian, but the ingredients are almost all obtained within the province of British Columbia. One of the restaurant's specialties is its Brio Family Meal, which consists of six dishes selected daily by the chef that are shared by all members of your party. Other popular entrees include Seafood Agnolotti, prepared with fennel and preserved lemon sauce and served with a parsley puree, and Handcut Tagliatelle, served with sweet Italian sausage and tomato sauce.
Cafe Brio
944 Fort St.
Victoria, BC V8V 3K2 Canada
866-270-5461
cafe-brio.com
Part of a Canadian chain of restaurants, the Moxie's branch in Victoria is located within walking distance of the city's picturesque Inner Harbour. The restaurant specializes in casual cuisine and is a great place for burgers, barbecue ribs, salad platters and all the most popular appetizers. You can also go a bit heavier here with one of the many steak selections or a classic entree such as maple-glazed salmon, grilled chicken breast with pineapple salsa, or marsala-glazed chicken.
Moxie's Classic Grill
1-1010 Yates St.
Victoria, BC V8V 3M6 Canada
250-360-1660
moxies.ca
French cuisine reigns supreme at this elegant restaurant co-owned by two eastern Canadians who relocated to British Columbia. Roundly praised by the Zagat Restaurant Guide, the eatery is close to the Inner Harbour and British Columbia's Parliament. Signature entrees include Filet de Boeuf Rossini, beef tenderloin topped with red wine, foie gras butter and black truffle sauce; rack of lamb served with roasted garlic and a honey demi-glace; and Fricassee des Fruits de Mer, sautéed prawns, scallops and lobster served with a green pea, chive and black truffle risotto.
Restaurant Matisse
512 Yates St.
Victoria, BC V8W 1K8 Canada
250-480-0883
restaurantmatisse.com
This popular restaurant is just steps from the Inner Harbour and British Columbia's seat of government. The emphasis here is on seafood, although those who prefer something else have a nice assortment of grilled meats from which to choose. Seafood entrees include Saumon au Champagne, a filet of British Columbia salmon served with a champagne sauce; filet of sole sautéed in butter; Shellfish Thermidor, chunks of crabmeat, lobster, scallops and shrimp baked in a rich cheese sauce; and sea bass served with a smoked salmon caper sauce.
Harbour House Restaurant
607 Oswego St.
Victoria, BC V8V 4W9 Canada
250-386-1244
victoriaharbourhouse.com
