Lunch AND Afternoon Tea in Victoria?!
We are TX hounds coming to Vancouver/Victoria in early August and, though I know it's cliche, we're planning to do afternoon tea at the Empress during our visit. I've made reservations for 3 p.m., but if we're doing that, can we have lunch, too?! I've read to plan for that to be the main meal of the day, but I can't help but think that won't do it for us. Plus, we'd love to try an incredible restaurant in Victoria and still get to have the goods in the afternoon...
If that doesn't sound too crazy, can you give us some recs on a great lunch spot (cafe, bistro) in the downtown area? Not sure if we'll have our car or not, but thinking not...
Thanks in advance!
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greygarious
Jul 13, 2010 10:24 AM
Scroll halfway down, to where the restos named Victoria end and the city threads start: http://search.chow.com/search?this_ta...
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re: greygarious
grayelf
Jul 13, 2010 11:11 AM
If you are doing high tea at the Empress, you need a nice base to work from at about 11:30 am :-). I suggest you walk over to Red Fish Blue Fish and have a tacone or other tasty morsel from the sea. Going before the lunch rush will help with the lineup.
RFBF is not a cafe or bistro -- seating is on the dock near the float planes with a view of the harbour. It is very BC and not too expensive, which may help with the sticker shock you will doubtless feel at the Empress. But, most importantly, it is mighty tasty and local.
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Red Fish Blue Fish
1006 Wharf St, Victoria, BC V8W, CA -
re: grayelf
Thanks, grayelf! I had kind of decided on RFBF by the time I made it back to my own post, so this just solidifies that decision! And, of course, it's good to know that the idea of lunch and tea is not completely insane. I'm already preparing for the sticker shock at the Empress, but I've been to Victoria twice before (once about 15 years ago and not again until about 8 years ago), and I've never done it, so thought I should just once. :) I appreciate your feedback a great deal. I might continue to peruse ideas, but this seems like a no-brainer!
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re: grayelf
cloudshoveller
Jul 15, 2010 03:09 PM
DKS1, this is just my humble opinion so please make your own plans and I know you will have a great day no matter what as Victoria is amazing: my friends and I have always ended up disappointed with our tea at the Empress. I don't know if it is our expectations have been too high or where the fault lies... My suggestion would be definitely to experience the Empress for a cocktail and a snack. The ambience and scenery is fun. Then while you are in Vancouver do tea at the Secret Garden Tea Company (www.secretgardentea.com). This really is THE place to have the true tea experience where you will feel pampered and have the accoutrements (sugar cubes with flower petals, clotted cream...) that you would expect from a tea.
Regardless, have great fun!-
re: cloudshoveller
IMHO I always say you should have the Empress tea at least once. If possible call to confirm your reservation - and make sure you're sitting in the tea lobby. In the summer when it's busier, they used to seat people in the ballroom - but half the experience is sitting in the huge lobby. I've taken my mom there a couple of times and always feel very well taken care of - the food is really nice (and a good amount). Is it worth the price? - well, that's debatable. You're paying for the food, the setting and the experience.
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re: cloudshoveller
Thank you for your opinion cloudshoveller... That's honestly what my gut was telling me, but we still figured, hey, why not?! We've already heard from another local friend to skip the formal tea and just drop in for a cocktail and snack as you suggested. Will need to make a decision soon... I have been horrible about planning this trip so far, and we've only got about a week and a half left before we arrive! Thanks again.
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