Non-restaurant eats in Victoria (to take back to Vancouver)?

[queueueuq]

Hi everyone. I'm looking for recommendations on food items to buy in Victoria that I can't buy in Vancouver.

To clarify, I'm NOT talking about restaurants.

For example, is there a certain pastry from a bakery that can't be missed? Something interesting at a specialty shop? Anything along those lines would be great. Thanks!

[queueueuq]

So, I picked up a few things at some of the recommended shops (too bad so many places in Victoria are closed Sun/Mon, which were exactly my free days). Thanks, everyone.

But what I came here to say is CURSES to anyone who suggested Fol Epi. Curses! Now it's all I can think about and I'm counting the days until I go back. The bread is fantastic. I also had an amazing smoked albacore sandwich, very tasty macarons, a canele with super creamy interior, and a delicate eclair (over 3 days, though I could have eaten all that at once, it was so good!). My previous Victoria visits always included a trip to Pure Vanilla for their caramel tarts but I think I have a new obsession(s).

[kinnickinnik]

Just be thankful you weren't there at Christmas time to sample their panettone :-)
(as for me, I'm obsessed with that and their sausage rolls (along with everything else)- best ever!).

[cassie]

Also - if (when?!) you come back in the summer, Fol Epi might have their home-made soft ice-cream in handmade cones again.
Agreed on the smoked tuna.....it's fabulous.

[queueueuq]

Ice cream? What are real estate prices like at Dockside Green?

[jamesalexandra]

Okay, was going to suggest the meat pies fom the Dutch Bakery but seeing you only eat fish maybe the Flyer Saucer cookies if you like almonds. So nostalgic that place!

[queueueuq]

Thanks for the ongoing suggestions! I forgot to mention I eat fish only but many of these are still great (as I'm sure I'm not the only one with this question). Is there a particular cheese or tea that stands out?

The pickles intrigue me...

[islandgirl]

The Japanese Sour Cherry green tea from Silk Road is very unusual and lovely.

I would also recommend the Cinnamon Dip Bagels from Mount Royal Bagel Company (1115 North Park - near Pandora and Cook St). They're amazing fresh from the bakery.

[NoMoreSnuggles]

Fol Epi bread for sure. I would also suggest, though it isn't strictly food, teas from Silk Road.
http://www.silkroadtea.com/

[kinnickinnik]

Head on down to Fort street and pick up some great charcuterie from Choux Choux
http://chouxchoux.ca/

A little further east on Fort is Hillary's Cheese shop (their Victoria outpost - main space is in Cowichan Bay). http://www.hilarycheese.com/

Over near Fol Epi, the Moon Under Water brewpub features excellent very English style ales - not all that easy to find in Vancouver http://www.moonunderwater.ca/

Over on Oak Bay - The Whole Beast makes some wonderful cured and smoked charcuterie products, and their pickles and preserves are quite wonderful http://thewholebeast.ca/

If you're up in Saanich, and fancy some spirits, Victoria Spirits has a few more spirits besides their wonderful Gin that's fairly widely available in Vancouver. The hemp vodka is quite smooth and nutty.
http://www.victoriaspirits.com/other-...

Those and the above mentioned Fol Epi bread are among the goodies I like to bring back home to Vancouver.

[anewton]

Good list kinnickinnik. Especially second the recommendation for the Whole Beast, which has a ridiculously large selection of excellent house made charcuterie. Love the pepperoni.

Another idea: truffles from Chocolat (not to mention their excellent house made chocolate bars).

[peter.v]

The bread from Fol Epi is essential. Best bread in the province. Other than that, maybe coffee from Fernwood or Discovery?

[queueueuq]

Ooh, that place looks great, and I'm running an errand just a few blocks from there. Perfect, thanks!