Tapas time: Small bites and sharing plates shine in Victoria
The delightful Spanish tradition of tapas is more than just between-meal snacking. Sharing food and drink, even a glass of wine and some olives, speaks to our hearts as social creatures. And, opting for tapas also means the indecisive diner doesn’t have to commit to a single entree. If you’re looking to share food with friends after work, have a few nibbles with drinks, or sample a new menu, this list has what you need.
Little Jumbo Restaurant & Bar
102-506 Fort St, Victoria BC V8W 1E6Little Jumbo opened as homage to Harry Johnson and Jerry Thomas, two pioneering New York bartenders. As with these cocktail idols, Little Jumbo showcases creative mixology (Hallamshire Battalion, Paris of the Prairies are but two signature cocktails), outstanding customer service and, of course, good food. With its brick walls and warm wood, the room is small but inviting, making it easy to linger over the interesting array of appetizers and bar snacks. Try the smoked duck wings, bone marrow or the truffle pommes frites (rarely are French fries so sexy).
Stage Wine Bar Ltd
1307 Gladstone Ave, Victoria BC V8R 1R9The nearby Belfry Theatre inspired the name Stage Wine Bar, and the restaurant’s from-scratch menu is simply inspired. Depending on the season, you may find grilled Sooke trout or seared scallop risotto. Sweet teeth love the peanut butter chocolate bar with vanilla salt, berries and caramel. Local wines abound; on special occasions, select from the “Lock and Key” menu, where bottles range from a couple of hundred dollars up. Stage is generally loud, so maybe not the best choice for a romantic tête à tête, but a fun, energetic vibe before or after the show.
Veneto Tapa Lounge
1450 Douglas St, Victoria BC V8W 2G1Modern, sleek and sophisticated, Veneto is a grown-up tapas bar with a cosmopolitan feel. Veneto makes it easy to chose the perfect cocktail with its Spin the Wheel menu — pick your alcohol and choice of sweet, savoury, tart and so on, and the restaurant’s mixologists deliver. Veneto also does divine tapas (Spanish pincho ribs, crispy pork belly), but what is particularly appealing is the build-your-own-board charcuterie option. Each board comes with crackers, olives and dried fruit; diners choose from a small but diverse selection of meats, fish and cheese.
Tapa Bar
616 Trounce Alley, Victoria BC V8W 1K3The phrase “hidden gem” is overused, but Tapa Bar is the real hidden-gem deal. Tucked into historic Trounce Alley, it’s easy to miss, especially if it’s off-patio season. Those who do find it are privy to classic Spanish-style tapas such as calamari with salsa verde, mixed olives and bistek (sliced steak). Can’t decide what to try? The tapa platter for two features an array of house specialties from marinated artichokes and escabeche to chorizo and garlic wings.
Bodega
1210 Broad St, Victoria BC V8W 2A5Bodega Bar sets itself apart with a large sherry menu. While we tend to think of sherry as something an elderly aunt might enjoy with her bridge group, it’s a classic accompaniment for tapas. Like wine pairings, the right tapas-sherry pairing enhances the flavour of each dish, and Bodega’s staff can help you pick wisely. They also offer flights of sherry, so you can experiment a little. Highlights from the traditional Spanish tapas menu include octopus carpaccio, fennel and juniper stuffed porchetta and the Barcelona charcuterie board.
Perro Negro
536 Yates St, Victoria BC V8W 1K8A 2014 renovation of Ferris Seafood Bar saw the addition of Perro Negro (Black Dog). Conceived as a waiting space for the ever-popular Ferris, it’s rapidly coming into its own as an authentic Spanish-style tapas destination. Marcona almonds are tossed with sea salt, rosemary and olive oil; dates are stuffed with blue cheese, wrapped in bacon and drizzled with honey for an inspired salty-sweet marriage. Don’t miss the brandada, a sweet piquillo pepper stuffed with salt cod and served with chorizo cream.
Lure Restaurant & Bar
100 Harbour Road, Victoria BC V9A 0G1With an expansive view of the Inner Harbour from both dining room and patio, Lure is aptly named, as it’s irresistible to those who enjoy scenic dining. Take a water taxi or “pickle boat” (yes, they’re green) from downtown right to Lure’s front steps. Fried calamari is handled well, as are the maple bourbon pork ribs. Crispy chicken wings are served with a distinctive red pepper caramel, and lamb lovers should not miss the meatballs. An ample bar provides many by-the-glass wines, as well as mixed drinks, local beer and a killer scarlet sangria.
Chorizo & Co
807 Fort St, Victoria BC V8W 1H6Sporting just a handful of tables, this deli serves up big flavours on small plates. The menu is very fluid; you might find figs stuffed in blue cheese and wrapped in Serrano ham. There are always the bocadillos (deli sandwiches) made with Spanish-style cured meats. For example, warm marinated olives, padron peppers and mussels escabeche may be served. Some nights, you may catch live Flamenco music, and don’t leave without the chorizo Gallego or a piece of tortilla Española, a savoury layered pie.
10 Acres
611 Courtney St, Victoria BC V8W 1B710 Acres produces livestock and fruit on its own farm. Aside from eating in the field itself, you won’t find a more direct route from farm to table. The selection of small plates is not large, but the commitment to local ingredients shows in the quality of the food. Try the pork meatballs, sausage with house-made grainy mustard and crowd-pleasing quinoa fritters. The wine list features mainly Okanagan bottles, and 10 Acres serves an ample selection of craft beers and cocktails as well.
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