Welcome, Dear Ones and Gourmands all!

Per the Word Tutor at Answers.com: “To become a gourmand, you must taste food from the very finest restaurants.”

So today, we have tasty treats and tantalizing food temptations with which to taunt you. Our restaurant selections come from two diverse eating establishments in one of Victoria’s neighbouring cities – Esquimalt.

Esquimalt (pronounced Ess-kwi’-malt), the home of Canada’s Pacific Fleet, is just across the blue bridge – merely a hop, skip and a jump (a mere 10 minute drive) – from Victoria. It is well worth a visit – whether to enjoy the landscape, walkways and beauty, to visit the naval base and see the ships, or savour some of the fine cuisine.

The Blue Nile and the Vietnam Garden restaurants are both at the top of my list of delightful and unique places to dine. Appropriate to it’s name, the Vietnam Garden offers fantastic foods from that country and culture. Ken is the owner and host, plus all around man of many talents. He welcomes you, seats you, may take your order and will likely serve at least one of the many courses of your meal – usually the dessert! Yet look around at the walls and you will see amazing art work with gorgeous scenery in vibrant acrylic colours popping out from the canvas – and in a picture or two you may notice a man, woman and young child. That would be Ken, his wife and son – for Ken is the artist of these beautiful and varied pieces. His wife and son can often be seen at the restaurant for it is truly, and proudly, a family business. If you like Vietnamese food, you will thoroughly enjoy the relaxed family atmosphere, the varied menu and the wonderful presentation of fresh foods made to order with flair and flavour!

The Blue Nile is a very different place to dine divinely. Small and intimate, it has a vibrant East African cultural ambiance. It boasts both menu items and a buffet to please every palate. May we suggest you start with mango juice – with an explosion of fresh-off-the-tree taste. For a first visit or new to East African cuisine, we recommend you to start with the buffet – eating your way in small amounts across the wide array of dishes offered – from mild to wild – till you find your favourites.

And if you (like Mike and I) are a true coffee connoisseur, you’ll be wanting to  complete your meal with a fabulous cup of Bunna – Ethiopian hand roasted and ground coffee served in a traditional jebena (pot).

Bon Appetit!

Marcia