Victoria, BC (October 8, 2019) – Condé Nast Traveler announced the results of its annual Readers’ Choice Awards today, recognizing the Magnolia Hotel & Spa as the #4 Top Hotel in Canada with an overall score of 98.31/100.
“We are extremely proud to be recognized alongside some incredible hotels, in awards that are widely regarded as the benchmark for the travel industry globally,” says Bill Lewis, General Manager of Magnolia Hotel & Spa. “Our continued recognition motivates our team to sustain our commitment to providing guests with exceptional customer service, accommodation, spa and dining, all just moments away from Victoria’s iconic Inner Harbour.”
According to Condé Nast Traveler editors: “It’s the little things that set apart this swanky spot abutting Victoria’s Inner Harbour and downtown… fluffy signature robes for which we’d happily jet cross-continent, and, of course, the bittersweet pillow treats from the local Rogers’ Chocolates… We suggest you splurge for a signature corner room, with high ceilings and a gas fireplace, and front-row views of the impressive, stone-clad Parliament building (especially charming when it’s lit up at night).”
More than 600,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers across the globe submitted a recording breaking number of responses rating their travel experiences to provide a full snapshot of where and how we travel today. The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry and are commonly known as “the best of the best of travel.” The full list of winners can be found here.
Located in the heart of the city and only a short walk to Victoria’s iconic Inner Harbour, Magnolia Hotel & Spa offers a gateway to the city, providing guests with the opportunity to experience Victoria’s historic neighbourhoods, local attractions, artisan tea and coffee shops, as well as its blossoming culinary scene and award-winning dining options. The Magnolia Hotel & Spa team would like to congratulate Victoria’s Oak Bay Beach Hotel (#8) and the Fairmont Empress (#10) for their inclusion in the Top Ten, alongside Vancouver Island, listed as #3 Top Island in North America.
For a limited time, the Magnolia Hotel & Spa is offering a Celebration Package starting at $249, which includes: $75 credit at The Courtney Room or for in-room dining; a bottle of sparkling wine on arrival; contiental breakfast each morning; and an evening turn-down service. Valid for stays from October 14 to December 20, 2019; must be booked by October 18, 2019. The 2019 Readers’ Choice Awards are published on Condé Nast Traveler’s website at www.cntraveler.com/rca and celebrated in the November issue of Condé Nast Traveler US and UK print editions.
About The Magnolia Hotel & Spa
Just steps from Victoria’s picturesque Inner Harbour, The Magnolia Hotel & Spa wins over guests with its unbeatable location and service. #4 Top Hotel in Canada in Condé Nast Traveler 2019 Readers’ Choice Awards, #1 City Hotel in Canada in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2017 readers’ survey and consistently recognized by Forbes, Condé Nast Johansens and in the annual TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice® awards, the Magnolia Hotel & Spa is one block from the Inner Harbour and the city’s best restaurants, shops and entertainment – exactly where you want to be during a stay in Victoria. Now home to The Courtney Room, voted #10 Best New Restaurant in Canada’s Best New Restaurant 2018 Awards presented by Air Canada and American Express. www.www.magnoliahotel.com
Condé Nast Traveler is the world’s most distinguished travel title providing inspiration and
advice for discerning travelers. Authoritative and influential, Condé Nast Traveler is a multiplatform, transatlantic brand. Publishing US and UK print editions under Editor-in-Chief
Melinda Stevens, Condé Nast Traveler offers award-winning expertise in luxury travel from
around the world. For more, visit www.cntraveler.com.
em>Victoria restaurant recognized for extensive and diverse wine program
Victoria, BC (July 4, 2019) – The Courtney Room, located in the heart of Victoria at the Magnolia Hotel & Spa, received prestigious recognition for its wine program this week with an Award of Excellence in the 2019 Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards.
One of 2,447 Award of Excellence winners from around the world, The Courtney Room was recognized for its extensive wine list, sourced from quality producers, with a particular focus on Canadian wine, which matches the menu in both style and price.
“We are excited to be recognized by one of the wine industry’s leading authorities,” says Anna Romeyn, Wine Director at The Courtney Room. “We have worked hard to curate a compelling collection of wines that not only represents the best of British Columbia, but also pairs with and complements the food from our talented kitchen team.”
One of four Victoria dining locations to receive the award, The Courtney Room offers 16 wines by the glass, including Charme de L’Ile from Unsworth Vineyards, Pied de Cuve Chardonnay from Little Farm Winery, Stella Maris from Sea Star Vineyards, and Pinot Noir from Kitsch Wines. This award rounds out an impressive first year for The Courtney Room, with other recent accolades including: #10 Best New Restaurant in Canada 2018 by Air Canada; #94 in Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants 2019; and an honourable mention in YAM Magazine’s 2019 Restaurant of the Year category.
Wine Spectator began its program to recognize the world’s best wine lists in 1981. There are three levels: the Award of Excellence, the Best of Award of Excellence and the Grand Award—with 2,447; 1,244; and 100 winners this year in each respective category.
“We’re pleased to shine a spotlight on the destinations around the world that show devotion to their wine program, while also creating a comprehensive global dining guide for our readers to enjoy,” said Marvin R. Shanken, Editor and Publisher, Wine Spectator. “Both novice wine lovers and seasoned sommeliers alike actively seek and frequent restaurants with exciting, well-curated wine lists. Bravo to all the 2019 recipients—we raise a glass to you.”
The complete list of award winners is available in print in Wine Spectator’s August issue, on newsstands July 16, and online at Restaurants.WineSpectator.com, where visitors can search and access exclusive content on the 3,800 restaurants.
To learn more about The Courtney Room’s wine program or to make a reservation, visit www.thecourtneyroom.com or call 250.940.4090.
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About The Courtney Room
Old world meets new at The Courtney Room, Victoria’s newest dining destination, voted #10 in the 2018 Canada’s Best New Restaurant Awards. An extension of The Magnolia Hotel & Spa’s award-winning boutique hotel experience, The Courtney Room is a modern dining space where locals and visitors alike can enjoy genuine hospitality and a menu that honours both land and sea, showcasing Vancouver Island ingredients with classic cooking techniques. Gather at the bar for fresh-shucked oysters, unwind with friends over sharing plates in the lower brasserie, or savour an elevated experience in the upstairs dining room with impeccably prepared local seafood, steak and fine wine. www.thecourtneyroom.com
About Wine SpectatorWine Spectator is the world’s leading authority on wine. Anchored by Wine Spectator magazine, a print publication that reaches around 3 million readers worldwide, the brand also encompasses the Web’s most comprehensive wine site (WineSpectator.com), mobile platforms and a series of signature events. Wine Spectator examines the world of wine from the vineyard to the table, exploring wine’s role in contemporary culture and delivering expert reviews of more than 15,000 wines each year. Parent company M. Shanken Communications, Inc., also publishes Cigar Aficionado, Whisky Advocate, Market Watch, Shanken News Daily and Shanken’sImpact Newsletter.
em>Co-Chefs de Cuisine Chris Klassen and Brian Tesolin collaborate on menus that showcase modern Pacific Northwest cuisine
Victoria, BC (May 9, 2019) – The Courtney Room, located in the heart of Victoria at the Magnolia Hotel & Spa, announces a new senior culinary leadership, with two chefs de cuisine leading the talented kitchen team.
Chef Brian Tesolin joins opening sous chef Chris Klassen, both in the role of Chef de Cuisine. Both chefs bring exceptional talent and broad skillsets of honed, classic techniques to the role, which enhances their harmonized approach to modern Pacific Northwest cuisine.
Prior to joining the opening team at The Courtney Room, Victoria-born Chef Chris Klassen nurtured his love of classic techniques and local produce at roles in London, England (Roux at the Landau) and Victoria (Agrius, Brasserie l’Ecloe, Café Brio). A proponent of Vancouver Island’s bounty, both foraged and farmed, Chef Klassen’s relationships are paramount and he loves nothing more than welcoming fresh produce and big characters into the kitchen. Elevating these vibrant ingredients through classic techniques and presentation has been integral to the restaurant’s success to date.
With experience spanning the country from highly respected culinary meccas (Hawksworth Restaurant and OLO on the West Coast, Langdon Hall Country House Hotel in Ontario), Chef Brian Tesolin recently joined The Courtney Room’s kitchen team, to work in close partnership with Chef Klassen. Chef Tesolin saw the potential in elevating both Vancouver Island and wider Pacific Northwest cuisine in a more formal dining setting, blending his knowledge and experience garnered at both Hawksworth and OLO.
Since opening in May 2018, The Courtney Room has been recognised both nationally as #10 best new restaurant in Canada (enRoute magazine, November 2018) and locally as best new restaurant in Victoria (YAM Magazine, June 2018). Local and seasonal remains paramount anchored to the kitchen team’s relationship with foragers and farmers, alongside a passion for house-made and cured charcuterie and dry-age meat program, using high quality, ethically sourced Pacific Northwest produce.
To learn more about Chefs Chris Klassen and Brian Tesolin, and to view the current menu, visit www.thecourtneyroom.com. To make a reservation, call 250.940.4090.
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About The Courtney Room
Old world meets new at The Courtney Room, Victoria’s newest dining destination, voted #10 in the 2018 Canada’s Best New Restaurant Awards. An extension of The Magnolia Hotel & Spa’s award-winning boutique hotel experience, The Courtney Room is a modern dining space where locals and visitors alike can enjoy genuine hospitality and a menu that honours both land and sea, showcasing Vancouver Island ingredients with classic cooking techniques. Gather at the bar for fresh-shucked oysters, unwind with friends over sharing plates in the lower brasserie, or savour an elevated experience in the upstairs dining room with impeccably prepared local seafood, steak and fine wine. www.thecourtneyroom.com
em>Grab the girls for a weekend away to enjoy award-winning accommodation and curated guest experiences
Victoria, BC (March 18, 2019) – This
spring, plan a fun-filled girls getaway to Victoria with The Magnolia Hotel
& Spa’s, Spring
Saver Package. From luxury-boutique accommodation and curated trail maps to
assist in providing an authentic Victoria experience; guests are invited to
explore the city’s historic streets, colourful city gardens and blossoming
culinary scene.
“At The Magnolia Hotel & Spa,
we’re in love with our unique and vibrant city which is why we’ve partnered
with a few of our favourite local tour companies to showcase the best of
Victoria to our guests,” says General Manager, Bill Lewis. “With discounted
spring savings and curated guest adventures, there’s no better time to gather
friends and family for a weekend away.”
Available until May 5, 2019, the
Spring Saver package includes a delicious continental breakfast each morning at
The Courtney Room, featured in Canada’s
top 10 Best New Restaurants in 2018. Inspired by classic French cooking
techniques, Chefs de Cuisine Chris Klassen and Brian Tesolin present
farm-to-table dishes in celebration of the islands bounty of fresh, locally-foraged
ingredients. Guests also receive a $50 per night credit to use toward any hotel
service; including treatments at The Spa Magnolia, dining at The Courtney Room,
room service, valet parking and mini-bar.
With a continued commitment to
providing visitors with the ultimate Victoria experience, The Magnolia Hotel
& Spa offers a Curated Journeys Map to help guests explore beyond Victoria
with a variety of hikes, wine tours and more. Join photographer and long-time
local Mark Vukobrat for Hike
Victoria’s Natural Beauty Tour, where guests can enjoy a scenic journey
across Victoria and uncover the city’s surrounding beauty. Explore the unique
terroir of Cowichan Valley with Island
Time Tours, stopping at three of the region’s best wineries followed by a
tasty picnic lunch of local artisan charcuterie. Accompany fellow beer-lovers
to experience the best in craft beer and gain a unique behind the scenes look
into Victoria’s finest craft breweries, distilleries and cideries with West
Coast Brewery Tours. For a non-alcoholic adventure, indulge in the city’s
finest tea blends with The Magnolia Hotel & Spa’s Victoria-to-a-TEA trail
map; providing guests with an array of boutique tea shops to explore, with
everything from a tea flight at Silk
Road Tea’s tasting bar to a vegetarian lunch and afternoon tea at Venus
Sophia.
To book your girls getaway and
Spring Saver Package, visit www.www.magnoliahotel.com or
call 1-877-624-6654 to find out more. The package runs until May 5, 2019 with
rates starting from $209 per night in March and $239 in April.
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About The
Magnolia Hotel & Spa
Just
steps from Victoria’s picturesque Inner Harbour, The Magnolia Hotel & Spa
wins over guests with its unbeatable location and service. #6 Top Hotel in
Canada in Condé Nast Traveler 2018 Readers’ Choice Awards, #1 City Hotel in
Canada in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2017 readers’ survey and
consistently recognized by Forbes, Condé Nast Johansens and in the annual
TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice® awards, the Magnolia Hotel & Spa is one
block from the Inner Harbour and the city’s best restaurants, shops and
entertainment – exactly where you want to be during a stay in Victoria. Now home
to The Courtney Room, voted #10 Best New Restaurant in Canada’s Best New
Restaurant 2018 Awards presented by Air Canada and American Express. www.www.magnoliahotel.com
em>Boutique British Columbia wineries include Sea Star Vineyards, Kitsch Wines and Unsworth Vineyards
Victoria, BC (March 11, 2019) –
Victoria’s The Courtney Room will host three wine dinners, celebrating the best
of boutique British Columbia wines, with delicious menus from chefs de cuisine
Chris Klassen and Brian Tesolin.
The first winemaker dinner,
taking place on March 17th, 2019 will feature an exceptional selection of wine
from Sea Star Vineyards ($120 per person), crafted from grapes grown
organically in ocean-side vineyards on Pender Island and Saturna Island. The
six-course menu includes: Dungeness crab with koji and mushroom custard,
paired with the winery’s Siegerrebe; squab with rhubarb, Du Puy
lentil and guanciale, with Blanc de Noir; and apple tarte tatin with
Sea Star’s dessert wine Prose (Riesling with a touch of local apple). Both Sea
Star’s winemaker, Ian Baker and owner David Goudge, will be attending to share
their knowledge and passion with guests.
The dinner series continues
on June 2 with the Cowichan Valley’s Unsworth Vineyards and concludes on June 16 with Kelowna’s Kitsch Wines. Visit www.thecourtneyroom.com for
more details on menus and pairings, which will be announced shortly.
“Our team has long admired these
three exceptional wineries and are proud to feature each on our restaurant wine
list, which received a Silver award at the Vancouver International Wine
Festival last week,” says Anna Romeyn, wine program director at The Courtney
Room. “Our chef team has worked carefully to create menus that draw from the
unique characteristics of each wine, pairing them with the best ingredients and
flavours from Vancouver Island to ensure a perfect match.”
The Courtney Room is also
offering family-style dinners every Sunday evening for $35 per person. Enjoy
four shareable courses with family and friends in a relaxed long table
setting.
Reservations are highly
recommended, as the events will sell out quickly. To book your place, email reservations@thecourtneyroom.com or
call 250.940.4090.
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About The Courtney Room
Old world meets new at The
Courtney Room, Victoria’s newest dining destination, voted #10 in the 2018
Canada’s Best New Restaurant Awards. An extension of The Magnolia Hotel &
Spa’s award-winning boutique hotel experience, The Courtney Room is a modern
dining space where locals and visitors alike can enjoy genuine hospitality and
a menu that honours both land and sea, showcasing Vancouver Island ingredients
with classic French cooking techniques. Gather at the bar for fresh-shucked
oysters, unwind with friends over sharing plates in the lower brasserie, or savour
an elevated experience in the upstairs dining room with impeccably prepared
local seafood, steak and fine wine. www.thecourtneyroom.com
U.S. News & World Report ranks the best hotels in Canada based on an analysis of industry awards, hotel star ratings and user ratings. Hotels that scored in the top 10 percent of the Best Hotels in Canada earned a Gold badge. Hotels that appear after ranked hotels are sorted by hotel class and then by user rating, as provided by TripAdvisor.
The Magnolia Hotel & Spa is a small, boutique property situated in downtown Victoria. Its enviable location in the city’s center makes the hotel suitable for both business and leisure travelers; however, some say city noise can seep into the accommodations. Rooms are equipped with free internet access, minibars, marble bathrooms with glass showers, deep soaking tubs and sweeping views of the city or Inner Harbour. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner at Magnolia’s on-site eatery, The Courtney Room, which serves up French dishes. As for customer service, recent guests enjoy the attention to detail – travelers are treated to a welcome gift of fruit and handmade chocolates – and praise the staff for being exceptionally friendly and helpful. The Spa Magnolia is also lauded for coupling a relaxed atmosphere with a versatile array of treatments.
I had no idea what Chaider was until the spicy aroma tickled my rosy red nose when I walked into the familiar warmth of the lobby at Victoria’s Magnolia Hotel & Spa. I has just wheeled my carry-on two blocks up Courtney Street from the Harbour AirSeaplane Terminal in the historic inner harbour on a blustery winter’s day. The glimmering urn next to the check-in counter contained chai-spiked cider, a twist on the usual welcoming beverage served up to all guests, and a taste of the hospitality and charm that has earned the hotel nation-wide awards and accolades.
I first visited the Magnolia on a girls weekend with Keira-Anne back in 2010. We spent the weekend alternating between spa flip flops (downstairs) and the slippers provided in our room, gazing out at the twinkling Legislature buildings. Since that time I have been back with John a few times for delicious menu introductions, romance packages, and even a few work trips (for both him and me).
Curated Trail Maps courtesy of the Magnolia
Along with the lobby cider (or lemony iced tea in the summer) there are other touches we enjoy year-over-year. The glass bottle of water in our room when we check in, along with a chocolate and apple for each guest. Robes and slippers in the closet, and Saltspring Soapworks bubble bath perched on the tub.
The Magnolia team thinks of everything, and while it’s tempting to lay about in your robe in front of a Diamond Room fireplace all day and watch rainbows form across the harbour(which I did rather enjoy over the Christmas holidays) they have handy Curated Trail Mapsso that you can get out and experience the very best of the capital city.
If you’re looking for teas, tapas, running routes, bike trails, and more, they have colourful cards that can be your guide.
The Courtney Room
Of course there have been some changes over the least decade, including room renovations, tech upgrades (even minor conveniences like updated iPhone docks next to the bed that don’t require an adapter) and the hotel’s restaurant. The Courtney Roomsprang to life in the spring of 2018 after a complete down-to-the-studs remodel. The restaurant has an inviting Art Nouveau refresh and Chef Chris Klassen’s menu celebrates Canada’s local and seasonal products with a classic French twist – including house-smoked meats. It’s had such a great launch that it was recently name #10 Best New Restaurant in Canada!
Charme de L’Île
Island charm, Vancouver Island’s own style of sparkling wine and in particular the bubbly – from Mill Bay’s own Unsworth Vineyards – that goes into a French 250 in the Courtney Room along with Empress 1908 gin, local honey and lemon.
The Legend of Massimo & the French 250; Potatoes Courtney; The Houdini Cocktail with activated charcoal in the Courtney Room at the Magnolia Hotel & Spa
Enjoy Instagram-worthy cocktails in the lounge, which definitely taste as good as they look. There are inventive house cocktails listed in the menu or you can ask the mixology staff for recommendations based on your taste or preferred spirit. I had The Legend of Massimo with vodka, house made limoncello, Manitou, fresh lemon, pistachio syrup and a sprinkling of nutmeg on top. Not too sweet or sour, it was sinfully smooth and I’m a sucker for any house made limoncello.
You can head to the dining room upstairs for a decadent dinner with options like Cheam View Pork Belly & Scallops, Yarrow Meadows Duck Breast, or Beef Tenderloin Oscar, or stay in the lounge for hearty Happy Hour treats like the signature Potatoes Courtney, Mushroom Stuffed Mushrooms, Fried Chicken or Gruyere Mac & Cheese.
There’s a reason that year after year, the Magnolia Hotel in Victoria has been named one of the top hotels in the country for luxury and romance. Their aforementioned packages really can’t be beat! Coming up this winter/spring they have their Bed, Bubbles and Brunch special:
Indulge in an elegant room with two-poster bed and floor to ceiling windows, sink into a deep tub with Saltspring Soapworks sparkling bubble bath and pop the cork on a bottle of sparkling wine. Linger over brunch in The Courtney Room restaurant the next morning before exploring beautiful Victoria’s shopping, galleries and museums.
Book online or call 1-877-624-6654 to find out more. The package runs until March 31, 2019 with rates starting from $235 per night. Rates are for double occupancy, exclusive of tax and vary by room type and travel dates.
Mid-flight view from a Harbour Air seaplane
You’ll love the location, the room decor, brunch, and your soothing baths (complete with whisk to whip up the biggest bubbles). Even better yet, take a Harbour Air seaplane from Downtown Vancouver to Downtown Victoria. It’s 35 minutes and aside from getting there quickly, it’s so scenic! Definitely a great start to any island getaway.
Finally, if you go, please report back to me to let me know what the lobby welcome beverage was being served so I may grab a virtual to-go cup and be vicariously whisked away to this dreamy location. Much appreciated!
em>Enjoy a romantic escape to Victoria’s award-winning boutique hotel
Victoria, BC (February 1, 2019) – Indulge in a romantic escape with the Magnolia Hotel & Spa’s Bed, Bubbles & Brunch package, reigniting the spark with relaxation, delicious food and valuable time together.
“We love to help our guests reconnect at the Magnolia Hotel & Spa and this package is designed to enhance time together,” says General Manager Bill Lewis. “With our luxury boutique accommodation and curated guest experiences, guests can unwind in comfort while exploring Victoria’s vibrant Inner Harbour, and the city’s flourishing culinary scene.”
Available until March 31, 2019, the package includes brunch at The Courtney Room, named Canada’s #10 Best New Restaurant in 2018 and the new jewel in Victoria’s culinary crown. Chef Chris Klassen’s menu celebrates ingredients from Vancouver Island paired with classic French-cooking techniques. Guests also receive a bottle of sparkling wine and Saltspring Soapworks sparkling rhubarb bubble bath to enjoy in the stylish surrounds of their guestroom.
Named Canada’s Most Romantic City by Amazon Canada (for six consecutive years), Victoria’s heart beats to the rhythm of romance. From hand-in-hand strolls along the picture-perfect Inner Harbour to innovative cocktails and memorable meals in a cozy yet elegant setting, Victoria is the perfect location to plan a getaway for two.
Recently recognized as the #2 Top Hotel in Canada in the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards, the Magnolia Hotel & Spa encourages guests to explore the city’s independent and artisan offerings with Curated Trail maps, each with a different theme. Newly added Bikes, Blooms & Brews map showcases the city’s most colourful spring blooms with recommendations of the best places to stop for a tea, coffee or beer.
To book the Bed, Bubbles & Brunch romance package, visit www.magnoliahotel.com/specials or call 1-877-624-6654 to find out more. The package runs until March 31, 2019 with rates starting from $235 per night. Rates are for double occupancy, exclusive of tax and vary by room type and travel dates.
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About The Magnolia Hotel & Spa
Just steps from Victoria’s picturesque Inner Harbour, The Magnolia Hotel & Spa wins over guests with its unbeatable location and service. #6 Top Hotel in Canada in Condé Nast Traveler 2018 Readers’ Choice Awards, #1 City Hotel in Canada in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2017 readers’ survey and consistently recognized by Forbes, Condé Nast Johansens and in the annual TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice® awards, the Magnolia Hotel & Spa is one block from the Inner Harbour and the city’s best restaurants, shops and entertainment – exactly where you want to be during a stay in Victoria. Now home to The Courtney Room, voted #10 Best New Restaurant in Canada’s Best New Restaurant 2018 Awards presented by Air Canada and American Express. www.www.magnoliahotel.com
Base yourself at the luxurious Magnolia Hotel & Spa. Start your day with a five-minute walk to Discovery Coffee’s Blanshard Street location for an Americano and a Yonni’s doughnut before wandering down Fort Street and into the many antique stores. Shop for old-school gems and retro treasures at funky Zeitgeist Vintage Store and at Charmaine’s Past & Present Home Collection. After a lunch of Crispy Chicken Tacos at Tacofino on Fort Street, walk 20 minutes to the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria to admire the paintings of Emily Carr, a Victoria-born legend. Then, walk 25 minutes down View Street to Government Street for a little shopping at Sitka, a local surf, clothing and lifestyle store. Return to the Magnolia for dinner at the hotel’s recently opened restaurant, The Courtney Room, an elegant spot known for its seasonal cuisine.
Day 2
Phillips Brewing and Malting, photo by Dan Reid
Enjoy a late brunch at the Jam Café, which serves all-day breakfast. Then, make your way to Chinatown to explore its many stores; visit Fan Tan Alley, the narrowest street in Canada, to purchase rare records from The Turntable and leather handbags from Jovee Handcrafted. Continue across Pandora Avenue to browse The Regional Assembly of Text—a stationery store—and Tonic Jewelry. Shop for clothing from Oxford and Still Life on boutique-packed Lower Johnson Street before walking north to Phillips Brewing and Malting’stasting room for a pint. Spend the rest of the day in the artsy Fernwood neighbourhood; look for vintage clothing, local art and ceramics in Luna Collectivebefore having a charcuterie dinner at Stage Wine Bar. Finish with a theatre production at Belfry Theatre: Mustard and Griffin & Sabine are its final two shows in 2018.
Our little party has brought a touch of disruption to this room filled with Frette linens, buttery leather and monogrammed plates. Next to a glass-enclosed wine room where B.C.-heavy bottlings float like rare instruments, we’re trading dishes and drinks clockwise, slurping appreciatively and talking over each other with a million questions.
Our server – a tango dancer formerly of Vancouver’s Hawksworth – compliments us on our deft passing. Service is polished, even diplomatic, at this elegant spot, steps from the Inner Harbour. Chef Sam Harris was lured away from celebrated French restaurant Agrius by The Courtney Room’s new owners, who told him they wanted “a killer meat program and seafood.” So he’s pulled a haute take on surf ’n’ turf: sweet, crispy-edged candied sablefish collar and savoury aged duck breast from his high-tech Italian dry-aging chamber; beef tenderloin Oscar with Dungeness crab and Béarnaise.
The Kelp Stout from Tofino Brewing intrigues, but we’ve bypassed the enticing list of B.C. beers on tap for bartender Clayton Thornber’s soigné cocktails. He’s found his star-making vehicle with Le Grand Vert, a bracing and balanced elixir of aquavit, Cointreau, black pepper and basil. Towers of seafood glide by, accompanied by huge ears of fried pork rind. Sommelier Anna Romeyn gets into the sharing spirit, plying us with three different glasses for each course. The bright acidity of rockfish meunière with sauce gribiche softens against a dry Okanagan crémant pinot blanc from Fitzpatrick.
That nine-day-aged duck comes nestled among Tokyo turnips and braised daikon, and leans into a plummy, light and unfiltered Lock & Worth merlot. When a side of Potatoes Courtney arrives – super-crispy, addictive cubes that the staff has nicknamed “adult tater tots” – it’s hard to put a lid on our enthusiasm. That’s okay: This polished team knows how to run with a little disruption.
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