WHERE ESSENTIAL VICTORIA 2019/2020 by WHERE Magazine Victoria

ESSENTIAL VICTORIA WHERE VICTORIA ANNUAL 2019/20

ART, FASHION & FOOD CREATE A VIBRANT ISLAND DESTINATION City of Sights Chefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Table Victoria Fashion Gallery Walk

CITY OF ADVENTURES DISCOVER OUR WEST COAST GEM

BEYOND BRILLIANT. ABOVE ORDINARY. GIA Certified Fancy Yellow & Colourless Diamonds

WHERE VICTORIA GROUP PUBLISHER Penny Sakamoto PUBLISHER Mario Gedicke 250-891-5627 mario.gedicke@blackpress.ca EDITOR Susan Lundy ADVERTISING CONSULTANT Vicki Clark CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lily Chan CREATIVE SERVICES Michelle Gjerde, Cara Robbins DISTRIBUTION Marilou Pasion 604-542-7411 marilou@blackpress.ca

WHERE CANADA

LIA CROWE PHOTO

GROUP PUBLISHER: Brian French

WELCOME to beautiful Victoria, British Columbia Welcome to the latest edition of ESSENTIAL magazine, where, in the following pages, Victoria reveals her glory. In addition to its unsurpassed beauty as British Columbia’s “Garden City,” Victoria blossoms with incredible restaurants, supremely talented artists, trend-setting fashion and top-of-the-line luxury retailers. ESSENTIAL magazine will be your guide to experiencing the unparalleled Victoria lifestyle. Since I first stepped foot in Victoria 16 years ago, I was fascinated by this city and stunned by its glorious surroundings. I knew this was where I wanted to be. I hope you enjoy the stories and visuals presented in ESSENTIAL magazine as our team offers up the hottest spots to visit and some of our favourite hidden gems. The lifestyle, fashion and creative energy our city offers will make this a most enjoyable visit. Consider this magazine your guide to living the authentic Victoria lifestyle, full of dynamic activities. It offers an exploration of everything that nature has to offer alongside a unique and cosmopolitan urban experience. See you around town! Mario Gedicke Essential Magazine

ON THE COVER : The scene looking upwards from the stunning foyer at 1515 Douglas Street, where the windowed ceiling and an open, industrial-style, glass-fronted double elevator allows riders to view the changing landscape around Victoria City Hall. Photo by Don Denton

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EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Maryam Sanati NATIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER: Nicole Mullin

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ESSENTIAL VICTORIA IS PUBLISHED AND DISTRIBUTED BY

818 Broughton Street Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1E4 250-381-3484 ESSENTIAL is a registered trademark of St. Joseph Media Inc, used under license. ESSENTIAL makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions.

ISSN 1717-2586 WHERE Canada

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ESSENTIAL V I C TO R I A

CONTENTS City of Adventures Outdoor living is key to those living here on the West Coast. Come discover Victoria’s outdoor playground.

Modernizing Modernism Meet wood-worker and furniture maker Kirk Van Ludwig.

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“Legends of the Sea” photo by Sean Schuster.

“We are committed to creating a

great experience for our clients,

putting their needs ahead of our own. We have sold more than a Billion Dollars worth of real estate and helped more than 4,000 families move. But I’m the most proud of our community support, all of the agents in my office donate a portion of every sale to BC Children’s Hospital and I have been recognized as RE/MAX’s top individual donor to CMN.”

Victoria’s Real Estate Experts With integrity, expertise and hard work, the Neal Estate Team delivers world-class personal services, helping our clients get great value for their homes and real estate investments.

T T H H E E

NEAL EALESTATE STATE TEAM TEAM

Victoria’s Real Estate Experts Victoria’s Real Estate Experts

Go With Those Who Know! Go With Those Who Know!

250.386.8181 RonNeal.com

Their Victoria

A Bolder Bouquet

Radiant Romance

A Victoria couple shares insights about the city they love, including their passion for all things local.

Floral fashion blooms at Victoria’s magical Craigdarroch Castle.

Spark romance with precious time and precious gems.

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Evolution of Style

Gin City

Chef’s Table: Taste of the City

Painter Blu Smith creates artwork that’s bright and unique.

Travel to nearby Sidney and Sooke to explore some of this area’s world-famous gin.

Cultural diversity and abundant culinary resources create a restaurant scene that is distinctly Victoria.

Immerse yourself.

Art inspired by the natural world

Featuring the largest collection of works by world-renowned artist and naturalist, Robert Bateman, and fellow nature-inspired artists. Gallery and Gift Shop open daily 10am - 5pm All proceeds support the Bateman Foundation and our mission of connecting people to nature.

BATEMANFOUNDATION.ORG 250.940.3630 470 Belleville St.

In Victoriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scenic Inner Harbour

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“Victoria Nights” photo by Sean Schuster.

CITY OF ADVENTURES It’s hard to beat the West Coast lifestyle when it comes to year-round, outdoor activities. Mild weather, stunning scenery and the ability to get outside virtually every day of the year sets the backdrop to a playground of activities for people of all ages and interests.

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LIFE’S A BEACH Victoria is awash in beautiful and easily accessed ocean-side and lakefront beaches. Just a 15-minute drive from Victoria’s downtown, find Willows Beach, located off Beach Drive in Oak Bay. Its shallow, protected water is perfect for family fun in the sand and sun, and it offers expansive views of Mount Baker and Discovery Island. Other sandy, ocean-side beaches include Cadboro Bay Beach (home of the legendary Cadborosaurus) and neighbouring Gyro Park; Cordova Bay Beach in Saanich; and Esquimalt Lagoon and Gonzales Beach. Lakefront, visit the conjoined Elk and Beaver lakes, which offer four fabulous beaches, plus picnic areas and 15 kilometres of walking trails. In the community of Langford, find Upper and Lower Thetis lakes. Both feature fantastic beaches for sunbathing and clear, fresh water for swimming. There’s no doubt, life’s a beach in summertime Victoria.

TEE TIME With its mild climate and spectacular terrain, Victoria is a golfer’s haven. The city is home to several championship golf courses, many of which offer sweeping ocean, mountain and forest vistas from world-class greens. Ranked as one of the best in BC, the course at Westin Bear Mountain Resort offers Canada’s only 36 holes of Nicklaus Design Golf. Choose the challenging Mountain Course or, for a more relaxing round, try the Valley Course. Another “get to the greens” option includes Olympic View Golf Club with its 18 holes of championship golf, complemented by water features. Other popular golf destinations include: Highland Pacific Golf, the historic Victoria Golf Course, and the Cordova Bay Golf Course, a Golf Digest 4-star rated course with views of Haro Strait and Mount Baker.

PHOTO BY LIA CROWE

Victoria’s Premier Women’s Clothing

WOMEN’S SUITING DRESSWEAR CASUAL EUROPEAN COLLECTIONS

618 Broughton Street, Victoria I 778-406-1600 bagheeravictoria.ca

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PHOTO COURTESY TOURISM VICTORIA

TWO-WHEELING IT

PHOTO COURTESY TOURISM VICTORIA

Victoria is bike-friendly — Canada’s cycling capital, as a matter of fact — meaning two-wheel touring is second to none. Regional treasures, the Galloping Goose and Lochside trails will take you from the urban core to the south island’s pastoral countryside and wild West Coast. They include 85 kilometres of accessible, picturesque trail along a former railway line — ideal for a scenic tour or a family excursion. The Galloping Goose Regional Trail, a 55-kilometre trail between Victoria and Sooke, is the first section of the Trans-Canada Trail. The Goose intersects with the Lochside Trail in Saanich and ventures out through the rolling farmlands of the Saanich Peninsula.

The Forget-Me-Not Bracelet “If I had a flower for every time I thought of you... I could walk through my garden forever.” - Alfred Tennyson

INTERNATIONAL AWARD WINNING JEWELLERY DESIGNERS • SINCE 1972 946 Fort St, Victoria, BC • 250-383-3414 • www.idar.com

Authentic Idar

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PHOTO COURTESY TOURISM VICTORIA

SAIL ON

WEST END GALLERY

Victoria is home to a huge boating community, and you can’t travel far without catching sight of a sail on the horizon or a marina filled with boats of every size and shape. From the beautiful Inner Harbour to the protected and scenic bays and inlets of the Gulf Islands and National Park Reserve, time on the water is an intrinsic part of island life. For those who have set sail on their own seafaring adventure, numerous mooring opportunities and amenities exist all around Victoria and Sidney. For those arriving without wind in their sails, a variety of charter and rental options make it easy to become part of this stunning seascape.

PHOTO CREDIT: JENNIFER LOEWE

PADDLE POWER

Representing the finest in Canadian Art for over 25 years. 1203 BROAD STREET 250-388-0009 OR 1-877-388-0009

www.westendgalleryltd.com OPEN DAILY 16

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Paddling — in a canoe or kayak — offers the chance to see the city from an entirely new perspective. Rentals and tours are easy to arrange in many locations around the Capital Region, from downtown’s Inner Harbour to the far reaches of Sidney and Sooke. The iconic Inner Harbour creates a breathtaking backdrop for a morning paddle, or venture to the Upper Harbour and the park-lined Gorge Waterway. Other popular paddling locations include the inlets and bays of Oak Bay and Saanich, and Tod Inlet, a picturesque stretch of water between the Saanich Peninsula and the Malahat. The Peninsula community of Brentwood Bay is a common jumping off point for Tod Inlet adventures. Fresh-water paddles include Elk and Beaver Lakes in Saanich and in the West Shore community of View Royal, Thetis Lake.

HOOFING IT Greater Victoria is home to more than 60 provincial, regional and municipal parks, which makes hiking easy and accessible, and provides a range of terrain and difficulty to suit every level of trail blazer. Minutes from the bustle of Victoria, Goldstream Provincial Park is a true yearround outdoor destination popular with everyone from young families to experienced hikers. Just north of Victoria on Highway 1, find towering, 600-year-old Douglas firs, a salmon spawning river, waterfalls, hiking trails and picnic sites. Adventurous hikers can climb to the top of Mt. Finlayson, one of the highest points in Greater Victoria. Other hiking trails can be found at parks such as East Sooke, Mount Douglas, Gowlland Tod and the Galloping Goose Trail.

Goldstream Park waterfall.

Kayaker at WIllows Beach.

PHOTO COURTESY TOURISM VICTORIA

Clayton Anderson, Schooner Cove, 30 x 48, Acrylic on Canvas

Contemporary and Historic Canadian Art 606 View St. Victoria â&#x20AC;˘ www.madronagallery.com â&#x20AC;˘ 250.380.4660

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MODERNIZING MODERNISM WOODWORKER KIRK VAN LUDWIG CREATES A BOLD STATEMENT BY SEAN MCINTYRE | PHOTO BY DON DENTON

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tep through the door into Autonomous Furniture’s Government Street showroom and you’re met with a chilled vibe that complements the space’s sophisticated furnishings.

The handmade, custom furniture is the work of Kirk Van Ludwig, who has created close to 500 pieces since choosing to follow his intuition and launch the company in 2013. Kirk and his team of two in-house furniture makers work on anywhere between 25 and 30 pieces at any given time. Orders for the sleek, awe-inspiring pieces such as the Tillikum bench, Constantinople table set and Kai table regularly arrive from across North America and around the world. This spring, Autonomous is being featured at New York Design Week alongside a jury-selected group of North America’s furniture designers. Roll back five years, and things were much different. “What we do is such a tough business,” he says. “If we went onto the Dragons’ Den television show and said we are going to source all the wood, and I’m going to design it, engineer it, build it, figure out how to market it and ship it, they would say I’m crazy.” With a mind full of ideas, an intuition to shake up the weary world of home design and encouragement from his spouse Jodie (who runs the business’s administrative side), Kirk set out to disrupt contemporary ideas about furniture design by throwing away many of the conventional techniques which have dominated the craft.

“My personality is bold and provocative, and I think that comes out in the furniture. For someone who is looking to add something dramatic, my pieces seem to speak to them.”

“When you touch one of our tables, I want it to be a really tactile experience,” he says. “If you overwork it or use too much machinery, it takes away from that. For someone who spent every part of his career making sure everything is perfectly flat and square, it’s a huge leap …I took everything I knew about the industry and just flipped it.” Kirk has always had an eye for design. As a child growing up in Vancouver and Edmonton, he had an instinctive appreciation for the buildings around him, and certain interiors resonated. Works of mid-century architecture and the creations of architect Arthur Erickson — including Vancouver’s Robson Square, Simon Fraser University and the University of Lethbridge — figure prominently in his appreciation of design. So too do the many mid-century homes that populated the neighbourhoods of his youth. As an avid outdoor adventurer who appreciates the West Coast’s mountains and forests close up, Kirk draws on the inherent forms and patterns he discovers in the wilderness. It’s while he’s on his road bike or out for a run that Kirk uncovers the inspiration for a new project. Kirk describes it as a kind of “white noise” constantly churning in his head, calling to be extracted and jotted down on paper and, eventually, created in form. Combining this immersion in the natural world with his foundation in modern design gives Kirk’s work a renewed take on a classic 20th century look, something he believes the industry sorely needs. “If you look at the history of modernism, it began as bold and risky. Now there are a lot of safe, four-white-walls-and-glass spaces constructed in the guise of modernism. To make matters worse, the interiors are designed to play it safe,” he says. “My clients didn’t grow up that way. They got ahead by being decisive and acting with meaning. My personality is bold and provocative, and I think that comes out in the furniture. For someone who is looking to add something dramatic, my pieces seem to speak to them.” More information about Autonomous Furniture and Kirk’s work is available at autonomousfurniture.com. For a closer look, stop by the Victoria showroom at 2101 Government Street. E

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THEIR VICTORIA Marina Shaforost + Krikor Kuspekian BY CHELSEA FORMAN | PHOTO BY LIA CROWE

arina Shaforost and Krikor Kuspekian settled in Victoria shortly after they were married in 2007. While Marina had been in Victoria since 2005, completing her master’s degree at the University of Victoria, Krikor had been living in Florida — just one stop in a lifetime of travelling to various destinations. “I was in Florida for 10 years before moving to Victoria, but I’m a little bit from everywhere,” Krikor laughs.

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The decision to permanently reside in Victoria was an easy one for the couple to make. “Victoria is a very welcoming city. When I first arrived in Victoria, I remember walking along Dallas Road and seeing all the people walking and smiling and greeting each other,” Krikor says. “It makes you feel very welcomed.” He adds: “Compared to some of the other places I’ve lived, Victoria combines a lot of the things we like, such as having a wonderful natural location on the ocean with lots of greenery and flowers. And then there is the heritage and architecture of the city. The cleanness. The kindness of the people. It really is a special place.” Having worked in the jewellery business all his life, Krikor quickly joined Lugaro jewellers as manager once he was settled in Victoria. Marina also joined the company in a marketing and sales position. At the time, Lugaro was in Victoria’s Mayfair Mall, but with a rapidly developing tourism industry influenced by the cruise ship market, the store was relocated to Victoria’s city centre. “Victoria was starting to get more and more attention from tourists. We moved Lugaro downtown to Government Street into the Southgate & Lascelles Building, which is one of Victoria’s oldest commercial buildings,” explains Marina.

Lugaro’s relocation downtown exposed them to a global clientele. Being Victoria’s representative for Major Swiss Watch brands including Rolex, Omega, IWC, Ulysse Nardin, Tudor, TAG Heuer, Longines, Rado and Tissot, the store quickly gained recognition as the premier destination to purchase these luxury watch brands in Victoria. “We deal with a lot of tourists and they always want to come back. We have clients from all over the world who will travel to Victoria and come to Lugaro to make their purchases,” says Krikor. Beyond their global clientele, Krikor and Marina have developed strong ties with the local community. “Victoria is a small and a big city at the same time. It’s small in the sense that we have a tight community. We see our customers out walking in the city. We run into our clients all the time,” explains Krikor. “But Victoria is also big in the sense that it is a worldwide destination. It’s a fun experience when your clients become more like friends. It’s a great way to do business like that.” Exploring destinations all over the world, Marina and Krikor have settled on a life in Victoria because of the city’s unique combination as a global tourist hub and close-knit community. With clients spanning across the world, they know that through their work at Lugaro, they will always have a hub to facilitate lasting relationships. E

evoke drama evoke drama

evoke drama 2101 Government Street, Victoria • (778) 433 5252 autonomousfurniture.com 2101 Government Street, Victoria • (778) 433 5252 autonomousfurniture.com E S S E N T I A L V I C TO R I A 2 0 1 9/2 0

MY VICTORIA Jill Pemberton BY CHELSEA FORMAN | PHOTO BY LIA CROWE

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ill Pemberton’s life has been guided by her career in fashion, a love of travel and her country roots — and she’s confident there’s no better city in the world to accommodate her lifestyle than Victoria.

Growing up on a rural dairy farm in Ontario, Jill’s adoration for fashion began at a young age. And while high-end clothing wasn’t easy to come by in her hometown, she was able to use a little creativity and perseverance to source items and begin cultivating her knowledge of fine design. Jill followed a career centred in fashion and design to Victoria, where she arrived 26 years ago. Her aptitude for design has been recognized in both fashion and home renovations. She completed two renovations, both of which have garnered spots in Better Homes & Garden Magazine. Jill’s clothing designs were sold wholesale in the USA and Australia, and within a shop she co-owned in Sidney, BC. “I owned my own fashion businesses, and both took me around the world. I travelled to Hanoi extensively during that time, and that’s where all my designs were manufactured. I decided for the next phase of my career that I no longer wanted to travel globally for business. I wanted to keep my life exclusively to the Island,” says Jill. After selling her share of the retail shop to her partner, Jill accepted the position of manager at Victoria’s Black Goat Cashmere.

world, along with local clientele. “A big thing for me is creating memorable experiences for all my clients: a memory felt every time they wear their cashmere sweaters. It’s all part of building a lasting relationship with our customers,” she explains. Jill, who has travelled the world and experienced a huge range of adventures, believes that the cashmere products sold at Black Goat incorporate into any lifestyle. “I love how easy cashmere is to implement into our West Coast lifestyle. It is also the ultimate travel wear, taking you from hot to cold climates. I have worn Black Goat Cashmere around the world from climbing Kilimanjaro to strolling the streets of Paris to walking Dallas Road with my dogs,” says Jill. And while Jill is now hopping on planes for pleasure, she believes there is nowhere that compares to the effortless lifestyle Victoria offers. “It’s the quality of life. Even though it’s a small city, it’s a worldly city in that the world comes here. Some of the most interesting people not only visit here but choose to live here as well,” she says. With a subtle nod to her country roots, Jill lives in Deep Cove with her son and three dogs.

“It’s the most beautiful store and has the most beautiful cashmere I have ever felt or seen,” she says.

“I feel like I have the best of both worlds because I have a city life and I have a country life. I love coming to the city. But my home brings me back to where I come from. It’s an easy, effortless lifestyle in Victoria,” she explains.

This ultra-luxurious brand is a family-owned company with stores also located in Vancouver and Toronto. The Victoria location on Government Street opened three years ago. Jill joined Black Goat Cashmere for its initial launch in Victoria. Every day the store welcomes people from all over the

Jill has designed a life that capitalizes on the best of Victoria, from her home in the country to her fashion career in the city. With a life that has been coloured by worldly travels, Jill is sure there is no place quite like Victoria to call home. E

SWEET

DREAMS BOUTIQUE

Sweet Dreams Boutique® beautiful bedding & linens

VICTORIA: 636 Broughton Street | 250.383.6133 SIDNEY: 2492 Beacon Avenue | 250.656.0510 sweetdreamsboutique.com

Luxe Victoria Long removed from its days as a far-flung outpost of the British Empire, Victoria has matured into a cosmopolitan city known for its chic style, one-of-a-kind boutiques, and designers inspired by the scenic beauty around them. Ours is a modern sophistication tempered by traditions from our European past, and a freeing West Coast aesthetic.

 3.33 CARAT EMERALD AND DIAMOND TRILOGY RING 3.33 carat cushion cut natural Colombian emerald is accented by two 1.40 carat total weight VVS2/ EF cushion cut diamonds and set in 18K white and yellow gold. Please inquire for price.

 8.5 CARAT TW DIAMOND AND RUBY NECKLACE 500 gems! 497 (8.32 carat total weight) round brilliant cut diamonds + a 0.14 carat ideal cushion cut diamond + 2 rubies. Please inquire for price.

LUGARO JEWELLERS 1102 Government Street, Victoria, 250-382-2040 lugaro.com

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 KNITTED 8 PLY PONCHO There’s nothing like wearing cashmere. Keep stylish and warm in Black Goat Cashmere’s Knitted 8 Ply Poncho. This 100 per cent cashmere piece features a longer length and playful fringe detail. Step into the Black Goat Cashmere boutique and discover a vivid mix of colours and styles for both men and women. BLACK GOAT CASHMERE 1008 Government Street, Victoria 250-590-3887 blackgoatcashmere.com

 CALLA LILY RING A superb piece of handcrafted jewellery is very special. The care, thought, handpicked materials and sheer craftsmanship that goes into idar jewellery makes the final creation incredibly personal and beautiful. That is exactly what idar jewellers has been doing for more than 45 years. Located in the heart in Victoria, idar is a retail showcase and the working studio of award-winning master goldsmith and renowned jeweller Idar Bergseth. Idar’s vision is to create distinctive lines of jewellery that are exceptionally designed, made by hand using time-honoured techniques and intended for a lifetime of every day use. IDAR 946 Fort Street, Victoria, 250-383-3414 idar.com

 “THEA” FROM BEAUTIFEEL SHOES Creativity Love Femininity Commitment: “The BeautiFeel brand was born out of these attributes, and wishes to share them with every woman in the world.” Thea: It’s rare that a pair of shoes makes you stop for a second, but when the moment arrives, respect it and choose wisely. This gorgeous, airy boot definitely makes for one of those moments. Sheer, intricate lace adorned with old-school embroidery, graceful laces and a modern, slender heel come together to create a stunning look. Go with it. 1023 Fort Street, Victoria, 250-920-7653 heartandsoleshoes.ca

 ORIGIN | CINQUE EXCLUSIVELY AT BAGHEERA BOUTIQUE CINQUE is a contemporary, progressive fashion label. Offering the consumer a product of high quality with a long tradition of Italian passion and unique know-how. CINQUE products are based on selected and preferably Italian and / or European fabrics and materials and produced primarily in southern and eastern Europe. BAGHEERA BOUTIQUE 618 Broughton Street, Victoria 778-406-1600 bagheeravictoria.ca

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CITY OF GARDENS Glorious blooms, soothing water features and wondrous walkways await visitors at Victoria’s beautiful gardens.

THE BUTCHART GARDENS  When Robert and Jennie Butchart came to live at Tod Inlet on Vancouver Island they named their home “Benvenuto” — Italian for “Welcome.” Starting with sweet pea seeds and a rose bush, Jennie began a lifelong project to create a garden. With great vision, she transformed a barren limestone quarry, beginning what is now the Sunken Garden at the world famous The Butchart Gardens, located a short drive from Victoria on the Saanich Peninsula. Today, more than 100 years later, the breathtaking gardens stretch across 22 hectares of the 53-hectare estate and are visited by close to a million people each year. Open year-round, The Butchart Gardens are pure magic no matter what the season. Extend your visit in the award-winning Dining Room Restaurant, partake in Afternoon Tea, enjoy the summer’s Saturday Fireworks and Night Illuminations and return during the holiday season for the month-long seasonal light-up.

 BEACON HILL PARK The crown jewel of Victoria’s city parks, Beacon Hill could take a full day to explore. With its formal history reaching back to 1882, when the Province of British Columbia granted 75 hectares to the City of Victoria to be held in trust, the park encompasses a vast array of landscapes, including native plant habitats, manicured gardens and playing fields, historic buildings, structures and monuments. Designated a municipal heritage site in 2009, Beacon Hill Park offers something for all ages, including playgrounds, a water park, children’s zoo and duck ponds for the little ones; as well as a putting green, bandshell (featuring summer concerts), accessible walking paths through formal gardens and many scenic spots to spread out a picnic blanket and savour some of Victoria’s delicious culinary treats.

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 ABKHAZI GARDEN Enjoy afternoon tea and take a tour with one of Abkhazi Garden’s volunteer guides for some incredible tales, beautiful surroundings and stunning greenery from around the world. Plant lovers, history buffs and anyone who loves nature will enjoy the guided walk through the gardens as they learn all about the plants, the land, the house and the couple who created this amazing garden. The entrance to Abkhazi Garden is via an ornate black gate, which only hints at the beauty that lies beyond. Parking is on the street. Call for seasonal hours; located at 1964 Fairfield Road. Admission to the garden is by donation.

 VICTORIA BUTTERFLY GARDENS The temperature inside the Victoria Butterfly Gardens is a comfy 26 degrees Celsius, the perfect climate for the 70 species of butterflies that flitter through the facility. From the rainforest-dwelling Menelaus blue morpho butterfly to the lacewing butterfly from the Philippines and the giant atlas moth from South East Asia, the spacious, tropically-planted indoor venue is filled with exotic colour and delicate winged beauty. The Victoria Butterfly Gardens, located in Brentwood Bay, is also home to iguanas, flamingos, free-flying tropical birds and poison dart frogs. There are ponds filled with koi fish, 200 species of tropical plants (including a carnivorous plant!) and warm air rich with the scent of the tropics. Ticket admission includes access to the insectarium, where leaf-cutter ants and other insects and invertebrates are safely observed from behind glass.

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On Lindsay: Jacket ($985) and dress ($675) by Luisa Cerano and from Bagheera Boutique; 24K gold vermeil and labradorite earrings by Claire Crowfoot ($139) from Tulipe Noire. On Ross: Soft jacket by Circolo 1901 ($595), micro-cord floral print shirt by Culturata ($195), slate-washed jean by 34 Heritage ($195), all from Citizen Clothing.

a bolder

bouquet STYLING + PHOTOS BY LIA CROWE

On Lindsay: Coat by Laurèl ($1,460) from Hughes Clothing; “Stella” faux wrap dress by Leisure ($395) from leisure-thebrand.com; 24K gold vermeil and peridot earrings by Claire Crowfoot ($89) from Tulipe Noire; “Medina” necklace by Pamela Card ($250) and “Rosette” Pendant by Shannon Munro ($267), both from Bernstein and Gold.

On Ross: Soft jacket by Circolo 1901 ($595) and paisley print shirt by Culturata ($195), both from Citizen Clothing; navy check pant by San ($295) and floral scarf by Harris Wilson ($95), both from Outlooks For Men.

loral prints reign supreme this year with regal patterns in richly saturated hues of blue, copper and gold. At one of Victoria’s crown jewels, Craigdarroch Castle, Essential presents a bold and beautiful bouquet with a fantastical floral flourish.

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On Lindsay: Gigi mohair-blend jacket by Sosken ($795), “Lavern” sleeveless wool vest by Soia & Kyo ($395), “Torri” silk skirt by Ulla Johnson ($684), “Medina” necklace by Pamela Card ($250), “Rosette” pendant by Shannon Munro ($267) and “Bich” green suede boot ($265), all from Bernstein and Gold. On Ross: Coat by Tagliatore ($895), navy floral shirt by Sand ($225), brown cord pant by Mason’s ($265) and floral scarf by Harris Wilson ($95), all from Outlooks For Men.

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On Lindsay: Black floral print dress by Luisa Cerano ($685) from Bagheera Boutique. On Ross: Navy floral shirt by Sand ($225) and brown cord pant by Masonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ($265), both from Outlooks For Men.

Makeup by Jen Clark, in-house makeup artist for COSMEDICA using glo.MINERALS makeup. Hair by Ila Meens for Barber and Fritz. On set styling by Zoe Breen. Models: Lindsay Kryczka and professional dancer and choreographer Ross Wirtanen. Assistant: Djuna Nagasaki

Photographed on location at Craigdarroch Castle: a huge thank you for hosting our fashion crew for the day.

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CITY OF SIGHTS MUST-SEE VICTORIA From castles to high tea and historical delights, Victoria offers an array of dazzling places to visit. PHOTOS COURTESY TOURISM VICTORIA



FAIRMONT EMPRESS

The grande dame of Victoria’s hotels, the Fairmont Empress has hosted everyone from Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles to Hollywood “royalty” over the generations. Even visitors who aren’t guests of the hotel can take in her treasures, from shopping or touring the gardens to enjoying the hotel’s famous Afternoon Tea. Throughout the years, royals, celebrities and dignitaries have enjoyed a cuppa here, including Queen Elizabeth II, Rudyard Kipling, Shirley Temple, Rita Hayworth, John Travolta, Barbra Streisand, Sarah McLachlan and the Emperor and Empress of Japan. In fact, nearly 100,000 guests are served tea annually, enjoying an estimated 500,000 cups of tea.

 THE ROYAL BC MUSEUM British Columbia’s provincial museum protects and preserves the natural and human history of this diverse corner of the globe and it does so with distinctive style and flair. Fascinating permanent exhibits explore everything from First Nations history to European exploration and the natural flora and fauna unique to British Columbia. Complementing these permanent displays are exceptional events and special exhibits designed to let visitors of all ages truly experience this unique piece of BC.

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CRAIGDARROCH CASTLE

Craigdarroch Castle, a National Historic Site, is located in the Rockland neighbourhood. Constructed in the late 1800s as a family mansion for the wealthy coal baron Robert Dunsmuir, it has 39 rooms. The four-storey Romanesquerevival style mansion was meticulously restored, and the lavish furnishings, as well as stained glass and intricate woodwork, give insight into privileged life in the 1890s. The Tower provides grand views of Victoria.

 CHINATOWN Located in Old Town, Victoria’s Chinatown is the oldest in Canada, and it proudly exhibits its history and culture in its buildings, shops, restaurants and special events. The Gate of Harmonious Interest stands as a towering welcome and a tribute to the multicultural community all Canadians enjoy. The Bright Pearl statue is another oftenphotographed spot and the starting point for the award-winning Discover the Past Chinatown tours, which set off year-round to explore this fascinating neighbourhood.

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HATLEY CASTLE

Hatley Castle, a National Historic Site in the western outskirts of Victoria, was completed in 1908 for the wealthy BC Lieutenant Governor, James Dunsmuir, and his family. Dunsmuir told architect Samuel Maclure, “Money doesn’t matter, just build what I want.” A 40-room mansion in a Tudor Revival style, its impressive exterior is matched only by the lavishness of the interior: oak and rosewood panelled rooms, baronial fireplace and teak floors. The large building has a crenellated turret and a 650-acre estate, housing hundreds of heritage trees and formal Italian, rose and Japanese gardens. The property has been featured in many films and shows. The federal government purchased Hatley Castle in 1940 (the Dunsmuirs had passed away) as a home for King George VI and family during the war. The Royal Family, however, never came. Hatley Castle served as a military college until 1995 when it became Royal Roads University.

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On Krystal: 18k yellow gold handmade toggle chain bracelet ($5,595) and rose cut bi-colour tourmaline drops ($4,995) both from Idar Jewellers; dusty rose smocked sateen dress ($945) by Ulla Johnson from Bernstein & Gold. On Jeff: Slim skinny jeans ($255) by Adirano Goldschmied from Outlooks for Men; handmade bracelet($98) by Pig&Hen from Citizen.

Radiant Romance STYLING BY JEN CLARK | PHOTOS BY LIA CROWE

Nothing sparks romance like a weekend away at a fancy hotel with the one you love. Precious time spent and precious gems beautifully set, follow Essential to the Oak Bay Beach Hotel for a look at gorgeous jewellery that is sure to inspire a little heat.

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 On Krystal: Dusty rose racer charmeuse cami ($210) by Cami NYC, ivory blazer ($695) by Smythe, freshwater pearl and 24k yellow gold plated sterling silver earrings ($350), freshwater pearl and 24k yellow gold plated sterling silver necklace ($320) and 24k yellow gold plated sterling silver pendant necklace ($220) by Pamela Card from Bernstein&Gold; charcoal black pumps ($229) by Yuko Imanishi from Footloose Shoes; hosiery,stylist’s own.

On Jeff: Rolex Datejust 41 in Everose Rolesor featuring a chocolate dial and oyster bracelet ($14,200) from Lugaro Jewellers; slim white shirt ($280) by Eton and double-edged short grooved safety razor ($55) by Simpsons from Outlooks for Men.

 On Krystal: Lady’s White 14 Karat bangle with 643=8.72TW

Round Diamonds by Roman & Jules by First Image Design ($45,000) and Lady’s White 14 Karat Large Hoop earrings with 126=5.00TW Round Diamonds by Roman & Jules by First Image Design ($16,500) both from Barclay’s Fine Jewellers; black lace camisole ($345) by Luisa Cerano from Bagheera Boutique.

 On Krystal: Forevermark Diamond Pendant, 18k white gold pendant featuring 0.14 carat ideal

cushion cut Forevermark diamond, accented by 8.46TW diamonds ($16,500) and white gold diamond flower ring featuring 0.40ct genuine ruby, accented by 2.08TW diamonds ($3,200) from Lugaro Jewellers; black evening dress($305) by Tiger of Sweden from Hughes Clothing. On Jeff: Rolex Datejust 41 in Everose Rolesor featuring a chocolate dial and oyster bracelet ($14,200) from Lugaro Jewellers; slim white shirt ($280) by Eton from Outlooks for Men; black trousers ($195) by Aedelhard from Citizen.

Makeup and hair by Jen Clark, in-house makeup artist for COSMEDICA using glo.MINERALS makeup. Models Krystal Hanson and Jeff Baker. Production and styling assistant Vellar Chou and Victoria Craig. Photographed on location at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel. A huge thank you for hosting our fashion crew for the day.

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EVOLUTION OF STYLE: THE ARTISTIC JOURNEY OF BLU SMITH BY CHELSEA FORMAN | PHOTO BY DON DENTON

“It was imperative for me to go through the phase of pure abstraction … If I had never done that phase, my paintings wouldn’t be where they are today.”

ictoria’s Blu Smith, one of Canada’s most prestigious abstract artists, is garnering international recognition for his innovative abstract landscapes.

But Blu’s signature style as an artist didn’t begin where it is today. And as he points out, artists go through many style stages, often reflective of their lives, and each phase is imperative to the continued growth and evolution of their work. In 1989, Blu moved from his hometown of Vernon to Victoria. He completed the four-year fine arts program at the University of Victoria and worked at a sign shop. After graduation, Blu remained at the sign shop for several years, while actively pursuing his career in painting on the side. “I would show my art anywhere I could — from furniture stores to hair salons — just trying to get my work out there,” he recalls. During his time working at the sign shop, Blu was immersed in a pop art phase of his career, and he credits this for cultivating an adoration of large format art. “Back in university — like most young artists are — I was experimenting and trying out different techniques and styles to figure out what was going to fit for me,” he says. “I was doing a lot of pop art, which really stemmed from my work in the sign business. I was implementing lettering, and working large format — one component that I still use today.” Blu became involved with several local galleries in Victoria and from there, his work began to slowly trickle out across western Canada, eastern Canada, into the United States and eventually overseas. Before the advent of social media, he says, it took an all-consuming effort for an artist to gain recognition. But the various platforms have helped elevate his career. “With social media the potential now is unlimited — you’re instantly worldwide with the reach that you get. It has been an instrumental part of my business over the past few years. It really allows an artist to take control of his career a lot more,” he says, adding, “The old model was more challenging because you would get into galleries who would be responsible for marketing you and [therefore] allowing you to be in the studio and paint. It’s far more of a partnership now.”

Blu’s style progressed from pop art into realistic paintings, and by the late ‘90s, he once again witnessed a shift in his work. “I was running into a stumbling block, where I found my work was really stagnating. I was doing a lot of realistic paintings and was struggling to find the creativity in that. It was more of a technical skill than a creative approach,” he says. “I decided to branch out and experiment doing non-representational abstract pieces — just throwing the paint around on the canvas and seeing what happened. It was only supposed to be about a week‚ but that didn’t really happen. The abstract work really took off and I found what I was looking for. The flood gates opened.” Blu didn’t look back for the next 15 years. His reputation as an expert abstract artist spanned globally. It wasn’t until 2013 that Blu’s career took the next subtle and unexpected shift. “We moved to North Saanich, BC, onto a mostly tree-covered property. In our previous home, we would get the sunrise. In our new home, we would get light flooding through the trees — and it really affected me. I started to incorporate what I saw every day outside my studio into my abstracts. It began to develop into a really interesting journey with these abstract landscapes. I found it unique and fresh.” While Blu continues to produce pure abstract art, his abstract landscapes have gained tremendous acknowledgment for both their beauty and stylistic rarity. His work can be found in Victoria at the West End Gallery. “It was imperative for me to go through the phase of pure abstraction. It was such a learning phase for me on how to handle paint and what boundaries I could push. I was able to take everything I had learned over the previous 15 years as an abstract artist and meld them with west coast landscapes,” he says. “If I had never done that phase, my paintings wouldn’t be where they are today.” All the various phases that artists move through equip them with tools or new skills to take forward on their artistic journey. For Blu Smith, the evolution of his career has been unpredictable, with an ongoing inspiration to explore the limits of his own creativity and push forward through new phases. And as life unfolds with unexpected shifts, so too does the story Blu tells through his art. E

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ISLAND AESTHETIC MADRONA GALLERY  Celebrating its ninth anniversary, this historical and contemporary fine art gallery in the heart of downtown showcases both established and emerging Canadian artists working in a variety of media, including painting, sculpting and Inuit drawings and carvings. Works are also available by Members of the Group of Seven, Emily Carr, E.J Hughes and other Canadian masters. The gallery prides itself on providing a welcoming environment for new and established art collectors. 606 View Street 250-380-4660 madronagallery.com

Karel Doruyter, Passage, 36 x 60, Acrylic on Canvas

 WEST END GALLERY West End Gallery presents the finest in contemporary Canadian painters and glass artists. It offers a variety of styles from a wide range of artists, so collectors both new and established will find works of lasting value. Painters represented include: Steven Armstrong, Naomi Cairns, Claudette Castonguay, Rod Charlesworth, Ken Faulks, Greta Guzek, Dana Irving, Raynald Leclerc, Grant Leier, Joel Mara, Annabelle Marquis, Elka Nowicka, Ron Parker, Glenn Payan, Guy Roy, Robert Savignac, Aleksandra Savina, Peter Shostak, Blu Smith and many more. Sculpture and glass artists represented include: Dulce Alba Lindeza, Robert Held, Tammy Hudgeon, Paull Rodrigue and David Thai. 1203 Broad Street 250-388-0009 westendgalleryltd.com Aleksandra Savina, Victoria Inner Harbour, 40 x 60 Acrylic on Canvas

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EXPLORE VICTORIA FROM A VISUAL ARTS PERSPECTIVE AT THE CITY’S MANY STUDIOS AND GALLERIES.

BEAUTIFEEL • BIRKENSTOCK George Littlechild (Cree), Only Take What You Need, Mixed Media

 ALCHERINGA GALLERY | CONTEMPORARY INDIGENOUS ART Alcheringa Gallery is a contemporary art gallery that specializes in Indigenous Northwest Coast fine art from Vancouver Island, BC and other parts of Canada. Its goal is to positively and respectfully promote and support artists and their culture and practises in Canada’s era of Truth & Reconciliation and the United Nation’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Alcheringa also represents Indigenous artists from Papua New Guinea, Australia, Solomon Islands and Torres Strait. 621 Fort Street alcheringa-gallery.com

BUENO • CHANIIB • EARTH • EL NATURALISTA FINN COMFORT • GLERUPS • SOREL JOHNSTON & MURPHY • MEPHISTO NAOT (MEN’S) • ON FOOT • RED WING HERITAGE SAMUEL HUBBARD • WOLKY • AND MORE 1023 For t Street | 250.920.7653 hear tsolesshoes.ca

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ALL ABOARD THE NEW SALISH SEA ECLIPSE Investing in technology sets a new standard for Whale Watching in BC BY DARCY NYBO

here’s nothing like a day out on the ocean. The sun in your face, the wind in your hair and the anticipation of seeing whales in their natural habitat. Victoria whale-watching company, Prince of Whales, provides all that — and more.

NEW ADDITION TO THE FLEET

Prince of Whales has added a new boat, Salish Sea Eclipse, to its fleet. This means it now has the two tallest viewing platforms in the local whale-watching industry. That’s right — you don’t need to get wet to look for whales. Prince of Whales’ Salish Sea Dream and the Salish Sea Eclipse will take you out to where the wild things are, and you can view them from 26 feet above the

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ocean, and with a 360-degree view. The Salish Sea Eclipse is the 14th vessel in the Prince of Whales fleet of whale watching vessels. Environmentally friendly, it was built at a cost of $3.5 million. It will help further reduce the environmental footprint of BC’s premier whale-watching company while offering safe, more comfortable eco-adventures for its passengers. The catamaran’s innovative design employs a robust water jet propulsion system, increasing overall speed, decreasing noise, reducing fuel consumption and improving marine wildlife safety. “The jets mean there are no underwater propellers hanging below the hull that could harm marine wild-

life,” said marine engineer Matt Dilay, with Gregory C. Marshall Naval Architect Ltd. of Saanich. As these are rather large ocean-going vessels, the chances of feeling every wave is greatly reduced. The catamarans are approximately 81 feet long by 26.5 feet wide, and with 180 seats, comfortably hold up to 95 guests and a crew of five. “The taller the boat, the farther you can see. The farther you can see, the better the whale and marine wildlife viewing experience,” said Ben Duthie of Prince of Whales. “Our newest catamaran has an improved commercial propulsion system featuring four independent Doen-Thrustmaster commercial jets. It also has a quieter and warmer inner cabin, enhanced safety systems regarding fuelling and fire-

fighting, and rear lower cabin windows for another place to get 360-degree viewing.” Because of their size, the catamarans are also used for longer trips, like the ones that go to Vancouver and back and also to The Butchart Gardens. There are several types of tours available, from half day to full day, and morning, afternoon and sunset tours. The floor-to-ceiling windows on the lower deck of the Salish Sea Dream and the Salish Sea Eclipse allows for 360-degree panoramic views, without being outside. There are seats for everyone, inside and out. If you get hungry or thirsty, there is a snack bar onboard.

RESPECTING NATURE

One of the great things about going on wildlife- and whale-watching tours is experiencing first hand the natural environment of these animals and learning how fragile it is. New laws require that all wildlife watching boats stay a minimum of 200 metres (Canada) and 200 yards (USA) away from orcas. “As the distance requirements from orcas and other marine mammals continues to increase, we continue to be involved in high-level discussions with regulators and local conservation groups. We have made a decision to increase the size and height

of our boats to maintain relative quality in the viewing experience and to reduce the acoustic and carbon footprints per passenger,” said Duthie. There’s more than orcas to spot on these tours, including sea lions, both in the water and basking on the shores. Be forewarned, they can get rather smelly on sunny days, even at 200 metres away! Depending on the season and how the whales are feeling that day, you may get a chance to see orcas, humpback whales, dolphins and seals. There’s also a good chance you’ll see bald eagles, deer and mountain sheep. Prince of Whales has a rather unique policy in that if you do not see a whale on your first try, you’re invited to come back again, year-round, at no charge, for another tour. This offer does not expire and can be used at each of their three locations in Vancouver, Victoria and Telegraph Cove (located at the northern end on Vancouver Island). Take your whale-watching tour on the new Salish Sea Eclipse catamaran, get close to elements in a Zodiac or pick something in between that suits your comfort level and the tour you want. Whichever one you choose, the staff of Prince of Whales are there to educate, inform and give you one of the best whale watching experiences possible. E

Prince of Whales is one of the oldest marine tour companies in British Columbia and is the industry leader when it comes to eco-tourism and environmental conservation. They recently committed $1 million over five years to orca-based science programs and chinook salmon recovery projects in British Columbia. The investment will come from a $5-per-passenger ecological surcharge.

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GIN CITY Flavours of the Empress + the wild West Coast BY CHELSEA FORMAN

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PHOTO BY DON DENTON

he indigo-blue liquid in my glass slowly flushes pink as it’s flooded with tonic water. Peter Hunt places a slice of grapefruit in the cocktail as a garnish.

“It makes a beautiful drink,” he comments. Peter is the president and master distiller at Victoria Distillers, the company that produces the indigo-coloured Empress 1908 Gin, launched in May 2017, and now taking the world by storm. The distillery also produces Victoria Gin, Oaken Gin and a few smaller batch spirits. I’ve arrived at the distillery in Sidney, for a tour and tasting as the first stop in my exploration of the spirit. The atmosphere at Victoria Distillers is old world elegant. The cocktail lounge extends outdoors into a sprawling oceanfront patio, with production on the opposite side.

The distillery is expansive, and it locally produces all of the spirits, which are distributed to an international clientele. “The Empress 1908 gin was inspired by Tea at the Empress, which informed the botanicals,” says Peter. “It has the Empress blend tea in it as well as butterfly pea flowers, which make it blue.” Victoria Distillers was founded by Peter’s family in 2008, and although the company has a different owner now, its heritage is honoured throughout the distillery and the recipes. And Peter and his brother-in-law continue to design and produce innovative spirits. “We didn’t set out to make a blue gin but through the developmental process with the Empress team we came up with the recipe that includes the butterfly pea flower,” says

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Peter. “The butterfly pea flower changes colour with PH balances, which is why we get varying shades of blue, pink and purple when making different cocktails.”

by Jason and Alayne MacIsaac. The husband-and-wife team have been in business for just four years and recently had to move their home-based operation to a larger facility to meet growing demand for their products.

The Empress 1908 has a traditional gin flavour: citrus notes from grapefruit peel intermingle with touches of ginger and cinnamon. I savour the spirit — it is an embodiment of the city’s iconic Fairmont Empress Hotel, featuring a traditional foundation and modern twist.

I take a seat at the tasting bar and Jason pours me a small amount of Seaside Gin, made from a unique blend of juniper, coriander, kelp, lavender, lemon, orange and cardamom. This is the gin that was named Best Contemporary Gin in the World at the 2019 edition of the prestigious World Gin Awards.

Peter swaps my glass and pours a taste of the distillery’s original recipe, Victoria Gin. “There are 10 botanicals that we balance in this gin. It has a reduced juniper content, which allows all those botanicals to shine through,” he says, talking me through the taste. Playing on the Victoria Gin recipe is the distillery’s Oaken Gin, which is aged in oak. The result is an amber whiskey-like spirit with caramel and vanilla flavours. The Oaken Gin is a smooth and robust spirit. It reminds me of the heady liquid my grandpa used to drink — and it makes the Scot in my soul sing. “Gin is a fun category because while they all need to have juniper, besides that, they can have all these other botanicals giving them a lot of character. There are a lot of gins to explore,” Peter comments. I leave Victoria Distillers surprised by the diversity of the gins I tasted. Peter had successfully opened up a new world to me — the vast world of gin. And as it happens, in recent years the southern part of Vancouver Island has become home to a number of craft gin distillers. So now it’s a Saturday morning and I’m winding along the southernmost tip of Vancouver Island to Sooke, to continue my exploration of gin at Sheringham Distillery, a local gin producer with a national following. The recipient of an increasing number of awards — including a huge international honour this year — Sheringham Distillery is owned and operated

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“We came up with the idea for the Seaside Gin when we were walking along French Beach and the sweet sea air was blowing in and the roses were blooming on the side of the path, and there was this really fragrant smell in the air. We wanted to capture that feeling and express it through gin,” says Jason. I take a sip of the Seaside Gin and it tastes like fond memories of camping at the beach, exploring the rugged west coast, sand beneath my toes and salt in my hair. “The seaweed kelp in our gin is the ocean aspect; it gives a bit of saline in our gin, a little saltiness and brininess on the palate. The juniper is the forest, and the roses and lavender would be the floral aspect. The kelp gives it a bit of depth and umami, which helps round off the other botanicals,” says Jason. Before heading back to Victoria, I pull into French Beach. Opening my car door I am enveloped by the same scent that inspired Jason and Alayne’s recipe. I cross the rugged beach and sit on an old wave-beaten log. Reflecting upon my exploration of gin I am struck by the inspiration behind the varying spirits and how precisely each distiller captured his muse. From tasting the history and sophisticated elegance of the Empress Hotel to sipping on the wild West Coast, local gin is an embodiment of a place and feeling. E

More than 700 farms, numerous distilleries and wineries, and topof-the-world views.

Start planning your trip:

tourismcowichan.com

Chef Jamie Hyunh, Veneto

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TASTE OF THE CITY

TOP CHEFS FULFILL EXPECTATIONS FOR QUALITY + VARIETY BY SEAN MCINTYRE | PHOTOS BY DON DENTON

Veneto: Italian flavours in downtown Victoria From iconic canals and medieval splendour, Italy’s Veneto region has the power to captivate travellers’ imaginations. And as if the scenery and history aren’t enough, the region’s farmed cuisine have developed a reputation that has inspired chefs around the world. For a taste of northern Italy in the heart of downtown Victoria, Veneto Bar Ristorante at the Hotel Rialto is known for its polenta, risotto and pasta dishes. It’s also a great place to grab a cocktail or a glass of wine to accompany an eclectic selection of after-work/afternoon appetizers, including braised short-rib arancini with sun-dried tomato aioli, spiced

grilled chicken wings with a creamy Gorgonzola dip or a plate of truffle fries. “We also have a wide variety of share plates and main course plates that display locally and ethically raised proteins,” says executive chef Jamie Huynh. “I try to draw parallels from the two regions of Vancouver Island and Veneto by displaying cuisine inspired by the pastures, mountains and oceans that both areas are surrounded by.” New and exciting dishes that Huynh has created for this year include a grilled Pacific octopus dish (served with crispy polenta with capers and dressed with a bright Italian salsa

verde) and an albacore tuna crudo (served with grapefruit, oranges, olives, pine nuts and pink peppercorn). The Veneto kitchen places a strong emphasis on fresh, local products. And if something can’t be sourced from British Columbia, it comes directly from the source in Italy. “I have a strong belief in showcasing as much local, organic produce and products as possible,” he says. “I love cooking through the seasons and using produce when it’s at its best. “Great product and good technique usually translates into tasty dishes.” E

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Flavours abound at The Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort & Spa Fresh and natural ingredients take centre stage at the Westin Bear Mountain’s mix of sophisticated restaurants and laid-back lounges. “I firmly believe in letting ingredients speak for themselves,” says executive chef Justin Weber. “The food culture on Vancouver Island is amazing; we have some of the best farms and ingredients in Canada all to ourselves.” This coming season at Bella, chef Weber is excited to serve wild BC sockeye salmon and long-line caught lingcod. He’s also incorporated Humboldt squid in the new calamari dish in the Masters Lounge. All these products are from waters off the West Coast, and are Oceanwise certified.

Executive Chef Justin Weber, The Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort & Spa

“I would recommend the salmon with warm fingerlings, pancetta and arugula salad, or our pan-roasted lamb with fried feta and rosemary polenta with chimichurri,” chef Weber says. “Unless you’re my dad, then I’d recommend our beef dip.”

Part of the draw that keeps diners coming back to the Westin Bear Mountain is the sheer variety of yearround activities that awaits visitors. Where else can they go mountain biking in the morning, play tennis on red clay courts or enjoy a massage in the afternoon, then savour a cocktail and meal overlooking the spectacular view of Mt. Finlayson and Mt. Baker. “We may be a little further from the centre of the city, but we’re definitely worth the trip” he says. In keeping with the Westin’s larger focus on offering travellers healthy and balanced dining options through the company’s Eat Well, Sleep Well program, the Westin Bear Mountain is home to numerous community events, and Bella hosts regular wine and whiskey dinners, which pair fine wines and whiskeys with some of the freshest ingredients found on Vancouver Island. E

Worth the drive

Experience our new tasting menus at Bella and Masters Lounge prepared by our Executive Chef Justin Weber and his team. Fresh, local, West Coast fare and breathtaking views await you.

B E A M O U N TA I N . C A d 2 5 0 . 3 9 1 . 7 1 6 0 d 1 9 9 9 C O U N T R Y C L U B WAY, V I C T O R I A B C

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Fairmont Empress: A modern take on classic tradition Step inside Q at The Empress’s high-ceilinged dining room and you’ll meet neo-classical wall-sized portraits overlooking a chic, modern-day dining area. The contrast of the setting aims to illustrate Victoria’s focus on the future, while acknowledging its historical roots. And items on the restaurant’s menu offer the taste of fresh, local ingredients in the city’s centre. Long-known for its famed tea service, The Fairmont Empress has also built a reputation on gourmet dining, excellent cocktails and an award-winning wine list. “Whether dining off our regular menu or sampling our monthly feature items, which focus on specific local farmers, dining at Q Restaurant is a great way to experience the food of the region and learn about some of the local farmers, foragers and fishermen,” says chef de cuisine Ken Hookham. “The Pacific Northwest is such an amazing area to live in, and the local ingredients, organic farming, fresh fishing all inspire my dishes. I love the outdoors and I’m inspired by what grows naturally in the region.”

Hookham’s sea kelp-cured scallop with octopus, fermented leeks and spruce salt will transport diners to the heart of the coastal forest with a whiff of sea air passing through the trees. Another popular dish that Hookham recommends is a white-wine-braised rabbit with watercress, gnocchi, spring peas and morel mushrooms. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner, Q at the Empress provides visitors a chance to explore the farmlands and foraging areas that lay beyond the city limits. It’s about Salt Spring Island mussels and chanterelle mushrooms, Gindara Sablefish and sprouted quinoa; it’s an adventure within the comforts and luxury of Victoria’s most-recognizable landmark. “I really enjoy being able to connect guests to the food they choose so that they learn the story of where their meal came from and how the flavours work on the plate” Hookham says. “It’s about an experience rather than simply a good meal.” E

Chef de cuisine Ken Hookham, Fairmont Empress

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Chef John Waller, The Marina Restaurant

The Marina Restaurant: Flavour on the waterfront Whether it’s world-class seafood and regional cuisine at The Marina Restaurant or lighter fare at the licensed Marina Dockside Eatery, executive chef John Waller promises visitors to the Oak Bay Marina an unparalleled experience for brunch, lunch or dinner. Spring and summer at The Marina Restaurant bring an abundance of locally sourced meat, seafood and produce to choose from, which thrills the kitchen team, Waller says. “By April, we get pretty excited by radishes, asparagus and all those fun things that are bursting through the ground right now,” he says. “Our influences are very local and seasonal.” Waller uses the seasonal harvest to craft a menu that draws on his background as a chef in some of Toronto’s top restaurants, where the focus was all about the city’s many cultures. Having worked at The Marina Restaurant for five years, Waller has fused his roots in traditions that encompass Italian, French, Portuguese, Korean and Chinese cuisine with a distinctively West Coast flavour. The breadth of Waller’s experience means

diners will find gems, such as braised beef short rib in coconut red curry broth with spring vegetables; cilantro and pumpkin seed pesto with peanut demi-glace and peanut brittle; and falafel tabouli salad, comprising beet hummus, minted pea purée, crispy chickpeas and sesame grilled broccolini. The real draw, however, is the seafood, all of which is sustainable sourced and 100 per cent Oceanwise certified,and Waller is well versed in preparing delicacies from the waters off the BC coast,. including salmon, halibut, albacore tuna and shellfish. The Marina Restaurant also features a full sushi bar open for lunch and dinner serving both traditional style rolls and unique creations from their highly skilled sushi chef. “We’re definitely known for seafood,” he says. Not sure what to get? Waller recommends trying out the “simple fish,” the seafood dish that changes day-to-day depending on the season and promises to treat your taste buds to something that’s out of this world. E

The art of water’s edge dining. Great cooking deserves an immaculate setting. And there’s nowhere more spectacular than the ocean panorama stretching away before you at the Marina Restaurant. It’s the perfect place to taste impeccable cuisine created from local produce and sustainably sourced seafood. Pull up a chair and savour a masterpiece. 250.598.8555 | marinarestaurant.com | 1327 Beach Drive

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10 Acres: “Our farm to your plate” Katrina Archibald’s chef duties at Victoria’s popular 10 Acres restaurants go well beyond spending time in the kitchen, creating flavourful and innovative dishes. A core principle of the 10 Acres’ philosophy is actively managing a working farm on the outskirts of the city.

“I have so much excitement surrounding our produce throughout the year. The great thing about being a seasonal cook are the emotions arising from different produce. My food excites me and builds so much passion and creativity.”

“No matter where you eat, all our restaurants are seasonal. This means that our menus are always changing. Seasonal items mean fresher, tastier, one-of-a-kind dishes that represent local flavours,” she says.

Spring means it’s time for fresh asparagus. Later in the season, the tomatoes will begin to roll in and by summer’s end, local melon will be incorporated into 10 Acres’ dishes. What would Archibald recommend to a friend or family member? She says it would definitely be the homemade perogies with purple potatoes from the farm, and house-made chili-garlic kale and pork chops from nearby Berryman Brothers Farm.

The Bistro features an amazing rotisserie chicken dish with a stellar blend of spices, while the Commons puts a new spin on tacos (duck confit anyone?) and offers fresh-shucked oysters and drinks. Adjoining is Kitchen, where it’s all about the fresh pasta, whic is hand-rolled and made from scratch.

“This dish, I feel, fully encompasses what the 10 Acres family represents: our farm to your plate,” she says. “Cooked with seasonal vegetables and local, farm-raised animals, this dish is the true meaning of farm to table with a flavour profile to keep you coming back.” E

Ingredients grown on the restaurant’s farm and other local farms are the foundation for dishes served at 10 Acres’ three Victoria eateries: Bistro, Commons and Kitchen.

Chef Katrina Archibald, 10 Acres

Come and enjoy our seasonally inspired menu showcasing the ﬂavours of our farm and local producers. 10ACRES.CA/BISTRO

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Pendray Inn and Tea House: A beautiful, historic setting Cooking has always been a family affair for Onille Pitogo. Whether it’s her siblings, husband or daughter, Pitogo is surrounded by cooks. While everyone has their own style, Pitogo says, working with the freshest seasonal ingredients is a must. And that’s no exception in the kitchen at The Pendray Tea House. The historic Pendray Inn and Tea House is known for its afternoon tea service that features the finest TWG teas and dates back to 1897. In her two years at the restaurant, Pitogo has specialized in adding a twist of modern flavours to some tea-time classics. The gazpacho, for example, features an original blend of ginger and cucumber, making for a very refreshing spring and summer dish. She’s also excited about two brand new tea menus for this

year: the vegan afternoon tea menu as well as the Judge’s tea, featuring a selection of tea sandwiches, house-made chili, freshly baked scones and a selection of pastries. “Visitors should choose the Pendray Inn and Tea House because we offer an unique product,” Pitogo says. “Not only do we serve a delicious afternoon tea with friendly staff, but you get to experience it in a beautiful, historic, intimate setting, which was an old family home built in 1897, and also surrounded by lovely gardens.” She adds: “I would recommend trying the Judge’s tea menu items, as the savoury pasties are a lovely addition to the more traditional sweets in afternoon tea.” E

Chef Onille Pitogo, Pendray Inn and Tea House

INN & TEA HOUSE

Experience a true Victorian tradition! Proudly serving a wide selection of TWG Specialty Teas. Reservations recommended. 309 Belleville Street, Victoria, BC For Reservations call 250-388-3892 | pendrayinnandteahouse.com

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The Oak Bay Beach Hotel: An international influence Before landing at The Oak Bay Beach Hotel, executive chef Kreg Graham travelled the world seeking inspiration for his culinary journey. Now that he’s settled in Victoria, these early influences from the Indian Ocean, Aisa and the South Pacific underlie many of the dishes he creates for visitors and locals alike. “I am inspired by food from all over the world, and I like bringing elements of these different places into the cuisine we offer at The Oak Bay Beach Hotel,” he says. “Whether it’s building something out of wood or creating a new dish for our menu, I enjoy using my hands to create.” A sampling of The Oak Bay Beach Hotel’s most popular dishes include the seafood spaghetti, the potato gnocchi with braised beef short ribs, the lingcod with beluga lentils and chorizo, Tonka bean crème brûlée and the ever-so-popular seafood chowder, which is made to order with fresh mussels and clams. “With menus that change with the

seasons to take advantage of BC’s best produce, you will find a balanced selection of dishes ranging from comfortable classics in The Snug to more refined, modern cuisine in The Dining Room,” he says. “Our views are unparalleled in Victoria, which, combined with our delicious menus, offers guests the chance to unwind and indulge.” New for this spring and summer is the restaurant’s ahi poke with taro root chips and macadamia nuts, smoked sablefish with green apple fennel and tamarind, Woodgate Farm chicken leg confit with roast potatoes, local greens and date gastrique, as well as chicken wings with Redboat fish sauce and a calamansi glaze, and flaxseed and chickpea falafels. “We are also looking forward to the introduction of our chef’s table d’hôte menu in The Dining Room, which will change throughout the season and feature the best ingredients of the Island,” he says. E

Chef Kreg Graham, Oak Bay Beach Hotel

sip, savour and

Relax WWW.OAKBAYBEACHHOTEL.COM 1.800.668.7758 | 1175 BEACH DRIVE | VICTORIA, BC

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ART, HEART + THE CREATION OF A TOTEM: NEW POLE SYMBOLIZES HEALING BETWEEN CULTURES BY HANS TAMMEMAGI

otem poles are magical and I’ve always loved the historical, black and white photos of First Nations homes lining a shoreline, each one fronted by a tall pole with carved orcas, bears, thunderbirds and mythical creatures — each telling profound stories. And so it was with great joy and anticipation that I witnessed the creation of the Crossing Cultures and Healing totem, which after months of work by two First Nations artists, now stands proudly at a busy intersection in Victoria. Totems, found only in the Pacific Northwest, are works of genius and they’ve become icons of British Columbia. In the late 1800s the art almost died out as Indigenous people suffered the effects of colonialism, but it is experiencing a resurgence now. In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) — launched by the Canadian government to document and expose what happened in Indian Residential Schools — the provincial Ministry of Health hired Steve Sxwithutxw (pronounced Swee-thult) of the Penelekat First Nation on Kuper Island, to advise them on Indigenous customs and people. His recommendation to build a totem pole for the ministry’s headquarters in Victoria quickly bloomed into a major project.

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Three organizations played key roles: BC’s Ministry of Health; the Royal British Columbia Museum (which provided space where the public could observe the carving); and TimberWest, which donated the log. Vital to success were the master carvers, Tom LaFortune and his younger brother, Perry, of the Saanich Peninsula’s Tsawout First Nation, who were nominated by the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations, on whose traditional territory the museum and Ministry of Health building sit. Tom’s portfolio includes masks, rattles, paddles, dishes, talking sticks and more than 30 totem poles, which can be found in collections all over the world. Perry has been to Singapore to demonstrate carving, was head carver for a canoe carving project and created a talking stick that was presented to former USA President Bill Clinton. Both brothers are in their 50s, have quick smiles and a wry sense of humour. On June 22, 2018, a 30-foot-long red cedar log arrived at Tom’s carving shed in Esquimalt. The 300-year-old, old-growth log from south of Campbell River was cut to 25 feet, debarked, rounded and cut to produce the general totem shape. After five weeks, the partially carved, 3,300-pound pole was transported to the museum site and set up near the entrance, where the public could watch for free, interact with the carvers and even try carving.

“Making this totem came from the heart. It is important to me and to my people.” PHOTO COURTESY TOURISM VICTORIA

Over the next 15 weeks, the design emerged: a raven on top, then an owl and then a woman, all joined by a rope. “We take a dead log and bring it to life,” Tom said, describing the transformation. The pole is dedicated to the brothers’ mother, Georgine, and to all moms who survived residential school. The raven is the bringer of good news. And although an owl can look in all directions, here it peers into the future. Each figure holds a rope, which recalls how the Tsawout Nation survived the great flood by tying a rope to a tree on a hill. Remarkably, the pole took shape with no formal design. The brothers made an initial sketch of the main figures — raven, owl and woman — marking out their heights (nine, eight and nine feet). Thereafter they used no plan. A centre line was drawn along the log and some pencil sketches occasionally made. Details were addressed as they progressed; for example, empty spaces were filled with traditional shapes. The brothers worked with more than 40 razor-sharp chisels, knives and adzes as well as calipers and a small electric chainsaw. The public loved the smell of freshly cut cedar, asked many questions and even tried carving. After nearly four months, the pole was finished in early October. A few weeks later, after Gateway Timberframe prepared the totem’s base, a lane of traffic was closed on the corner of Victoria’s Blanshard and Pandora streets, and a large crane lifted the totem and lowered it onto a concrete-and-steel foundation. A week later, a joyous celebration, similar to a potlatch, welcomed the Crossing Cultures and Healing totem. An emotional Tom said, “Making this totem came from the heart. It is important to me and to my people.” Now the totem stands proudly on the busy intersection, symbolizing the healing between two cultures. E E S S E N T I A L V I C TO R I A 2 0 1 9/2 0

“It’s not just about art. It’s about inspiring people to connect to nature.”

PHOTO COURTESY THE GALLERY OF NATURE

A TASTE OF NATURE BATEMAN’S GALLERY OF NATURE AIMS TO INSPIRE BY SEAN MCINTYRE

t’s not often that you can come face-to-face with a bison or stand amid a chorus of birds singing, but the Bateman Foundation Gallery of Nature gives visitors the chance to experience some of the planet’s wildest creatures in the heart of Victoria’s Inner Harbour.

Visitors to the Gallery of Nature will enjoy Bateman’s original works and walk through his transition from a young painter enamoured by the Group of Seven and contemporary art to one whose passions lay in the vivid imagery of realism and large-scale paintings. But there is so much more.

Known as the Robert Bateman Centre since its doors were opened in 2013 by world-renowned artist and naturalist Robert Bateman, this year sees the space re-envisioned to offer guests an even more inspiring experience.

“It’s been a fascinating transition for us,” she says. “We’ve developed some fantastic partnerships with local and national groups to expand the reach of the Bateman Foundation. We really want the gallery and artwork to inspire people to get behind the message, but we also want to be more interactive and inspire people to get out into nature.”

“Robert Bateman’s vision for the Bateman Foundation was for people to take notice of nature and to share messages of hope about protecting the planet,” says Tiffany McFadyen, the organization’s Head of Advancement. “The Gallery of Nature continues to showcase the largest collection of Robert’s work, but also acts as a platform for nature-inspired artists from North America and beyond.” Ever since he began painting at age 12, Bateman has honed his perception of the natural environment by travelling the world to see creatures large and small in their native habitat. Whether his paintings are at an international exhibition or within the pages of a coffee-table book, Bateman has helped spawn a new understanding and appreciation of nature among anyone who sees his work. Inspiring people to learn about, connect with and protect the natural world is the guiding message behind Bateman’s art: his body of work has always been about much more than art alone. Bateman’s message is a call to action, an alarm bell that warns of the need to protect the world’s wild places and the creatures that inhabit them. “It’s not just about art,” McFadyen says. “It’s about inspiring people to connect to nature.”

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In addition to featuring more varied art forms such as photography and sculpture, the Gallery of Nature now hosts more educational programming for visitors of all ages. Nature talks about pressing environmental issues run alongside exhibits on the gallery floor that encourage people to appreciate nature with all of their senses. As he continues to paint impressive works of art, Bateman’s inspiration comes from his desire to motivate people to take meaningful action to save the planet, McFadyen says, adding “We want everybody to know they can make an impact. I do think art scares people. There’s always been a sense that you have to belong to a certain echelon of society to understand it. We’re really just trying to get away from that and bring in more families and youth and really shaking up our approach about how we connect people to art. We are not a typical gallery, which is really quite exciting for us.” The Gallery of Nature (formerly the Robert Bateman Centre) is located in Victoria’s Inner Harbour at 470 Belleville Street. The gallery is open daily between 10 am and 5 pm. Public Tours are offered every Tuesday and Saturday at 2 pm. Please visit batemanfoundation.org for up-to-date exhibit information, special events, admission fees and other details. E

MILD + LAID BACK WHY MORE VISITORS ARE CHOOSING TO MAKE VICTORIA HOME BY SEAN MCINTYRE | PHOTO BY LIA CROWE

ictoria realtor Ron Neal jokes that he can’t take credit for why he lives and works in the capital region, but he’s thankful his grandparents chose to make the city their home nearly 75 years ago. “I’ve had the good fortune to travel from coast to coast across Canada, to see a lot of North America and travel much of the world,” he says. “I’ve visited more than 60 countries and have developed a real appreciation for what we have here at home in Victoria.” And many of the factors that drew Ron’s ancestors to the region are still top of mind for anyone considering a move to the City of Gardens. Mild weather, personal safety, the slower pace of life, easy access to nature and year-round enjoyment of the outdoors are huge draws for those thinking about relocating to the region. The vibrant city is also filled with quaint neighbourhoods, inspiring cultural experiences, world-class restaurants and access to health services and schools. Ron says he sees a wide-ranging demographic heading into Victoria and its surrounding communities. Younger people are capitalizing on a thriving technology and film sector,

while young families are relocating for the city’s unequaled mix of urban culture and stunning landscapes. Active empty nesters and seniors wanting shovel-free winters and recreation opportunities also have good reason to make the move. “We continue to see people arriving from all over the rest of Canada and while some foreigners still choose our region, those have dropped to a trickle since the introduction of our foreign-buyer and speculation taxes,” he says. With residential and commercial property of all types still at about twice the national average price, there’s a lot of pressure on the lower-end of the market, he adds. As the scale and pace of building in the city’s downtown in recent years can attest, there’s been enormous pressure on increased density to fill the need for more housing. The rental market is also under supplied, but there are more than 1,000 new rental units coming available within the next two years. Folks from outside the region may balk at the cost of relocating but, Ron says, ample opportunities exist and timing is everything. He adds that it doesn’t take newcomers long to realize the area’s reputation is well deserved. E

F E AT U R I N G BOOM X The Children Bang Bang Every Brilliant Thing

The Ministry of Grace 2020 SPARK Festival 1979

Please call us at

250-385-6815

to purchase season tickets or for more information.

Online at

belfry.bc.ca/season-tickets Early renewal deadline is May 31. PUBLIC FUNDERS

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VICTORIA’S OCEANSIDE NEIGHBOURHOOD

A stunning collection of 85 homes found at the foot of a dynamic marina community fully outfitted for the best in life. 10% INTEREST ON DEPOSIT V I S I T O U R S A L E S CEN T ER O N LO C AT I O N AT 453 H E A D S T R EE T M O N DAY TO W E D N E S DAY 11–4 A N D S AT U R DAY TO S U N DAY 12–5

C A L L 250-384-27 71 | WESTBAYQUAY.COM This is not an offering for sale. Such an offering must be accompanied by a Disclosure Statement. The Developer reserves the right to make changes and modifications to the information contained herein without prior notice. Specifications, sizes, layouts, availability and pricing are subject to change. Renderings, maps and photographs are representational only and may not be accurate. E. & O.E. Tenfold Projects Inc.