Day 2: Ocean7 and Aqua Bistro Meals on our second day at the Kingfisher

On day 2 we stuck to the resort and enjoyed a couple of spa thingies, which were pleasant and relaxing. Breakfast were some egg tacos as I had the earliest spa  appointment.

For lunch we each ordered a plate and switched halfway through. I first ate half of the Pacific Mist Spa Bowl with Cucumber, Greens, Carrots, Beets, Hemp Hearts, Rice, In-House Pickled Vegetables, Tahini Dressing and an added salmon fillet. Yum yum.

After my wife was done with it, I had the last half of the AQUA Mushroom Flatbread with Roasted Mushrooms, Grana Padano, Arugula, Confit Garlic, Truffle Aïoli. One of the regular things we order when staying and/or eating here. Both together were extremely filling and good.

For supper it was a special Valentine's menu!

To start we were served an amuse bouche of smoked albacore tuna, with sesame cone, horseradish cream, trout roe, and creme fraiche tartlette.

I chose for first course the poached lobster and prawns in Tom Yum broth with preserved tomato, surfside mushrooms, and radish. My wife ordered the Bibb salad with citrus pearls, almonds, crispy quinoa, and maple & black truffle dressing. Both were tasty and large portions. 

The intermezzo was a Kafir lime and mint sorbet. A delicate palate cleanser.

For the main we each had the roasted striploin "Rossini" with fois gras dumpling, warm truffle potato salad, broccolini, and sauce Perigord. While we were at the halfway point in eating this dish we got a little worried. It was not because the food was bad or off. Far from that. It was because we ate lunch at around 1pm and were having this supper at 530pm our stomachs were saying they were nearing fullness while our taste buds were screaming "parrrrrrrrty!" We went with our taste buds.

For dessert we each ordered the temptation chocolate cake with griotte cherry. We thought it would be a small piece. Nope. Huge and delicious. We took some away because we were a little overfull.

Once we walked the long 50 steps to our room we loosened garments and tried to watch the winter olympics while digesting. Such good food, but next time we would space out the lunch and supper meals.

Day 1 Food: Ocean7 First Night Supper at Kingfisher Resort

At Ocean7, in the Kingfisher Resort, we didn't pay extra to dine in the pods, but did have a fantastic first night meal.

Each of us had the vegan smoked surfside king oyster mushroom carpaccio with crispy onion, hazelnut, mint & basil pistou, black cherry puree, and pickled heirloom carrot & radish. A fantastic flavour mix of textures and flavours that was a great reintroduction to the restaurant.

For our main we each ordered the Kingfisher seafood pasta with Prontissima squid ink fusilli, wild prawns, Hokkaido scallops, Salt Spring mussels, Baynes Sound clams, and Nori crumb. My first, and best, experience with squid ink pasta was the first time I had it in Venice. This is the second best. The earthy taste of the ink infused fusilli, seafood simmered tomato sauce, and quality shellfish had each ingredient standing on its own while complimenting one another. A standout.

For dessert I had the Basque cheesecake with candied apple, Amaretto creme anglaise, and almond crumble. Reminded me of my time in Bilbao, Spain.

My wife had the trio of ice cream and sorbet which I graciously helped in consuming. They were tasty and tart, except the vanilla in the middle which was creamy and forward in its vanilla taste.

A perfect start to the weekend of wonderful food.

Day 1: Kingfisher Resort over Family Day Weekend

My wife and I drove to Royston, just South of Courtney on Vancouver Island, over Family Day weekend. With the house tour of our place with the house and cat sitter complete we travelled a few kilometres to a mall. Here I had a quick shop for a bathing suit as mine were somewhere in the basement. With a quick takeaway lunch at A&W, driving North on the Malahat, and a yummy Moka and cinnamon brioche at Drumroaster coffee, we had smooth and speedy driving to our destination.

We stayed at Kingfisher Resort as a treat my wife. As always, its a nice place to stay with a fantastic restaurant, spa, and close to all kinds of nature. While we were unpacking we saw lights outside turn on and were impressed. Must have taken a lot of time to install and maintain. The shopping for lights on boxing day must fill a truck. Bravo Kingfisher grounds staff.

While here I treated my wife to two spa treatments and I enjoyed two of my own. We have stayed here three times before and, as always, it was a great stay.

Zambri's for Dine Around

Zambri's is one of our regular places to go for a great Italian meal. This time it was to experience their dine around menu.

Vitello Tonnato: thinly sliced slow roasted veal striploin, sauce made with tuna and capers. I normally do not eat veal, but gave this a try because it sounded different. This has to be the best veal I have ever tried and would try again if given the chance. Divine.

Brasato di Maiale al Vermouth: slow cooked pork with orzo in the risotto style, chesnuts, dried figs, sage, and orange gremolata. Served with Unsworth pinot noir. A wonderful dish that made my body comfortable and happy with its slowly mingled flavours. A delight.

Torta Monferrina: dark chocolate and winter squash infused with warm spices and amarena cherries. A perfect way too end the meal. Who knew squash and chocolate go well with each other! Yum.

As always, it is one of the best Italian restaurants in Victoria, along with Il Covo Trattoria.

The Bengal for Dine Around

Another Dine Around, my wife and I along with friends enjoyed, was at The Bengal. It was the Bengal Room in the Empress Hotel, but it had closed about a decade ago and used as extra conference space. Recently it had been touched up and turned into a brunch room for hotel guests. We got to experience a supper meal here that was delicious.

Roasted aubergine (eggplant) and coconut soup. Not something I have ever had, but I enjoyed the deep flavours. The pakora in the middle was a nice touch.

Braised Tandoori-spiced lamb shank with masala potatoes, black kale, mint onion chutney, and pudina raita. With this I had a glass of the Vanessa Vineyards Syrah. Lamb is not often served in restaurants anymore and having this expertly prepared shank was a treat.

Fall poached pear with spiced vanilla sorbet, fruit gloss, and other tasty things. The textures and flavours were interesting apart from one another and better when combined in various combinations.

A very enjoyable evening with friends and good food. The three courses were just right and I did not feel hungry or overstuffed after the meal.