Weekly Planner February 17

Prima Strada Long Table Dinner. Photo credit- Peter Bagi.

It’s a busy week in Victoria – on Saturday you could head downtown and hit the Farmer’s Market, attend the Tea Festival followed by Seedy Saturday….then enjoy a lovely meal at one of the restaurants participating in Dine Around Victoria and finish off your evening with a nightcap and some jazz at the Pacific Lounge. And that’s just Saturday. Enjoy your week.

Dine Around and Stay events in Victoria and the Comox Valley

Dine around and Stay in Town Victoria is on through March 16th, your opportunity to enjoy some of Victoria’s best restaurants and stay in some of the finest hotels. Participating restaurants offer three-course menus for $20, $30, $40 CND per person and are all paired with BC VQA wine suggestions. http://www.tourismvictoria.com/dine

And for those living in (or ready to drive to) the Comox Valley, their Dine Around and Stay Event is on through March 18^th. Twenty-five Comox Valley restaurants are participating, offering delicious three-course, prix fixe meals – each available to diners for $15, $25 or $35 per person. Showcasing the gastronomical bounty of the Comox Valley’s land and sea, participants of this year’s Dine Around event include the Blackfin Pub, Bisque, Common Ground and Locals – food from the heart of the Island. Specially priced accommodation available as well. www.discovercomoxvalley.com/promotions/dine_around.htm.

6th Annual Victoria Tea Festival

February 18, 12 – 5 pm February 19, 11 am – 4 pm at the Crystal Garden

Join in the largest public tea exhibition in North America, held at the Crystal Garden in downtown Victoria, which features tea tastings, tea-food selections, complimentary presentations, and opportunities to purchase tea, tea-related products, and exquisite tea wares. Tickets $20 – $25; for more information or to purchase tickets, call 250-370-4880 or visit www.victoriateafestival.com

Downtown Public Farmer’s Market

Rain or shine, the market will be happening this Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm in Market Square. Local products available include fresh and smoked salmon fillets, dried fruit, preserved goods, chocolate, salt, eggs, meat, produce, pasta, perogies, bread, tortillas, salsa, cheese, donuts, and ice cream. www.victoriapublicmarket.com

Seedy Saturday

Saturday February 18^th, 10 am – 4 pm at the Victoria Conference Centre

Although not technically a food event, people who love food are also interested in how food is grown. Seedy Saturday is Victoria’s annual seed and garden show where you can buy open-pollinated, non-GMO flower, herb and vegetable seeds direct from the growers who can advise you about the best choices for your specific growing conditions. In addition, there will be speakers with topics that appeal to the novice as well as the experienced gardener, to the foodie as well as the ornamental enthusiast. http://jamesbaymarket.com/SeedySaturday/

Long Table Dinner at Prima Strada Feb. 22nd and 23rd

Each month Prima Strada Bridge Street location celebrates a different region of Italy, creating a delicious menu with their take on the classic dishes of the region. The meal is typically four courses, paired with wines – one part dinner party, one part Italian wine club served up with a healthy dose of laughter.

This month the region is Lombardia in Northern Italy – the menu features Insalata di breasola e rucola – salad of Breasola & arugula, Risotta alla Millanese – saffron & bone marrow risotto, Cotolette alla Milanese veal cutlets Milan style – breaded & fried in butter, Creama di Marscapone – marscapone cream with shortbread biscuits.

The wines include a Pinot Nero Brut, a sparkling wine made in the classic method Champenoise. Pinot Nero, Ca’di Frara – a cool-climate pinot and Bonarda Piacere, Tenuta Bofenisio – the most classical DOC of Oltrepo Pavese. Red fruit with fragrant violet notes match perfectly with the classically rich Lombardian cuisine.

Tickets must be purchased in advance. http://pizzeriaprimastrada.com/events.php

Boozy events

Clive’s Classic Cocktails Special Event Thursday Feb. 23^rd

Clive’s and CSKAWY18 Present Saltspring Island Hazelnut Dry Porter – this will be the last cask for the winter months, cask gets tapped at 5:30pm. www.clivesclassiclounge.com

Pacific Lounge: Weekend Jazz Fridays and Saturdays, January 20 – March 17, 8 pm – 11 pm

From 8 – 11 pm each Friday and Saturday night, guests at the Pacific Lounge can order enjoy special wine and cocktail features while listening to Victoria jazz musicians Ashley Wey and by Aurora Scott. http://www.hotelgrandpacific.com/dining/pacific-lounge

Rum Night at the Reef: El Dorado February 19, 6 – 8 pm

Visit the Reef Restaurant for a complimentary tasting of “El Dorado” rum. This event is part of their ongoing 2012 Rum Nights program, bringing awareness of 17 different rums to the public. Every Sunday through April, explore the Caribbean’s favourite libation with local rum agents and other rum enthusiasts. www.thereefrestaurant.com/events

Friday night flights at The Cellar at Westin Bear Mountain

Enjoy sampling a flight of wines in the private Wine Cellar at Bear Mountain

6 pm Friday February 17th, $20 per person