Lunch Pick: The Heron Rock Bistro

left: The interior of Heron Rock right: Smoked Salmon Benny. Photos by Deanna Ladret

VICTORIA

Speaking on behalf of the late-risers in Victoria, it’s absolutely invaluable to know who in town serves breakfast for lunch. Just because it takes us a little longer to get out of bed doesn’t mean we should have to miss out on the most important meal of the day! That being said, it’s also nice to have an afternoon meal at a restaurant that serves lunch too, for those in the group who’ve been awake for hours and are ready to move from coffee to wine. Enter my favourite solution: the brunch/lunch bistro. Having one of these in your ‘hood is absolutely essential.

Seven years ago, restaurant-industry friends and rugby teammates Andrew Moffatt and Chef Ben Peterson opened The Heron Rock Bistro in James Bay. Since then, the cool neighbourhood eatery has flourished, yielding greater success by the year thanks to tourists, locals, and a healthy following of James Bay regulars. Recently, Peterson re-worked the daily offerings into an all-day menu, emphasizing coastal interpretations of solid breakfast as well as more traditional lunchtime staples.

Standout menu highlights include their Hollandaise from Heaven category (a variety of hollandaise smothered hashes and bennies), five different kinds of poutine, a Salt Spring Island Lamb Burger, and a Daily Soup, Salad & Fresh Baked Bread combo. Pair the meal with a champagne cocktail, glass of wine from their new list, or one of their 6 different Caesars (with an optional slice of Hertel’s bacon).

For those who’ve never been, the Heron Rock Bistro is located in the James Bay Square building complex on the Croft Street side. The bistro’s interior seats 84; the recently re-vamped 12-seat patio also offers a great sunny spot to enjoy a summer afternoon bite. Since the restaurant opened its doors in 2005, Moffatt and Peterson have been committed to providing as many high-quality local/regional ingredients (especially meat and fish) as possible, such as doing business with various farms on Vancouver Island as well as Finest at Sea and Two Rivers Meats.

The Heron Rock is open seven days a week, with their daytime menu available from 9am until 4pm (dinner menu begins at 4:30).

#4-435 Simcoe Street

Victoria BC V8V 1L4

(250) 383-1545

www.heronrockbistro.ca