Victoria Weekend Planner

Left to right: Canoe Brewpub Ploughman's Board, Fol Epi interior and their croissants (courtesy of Fol Epi and photographer Peter Bagi)

Do you find that you spend the entire week looking forward to the weekend, promising yourself you’re going to do something fun….only to find that the weekend disappears in a muddle of household chores and family obligations. Not to mention the fact that you can’t think of anything to do anyway. Well EAT magazine is going to take care of the last part. Every Friday we will be publish a few creative ideas of things you can do on the weekend….paired with things you can eat of course.  Like this weekend:

Friday – Check out the Out of Hand Craft Show at the Crystal Gardens tonight and beat the weekend rush. Their opening night special event features a runway fashion show, DJ music and an in-house bistro with bar. The Empress Hotel is catering, offering specially created appetizer plates ($5 each). Relax with a drink and an appy, then tour the show –still hungry? You can sample your way through the show’s gourmet food section featuring 17 local food producers. Finish up your evening at The Empress’ Bengal Lounge where you can rest your weary feet and listen to Chris Millington’s jazz trio while sipping one of their signature cocktails.

Saturday – it’s the official start of the Christmas season in Downtown Victoria. Head down in the late afternoon to see the Centennial Square Christmas Tree Light Up.

Watch the Island Farms Santa’s Light parade (40,000 Victorians turn out for this event) which starts at the Legislature and finishes up at Capital Iron – a perfect spot to then head over to Canoe Brew Pub (so you can miss the traffic getting out of downtown) pair one of their handcrafted beers with the Ploughman’s board or try their Saturday night special, braised lamb. And if you are in the mood, stay for the music – Lola Park’s CD release party happening at 9 PM.

Sunday is all about relaxing – put on your fleece and head over to Bolen Books on Hillside to pick up the Sunday New York Times (arrival times vary, call first to make sure it’s in)….your reading material for the day. Over the bridge to Banfield Park on Craigflower Road just past Raynor, park your car and remember to take your newspaper….follow the walking/cycling path along the Gorge ….lots of new condos to gawk at. Your destination is the bakery Fol Epi at Dockside Green where you can purchase the most fabulous chocolate croissants, then pick up your coffee at Caffe Fantastico (right next door) and settle in for a long leisurely read. It’s OK to feel smug that you get to read the NY Times while living in fabulous Victoria.

– By Susan Evans