Best Victoria: Brasserie L’École

Big flavours, satisfying portions and low prices keep Victorians locked in a long-term love affair with Brasserie L’Ècole (Gold). The winning combination? The gemütlich trifecta of solid bistro cooking raised with Moroccan élan (petrale sole with savoy cabbage is always exemplary), witty service and a romping wine list. At Zambri’s (Silver) chef Peter Zambri relocates Italian farmhouse cooking squarely in B.C. and a tight crew—front and back of house—delivers the tradition at affordable prices. “It doesn’t get much more local than your own backyard,” said one judge, “and that’s precisely how local some of Peter Zambri’s brilliantly simple dishes are. Now if he could just convince his neighbours that there’s a better use for their swimming pool.” Chef Richard Luttman’s cooking at Rosemeade (Bronze) transcends Victoria’s numerous restaurants ordinaire “with some of the most refined, thoughtful and sophisticated dishes in the city, course after fine course.” Café Brio was saluted for great oysters with orange-noted mignonette, charcuterie and cheese, and the now infamously good grilled rib eye, while Nootka Court’s Daidoco gained raves for wonderful Japanese found in bowls of tuna don and composed salads—a treat at lunch.

BACK TO RESTAURANT AWARDS