Best Victoria Restaurants 2011

By Vancouver Magazine / May 2, 2011

Chef Peter Zambri is a living legend on the island, a chef’s chef with a dedicated following. This year saw him finally leaving his small location and moving a few blocks into bigger digs with a new expanded kitchen (and a spiffy wood-fired oven); Zambri’s (Gold) takes top spot again. “Sophisticated cucina rustico cooked with plenty of passion” was a typical comment, and though a few judges noted a bit of Gordon Ramsay-like attitude, no one quibbled with the quality of the food. Capturing Silver was another Victoria stalwart, Cafe Brio, where the affable Laurie Munn got huge props for her in-house salumi, family-style meals, and low-key cool vibe. Cozy classic Brasserie L’École nabbed Bronze (“look no further than the steak frites”), while Honorable Mentions went to “B.C.’s best pizza joint” Prima Strada and new room Ulla, which is finding its feet and seems destined to climb on the podium in coming years.