A Taste of Fairholme's Favourite Restaurants

Cafe Brio
944 Fort St. (250) 383-0009, Open 7 days a week (Reservations recommended)

Located in the heart of Victoria’s Antique Row, Cafe Brio is within walking distance from Fairholme Manor. They feature Italian cuisine with a local twist, including regional produce, in-house cured meats, British Columbia wines and fish sourced from the waters off Vancouver Island.

As the owner is from Italy, Cafe Brio has a non-pretentious, European feel with beautiful flower arrangements and jazz music playing softly in the background. It’s a popular location for appies and ½ portions, as well as crème brûlée, coffee pudding and other delicious desserts.

Brasserie L’École
1715 Government St. (250) 475-6260, Open Tues thru Sat (reservations not accepted)

With hearty French Country cuisine, cozy red walls and fourteen-foot ceilings, Brasserie L’École is one of Sylvia’s husband’s favourites. Their impeccable, yet informal, service makes it the perfect place to relax with friends. The one-page menu reflects Chef’s Brennan’s approach to using local, seasonally available products, including meats sourced from local farms.

Brasserie L’École’s extensive wine list, like their menu, is updated daily to reflect the arrival of new products. The list contains many French Wines as well as specially chosen wines from other parts of the world.

Ulla
509 Fisgard St. (250) 590-8795, Open Tues thru Sat (Reservations recommended)

Ulla is located at the bottom of Fisgard St. in Victoria’s historic Chinatown. The chef, who is also one of the owners, trained at Vancouver’s culinary jewel—West. Ulla’s light, continental menu is updated daily and showcases his passion for local, organic products, including ethically raised proteins. The appies are very tasty, the service is flawless and the dishes are always beautifully presented.

Sylvia recently tried—and loved—a Venetian wine. Ulla’s wine list, like their menu, changes frequently to reflect the seasonally availability of products.