Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
One of the most popular cafés in Oak Bay is
Discovery Coffee
(1964 Oak Bay Ave.,
250/590-7717, 6:30am-6pm daily), which roasts its own coffee and is one of the only
places in the city with a syphon coffeemaker. Just off Oak Bay Avenue,
Crumsby's
(2509
Estevan Ave.,250/595-2221,7:30am-6pm Mon.-Sat.,10am-4pm Sun.,lunches $8-11)has
soups and salads, but it's the cupcakes that draw the most attention, with choices as varied
as mini cupcakes to vegan chocolate.
AFTERNOON TEA
Afternoon tea, that terribly English tradition that started in the 1840s as a between-
meal snack, is one ritual you should definitely partake in while visiting Victoria.
Many North Americans don't realize that there is a difference between afternoon
tea and high tea, and even in Victoria the names are sometimes used in place of one
another.Afternoonteaisthelighterversion,featuringfineteas(noteabags)accom-
panied by delicate crustless sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and preserves,
and a selection of other small treats. High tea (traditionally taken later in the day,
around 6pm) is more substantial — more like dinner in North America.
The best place to immerse yourself in the ritual is at one of the smaller tearooms
scattered around the outskirts of downtown. You can order tea and scones at the
James Bay Tea Room
(332 Menzies St., 250/382-8282, $13-24), but apart from
the faux-Tudor exterior, it's not particularly English inside.
White Heather Tea
Room
(1885 Oak Bay Ave., 250/595-8020, 10am-5pm Tues.-Sat., $18-26) is a
small, homey setting, with a great deal of attention given to all aspects of afternoon
tea — right down to the handmade tea cozies.
Ifthesunisshining,apleasantplacetoenjoyafternoonteais
Point Ellice House
(2616 Pleasant St., 250/380-6506, 11am-4pm Thurs.-Mon. May-June, 11am-5pm
daily July-early Sept. $25 adult, $13 child), a historical waterfront property along
the Gorge Waterway. The price includes a tour of the property. As you'd expect, it's
a touristy affair at
Butchart Gardens
(800 Benvenuto Dr., Brentwood Bay, 250/
652-4422, from noon daily, $32), with Cornish pasties, quiche, and more.
The
Fairmont Empress
(721 Government St., 250/389-2727, $65) offers the
grandest of grand afternoon teas, but you pay for it. Still, it's so popular that you
must book at least a week in advance through summer and reserve a table at one of
seven sitting times between noon and 5pm.
