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Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria 2019: OLO Restaurant

Victoria’s most anticipated annual foodie event, Dine Around and Stay in Town, returns January 25 – February 10, 2019. Over 50 local restaurants are offering set-price, three-course menus while Victoria’s hotels also will join in the fun and offer accommodations at reduced prices.

Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria 2019 OLO restaurant Chinatown

One of the places that I had a chance to preview was OLO, a restaurant where each dish celebrates life in BC. Executive Chef & Owner Brad Holmes believes in sustainable farming practices, seasonality and farm-fresh ingredients.

The word “Olo” translates to “hungry” in Chinook Jargon, a derivative language of English, French, Chinese and Chinook. The Pacific Northwest was once a hub for traders from different parts of the world and OLO pays homage to the region’s trade hub roots in their cuisine.

Interior

OLO is located in Chinatown and the space that it occupies was built in 1892. Previous occupants include the first brewery in BC, a feedlot, a machine shop, a cobbler and three other successful restaurants.

The design of the restaurant features farmhouse-inspired elements such as the original post and beam construction, exposed brick, and reclaimed Vancouver Island barn board furniture. There are some modern accents including custom “birds nest” fir chandeliers.

Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria 2019 OLO restaurant Chinatown

The Bar

Handcrafted seasonal cocktails showcase the best of Vancouver Island products and the bar program highlights the region’s bounties with a selection of B.C. distilleries, breweries and rare Canadian whiskeys.

Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria 2019 OLO restaurant Chinatown

The wine list focuses on small-batch producers that showcase the Okanagan and Vancouver Island’s best wineries, alongside premium international selections.

Dine Around and Stay in Town 2019 Preview

For Dine Around 2019, OLO will be offering $40, $50 and $60 menus.

Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria 2019 OLO restaurant Chinatown
Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria 2019 OLO restaurant Chinatown
Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria 2019 OLO restaurant Chinatown

During our media tour, we had the opportunity to preview OLO’s $50 menu.

To start, I had the Grilled Carrots accompanied by sprouted grains, smoked split pea puree and fried raclette. The crispy raclette puff was a fun texture contrast to the dish while the grilled carrots were wonderfully tender and flavourful. Suggested pairing is a Rigour & Whimsy Pinot Blanc 2016.

Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria 2019 OLO restaurant Chinatown

The Albacore Tuna with radish and miso tonnato in a fermented squash chili broth was a popular selection at our table. The Little Farm Riseling 2017 is the recommended pairing.

Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria 2019 OLO restaurant Chinatown

For my entree, I enjoyed the Pork Duo.  It was a hearty (and very filling) main with tender slices of pork, potato, brussel sprouts, sauerkraut, and mustard vinaigrette. The tartness of the sauerkraut and mustard vinaigrette really helped to take away the heaviness of the protein. The suggested pairing is a Quails’ Gate Gamay Nouveau 2018.

Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria 2019 OLO restaurant Chinatown

For dessert, I had the very refreshing Apple & Sunchoke.  It was a light and fluffy cake with sunflower praline, birch and an apple sorbet. The sunflower praline added a nice light crunch to the dessert. Paired with a Sea Star Prose 2016.

Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria 2019 OLO restaurant Chinatown

Others at my table had the Chocolate Cake with a currant compote, candy cap cream, and spruce sorbet. This was paired with Unsworth Ovation.

Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria 2019 OLO restaurant Chinatown

I thoroughly appreciated the execution and creativeness of the dishes I had for OLO’s $50 Dine Around Menu. I would love to revisit OLO on my next trip to Victoria.

OLO Restaurant
509 Fisgard St, Victoria, BC
www.olorestaurant.com

Dine Around and Stay in Town 2019: www.tourismvictoria.com/eat-drink/dine-around

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