There is a joint in Victoria where good food, good service and some real history come together. It’s the pub at the JAMES BAY INN, one of Victoria’s oldest hotels. Recently, on a quick Victoria visit it seemed a good place to try. And we did. 

The James Bay Inn was opened in 1911and still operates as a hotel including an Art Deco restaurant and a pub. The pub is an inviting room, spotless, and has good food and good service. Best of all the menu includes Liver Cream & Onions which are hard to find on any menus. So that what I ordered. Why not!  The Liver was perfectly cooked and was accompanied by excellent mashed potatoes and perfectly cooked vegetables. The other order was a big Chicken Pot  Pie which was reported as outstanding. Of course, in this part of town there were lots of old guys who we assumed were regulars since the server knew exactly what there order would be. JBI is also open for Saturday/ Sunday brunch.  The brunch menu looks good. Check it out  here. https://www.jbipub.com/menu

Our server was a delightful lady who had worked there for 20 years. She happily provided some of the history including that from  1942 – 1945 the hotel was purchased by Mother Cecilia’s religious order and operated as St. Mary’s Priory. It was during this period that the hotel welcomed its most famous guest. Canadian artist and author Emily Carr was a patient at the Priory in her final illness, dying there March 2, 1945.There are a lot of historical photos in the pub including a large one of Emily Carr. It’s worth a visit for the photos alone. 

James Bay Inn is a great stop when you are in Victoria. Located at 270 Government Street just two blocks past the Parliament Buildings. Lots of free parking. For more info go to https://www.jamesbayinn.com. 

Just saying…

Where would you like to go for a birthday dinner?, she asked. Let’s try the PACIFIC MOON RISING BAR & GRILL, replied he. So we did! Our friend Paul, who knows good places, had been for lunch and highly recommended the place. This is at least the third reincarnation of the original Pacific Shores Resort restaurant in Nanoose. We had not been for at least a decade back when the joint had the fabulous tropical fish tanks. 

This iteration of the restaurant is owned and operated by Luise Willoughby, whose family operated the Rocking Horse Pub for nearly 20 years. The room has been redone in a charming bistro look including big white ceiling beams, an open kitchen, a small bar and at one end high pub style tables. I’d called it modern bistro. 

As it happened, the owner was both managing and serving some tables including ours. The menu is a combination of handhelds, full dinner choices and pizzas. After ordering a couple of glasses of Red Rooster Pinot Gris, we shared a very generous plate of excellent crispy Calamari served with a delightful tangy dipping sauce. Really good. We were headed for the Short Ribs but learned they were not available,  but Luise enthusiastically recommended the Prime Rib special. It’s fabulous she exclaimed!  Let’s do it was our decision. Had not had prime rib in a long time. 

Well, it was excellent! A very large slice of beef, medium rare, with a popover Yorkshire the size of a softball. Wonderful mashed potatoes and perfectly cooked carrots, asparagus and zucchini. And a dark rich gravy. Horseradish. Of course. Luise’s fathers recipe. It hot! This is a  substantial plate of food so you need to take a healthy appetite. 

Someone let it slip that a birthday was being celebrated so a complimentary Passion Fruit Creme Brûlée appeared. Beautifully presented. Best I’ve ever seen.   A nice touch and very yummy too. My thanks to Luise for being so thoughtful. Of course, I’ve never met a Creme Brûlée I didn’t like. 

The owner, Luise, made our dinner special. She is charming and so enthusiastic about her bistro. We were pleased to see the bistro so full. 

We enjoyed Moon Rising. It’s a bit noisy but most restaurants are it seems. Live music too, on this night. We are looking forward to going back for lunch. By the way, they have a nice deck overlooking the water so a summer lunch is something you may consider.  They have Happy Hour every day from 2-5 and Prime Rib is the regular Saturday Dinner Special. Live entertainment on Saturdays too. When we go back for lunch we’ll let you know. 

Pacific Moon Rising Bistro is in the Pacific Shores Resort located just off Northwest Bay Road at 1600 Stroulger Rd, Nanoose Bay. Turn left off Northwest Bay at Beaver Creek Wharf Road. 

For reservations call 250-468-0474. 

Check out the website and menu here. https://www.pacificmoonrising.com

Just saying…