Blue Nile African Restaurant — Restaurant in Victoria

We got dinner from Blue Nile tonight, and it was my first time trying this restaurant. I ordered on Skip, but should have called. Anyway -- it reminded me of the first time I ate Ethiopian food. It was in 2004 in Berkeley at a place, amusingly enough, also called Blue Nile, on Telegraph avenue - which has unfortunately since closed.

I think that was the first-time food blew my mind, and I realized there was so much more out there to explore in the world of cuisine as I had been doing in the world of music.

It was a night like tonight, too - early summer, cool but with warm late sun. I had spent the day in record shops - sun streaming warmly in through store front windows across the dust and haze, heads nodding and bobbing to rhythms unknown underneath well worn headphones, browsing with my DJ group before a “little” party they were throwing in Oakland at a repurposed church that was then used by the Burner community to display art and host events. We’d been to four or five different record stores, and were ready to stop dragging our scores along, so we headed to the restaurant block and picked a place after weighing down the van with new sounds.

After spending the day sitting on wobbly stools, trying out tracks and digging for the latest remixes and releases in too-warm record shops, the bright flavours of the Injera and various spiced meats and spiced veggies was an unexpected delight. I remember it well.

I'd tried other Ethiopian places around the bay area of course, but it never dazzled me quite like that first seating. Tonight, however, did, and I am...

I’ve been looking forward to visiting this restaurant for a long time because I don’t live in Victoria, but I love Ethiopian food. My first visit was an absolute pleasure I had called ahead to make sure there were vegan options and there was a plethora of them. I slightly overdid it, but I have no regrets. (Maybe tonight I will we’ll see.)

I was the first guest today and the buffet was ready for me. They opened up the tins that had vegan options so they made my selection very easy. There was plenty of Injera. Everything was spotless, sparkling clean and inviting, the restaurant was well lit. The tables are clean and well the overall look is very inviting.

When I moved to this island four years ago, the only thing I really missed was Ethiopian food which I was used to back home, now that I’ve found the new Blue Nile I feel very, very lucky to be able to indulge my love of Ethiopian food.

I must confess that I used a spoon to load the injera. I hope they let me come back.

Nice people and good food, what else can...

If your looking for a unique cultural dining experience, this is probably the most under-rated dining establishment in Victoria. Very special place. With an all-you-can eat buffet of authentic Ethiopian cuisine, this place is, in fact, worth stopping by. Meh? Yes, the music gets repetitive, but thats part of the mom-and-pop feel of the place. If you don't live in Esquimalt/Vic West, it isn't exactly convenient, but we feel its still worth your buck and the unique culinary experience. Ups? So so friendly. Simrat is the loyalest hostess ever, and you can always count on a friendly smile and kind, personal service. Very laid, back and the buffet is humble but truly truly authentic and delicious. Recommendation? Anyone who just spent the entire day training for you next marathon, has a culturally diverse palate, and doesn't feel like cooking. A serious feast for a hungry tummy, and plus, if they run fast on this stuff, you can too! Will we be back? For sure. Blue Nile is such a unique night out, its become a...