Emmaline’s — Restaurant in Victoria

What an interesting experience we had at Emmaline's. I think it's worth visit for it's uniqueness, quality of food, and lovely people.

So, we got a "gift card" over the holidays that looked like a handwritten Christmas card and the person gave us the gift card said it is worth x amount of money (also written on the card). They also said food was amazing. Intrigued and curious, my husband and I tried walking in twice, but the restaurant was closed both times (no communication on their Instagram and it was not Monday). Not a big deal since we live in the area but not the best first impression. Finally one night we got lucky (?) and was seated for their dinner service.

The place, although it looks charming and well decorated, also looked a bit disorganized because we could see some parts of the kitchen/prep area near the pizza oven. A setup you would see at a tiny cafe, not a restaurant this size (and not like the real "open kitchen" because we didn't see any chef cooking other than the two people baking pizza).

Service was a bit slow but not disastrously slow. Lovely staff and very interesting menu. At the moment of our visit, they were offering the usual menu and some kind of special which had mostly Asian infused dishes. We decided to try some from the specials, and I have to say, the food IS truly amazing. Our pizza was more like Chinese-Mediterranean (?). It had eggplant, lamb, and yogurt. Delicious! Appetizers were cucumber salad (I believe common Chinese dish) and chicken skewers. Well seasoned and full of flavors.

Overall, it is definitely a place my husband and I would revisit and an exciting addition to the vibrant Quadra-Hillside neighborhood.

Few feedback/suggestions I would like to leave since I really wish for their success as a small business: Reliable business hours and a clear in case of closer Improving the system in the kitchen as I witnessed kitchen staff keep checking both kitchen and hall tickets. It looked almost as if the owner working at both the hall and kitchen made communication less streamlined. Just in terms of efficiency- she seems like a lovely person :) Investing in some basics like physical gift cards would really help avoid some confusion. Although a lovely idea, both my husband and I were skeptical that the "card" was actually going to work as...

Was a HUGE fan of Dock Lunch in Vancouver, and Emmaline's is a dream realized on a grander scale with all the sprinklings of magic that made Dock Lunch so special, in no small part to the owner's vision.

The food, unsurprisingly, was intricate and well seasoned, a perfect act of storytelling from a mushroomy and bright consommé to the delicious stuffed arepas and cumin-y cabbage slaw, and ending triumphantly with the best cake I've ever eaten (A coconut layer cake with caramel rum sauce). Did I leave the meal and order layer cake cookbooks, plural?

On our particularly visit, it was a very warm day, and the space carried an energy of an inviting sleepy sun-soaked Southern dining room where no one had anywhere to be but there, and no one was in any rush to leave. A mint julep would not have been out of place, but it was breakfast. To see the space, anywhere your eye is drawn to it's worth remembering at one time someone thoughtfully procured the vintage plates, cups and flatwares, one by one, that the chairs came from some other lifetime, all with the thought of the bigger picture, and it shows. The space is a labour of love.

Victoria is so lucky to have this gem. Go for the brunch to be surprised and delighted by the alchemy of their fresh sheet. Always order the dessert, even if your truest love is salt and it is 10 a.m. Linger and look around, and let the low warm sounds of Sam Cooke singing in the background carry you to another place and time. You'll regret nothing and end up writing an ode to the...

Visiting Emmaline’s is convening with your favourite cousin at her new apartment for a casual, if a little chaotic, dinner you’ll never forget. Things are bustling in the open kitchen, but it’s home; and it’s from kitchens like this where there’s love, that the best food starts. You don’t need any winning-over when you're family. The service was excellent, we were generously attended to, food recommendations were passionately delivered, joy contagious. My jerk chicken wings flew in a little lonely without the sauce, and I would guess that a kitchen as playful as Emmaline’s could manage some allergy substitutions a little easier, but they were unforgettably delicious. Truly I wish the menu was a little more diverse on accommodating allergies… but the pizza, the wine, the dessert, the ginger beer.. was all excellent. I love knowing that as time passes and great food is the priority, Emmaline’s gains her stride. Her home opened to the world, it’s well worth a visit. New restaurants are going to take time to nestle into their space, and there’s a lot of soul here and it’s well worth the visit, and all good things are...