Victoria’s OLO Launches New Winter Menu As Chef Prepares For Gold Medal Plates

The GOODS from OLO

Victoria, BC | As cooler temperatures make their way to the West Coast, one Victoria eatery is unveiling a new menu to sate the appetites of hungry guests.

Winter is coming, and that means diners are hankering for hearty dishes – and OLO has obliged with a delicious selection of house-made breads, creative sides, small plates and robust family dinners.

Partake in inventive seasonal fare such as chorizo and octopus with Fraser Valley rice, romesco and sorrel, or warm up with comforting garganelli pasta with porcini mushrooms, marjoram and pecorino. Guests can escape the cold with friends and family and sample a variety of tasty sharing plates such as Manilla clams topped with garlic, lemon, parsley and white wine grilled bread. Opt for the more adventurous culinary exploration with a multi-course, family style dinner with two options: a vegetarian feast created from the best of the farms and forest like orca bean tempeh, grilled radicchio salad and sunflower seed risotto; or the OLO meal that combines beloved dishes unique to their kitchen (think scallop and boudin noir, fried brussels sprouts and lamb garganelli pasta).

Since OLO shifted its focus earlier this year, the team has been successful in rebuilding a menu centered on fresh local fare. By building strong relationships with nearby farms, OLO now creates its dishes using 80 per cent organic ingredients (with plans to go exclusively organic in the near future).

In addition to revamping its seasonal menu, OLO chef and owner Brad Holmes is preparing to compete at the prestigious Gold Medal Plates, taking place at the Victoria Conference Centre on November 19. Ten top chefs from across the province will duke it out in a culinary race to raise funds for Canada’s Olympic athletes.

The competition celebrates excellence in Canadian cuisine, wine, the arts and athletic achievement. Hosted in a total of 11 cities across the country, the crowned winners from each provincial competition will go on to defend their title in the Canadian Culinary Championships. For more information visit www.goldmedalplates.com.

DETAILS

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HOURS

Sunday-Thursday 5pm-12am, Friday & Saturday 5pm-1am
Brunch: Saturday & Sunday 10am-2pm
Sunday-Thursday Dinner menu is served 5pm-10pm, late night 10pm-12am
Friday & Saturday Dinner menu 5pm-11pm, late night 11pm-1am

GALLERY

THE TEAM

Brad Holmes, Chef / Co-Owner
Kris Barnholden, Chef / Co-Owner
Jennifer Leigh Gidora, General Manager
Shawn Soole, Head Barman

ABOUT OLO

OLO is where the community comes together to congregate for camaraderie and the comfort of a good meal. While many restaurants boast about their farm-to-table philosophies, OLO chefs Brad Holmes and Kris Barnholden know relationships are forged over food. They fill OLO’s kitchen with quality B.C. ingredients, such as island-raised beef, fish plucked straight from nearby waters, and produce tenderly grown by our local farming friends. Each incorporated ingredient is purchased directly from our hard-working neighbours who produce beautiful food with great care. Nestled in the heart of Victoria, B.C.’s bustling Chinatown neighbourhood, OLO pays homage to the region’s trade hub roots.

The word “Olo” translates to “hungry” in Chinook Jargon, a derivative language of English, French, Chinese and Chinook. Just as the Pacific Northwest was a gathering place for traders hawking their wares in pioneer days, OLO celebrates Cascadia’s role as a cultural melting pot by serving as a hub for neighbours to gather and break bread.

The bar program highlights the region’s bounties with an impressive list of B.C. distilleries, breweries and wineries. The beer selection includes varieties brewed throughout the province, the Cascades and established Old World master breweries. Three select taps of award-winning Driftwood beer, crafted here in Victoria, are also featured for parched guests. The thoughtfully curated wine list focuses on small-batch producers showcasing the best vintners B.C. has on offer. Perfectly mixed cocktails showcase local producers and ingredients, and boast a variety of whimsical infusions from foraged botanicals, shrubs from house-made vinegars, and healthful tonics from island spring water.

The dining area’s design reflects the agricultural history of Canada with a playful modern twist, cultivating a warm yet lively atmosphere. With farmhouse-inspired elements such as rustic post and beam construction, cedar-clad walls, a wall of preserves, living herbs and wheat grass growing in the dining room, OLO feels familiar while always offering fresh tastes for locals hungry for more than just a meal.

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