New Victoria restaurant operated by Canucks owner's Toptable Group
For a city of its size, Victoria punches above its weight when it comes to culinary pursuits.
That streak continues with a new fine dining restaurant opening along Douglas Street in downtown Victoria, which has peripheral ties to the Vancouver Canucks.
Renovations to the space at the Rotunda building at 1525 Douglas Street have long piqued the curiosity of people walking by.
Now, after four years in the making, Marilena Cafe and Raw Bar is set to open at the end of June.
"[It was] 2019 when we embarked on the project," said Marilena executive chef Kristian Eligh.
The eatery will be operated by Toptable Group, the restaurant group owned by Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini.
Aquilini thinks Marilena will be a fine dining hit in Victoria, especially in the hands of Eligh, who went to culinary school and finished his apprenticeship in B.C.'s capital.
"I grew up in this great city," he said Thursday.
Eligh was also culinary director for the Hawksworth Restaurant Group in Vancouver.
The executive chef says that Marilena Cafe and Raw Bar is designed for Victoria, however.
"We're a seafood-centric restaurant highlighting local and imported sustainable seafood," he said.
"We're catering to Victoria. It's very important that everybody feels comfortable in this space," he added. "The hospitality and food will exude that."
While the Canucks may have ties to the restaurant, don't expect to find any TVs at Marilena,
You can expect there to be a team dinner, however, when the Canucks hold a training camp in Victoria in September.
And like any good team, it's all about putting on a show at home.
"Simply, we want to be the best restaurant in Victoria," said Eligh.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.