Thursday, May 18th is National Caesar Day, in honour of Canada’s signature beverage and the country’s most popular cocktail!
Invented by Calgary mixologist Walter Chell in 1969, to celebrate the opening of a new Italian restaurant, it was inspired by his favourite Italian dish – spaghetti vongole. Chell sought to make a drink that would capture the pasta’s clam and tomato flavours.
The result was the beloved Caesar: vodka, tomato juice, clam broth, hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce, served with ice in a large, celery salt-rimmed glass, typically garnished with a stalk of celery and wedge of lime.
You can find the Caesar on almost any menu in Victoria, and here are some of our favorite locations:
Bartholomew’s Pub
Bartholomew’s signature Double Seafood Caesar. A mason jar of yumminess rimmed with a special steak spice and garnished with a pickle, spicy beans, 2 prawns, and a muscle for good measure. This mouth-watering cocktail attracts locals and tourists alike and is a Sunday favorite.
Address: 777 Douglas St, Victoria, BC V8W 2B5
Phone:(250) 940-3125
Website
5th Street Bar & Woodfire Grill
The ever-popular “Cowboy Caesar.” Made with HP and horseradish and garnished with a chicken wing.
Address: 1028 Hillside Ave, Victoria, BC V8T 2A3
Phone:(250) 380-4600
Website
Mo:Lé Restaurant
Mo:Lé’s “Super Caesar” made muddy, with horseradish and lime, garnished with pickled asparagus, beans and house made purple sauerkraut.
Address: 554 Pandora Ave, Victoria, BC V8W 1N7
Phone:(250) 385-6653
Website
Bin 4 Burger Lounge
Bin 4 Caesar: Absolut vodka, tobasco, worcestershire, clamato, lime, salted rim, cracked pepper, served with a pickle and bacon-wrapped pepperoncini.
Address: 911 Yates St #180, Victoria, BC V8V 4X3
Phone:(250) 590-4154
Website
Ferris’ Upstairs Seafood & Oyster Bar
The Seafood Caesar: vodka, fresh shucked oyster, chilled prawn & clamato juice with spicy pickled green bean, piparra & fresh horseradish.
Address: 536 Yates St, Victoria, BC V8W 1K8
Phone:(250) 360-1824
Website
Jam Cafe
Classic Caesar: A classic with all the spices with asparagus and a sugar cured bacon garnish. As well as the legendary Bourbon Caesar: Bullett bourbon, BBQ flavour, pickle juice, sugar-cured bacon garnish and steak salt rim.
Address: 542 Herald St, Victoria, BC V8W 1S5
Phone:(778) 440-4489
Website
Heron Rock Bistro
Try the mouthwatering Bacon and Blue Cheese Caesar with gin instead of vodka, or the Dill Pickle Caesar made with dill pickle juice.
Address: 435 Simcoe St, Victoria, BC V8V 1L4
Phone:(250) 383-1545
Website
Varsha Indian Kitchen
Pakora Bacon Caesar: Classic caesar cocktail with a Varsha twist; lime, spicy green bean, pakora and a slice of bacon.
Address: 1600 Government Street, Victoria, BC V8W 1Z3
Phone:(250) 590-6252
Website
Sült Pierogi Bar
The classic Canadian cocktail is served here with a small deep-fried pierogi for garnish.
Address: 609 Yates St, Victoria, BC V8W 1K9
Phone:(778) 265-7858
Website
Let us know your favorite location for a great Caesar in the comments below!
