One of Victoria’s newest farm-to-table restaurants, Wind Cries Mary, opened this past July to popular acclaim in the former Camille’s Restaurant location in Bastion Square.
This quaint hideaway restaurant features an ever-changing menu focused on using locally sourced meat, produce and seafood.
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Meals are served family-style with a snazzy presentation, yet the food and pricing are fairly reasonable, especially when splitting the meals amongst your buds family style.
The main dining room is intimate and comfortable, with table service geared towards smaller parties. There is also a back dining area for larger groups of 6 or more, and the bar is ideal for individuals or small groups looking for a casual vibe.
On a busy Sunday evening, a party of three was served a ½ order of Vancouver Island oysters, an arugula, beet, and burrata salad, a ½ order of the most delicious fried chicken, a mouth-watering ribeye steak, roasted cauliflower, gnudi in a mushroom sauce (a pasta dish similar to gnocchi), and a deconstructed Nanaimo bar for dessert.
The food came out in several courses, was thoughtfully prepared, and boasted exceptional quality. Condiments like the house-made mignonette and hot sauce served in glass dropper bottles created a nice, island-style touch.
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Patrons looking for the full experience can also opt for the chef’s choice family-style meal for around $65 per person – as long as the entire table participates.
The bar at Wind Cries Mary stays in sync with its restaurant counterpart, serving up tasty cocktails, craft beer, and BC wines with a local focus.
Their recent cocktail menu includes a tasty libation called Castles Made Of Sand with spiced rum, coconut, strawberry, and egg white.
If late-night drinking is your thing, industry hour – geared towards hospitality workers getting off work late at night – ensues from 10:30 pm to 12:00 am six nights a week (every night except Mondays).
The restaurant also plans to launch a new late-night food menu that offers different but similarly delectable fare.
Restaurant owner, Jesse Dame, and chef David Healey have worked together for years and are thrilled with the first 3 months of business, having welcomed many repeat guests in the short time since the restaurant opened.
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Dame is a butcher, baker and very much involved with all aspects of the business. “As a local born and raised on the island, my vision for this restaurant was a place ‘for the locals’ – a cozy sanctuary to unwind from the daily hustle and bustle,” he explains.
Dame and Healey continue to change and evolve the menu items weekly in order to keep the menu fresh and exciting for their guests.
Guests can stay up-to-date with the weekly menu updates by following Wind Cries Mary’s Instagram page.
Wind Cries Mary
- Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 5 p.m. – 12 a.m.
- Location: 45 Bastion Square
