Friday, October 4, 2024

New brunch powerhouse moving in on Victoria’s food scene this fall

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Jam Cafe and Floyd’s Diner are about to have a little competition in Victoria as Calgary-based OEB sets their sights on the city’s hungry brunchers. 

OEB was established in 2009 when Founder and Executive Chef Mauro Martina opened the first location. 

Now, OEB has 18 locations across Canada and even has two in the United States.

“It was a little 36 seat restaurant on West Edmonton Trail,” said Rob Pawley, OEB’s Managing Partner for British Columbia. 

“Mauro was a Michelin star chef who’s cooked around the world and was tired of working 10 and 12 hours a day into the late nights — he said I want a family and I want to get that work-life balance.”

“He took his culinary experience and put it toward breakfast and he hit a homerun, it was great,” Pawley added. 

Victoria will be the 19th rendition of the elevated and renowned brunch eatery and it will be located at 856 Yates Street, between Blanshard Street and Quadra Street. 

Short rib breakfast poutine (OEB)

OEB had originally intended on opening a location in Victoria back in 2018, but by the time their next steps were upon them, the COVID-19 pandemic halted all their plans for expansion. 

The space they were going to use has since become available, so they pivoted back to their original plan and put their next steps into action in expanding their brunch empire. 

Currently the restaurant’s plans have been finalized and they’ve got all their permit applications into the city. Once approved they will begin construction and hiring.

Pawley is hoping that Victoria’s OEB will be able to open by mid-fall of this year. 

Victoria’s newest brunch spot will not just be some cookie-cutter restaurant, according to Pawley. At every location they try to make the design and the menu reflect the local scene.

“Our designer takes a lot into consideration about the communities we are going into and tries to match the feel of the space to the city that we’re in,” Pawley told Victoria Buzz. “In Langley, we used a bit of a farm or farmhouse motif when we were out in the country, Yaletown is by the [Vancouver] harbour.” 

“This one’s really unique design features are a small patio in the front, a really welcoming bar, knowing that Victoria has a great bar and cocktail scene and beer scene as well.”

Pawley also said OEB has new, budding partnerships with local farmers and producers and that his team is sorting out whether or not the Victoria location would have some menu items specific to this location.

“We’re excited to come to Victoria and be part of the breakfast and brunch community,” Pawley said. “We’re excited to bring our elevated ingredients and the flare that we have for taking breakfast and brunch up a notch.”

“Victoria’s always been a goal to be a part of that scene and we’re really excited to be there.” 

French toast trifle (OEB)
mm
Curtis Blandy
curtis@victoriabuzz.com

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