Nourish: Victoria’s Hidden Gem for Healthy Eating

Follow quiet, tree-lined streets past quaint houses and cozy inns to the hidden gem of culinary goodness that is Nourish Kitchen and Café. Located inside a stunning heritage home a mere two-minute walk from Clipper’s Victoria terminal, the multi-room room layout, as well as the light, airy vibe of the space, sets the tone for a restaurant focused on a unique culinary experience.

The moment you walk in the door, the Nourish vibe takes over. During the day, soft indie-acoustic tunes hover in the air amidst the soft churn of the espresso machine from the café. Crafted northwest hardwood tables fill the room along with walls featuring carefully selected mix of pastel art from local artists. Residents and tourists alike set up shop with laptops or newspapers in hand, while others enjoy conversation over coffee.

Focused on the power of community and locally sourced ingredients, the restaurant aims to simplify healthy eating and support active lifestyles by serving wholesome, delicious food. Owner Hayley Rosenberg says “I’m inspired to cook healthy food because I believe in the meaningful powers it has. Being healthy means for me to feel a connection to the source, respect for the intricacy of life and actions that offer positive reactions.”

Rosenberg’s simple philosophy is “Eat with People You Love.” She says, “It guides us in our business day to day here and what we strive to communicate to our guests. Eating food that honors the natural rhythms of nature is a very, very powerful opportunity to connect to our environment.”

No stranger to personal wellness, the catalyst that drove Rosenberg to establish Nourish was an epic trip to France and Italy for her 30th birthday that prompted her to reevaluate the next steps in her life. She ultimately quit her job, gave notice on her apartment and packed her bags for Victoria to create a new, healthy lifestyle. Here she grew her knowledge of holistic nutrition, cooking and healthy living. Over time, she began sharing her experience with friends and family at her cafe.

Rosenberg’s simple philosophy is “Eat with People You Love.” She says, “It guides us in our business day to day here and what we strive to communicate to our guests. Eating food that honors the natural rhythms of nature is a very, very powerful opportunity to connect to our environment.” Although the emphasis is on holistic nutrition and cooking, Rosenberg says “We get people from all walks of life – it’s the people looking for a culinary adventure who seek us out.  We push familiar cuisine into a health-conscious world – and it works really well. We are always striving to make the best even better.”

Insistent on using only the freshest local ingredients, Rosenberg has created a top-notch menu. Since brunch is a pretty serious thing in Victoria, we recommend sampling the savory “Benny’s Gone Nuts,” a fresh take on the classic eggs Benedict. The dish combines two soft poached eggs with sweet potatoes, kale and a creamy cashew hollandaise sauce for a treat that is anything but ordinary.

If you prefer breakfast on the sweeter side, feast on the spiced “Sleeping Beauty” oatmeal pancakes, topped with a sweet vanilla bean organic whipped cream and bee pollen sprinkles along with a drizzle of Canada’s finest maple syrup.

While you can’t go wrong with sipping the local coffee and tea selections from Caffe Fantastico and Silk Road Tea respectively, as you enjoy your meal, you’ll regret not giving the housemade water kefir a shot. Light, refreshing and packed with probiotics, this delightful drink has quickly become one of our favorites in town and is the perfect way to start your day. And the tasty treats don’t end there. Be sure not to skip the cultured cashew cheese, rich, smooth and slightly nutty, it will make your mouth melt. You have been warned.

Six years after opening its doors in 2010, Nourish has grown beyond Rosenberg’s wildest dreams. Proving, she says, “the power that vision, belief, persistence and hard work have on life.” In the past year, to keep up with the growing demand, Rosenberg moved the restaurant to its current location on the edge of downtown Victoria and James Bay. This move allows the shop to offer both a full serve and counter service café, as well as provide a great space where you can enjoy an intimate dining experience with a private party or host a small team meeting.

The result? “Let’s just say, we are a farm-to-table restaurant who cherishes details, comfort, and kindness,” says Rosenberg. She continues, “We are different, but in a familiar sort of way. We are pretty proud to have just been named one of Canada’s Top 100 Restaurants – and that people can feel just as comfortable about having lunch (or dinner) in their cycling gear as they do in pretty party dresses.” Complete with a beautiful setting, delicious and nutritious food, Nourish Kitchen and Café provides you with a great adventure in healthy eating. This is one spot you won’t want to miss on your next visit to Victoria.

Clipper Recommends:

• Hop on the Clipper for a day trip from Seattle and grab lunch at Nourish before heading off to your next adventure.
• Be sure to also check out Rosenberg’s other great restaurant, Charlotte & The Quail, located close to downtown Victoria.

Photo Credits: Scott Meis