What does a $15 Dine Around menu get you?
After a long Sunday spent outdoors doing yard work, I felt like eating something solid, familiar, and cheap—something not requiring a lot of effort and definitely something not too “gourmet”. A pub I thought would be just the ticket. I pulled on a clean pair of jeans and headed down to Darcys on Wharf Street.
At a raised table near the bar I sat on a high stool and took in the room—typical pub décor with brick walls, lots of wood trim, a TV in every corner, pool table and big signs promoting various beers. Blues, rock and country tunes set the mood.
Darcys offers both $15 and $25 menus. I was tempted by the Wasabi Tuna on Soba Noodles with a Lemongrass Bonita Flake Infused Black Bean Broth from the $25 menu but for the purposes of this review stuck with the bargain-priced $15 menu.
The meal started with Baja Blankets, two large flour tortillas that had been filled with cheese, tomatoes and green onions, pressed together and then baked. It arrived hot and bubbling, oozing cheese and cut into quarters. This made it easy to dip the pieces into the mild salsa provided. Very tasty.
As I watched Brad Gushue whip the bottom-ranked New Zealand curling team, my fish and chips arrived. Two strips of fresh halibut had been covered with a crisp, yet light and ungreasy golden lager beer batter then placed on top of a mound of dull fries. Also on the plate were ramekins of creamy red cabbage coleslaw, tartar sauce and ketchup. A big portion of food, well prepared, with the fried fish as good as any in town.
I ordered a glass of Sumac gewürztraminer VQA that came in a small wine glass filled to the brim. The wine was off dry, redolent of grapefruit and lychee flavours and went well with the fish. Later I ordered a tall glass of Victorias own Matt Phillips Phoenix beer, which was an even better pairing.
For dessert I chose carrot and pineapple cake, a dense, cream cheese frosting topped slab accompanied by a big dollop of whipped cream, caramel sauce and a sprinkle of little bits of raw carrot. I was now officially stuffed.
If youre looking for plain but good pub food in a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere I recommend Darcys for great value and well-prepared dishes.
— Bon appetit , The Secret Diner
1127 Wharf St., Victoria, 250-380-1322
