Overlooking Victoria’s scenic inner harbour, families and friends can relax and enjoy creative West Coast fare for lunch or dinner in the restaurant. Entrees include such dishes as wild sockeye fillet & spinach wrapped in phyllo pastry on truffle &wild mushroom polenta... braised duck leg with warm frisee & bacon salad, squash puree & blue cheese potato gratin... pork chop stuffed with sage, boerenkaas cheese & carmelized onion with roasted apples & heirloom potatoes and lamb shank, crystal malt spaetzle, roasted squash & cabbage braised with bacon & apple. Lunch served from 11am - 4pm and dinner from 4pm - 10:30pm, daily. Reservations recommended. 308 Catherine Street, 386-BREW(2739). www.spinnakers.com.

One of downtown Victoria’s best known Chinese restaurants, Ming’s serves fine Cantonese, Szechuan and vegetarian dishes. Each dish is individually prepared and impeccably served in elegant surroundings. Dinner 7 days from 5:00 p.m. Lunch weekdays from 11:30 a.m. Reservations appreciated. 1321 Quadra at Johnson, 385-4405.

Earls is a popular chain with more than 50 locations across western Canada as well as in Arizona and Colorado. Voted "best casual restaurant" for the past 11 years by Vancouver Magazine, Earls features steaks and chops, pasta, pizza and burgers. Also serves Cedar Planked Chinook Salmon and a variety of chicken entrees. Full service bar with daily specials, such as Earls White Peach Bellinis. Open daily for lunch and dinner. 1703 Blanshard Street, 386-4323.