One of the favorite shore excursions in the Victoria area (and a favorite for the motor coach tours as well) is a night out at Don Mee for Chinese food. Let's face it, everyone loves Chinese for dinner. Right!
Do your yourself a huge favor. Don't buy into the excursions and do your own self guided tour. Save some money and enjoy an evening in China Town at your own pace.
Victoria's Chinatown is the first Chinatown in Canada and the second in the Americas (after San Francisco).
Step through The Gate of Harmonious Interest for an unforgettable walking tour of Canada's Oldest Chinatown. Located just a short cab ride from all the major hotels in the downtown area, and just a couple of miles through the city centre from the Cruise Ship terminal at Ogden Point. If you have been to other China Town's in North America don't expect Victoria's China Town to match in size. But it does match in history and then some. Victoria's China Town may be the oldest, but certainly not the largest.
In the centre of it all is a restaurant called Don Mee. A long standing tradition for the finest in sea food and Chinese cuisine. I knew they had been around for a while, but didn't realize they have been serving up the same great dishes since 1923. That's impressive. One of my guidelines for eating out at a Chinese restaurant is, if the local Chinese are lining up to get in, they must be doing something right.
Now that fall is here, and the tourists have slowed to a trickle, I am starting to venture out now to catch up on a few of my favorite stops around town to see what's new. This weekend, it was Don Mee.
Although reservations are highly recommended, we took our chances and just showed up. We were greeted by the same friendly staff, some of which I remember as a kid being there, and were seated right away. For a Saturday it was actually pretty quiet, but not the reason we received speedy service. The staff are always attentive, even during the peak season. If you read my blogs regularily, I am big on "service" and why shouldn't I be. Particularily in a tourism destination town like Victoria. We ordered the lettuce wrap, chow mein, pork rice, szechuan beef and dumpling soup. Portions are a fare size, in fact, we had plenty left over for lunch the next day. The bill came out to $63.00 CDN for two. Add on our free walk through China Town and a stroll down the legendary Fan Tan Alley and it was a pretty affordable night out. Add about $100 if you plan on doing this as part of a group. Trust us, you are better off to do it on your own.
So what's on the menu? Where do I start. Traditional Dim Sum lunch daily, Cantonese and szechuan cuisine, live lobster and crab, roasted Peking duck, sizzling hot iron plate and hot pot dishes and the list goes on. what ever you order, make sure to include the spicy beef lettuce wrap. An all time favorite. Yes, and mine too. While we were there, they mentioned their special Christmas Dinner. It's available until January 4th and runs $19.95.
If you can see past the dated decor and small washrooms you will have a pleasant dinner. I don't dish out the compliments freely and without merit, but Don Mee still gets top grade for service, consistancy and quality. 4 and half stars out of 5.
Don Mee is located at 538 Fisgard Street in the heart of Victoria's China Town. If you need to call ahead for a reservation: 250-383-1032.
Oh, while you are there, check out their wall of famous patrons. While they are clearly dated, like I'm talking about the 80's in some cases, it is impressive. Especially the young looking Michael J. Fox.
Travel Images http://www.westshoregalleries.ifp3.com/
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