With rich oak wood floors and tables and other Mid Century Modern design details at first glance the Parq Vancouver hotel and casino’s latest restaurant, The Victor, appears to be a contemporary upscale eatery (with sweeping views of False Creek, BC Place Stadium and the Parq’s 30,000 square foot park, to boot). But look closer and you’ll notice details such as the Queen Bee wallpaper in the entryway and mint coloured banquettes, which the restaurant's designers actually added as a nod to Queen Victoria after whom the sprawling 170-seat eatery is named.
The menu is crafted by hotel restaurateur team Elizabeth Blau and husband and chef Kim Canteenwalla, who also worked on the Parq's six other restaurants and lounges. Inspired by the Pacific Northwest, it effortlessly weaves together contemporary and classical steak dishes and seafood dishes, such as a raw sushi and raw bar. There is also no shortage of inventive comfort food items.
After an appetizer spread that included sashimi, king and Dungeness crab, lobster tails and Rock Shrimp Tempura with spicy creamy ponzu sauce (a must), our group enjoyed a rainbow-coloured Roasted Beet Salad and satisfying Steak Tartare served with crispy house chips. Next, chef Kim brought out the piece de resistance: a Tomahawk Angus Reserve Steak so big it would make the Royals blush.
This, served with creative sides such as pretzel-crusted onion rings, Triple Cooked Fries and Mac and Cheese Waffles, then finished with a Crème Brulee Doughnut piled with maple cotton candy, was a decadent meal fit for a queen. As they say: "To the victor belongs the spoils."
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