A lifetime of travel and adventure is a dream to many of us, but for John and Megan, owners of a brand new eatery in downtown Victoria, it was a lifestyle. “We spent many years traveling to different places, exploring cultures and cuisines; our aim is to bring the best of each world to Victoria,” explains Megan. And that is exactly what they offer. An innovative fusion of fresh tastes and spices, Tulip Café and Rice Bar brings a whole new vibe to downtown Victoria.
Beachy Australia, Mediterranean Turkey, European Germany, beautiful Dubai, and their own Persian origins, among others, all combine to bring you a variety of dishes that challenge tradition, exceed expectations, and respect your budget.
Their signatures? A variety of piadinas, a dish that originates as a classic Italian street food. “Normally, served with cold cuts. But we thought, why not add Persian spices to these?” And so they did, replacing the cold cuts with healthy grilled beef or chicken, both marinated and seasoned with Middle Eastern flavors, and topped with organic local greens and vegetables, fresh pesto, and a side dish of house-made yogurt dip – a staple of the Mediterranean diet. The result is a culinary experience that we did not know we were missing.
Each day, Megan also prepares a “rice special”, which combines long-grain basmati rice, saffron, and a unique blend of nuts, beans, and herbs. “Rice is a staple of Persian meals, so we like to showcase a variety of these flavors, in a healthy and affordable way,” says John.
However, perhaps the most impressive part is their attention to detail and willingness to customize each plate to each customer. “All my life, I have struggled with a list of allergies and allergy-induced symptoms, and I was really frustrated when eateries did not take cross contamination into account, so I take these things seriously,” Megan confesses. Whether their customers are vegan or vegetarian, allergic to certain ingredients, or simply wish to enter into an environment where their unique lifestyles are respected and appreciated, Tulip works with each individual. No exceptions.
Tulip Café and Rice Bar, located at 1108 Blanshard, is definitely the place to try.
