Restaurants in Camano

Flying Otter Grill traverses land, air, and sea. It takes its name from the Otter aircraft, much like the kind that take off from the two-storey airline terminal at the Victoria Harbour Water Aerodrome surrounding the eatery. The restaurant itself floats on a series of pontoons so that it rises and falls with the tides, its floor-to-ceiling windows treating every table to views of the ocean and choreographed seagull flash mobs. Spanning both earth and ocean, the menu of pub fare draws on fresh prawns alongside crab, salmon, and Angus steak, and Cajun spiced chicken wings. Planes land on nearby airstrips and yachts sail into the harbour on a regular basis, the bustle of transit contrasting with the calm, cabin-like setting of the restaurant, which features West Coast cedar furnishings and a crackling fireplace. Taking inspiration from its surroundings, the Flying Otter nets some of its fresh fish from local suppliers.

Meals at The Spice Jammer come to your table in one of four ways: mild, medium, hot, or extra hot. True to its name, the restaurant won't skimp on the spice in its East African-style Indian cuisine, but it can also accommodate guests with more sensitive palates or irrational grudges against turmeric. The menu emphasizes home-style cooking methods, with chefs roasting meats in a traditional tandoori oven or simmering them in zesty gravies. Plates of prawns, chicken, and lamb follow openers of samosas or stuffed naan, and vegetarian curries pack equal amounts of flavour into meat-free morsels of spinach, peas, and potatoes. Inside the dining room, the leafy fronds of tall, decorative plants offset the warmth of red and cream-coloured walls.

Mad Magazine’s freckled mascot, Alfred E. Neuman, once said: “We are living in a world today where lemonade is made from artificial flavours and furniture polish is made from real lemons.” This quote can be read at the top of Sauce Restaurant and Lounge’s menu, whose many dishes, which span small and large plates meant for sharing, serve as evidence of the eatery’s commitment to serving natural, seasonal ingredients from local sources. The evening tapas menu hits every major food group: startch, beef, veggies, poultry, and seafood. Guests share bites of phyllo wrapped brie and a bistro chicken sandwich, which stars the poultry of island farmouse in cowichan bay. The kitchen also prepares brunch every Sunday, fortified by steaming mugs of Oughtred Coffee.

Amid the din of Old Town's shops and the bellow of boats coasting through the harbour, Kaz Japanese Restaurant beckons diners with a vast array of East Asian specialties. Chef Masami mans the sushi bar, drawing from more than 35 years of experience to captain his culinary crew as they whip up rolls that awaken the senses through combinations of colour, taste, and texture. Servers bear plates of sushi, teriyaki, and tempura into the dining room, which surrounds guests in softly lit hanging lanterns and elegant Japanese–style shades. The restaurant bustles with activity until 11 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, accommodating late-night diners trying to stay up late enough to tuck in the moon.

As the sun sets over Victoria’s Inner Harbour, light streams through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Wharfside Seafood Grille, casting the brick patio in a pink glow. Inside the restaurant, which is operating under new ownership and management, the clientele enjoy the view through large windows whose panes are separated by dark wooden grilles for a ship's-cabin-like feel. The prime seaside setting not only defines Wharfside’s space, but inspires its cuisine. In addition to steaks and other land-based fare, chefs season locally snagged crab, prawns, and halibut with elegant flourishes such as tomato-apricot salsa and maple-soy reduction. Additionally, the new management of Wharfside Seafood Grille vows to serve only sustainably caught fish and abstain from fencing with swordfish.

The chefs at Hiro Japan Xpress cook up a quick-service menu of Japanese specialties daily, swiftly conquering hunger with sushi, teriyaki, and contemporary bento boxes, with shopping center and store-front locations in Victoria and Vancouver. Instead of savvy investment advice, they sneak healthful ingredients—such as protein- and vitamin-enriched nori seaweed and omega-3 fatty acids—into their fresh california rolls, sashimi, and udon dishes to help boost brain function and immune systems.