ASK THE CONCIERGE PHOTO BY DON DENTON
MURRAY MCMULLEN
with HOTEL GRAND PACIFIC
eet Murray McMullen, Chef Concierge and member of Les Clefs d’Or Canada, who has lived in Victoria since 1991 and worked at the Hotel Grand Pacific since 2013. Let’s ask him about Victoria.
M
Where’s your favourite breakfast spot?
Shine Café, with locations downtown and the Stadacona Centre at 1548 Fort St.
Where would you schedule a business meeting?
The Hotel Grand Pacific, of course. We offer multiple meeting spaces to suit most groups.
What restaurant (s) really shows off Victoria?
Victoria restaurants have such topnotch culinary teams, and with so many to choose from, this is a hard one for me to pinpoint. Some of the many options that come to mind are: Il Terrazzo, OLO, Part and Parcel (bit of a walk or drive from downtown), Agrius and the Heron Rock Bistro.
Where’s a great place to take children?
The Royal BC Museum — children always enjoy the interactive adventures there.
What’s a unique-to-Victoria activity?
Watching the tens of thousands of people who take to Victoria’s Inner Harbour for the annual Symphony Splash on the holiday weekend each August. 2018 marks the 29th year the Victoria Symphony orchestra performs from a floating stage in the Inner Harbour. There are special guest performances, ending with a grand finale performance of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture to fireworks!
Where would find a unique shopping experience?
Lower Johnson Street and along Oak Bay Avenue.
Where do you take friends for a drink?
Heron Rock Bistro located in James Bay; it 22 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
Murray McMullen, Chef Concierge at Hotel Grand Pacific in Victoria.
has a variety to suit every taste. Steamship Grill & Bar, with its wonderful heated, covered patio that overlooks the Victoria Inner Harbour. Caledonian Distillery & Twa Dogs Brewery, a 20-minute drive from the hotel and well worth the visit.
What’s your favourite local wine?
The 2010, 2011 or 2013 Merlot (if you can source a bottle or two) from Kettle Valley Winery in the Okanagan; 2015 Salish Sea White from Sea Star Estate Farm & Vineyards on Pender Island.
Any suggestions for a romantic day-trip?
Take a 40-minute drive north to the Villa Eyrie Resort. Enjoy a couple ’s message and lunch overlooking the coastal mountains and the Saanich Inlet. On the drive back, stop and take a walk through the forest to see Niagara Falls and the old trestle in Goldstream Provincial Park. Once back at the Hotel Grand Pacific, enjoy a scenic carriage ride along the
Inner Harbour to Little Jumbo for some pre-dinner bites etc... As for dinner, you’re in the driver’s seat now, as the night is young.
What’s a great winter activity in Victoria?
Here are a couple to choose from. Enjoy the lights, ice-skating and a wonderful dinner at the Butchart Gardens. Take a day trip to Mount Washington Resort. Located in the Comox Valley, a 2.5-hour drive north, where you’re able to enjoy skiing, snowboarding and tubing. Should you wish to try snowshoeing; you can rent equipment at the Raven Lodge. From there, enjoy the trails in Strathcona Provincial Park with family and friends.
What’s the craziest question you’ve ever been asked as concierge? In my mind there are no crazy questions; however, this particular one stands out vividly: “Where can I get the seeds for those totem poles?”
CONNECTOR l THE WILSON’S GROUP