the importance of proper infrastructure, a proper kitchen and proper bar set-up, lessons I brought to Pagliacci’s renovation in 2018.” He worked at Discovery Coffee for six months after Solomon’s closed, started a serious cocktail program at Veneto, and was head bartender at Catalano for about a year. When his father came looking for a new general manager, he was ready. “In my grandmother’s home, food was love. My Bubby was a real Jewish mother who’d check with me every hour to see if I was hungry. Community, love, happiness, that’s what food is supposed to be. That’s what we try to do here. We try to make the meal a highlight of our customer’s day, and hopefully give people one of the best nights of their life.” There is a lot of tradition at Pagliacci’s, and Solomon’s new vision is to keep that tradition alive while improving the quality of the food and drink the restaurant offers. “When I became general manager, the first thing I did was rip up the wine list—it was uninspired. I bought the same coffee equipment as I was using at Discovery Coffee. The best of the best and our staff is highly trained.” Head waiter Kris Simard has worked at the restaurant since 1982, and kitchen manager Sukh Basra since 1980. Sukh’s mother worked at Pagliacci’s in 1979, and Sukh and Kris are like his older brothers. Three generations of the Basi family have also worked at Pag’s. Amrit Basi currently works here, and Amrit’s grandmother was Pagliacci’s first employee. Amrit’s father, Shinda, also worked at the restaurant for a long time, starting in the 1980s. “The renovation in the spring was like surgery on a living patient,” Solomon continues. “Some parts were 40 years old, stuff that had to be cut so healthy stuff could thrive. I’ll always love the restaurant’s traditional side, but I’ve got an eye towards going forward. There’s so much ahead of us.” PAGLIACCI’S 1011 BROAD ST., 250-386-1662 WWW.PAGLIACCIS.CA
SPINNAKERS BREWPUB. BREWING SINCE 1984 �
308 CATHERINE STREET. 2S0.386.2739. WWW.SPINNAKERS.COM U
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The Pacific Restaurant at the Hotel Grand Pacific is excited to be once again offering our unique à la carte or three-course Fondue. 7 days a week | 5pm - 10pm Seating is limited, make your reservations now | 250.380.4458 463 BELLEVILLE ST VICTORIA, BC | HOTELGRANDPACIFIC.COM
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