- Words by Devon Smith Photography by Don Denton

Wine and cheese. Simple, right? But in reality, this classic French pair can often overwhelm with too many rules and an overabundance of choices. Not to despair, though害羞草研究所攁 new bistro in town is aiming to cut through the complexities of this classic combo by simply bringing friends together through food and drink.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e here to make wine and cheese more accessible for everyone,害羞草研究所� explains Page Loten, co-owner of L害羞草研究所橝p茅ro Wine & Cheese Bistro. 害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檝e designed our experience to be as flexible as possible, so people can come in and enjoy a small tasting, they can take wine and cheese to go, or they can dive into a more complex, diverse tasting experience with a group of friends. There害羞草研究所檚 something for everyone here.害羞草研究所�

The bistro, which opened last fall in downtown Victoria, is the brainchild of Page and his business partner, co-owner and resident cheese expert Guillaume Kieffer.

After many years in food and beverage management in hotels and restaurants, Page wanted to start a bistro where people could gather with friends.

害羞草研究所淒uring the pandemic we all realized just how much we missed that aspect of gathering, eating and enjoying wine with friends, and I really wanted to be a part of that coming back. But the one thing missing was I didn害羞草研究所檛 have a strong knowledge of cheese,害羞草研究所� he explains, sitting in the bright, modern space.

A mutual friend connected him with Guillaume who was sharing his vast knowledge and love of all things cheese through his business, L害羞草研究所橝p茅ro Experience, a mobile cheese service, featuring cheese boards and seminars. After partnering with Page and opening L害羞草研究所橝p茅ro Wine & Cheese Bistro, Guillaume has now found a permanent home base from which to share his passion.

The two took possession of the space last summer and worked through the season to renovate it. The bistro is bright and spacious with tables downstairs and a loft area upstairs which can either accommodate regular dining during peak hours, or private functions. A glass showcase presents carefully curated cheeses, and a beautiful feature wall behind the front counter displays the current wine selection. The walls are adorned with local art by Victoria Heryet, evoking somewhat of a French feel, and the rest of the d茅cor is clean and simple.

害羞草研究所淲e worked throughout the summer to make sure everything was just right, but eventually, you just have to bite the bullet and open,害羞草研究所� explains Page, adding that their decision to finally open the doors brought about a moment of great coincidence.

害羞草研究所淚 remember we were tearing the paper off the windows,害羞草研究所� laughs Page. 害羞草研究所淎s we did, there was a couple standing just outside the door. They asked us when we were opening and I said 害羞草研究所楾oday, you害羞草研究所檙e our first guests!害羞草研究所� It turns out that this very couple were the first guests of L害羞草研究所橝p茅ro three years earlier! We took that as a good omen.害羞草研究所�

After that soft opening, they害羞草研究所檝e had wonderful response from their clientele, he adds. 害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檝e been incredibly supported by the community and we害羞草研究所檙e so thankful for that.害羞草研究所�

Of course, they both note, they couldn害羞草研究所檛 do it without their chef, kitchen staff and servers.

害羞草研究所淲e are so, so lucky with our staff. We害羞草研究所檙e a really tight team and they害羞草研究所檙e at the heart of what we do. They害羞草研究所檙e such a huge part of the experience because we rely on them to provide a warm, welcoming environment and, most importantly, to help us create a memorable experience for our guests,害羞草研究所� says Page.

Also at the heart of what they do are the themes of sharing and keeping it simple.

害羞草研究所淭here害羞草研究所檚 a reason we don害羞草研究所檛 have more types of wine on the menu, and why we keep our options simple,害羞草研究所� explains Page. 害羞草研究所淲e try to build a friendly, easy list that has something for everyone, so people can share and try different things. I always say you don害羞草研究所檛 have to be a sommelier to know what you like. If you come in and tell your server what kind of wine you normally like to drink, we can make it easy by building you a cheese-tasting experience around that.害羞草研究所�

And don害羞草研究所檛 think if you害羞草研究所檝e been to L害羞草研究所橝p茅ro once or twice that you害羞草研究所檝e tried it all, Guillaume adds. The flexible menu provides a unique experience for guests with each visit.

害羞草研究所淚 really make sure to always have new options for our clients,害羞草研究所� he explains, pointing to the bistro害羞草研究所檚 generously stocked showcase. 害羞草研究所淓very time I order cheese, I make sure to bring in new cheese害羞草研究所攅ven new to me. That way, there害羞草研究所檚 always something new for guests to try when they visit.害羞草研究所�

Along with the lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch menus served in the bistro, L害羞草研究所橝p茅ro offers an array of other options, including customizable online cheese boards, picnic boxes, vegan and dairy-free options, cheese to go from the counter, event catering, subscription boxes delivered to your door and seminars like Cheese Tasting 101 and Wine and Cheese Pairing Parties.

害羞草研究所淥ur classes are always a fun experience because people can really learn about how a wine pairing complements a specific cheese, and why certain pairings complement each other or don害羞草研究所檛,害羞草研究所� Guillaume adds.

You can visit Guillaume and Page at L害羞草研究所橝p茅ro Wine & Cheese Bistro at 1028 Blanshard Street in downtown Victoria. Reservations are recommended on Friday and Saturday nights, and on nights when there害羞草研究所檚 a show on at the Royal Theatre.

To order online visit and to stay up to date with the latest pairings as well as the fall 2022 class schedule, follow them on Instagram .

Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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