-Story by Sean McIntyre Photography by Lia Crowe

There鈥檚 no mistaking Stephen Quigley when you walk into Chorizo & Co. He stands tall behind the bar, sporting a big smile and a welcoming wave, beckoning passersby along Fort Street to settle in.

Although it was once a deli catering to Victorians searching for a slice of Spanish flavour, Stephen and business partner Dave Brooks joined forces to resurrect the quaint downtown locale as a bonafide Iberian eatery and cocktail bar.

鈥淲e were both fans of the old delicatessen and, as an homage, we鈥檝e kept the name and the Spanish influence and introduced phase two of Chorizo & Co.,鈥� Stephen says. 鈥淲e brought the tables higher, took out the large deli counter, painted the walls darker and made it more of an evening focus. We had no interest in running a deli, but we are interested in a great bar/restaurant, and that鈥檚 what we鈥檝e aimed for here.鈥�

Classics such as the Chorizo sandwich share the menu with a unique house paella, seared rockfish and bavette steak.

The menu offers a mix of small plates, sandwiches and larger meals, all of which can be savoured alone or shared with a crowd alongside beverages from an inspiring list. Signature cocktails and wines provide a deep dive into the subtleties of Spain鈥檚 Tempranillo varietal.

鈥淎 lot of people might think 鈥楬ow good could a sandwich be?鈥� but, based on the feedback we鈥檙e getting, people are getting blown away,鈥� Dave says.

鈥淲e鈥檙e not just tapas. Some of the things could be considered tapas but, at the end of the day, it鈥檚 just a food menu that has a Spanish influence; a menu that has a bunch of really delicious things. Whether you want tapas or share plates or a full entr茅e, that鈥檚 totally up to you.鈥�

Stephen and Dave bring nearly two decades of experience from Stage Wine Bar to Victoria鈥檚 rapidly changing culinary scene. The city, they say, is barely recognizable from the place it was only a decade ago. Restaurants have played a huge role in the downtown core鈥檚 revitalization.

Whether it鈥檚 sampling happy hour or making an evening of it, Chorizo & Co. combines great personalities and awesome flavours to complement a vibrant and creative restaurant scene.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not an overexposed style of dining, but it is more and more the way people like to dine,鈥� Stephen says.

鈥淏ecause there are so many places around Victoria, popping in here and having a glass of wine with a small plate, and then going somewhere else is accomplishable. It鈥檚 a way to make an evening and taste a bit of the city.鈥�

Chorizo & Co. is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 4:30 to 10 pm, and Friday and Saturday from 4:30 to 11 pm. Check them out on Instagram and Facebook for updates and menu specials.

Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
Like Boulevard Magazine on and follow them on