In the middle of the pandemic summer, cooks were flying around the kitchen in Oak BayB次元官网网址檚 Penny Farthing and Vis-脿-vis.
Business was good, and it wasnB次元官网网址檛 lost on the staff of the two restaurants, who share a kitchen and are also home to Oak Bay VillageB次元官网网址檚 new on-street patio seating.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e very blessed, very lucky to have had the [level of] business this summer that we did,B次元官网网址� said new chef Alain L茅ger.
L茅ger came on board in July. HeB次元官网网址檚 made a few tweaks to create a passionate team in the kitchen and is excited to return to his roots. An Acadian from New Brunswick, he started his culinary career cooking French classical in Montreal.
B次元官网网址淐hefs are always nostalgic and itB次元官网网址檚 been fun to return to French classical,B次元官网网址� said L茅ger, who lived in Oak Bay for seven years.
His oldest daughter is an Oak Bay High grad.
READ ALSO:
On Dec. 10, he launched a new menu for both restaurants. Of course, itB次元官网网址檚 a tale of two kitchens in one.
B次元官网网址淲ith the Penny Farthing, itB次元官网网址檚 a pub, and you have to be able to keep the menu consistent,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e had a fish and chips special on Mondays going back a decade. For some people in Oak Bay thatB次元官网网址檚 an institution. You canB次元官网网址檛 change that.B次元官网网址�
There is a bigger change coming to Vis-脿-vis.
B次元官网网址淭his menu is an evolution not a revolution. Expect the biggest change in the spring. Right now we are just building the frame. The plan is to have [daily, weekly] features. ThatB次元官网网址檚 the creative paint in the frame.B次元官网网址�
ItB次元官网网址檚 only a slice of what L茅ger the artist can do.
In the 1990s, he worked at VancouverB次元官网网址檚 prominent Diva at the Met (in the Metropolitan Hotel). He arrived on the Island to help start up the kitchen at Brentwood Bay Resort. L茅ger was the head chef and general manager of Canoe Brewpub for 5.5 years.
READ ALSO:
The plan is to redo the menus for both restaurants in the spring and once the COVID-19 restrictions are relaxed, more of L茅gerB次元官网网址檚 true passion will emerge.
B次元官网网址淚 would love to run chefB次元官网网址檚 tables style of dining and theme nights,B次元官网网址� L茅ger said. B次元官网网址淚 have a passion for the history of food. For the way food became important in each culture.B次元官网网址�
Watch for a new breakfast menu and dessert menu coming next to the Penny and Vis-脿-vis next.
