It’s funny that in this age of ‘knowing everything’ that we can still find people who fly under the radar. In the local cocktail world this comes in the form of über delight Brooke Levie from the Marina Restaurant.

I first stumbled across this Victoria gem at an Art of the Cocktail event and over the years I’ve seen a cocktail served from a smoking pumpkin and one that contained parmigiano-infused Irish Whisky. I can be sure his concoctions will be delicious, nicely balanced and a show-stopper. I can’t wait to see what delights will spring from his creative mind this year, as I’m sure Brooke will make magic again.

What brought up the topic of Brooke was a stop at the Marina to have sushi, and lo and behold there are Japanese style cocktails to complement the nosh to come. They have a very spicy Seven Samurai Caesar that included pickled burdock, and a Japa 75 that riffs on a French 75, combining plum wine, yuzu and green tea syrup to good effect.

We also had the pleasure of trying our enthusiastic bartender’s new cocktail ‘pop’ that included sake, yuzu and cucumber. So light and refreshing it set the palate up for the meal ahead rather than stomping on it. A very Italian take on pre-dinner cocktails.

Around Town

Art of the Cocktail Oct. 26 to 28. artofthecocktail.ca.