-Story by Sean McIntyre Photography by Lia Crowe

There乌鸦传媒檚 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.

乌鸦传媒淲e were both fans of the old delicatessen and, as an homage, we乌鸦传媒檝e kept the name and the Spanish influence and introduced phase two of Chorizo & Co.,乌鸦传媒� Stephen says. 乌鸦传媒淲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乌鸦传媒檚 what we乌鸦传媒檝e aimed for here.乌鸦传媒�

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乌鸦传媒檚 Tempranillo varietal.

乌鸦传媒淎 lot of people might think 乌鸦传媒楬ow good could a sandwich be?乌鸦传媒� but, based on the feedback we乌鸦传媒檙e getting, people are getting blown away,乌鸦传媒� Dave says.

乌鸦传媒淲e乌鸦传媒檙e not just tapas. Some of the things could be considered tapas but, at the end of the day, it乌鸦传媒檚 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乌鸦传媒檚 totally up to you.乌鸦传媒�

Stephen and Dave bring nearly two decades of experience from Stage Wine Bar to Victoria乌鸦传媒檚 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乌鸦传媒檚 revitalization.

Whether it乌鸦传媒檚 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.

乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 not an overexposed style of dining, but it is more and more the way people like to dine,乌鸦传媒� Stephen says.

乌鸦传媒淏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乌鸦传媒檚 a way to make an evening and taste a bit of the city.乌鸦传媒�

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
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