From the highway, the city of Duncan seems like nothing but a sprawl of big box stores. But venture down its side streets and you’ll find charming heritage houses like this rambling old Victorian. An even better surprise is that you’ll find a Top Chef Canada alum in the kitchen cooking up some of the best food on the Island. Dan Hudson is a young, British-born chef with a passion for classic flavors and fresh, local ingredients. Think slow-cooked pork belly, mushroom-and-stilton risotto, or his popular fish and chips with apple-fennel slaw. Brunch is especially popular thanks to dishes like the house-made brioche French toast. And even if the food weren’t so good, it would be worth a visit just to enjoy the beautiful dining room and lounge area, with their original fireplaces, ornate tin ceiling, tongue-and-groove paneling, and dark wooden trim, paired with comfy contemporary leather chairs and elegant white linens. Like Hudson’s cooking, it’s a perfect blend of old, new, and immaculate attention to detail.