The Steamship Grill and Taphouse is hoping to open this week, but is waiting for its liquor licence to arrive.
Three special events have already been held in the restaurant, located in the CPR Steamship Terminal building on the Inner Harbour.
The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority is leasing the building and filling it with tenants.
Once operating, the Steamship Grill will open at 4:30 p.m. daily. It will close at 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, at 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 9:30 p.m. on Sunday.
The aim is to open by this Friday, said Jim Romer, who owns the business with Kelly Gordon and Wayne Holm, all experienced restaurateurs. But it depends on when the liquor licence arrives.
The menu has a seafood focus, using fresh, local ingredients, Romer said.
Items include Steamship seafood chowder at $4.95 a cup and $7.95 a bowl, VooDoo meatballs made of spiced pork and beef for $9.95, golden beet carpaccio salad for $8.95, roasted free-range chicken at $18.95 and sesame-seared albacore tuna at $25.95.
Lighting runs around the top of the walls to showcase the elaborate ceiling. The restaurant will open for lunch and brunch later this month, said Steve Baert, one of its managers.
A Starbucks coffee shop opened Monday in the Steamship building. Its hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
