Photographer: Peter Bagi

Photographer and designer.

Perhaps it is the potted flowers, lovely tables and chairs and decorative fence to greet you. Or the delicious aroma of brioche, fresh focaccia and fougasse bread, pastries, cookies, and much more, all made on site from family recipes dating back to the 1920's in Torino, Italy. Or the 240 plus cheeses neatly displayed in such and appealing and tempting way. Whatever it is, Ottavio's (bakery and delicatessen) history and roots in Italian food, with 80 some years of family tradition, has proved to be intrinsic through the generations.

And although I have not yet visited this lovely spot, located in Victoria, British Columbia, I feel as though I know it already. Peter Bagi has captured the very essence and feeling of Ottavio, with such purity of depiction, and in such a delicious and enticing way. If you visit his website and blog, you will see his love of great food and culture, his eye for clean, minimalistic design, and that his knack for evoking emotions through his lens is completely inherent. When he picks up his camera he captures beautiful living and living with beauty in such an intriguing way. Some weekend this Summer, I hope to skip over to Victoria, book a few nights at Fairholme Manor, have tea at The Empress, explore a few neighbourhoods, and of course, visit Ottavio for a delicious lunch, dessert no doubt, and shop...

Images: courtesy, and with the permission of, Peter Bagi