From Wind Cries Mary to Birdman: Cottage Hospitality Group
Opens Victoria’s Most Unapologetic Restaurant Yet
A Southern-inspired restaurant shaped by salt, soul, and a philosophy
of Full Permission Hospitality—fried chicken, oysters,
and freedom to order indulgently and stay awhile
Victoria, B.C.-based Cottage Hospitality Group, the team behind Wind Cries Mary and Rudi, unveils Birdman, its third restaurant and most unapologetic yet, opening to the public May 22 at the historic 537 Johnson Street in downtown Victoria.
Birdman is a Southern-inspired restaurant built around a simple idea: giving people full permission to enjoy themselves—whether that means ordering more, staying longer, or changing their mind along the way. The menu centres on fried chicken, oysters, and sauces worth passing, with a wine list that keeps up and plenty of sparkling to go around. Everything is designed to be shared, lingered over, and returned to—an experience defined as much by how it feels as by what’s on the table.
“Most restaurants over-direct,” says Jesse Dame, Founder, Cottage Hospitality Group. “They shape how people move through the meal, what they order, and how long they stay. Birdman removes that quiet orchestration entirely. Full Permission Hospitality is about breaking the rules people feel in restaurants—what’s too much to order, how long to stay, or whether they’re doing it right—and giving people the freedom to enjoy themselves the way they want without thinking twice about it. Southern cooking already carries that spirit. We’re just giving it room to breathe.”
What takes shape is more than a restaurant. It’s something closer to a cult following of its own—built on ritual, atmosphere, and the pull to return. The food leans into the depth and generosity of Southern cooking: rich, flavour-forward, unapologetically abundant. Sauces and dips take centre stage, almost devotional—passed around the table, poured freely, and returned to without hesitation—as the experience moves between indulgence and intimacy.
The menu, crafted by Cottage Hospitality Group’s Executive Chef and Partner David
Healey—who leads the culinary direction behind Wind Cries Mary and Rudi—honours the classics without overworking them, including fried chicken, stacked handheld sandwiches, oysters done every way from baked to fried, mac and cheese, and house-baked pies.
“Southern food is built for indulgence,” says Chef Healey. “It’s bold, it’s rich, and it’s meant to be passed around. Hush puppies, sticky ribs, soft serve sundaes—these are the kind of dishes you don’t stop at one bite. When it’s done right, you don’t just taste it—you go back for more, again and again. It’s food that makes you close your eyes. Around here, it’s part of our ethos: repent or repeat. Pray with your mouth full.”
The space mirrors that energy. Booths, curtains, and tucked-away corners create privacy without isolation, letting guests choose whether they want to be seen, tucked away, or somewhere in between. Vinyl, chrome, and tactile finishes nod to nostalgic diners and basement bars—the kind of places where the lighting stays low, conversations linger, and people lose track of time.
Service follows the same instinct. Plates are meant to be shared. Sauce gets poured, not portioned. Yes, you can use your hands. Guests may encounter gestures of generosity throughout the meal, from unexpected tastings to rotating house sauces chosen for the table’s mood.
This opening marks the next chapter for Cottage Hospitality Group as it continues to shape Victoria’s dining culture through restaurants that prioritize how people feel as much as what’s served.
Birdman will be open daily from 11:30 a.m. to midnight, with reservations available beginning May 22 at [OpenTable] or by calling the team at (250) 590-5600.
Come hungry.
Come human.
Come undone.
About Birdman
Birdman is a Southern-inspired restaurant from Victoria, B.C.-based Cottage Hospitality Group—the team behind Wind Cries Mary and Rudi—located at the historic 537 Johnson Street in downtown Victoria. Built around the philosophy of Full Permission Hospitality, Birdman offers flavour-forward, shareable dining shaped by indulgence and an unapologetic approach to how people gather at the table—meant to be passed, lingered over, and returned to.
For more information, visit www.birdmanvic.ca or follow @birdman.vic
About Cottage Hospitality Group
Cottage Hospitality Group is a Victoria, B.C.-based restaurant group founded by Jesse Dame, known for building design-driven, hospitality-first dining experiences that prioritize how people feel over traditional restaurant conventions. Its growing portfolio includes Wind Cries Mary, Rudi, and Birdman, with the group earning international recognition including placement on The World’s 50 Best Discovery list, Canada Regional Top 10 Honouree at the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation’s Spirited Awards, and Wine Program Excellence Awards recognition from the Vancouver International Wine Festival, alongside multiple regional hospitality awards.
Rooted in a philosophy of connection, storytelling, and shared experience, the group creates spaces that are as much about atmosphere and memory as they are about food. With close to 100 employees and approaching $12 million in annual revenue, Cottage Hospitality Group continues to expand its footprint with new concepts already taking shape as the group grows.
BIRDMAN
Location
537 Johnson St
Victoria, BC
Hours
11:30am — Midnight
Daily
Contact
info@nullbirdmanvic.ca
(250) 590-5600