Author Archives: Ed Sum

09.08.21
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Cats and Coffee? What Can Go Wrong?

cats logo.pngCat’s Coffee & Cake
1213 Douglas St
Victoria, BC

Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Phone: (250) 590-1699
Website: https://www.catscoffeecake.com/

This cat certainly wants to come back to the cafe on Douglas Street because of the treats and sweets offered. Not only is the company logo designed by local artist Gareth Gaudin, but also I figure it’s his favourite hangout spot when not behind the till at Legends Comics. I believe they also offer catering services too, which is a bonus for any downtown operation wanting to support local enterprises. 

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I was feeling peckish the day I was in town. The signboard detailing Cat’s Coffee & Cake specials caught my eye. Kimchi and bacon in a croissant sandwich? I knew it’d be a flavourful combination, but there was a small lineup. I had another errand to do and when I returned, there was none. 

At first I thought I’d be entering a cafe with cute felines around, but alas, that’s another operation in the works (Mask and Mantle Cat Cafe are still searching for the ideal location to set up shop). This operation is apparently a passion project of master pastry chef Yi Catherine Yang who decided to set up shop in the busiest intersection of Downtown Victoria. She’s well known in China as the host of several TV cooking shows. Through these programs, she’s been promoting culture through the exchange of how to make up flavourful treats. While she may not be living in this city and working this particular kitchen (her resume lists her as the creative force behind New York’s Gigi Blue), to have her endorsement is enough.

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08.04.21
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How to Do the Victoria Fringe Festival In-Person & Online 2021 Edition

Purple peacock with a watercolour design on a yellow background, with Victoria Fringe logo.Victoria Fringe Festival
Runs August 13 to Sept 24

The Victoria Fringe Festival is changing things up in its return late Summer. It’s hard to say if this pandemic will ever go away, but everyone wants to stay safe, and the organizers are changing up their event so that is can also operate with online and in-person events. The fun starts August 6th and runs more than a month-long! Their schedule is live and online to view.

Topping the list of what can be viewed from home is MIMI The Gourmet Cat, by the Mochinosha Puppet Company, which will be part of the Fringe KIDS livestream. More details about this particular show be found online on the show website.

The following are my quick picks in what to check out. The links go to further information, including in-person shows, and how to buy tickets.

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07.21.21
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More Eateries are Abound Near Trounce Alley

TRES GOURMET, Victoria - Updated 2021 Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number - TripadvisorTres Gourmet Bakery & Cafe
1280 Broad St
Victoria, BC

Hours: Tues-Sat 7am – 4pm
Phone: (778) 433-8737

Tucked away in a side-street is a block of nothing but tres bonne eats. On one side is West Coast Waffles, and the other, many an eatery along Trounce Alley (Bodega Bar, apa Bar and Parks Kitchen).

Tres Gourmet Bakery and Cafe is a stop few will make when the scents from the alley enticing. But I wanted something quick, and the coffees by themselves are tops! They serve all the types–including Red Eye–and it’d be an article to explore how they make ‘em with heart.

Instead, this stop is comforting. There isn’t a lot of outdoor seating options (it’s limited in the tight street known as Broad, ironically enough). Indoors, the tables are presently arranged so there’s plenty of space for those social distancing. But for me, it made me feel like I was in the Roman Pantheon. That wasn’t their intent, as the design is more minimalist modern than classic, but I could also sit for a spell to read Lilo and the Samurai volume two before it was time before my appointment to get my second vaccine shot. Yes, soon Don and I can check out places a bit more frequently since masks aren’t as mandatory.

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07.08.21
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Blue Bridge Theatre Announces 2021/22 Season

Blue Bridge Theatre is well known in the Victoria, BC community for having local talents define their work. Their base of operations is in the heart of Quadra Village and the building has a heritage that’s hard to beat. The venue has a unique intimacy for whatever has played here. Whether that’s with it being a truly old style movie theatre house or that it’s a place for live stage shows, the acoustics are second to none. It’s a unique venue for the latter, as it has had concerts too.

It’s also a home to smaller companies needing a venue to put on their show to a live streaming audience. As a business, they’ve got it all–including putting on shows this summer which includes Salt-Water Moon (currently playing), Day after Day, a Musical Tribute to Doris Day and Cats in the Garden (their fundraiser to which fully vaccinated people can attend in person).

Soon, they’ll be offering shows that people can physically attend.

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06.09.21
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Intrepid Theatre Victoria Updates

Red on Red enews banner 3

Please visit Intrepid Theatre’s website for viewing links and biographies of the performers.

Nobody is certain if the world will be back on track Summer 2021. This includes upcoming Canada Day celebrations.

In Victoria, BC, not a lot of festivals are confirmed to take place and for those Fringe theatre enthusiasts, no official word is announced. It’s certainly safe to say online (virtual) style events will be offered where available, and for Intrepid Theatre’s end of summer tradition is unconfirmed at time of writing. However, it’s not to say they aren’t hosting other events.

This free online show will be available June 20 – 26 and it’ll spotlight social justice through the performing arts. Red on Red is looking like it’ll be available to view for anyone to see world-wide.

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05.26.21
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Down on the River with Two Instant Snail Rice Dishes

Hao Huan Luo Liu Zhou River Snails Rice Noodle 300g ~ 好欢螺柳州螺蛳粉 300gLiuzhou Luosifen, or River Snail Rice Noodles, is a dish not everyone will like. It sounds gross, but when compared to escargot, the difference is in how the protein source is prepared and used. It’s definitely an acquired taste and ever since the pandemic started, has been a trending thing from Liuzhou City, China–where it was first introduced. CNN reported on how this latest trend is the hippest thing. Two years later, I think the fad died as it’s hard to find at local grocery stores now.

The price for a box is $50 CAD when they first started appearing a year ago. I wasn’t ready to blow a bunch of money for a snack I’m unsure of liking. It took three quarters of a year until the grocery store decided selling my individual package was better.

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