Author Archives: Ed Sum

10.20.21
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How to Bust a Funk for Halloween with Helheim Beer

HOUSE OF FUNK – House of Funk Brewing Co.

House of Funk
350 Esplanade E
North Vancouver, BC
 
Hours: 1-9 p.m.
Phone: (604) 770-3646
 

The House of Funk Brewing Co. is more than just another microbrewery based out of North Vancouver. They offer pretzels, schnitzels, beer mustards, sauerkraut, pickled beets, yams bratwurst and other tasty treats in their dining section of the brewhouse. It’s an operation I’d love to visit because they may well be the next best thing to Skål Beer Hall in Seattle as far as sticking to a Scandanavian theme goes. Borders are slowly reopening, but to have something a lot more local makes sense!

This relatively new operation started business in 2019. Anyone who’s missed out in collecting and tasting their past brews are simply out of luck.

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10.17.21
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What to See and Devour! The Food Film Fest 2021

Anyone able to make it to the Wolfville, Nova Scotia will be in for a treat at Devour! The Food Film Fest this year. Not only is there a noticable expanded Indigenous cuisine focus this year, but also, I truly wish I could be there in person. The Street Food Rally is always the highlight! It’s $5 per plate, and has a lot of tasty dishes from around the world, namely Mexico, Finland, Canada, and the United States.

The delights offered has me ready to hop a plane with no regard to making my comic book convention budget disappear. That’s because there’s a lot of game meats being offered that I’ve always wanted to taste. Plus, there’s something to the Autumn season which really makes me want to bulk up so I can hibernate later. But I digress. The following plates are from the official website:

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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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