Author Archives: Ed Sum

06.19.24
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[Seattle, WA] Just Chillin’ at Ohana Belltown

Screen Shot 2024-06-12 at 3.32.37 PM2207 1st Ave
Seattle, WA 98121

Hours: 3 pm to 1:30 am (12pm Tues)
Phone: (206) 956-9329
Menu: http://www.ohanasushigrill.com/menu.html

Hawaiian food can be unique, and to say it’s a fusion of other culinary styles brought to the island depends on who you ask. I’m sure most folks agree it really is a combination of ideas from other regions and when I’m craving something authentic, I just have to visit Hawaii and hope I get invited to a Lūʻau. I want to experience that true Ohana spirit, and this operation is so aptly named, I want to come back!

What’s provided at Coco Grill (review) is “real” but it’s not the food I’m looking for. Where’s the poi? As for all the pokes, they’re a dime a dozen and while they come from humble island origins, that’s not what I’m after. There’s always going to be some pork dish at all diners, but what about the seafood? With eel, having enough to feed the masses can be problematic. And who would’ve thought Seattle would have the ideal outlet to get my Japanese and local flavour right. At Ohana, the environment felt just right, and I dived right into the ocean blue as easily as a dolphin into water.

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05.01.24
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Meditating on What Makes Pho Wisdom Better Than the Strip of Pho Eateries A Block Away

20240430_180235102-915 Fort St
Victoria, BC

Open:
Tues to Fri 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 5–8 p.m.
Sat and Sun 12–8:30 p.m.

Menu: phowisdom.com
Phone: (250) 384-2971

Every time I take a stroll along Fort and count the number of Pho operations that exist along this street, I have to ask the big question: which one tastes the best and who in the right mind wants to challenge neighbouring competitors? Although I can’t answer the former query just yet, I’d say Pho Wisdom is the smartest of the bunch to not be so close. Plus, in addition to nearly everything that’s traditional in a Vietnamese menu, they got Thai too! 

In the next two weeks, they’ll be offering five different curries for the lunch and dinner crowd! I’ll certainly have to find time to return, as they’re claiming to be as genuine as this dish can be. 

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04.08.24
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Food, Inc. 2, The Sequel Everybody Must See. A Documentary Review

Food, Inc. 2 Movie PosterComing soon to select theatres and on VOD beginning April 12, 2024

According to US Senate Corey Booker of New Jersey, America’s food system is savagely broken. In the well-meaning documentary, FOOD, INC. 2, viewers are looking at how the industry has changed when the Covid-19 pandemic struck, what’s still wrong with it and how it’s affected the global distribution chain. It’s a loose sequel to the original, simply titled FOOD, INC. made 15 years ago.

While the last film by Robert Kenner and Melissa Robledo was about the industrialised nature of America’s food supply by saying monopoly is bad, there’s more being explored in this latest release. What’s examined shows Booker and Jon Tester as the most vocal U.S. Senators who want to save more than just the American heartland. And at the same time, we see problems. At some farms, migrant workers are mistreated, and some are even underpaid! Another concern asks whether shipping food from one corner of the world to another is really needed. There are a lot of issues being explored, and this work could be made better by having intertitle cards to separate each issue out. Not everything is related.

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03.06.24
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Otaki, A Destination for Fans of Yamadai Instant Ramen!

window displayThere’s a new operation in Victoria, BC which is designed to feed the hungry instant ramen enthusiast and also sell geeky wares. Otaki has over 30 flavours from Yamadai, and it all comes courtesy of the stock that the sister operation, Sakura Grocery, has. The plan is to provide even more brands from other parts of Southern Asia so that those hungry asian noodle eaters will say this shop is the place to go to find that comfort food from home.

Besides Oni Oni, which is a convenience store that sells delicious rice balls, the decision to open another operation was in response to the pandemic. Some folks wanted something to do. Although that time is behind us, these individuals didn’t quit these hobbies. That’s the reason this store is stocking up on those bestsellers and will consider how to expand from there. Because some folks are lazy to cook, instant ramen became all the rage for some self isolating, and as for what other instant goods one wants depends on who you ask.

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02.07.24
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Wanting Enercheez? Here’s Where To Find Them in 2024.

Version 1.0.0

Enercheez is a delicious snacking product that’s sold in select markets for a little more than seven years now, and they are finally hitting grocery stores! I discovered them over the weekend while at Thrifty’s Foods. And after doing some online fact checking, it seems they are more popular as a dried food product to take along for those camping expeditions. I assume that’s how they were sold when it came to market in 2017.

This cheese snack is made by Mountain Munchies, a family-owned company based out of Nelson, British Columbia. According to CEO Bruce Burgener, who said to Expert Navigator, “With the U.S. so close, it always seemed like the best market to access, however with the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) there are other options and other countries excited to bring in Canadian products.” 

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01.17.24
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Not Quite Ole at 3 Gringos Mexican

20240106_115258735 Goldstream Ave
Langford, BC

Hours: Daily from 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Phone: (250) 391-4047

Out in the strip known as Langford’s “Downtown” core, the Three Gringos Mexican Cafe has always caught my attention. I’m not in this area often, but when I do, I like to make the most of my commute here to check out something new. With the 95 bus servicing the area every half an hour or so, I think I can visit a bit more, mostly because there’s a few holes in the wall gems that a former contributor expounded upon. While I don’t need to visit those particular places since they’re old, there’s been a few new places that has my notice. And when I’m in the area to play Dungeons and Dragons with a group who’ve made this community their homestead, I don’t mind the expedition!

While I don’t know who decided to open up this operation, John Landis’ movie The Three Amigos came to mind and I thought I’d find some kind of vibe to remind me of this place upon entering. The fiesta colours are welcoming, and I had to glance at the chalkboard to see what’s unique. Aside from licking my lips at the thought of churros to go with my lunch, I opted for the chip version to take to my gaming session. It’s a treat that’s best eaten fresh off the fryer than cold. The sweet taste is familiar, and the crisp is just right, but without the warmth, there’s just something missing.

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