Stone Pipe Grill
2038 Otter Point Rd
Sooke, BC
(250) 642-0566
I’m very rarely in Sooke, but when I am, to find a good place to eat often means going off the beaten path. But on the main drag, Stone Pipe Grill, has all the fixins of being a very good diner for anyone visiting the area.
L’Authentique Poutine and Burger
Langford, B.C.
Just how much poutine can one bloke have? Fortunately, when the portions are decently sized, plenty!
As some readers may know, I love a good french fry. And very rarely will I venture into James’ territory, Langford, to test the places that he has no time to hit. That includes a food cart operation that touts some good ol’ fashioned poutine. While most of their food is touted to be made with the heart and soul of a native Quebecois, well, is that just fancy copy writing or is that true?
Victoria Ice Cream & Fudge Factory
905 Government Street
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 381-1881
Walking down Government Street is like walking down tourist row; all the shops price their goods accordingly for the tourist crowd, not home-town. And that can make for some expensive finds.
When I saw the offer for a free sampling of Victoria Ice Cream and Fudge Factory’s Fall time special, a pumpkin gelato, I did the the opposite of what James would do. Instead of getting something tiny, or to try it free, I went double double and put my order in a waffle cone! After dishing out $7.78, I have to consider who else will manufacture this seasonal treat? I have no love for Island Farms, and I may have to visit Spinnakers a bit more often to see what they may have in their little shop. I found a rose flavoured ice cream once, and pumpkin is quite possible.
Veneto Tapa Lounge
1450 Douglas Street
Hotel Rialto
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 383-7310
Tapas seem to be the hottest trend these days, and these lounges that offer small sized portions of food is not a place I’d often go to. After this dine-in experience, I have found a new place to induldge in one particular guilty pleasure: enjoying fusion cuisine.
Fanny Bay Inn
7480 Island Highway
Fanny Bay, BC V0R 1W0
(250) 335-2323
Yes, another trip up island towards Courtenay meant a visit to Fanny Bay. Although the friends I was with arrived 15 minutes late to have lunch at Happy Hen’s Café, the operation that runs within Fanny Bay Service, the advice of the staff at this stop led us to Fanny Bay Inn, and we were not disappointed.
Since this township is famous for their oysters far and wide, I was considering an all oyster meal. But before I could finally decide on what to eat, I was served with a cola delivered with class. I do not often find bars that serve it with a lime wedge. That helps cut the acidity down in the pop, and it is a trick not many operations consider doing.
Thankfully, I don’t watch The Real Housewives of New Jersey and nor do I care that the show’s stars are involved in a promotion of a black water product called Blk. Now if it was the third installment of Men in Black promoting this particular beverage, the geeks might be sold. But this drink’s claims of rebalancing a body’s natural pH level is questionable when there are other methods to do the same thing.
Fulvic acid may have its uses in agriculture, but as a product to consume, that does not sound all that appealing. I’d rather look to aquaculture or even cocunut water to help satisfy part of my nutritional needs.
I’ll admit the black look for this Blk is very slick. Its packaging and design is trendy, but as for its taste: give me white grapefruit juice to sip instead. I prefer a pleasant aftertaste than something mildly metallic. The drink itself is slightly acrid and sensitive taste-buds may not necessarily enjoy it.
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