Bin 4 Burger Lounge
911 Yates St
Victoria, BC
(250) 590-4154
E: Bin 4 is a new burger parlour in town, and they’ve only been open for a couple of weeks. They are located in the spot where JB’s Cafe used to be, and I can easily see myself visiting Harris Green Village a lot more often.
The scents coming from there are very inviting, and just how many places can I say offer fine dining with a burger experience? I met up with James here to find out.
Le Petit Dakar
711 Douglas Street
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 380-3705
J: There is more to a Friday night than getting fall down drunk. If one walks about this great city of ours one could have an enjoyable evening for very little money. After a trip to National Geographic’s IMAX theatre for a viewing of The Wildest Dream, seeing that frosty topped mountain gave me the ice cream urges … to Beacon Drive-In it was for our fill.
We weren’t prepared to do any reviewing this night. On our way home, the moon was shining our way to the nearest bus stop. But before we reached that destination, Ed and I did the mid-step pause. There was a new establisment in the old Crystal Gardens building. It looked small and the bright neon open sign was inviting.
E: Le Petit Dakar beckoned the both of us in. This little eatery was a perfect way to end the day, and I couldn’t decide on what spicy delight to partake in. After looking at the menu, I got the sense that most of the tastes are from the north western to north eastern region of Africa (but I could be wrong), and after James said the magic word, I took a chance at the Saka Saka ($8.75) to shake the cold away. I asked for hot sauce as a side while James didn’t go for any.
Pablo’s Dining Lounge
225 Quebec Street
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 388-4255
J: Ed was fortunate enough to be given a pair of gift certificates (GC) courtesy of our our benefactor, the event organizer Bill Code. Bill was responsible for the 2009 Victoria Comic Book Convention and is currently working rebooting it as the Victoria Comic, Movie & Steampunk Convention for 2013.
Pho Vy
772 Fort St.
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 385-5516
J: I played a little Russian restaurant roulette recently. It’s where one travels to the downtown core of quaint little Victoria. From here Ed places his faith in me to wander the streets before my stomach tells me to walk in. Will it be good, bad, a classic or just a night of taking Gravol?
I settled on a little Vietnamese place decked out in fake flowers but with a yellow and green colour paint combo that was oddly appealing.
E: Pho Vy sat on the opposite side of the road, where Pho Hua is on Fort. I checked out Hua a long time ago, reviewing it for Nexus, and wasn’t too impressed, but Vy had a different atmosphere.
Fort Cafe
742 Fort St
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 382-3130
My last night in taking on the Victoria Fringe Festival was met with two powerhouse performances and a good meal. The latter could’ve been better if it didn’t feel like it took a long time to get it to my table. I was able to Facebook, make status updates, read my email, compose a reply, and play six rounds of Angry Birds before it arrived.
Blair Mart Mediterranean Foods
924 Pandora Ave
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 721-1626
The fact that this grocery store is open after 8pm can easily have me singing the praises to Allah than that other deity. But if I am to look around the corner, I might find a shrine to Zeus tucked way and I’d still be awestruck.
To see this store still open (9pm) after Whiskey Bars: a kabarett with the songs of Kurt Weill must show that the staff has dedication. Actually, I think there’s only one guy who operates this store and he’s very accommodating to the night life in Victoria. People can venture in to buy groceries or grab a bite to eat nearly any time of the day. There’s a small deli serving up Halva’s, Nougats, and Baklavas. For me, it’d be the authentic and homemade Turkish Delights.
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