Author Archives: Two Hungry Blokes

07.19.11
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Rice-A-Roni Never Tasted Like This …

cfcfe-riceballsHoly Moly, Roly Poly serves up some very mean rice balls. This fast food staple from Japan gets the Salt Spring Island treatment, and what stands out is the beautiful balance between the rice and the ingredients used. I’ve had fat rice balls before, which bury the shrimp (my favourite), and the thin ones, were … well thin.

When I bought them at the Tuesday Food Market, they carried flavours which I never saw back home in Victoria, have noticed in my short time in Japan, and have often desired. They even have rice balls named after local areas, likes Ganges and Salty Salt. True to form, the salt is used to preserve the rice so they can be saved for nibbling on days later.

Being Asian, I thrive on rice. Even though there have been times when I needed a sabbatical from tradition, Roly Poly makes me want to return to it … and become a lone, wandering, samurai.

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07.19.11
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Thank You very much Mr. Sushi Roboto

salt spring rollArigato Sushi & Teriyaki
102-149 Fulford Ganges Rd.
Gasoline Alley
Ganges
Salt Spring Island, BC
(250) 538-1881

E: Even on an island as small as Salt Spring, I wouldn’t consider the visit complete without the prerequisite visit to a diner offering sushi. There were two choices that I could visibly see from the main drag: a questionable shack called Express Sushi 2 Go or Arigato Sushi & Teriyaki. I’m sure both are family owned, but it was the Salt Spring Roll which enticed me into braving the briny seas.

J: The family looked friendly enough but I think the jig was up for Ed and myself.

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07.18.11
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Roll with It Baby!

Roll with It Baby!Salt Spring Noodle Bar & Curry House
149 Fulford Ganges Rd.
Gasoline Alley
Ganges
Salt Spring Island, B.C.
(250) 537-1234

J: Noodle House wasn’t my first choice for lunch but I’m glad it was my last. Thanks to Bruce’s Kitchen, we were able to make a great discovery. The aromas wafting from an old style kitchen pulled Ed and I by our nose hairs into a large line-up of hungry patrons.

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07.18.11
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They Sell Chocolates Here Don’t They?

8bddb-harlenc2bchocolates2bdisplayHarlan’s Chocolates
100 Lower Ganges Rd.
Ganges
Salt Spring Island, BC
(250) 537-4434
1-88-TRUFFLE-4U
1-888-35348

E: I’d have to say no trip to Salt Spring Island on a warm summer day will ever be complete without a trip to Harlan’s Chocolates & Gelato.

This place can give Willy Wonka a run for his money, but instead of a gold certificate, it’s a munch card. And after 10 purchases, you get a prize.

J: Yes, there was a small line-up between me and my golden ticket (gelato) but it only made my picking of one among many interesting flavours more rewarding.

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07.18.11
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A Salt Spring Summary

9b8e2-james2bat2bembeJ: Ed and I hit the road (or just the water) for a 24 hour stay over on beautiful Salt Spring Island. We met many wonderful different people from the interesting Dr. Delightments to the downright cranky employee at Morningside Organic Bakery Cafe & Bookstore. And even a horrible motel and heatstroke couldn’t dampen my spirits for exploring the sights and sounds of Ganges.

With luck on our side we landed ashore during the Tuesday market.

E: The timing couldn’t be any better. We arrived late morning and James needed to cool off. Either I can’t take this boy anywhere, or I have to remind him that heavy jackets are not required–except for wandering around late at night when the ocean air really comes in.

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07.06.11
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A LIttle Bit of Old Montreal

dad39-poutineLa Belle Patate
1215 Esquimalt Road
Esquimalt, BC
250) 220-8427

J: Hidden away in the wilds of Esquimalt is a little taste of Old Montreal at La Belle Patate (The Beautiful Potato). This joint is famous for their poutine.

E: … or dive, for lack of a better word. Janine and I chatted about what used to be here and I heard that this place was a laundromat once. I’ll have to do some digging to verify this rumour and to learn some history about the area.

At least in what’s here now, it has an old world charm. Instead of wowing customers with a beautiful looking building, I’m wandering some dark and dangerous streets that resembles East Vancouver. I haven’t been to Montreal so I can’t make that comparison.But at least the area exemplifies simplicity: authentic style cooking. You can see the order being made right in front of you than tucked away. And they have killer poutine, and I mean that literally. That’s because customers can stack it high with the extras at a $1 per pop. And I don’t mean, “just the basics m’am.”

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