Author Archives: Two Hungry Blokes

05.01.11
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Yokohama Blues

Yokohama Japanese Restaurant
980 Blanshard Street
Victoria, BC
(250) 384-5433

2016 Update: This operation has since closed and become Xiang Rui Chinese Restaurant.

The Yokohama Japanese Restaurant has been around since ‘79, but that doesn’t mean anything in terms of quality. Especially in regards to the quintessential ingredient that’s used in Asian cuisine—rice.

At dinnertime, their “Regular Sushi” was priced at $13.95, $2 more than what’s listed on their lunch menu. Let’s hope that wasn’t a misprint. Both came with a bowl of shabu soup. The soup arrived quickly, and I gulped the flavourful broth down in nearly no time. When I was examining the ingredients in this soup, I wondered about the other flavours. The carrot slivers tasted like they came from the outer skin than the core, and the mushrooms were nothing special. Normally, I’d expect to have shitake than white, so I was left with mixed feelings when the bowl sat empty.

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04.27.11
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Fine Dining at the Chalet

Today’s installment comes from our guest writer, Michael Allen, the webmaster of 28 Days Later Analysis, an informative website dedicated to news and reviews in the independent horror entertainment scene.

Deep Cove Chalet
11190 Chalet Road North
West Saanich, BC
(250) 656-3541

The French-styled Deep Cove Chalet has been a fine dining experience along the west coast for over forty years. It is run by married couple Pierre & Bev Koffel. Lunch and dinner are served between Wednesday and Sunday, with the summer season offering courses on the beautiful deck, overlooking the water.

The complimentary fresh poppy seed bread and cold bottles of water helped clean the palette as we anticipated new tastes. This dining occasion was a birthday celebration and the co-owner, Bev, provided chocolate truffles for Mercia. The smiles were genuine and the service was delivered on a very high level of professionalism and care.

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04.07.11
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Taste That Took the Wrong Fork In the Road


Crossroads Bar & Grill

1889 Old Island Highway
Colwood, BC

Update:  (07/28/12) – Crossroads Bar & Grill is no longer at the 1889 Old Island Highway location.

Update: (0524/11) – Following the recent post from the owner of Crossroads Bar & Grill, I want to state clearly that the name of the “House Burger” information was given to me by their server on the night in question. I took that info in good faith but I have now been corrected thankfully by Crossroads. It is not their House Burger but their “Fundraiser Burger.”

Some people follow the philosophy that some things should be best kept a secret. And on many occasions I’d agree, but this time I can’t. I can no longer keep this secret.

It took place last year. I was invited to an evening fundraiser for a junior football team by a friend. The event was to take place at the Crossroads Bar & Grill. Tickets were roughly $20 which included a meal. Now don’t get me wrong, Crossroad’s has a nice look to it both inside and out although a little cramped for a guy like me. You only had to partially fill the bar to have me bump into waitresses and punters. Or maybe I’m just used to walking about like Godzilla minus the swinging tail. But it was the meal itself that keeps me from returning.

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03.23.11
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Doo-Wop Dinner

Zellers Family Restaurant
Tillicum Centre
Suite 1444, 3170 Tillicum Rd.
Saanich, BC.
(250) 385-6623

J: I had a great time seeing Tron Legacy 3D with Ed (see his review of it at Linear Reflections), it was only natural to think of food. Practically any activity will make Ed and I hungry. Whether it’s working hard, wandering around town, watching a good movie, thinking of food, eating of food or just breathing.

So after two hours in a comfortable seat, we had the urge to shake our legs in the direction of the Zeller’s Family Restaurant at Tillicum Centre.

Now you may ask “what’s the point of writing a review for a restaurant that might be gone in a year or two?” My answer would be it’s here now and not all Zellers stores will be closing (to my understanding). I was a regular at the diner in the Hillside Centre location during the late 80’s to the early 90’s. I’ve always looked forward to many tasty burgers and quick chat served up by bionic waitress June. In the Tillicum location, they copy a 50’s nostalgia in decor and that suits me fine.

E: I can certainly say both places had a similar style of decor and I felt out-of-place. There were mostly seniors about. At least here in Tillicum, nothing much has changed. Continue reading →

02.28.11
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These Little Piggies Went To the Vintage Fair

The Little Piggy
D2-1284 Gladstone Ave,
Victoria, BC

(250) 386-1020

J: After a day at the Victoria Vintage Fair, all the browsing made me hungry. It was almost the flip of a coin between Little Piggy and Stir It Up. Fernwood has a number of great eateries but when your nearly skint after spending $25 on one of Sir Walter Scott’s works, Little Piggy is more within one’s financial grasp.

E: But you didn’t see me haggling, James. I managed to save a little so I could take us both out for some good eats.

Victoria’s sudden bout of winter weather didn’t stop James and I from having a merry ol’ time in Fernwood. While dodging snow flurries, we headed into Little Piggy for a taste of Mexican. Mind you, near the end of the day, James was almost looking like a merry old snowman himself.

For $16.50, we feasted on tacos and tostados. I asked for an extra one since I was feeling hungrier than a walrus.

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