Author Archives: Two Hungry Blokes

06.08.10
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Defending Our Waistlines (Part Two)

3rd Annual ICC – Defending Our Backyard

E: Y’know, if I was to count out the number of vendors offering food over drinks, I think I sipped more than I ate. Yvonne didn’t get to try as much because she was allergic to half the foods offered. There were oysters and salmon to be found! And no one’s going to stop me from taking seconds or thirds on oyster alley. Well, except for when a few vendors ran out and they closed down early. After the event, I was still feeling a bit canivorous and there was no deer in sight.

J: With all the seafood dishes about, I kind of likened us to the Walrus and the Carpenter from Lewis Carroll’s Alice Through the Looking Glass. We did look the pair as we waddled around the green, trying to entice our share of shellfish.

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06.08.10
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Sea Bluff Farm – Fireweed Honey

Unfiltered Fireweed Honey
Sea Bluff Farm
565 Wootton Rd.
Metchosin, BC
(250) 590-7415

Much can be said about consuming the golden smoothness of unfiltered fireweed honey. I purchased a large bottle ($20) from Sea Bluff Farm and I hope there’s enough to last me awhile. I could see the lighter yellow of the honey inside the mason jar. To me, unfiltered means all natural, including all the stuff the bees leave behind, so why mess with a good thing?

While Fireweed is considered the most sought after honey available, I definitely wouldn’t ignore other types. The taste of honey can vary depending on the region and the process used by the beekeeper.

Since I’m British in descent, I decided to have my first taste by using the tried and true toast with tea method: A cup of Red Rose and two slices of buttered toast. I spread a good amount of honey on my toast but I refrained from drowning the two slices. With unfiltered fireweed honey (or at least with Sea Bluff’s) you need to avoid being overpowered by the natural sweetness. The delicate taste will trick you.

I settled in for a bit of heaven. I quietly wondered if bees have tea breaks? Has a bee ever been fired for dipping into the company vat? Do ants go to discos? The strange things one thinks when under the influence of tea and honey.

Shopper’s Tip: When purchasing honey in the province of B.C., it is always a good idea to support our own bee keepers by purchasing their products.

For more information on local beekeepers or beekeeping visit the Capital Region Beekeepers Association.

06.07.10
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A New Urban Bite

E: The community of Fernwood is a really nice place to visit, and I really wish I lived here. I feel right at home, and just attending their inaugural foodie fest is just temptation in action. Especially with all the good restaurants located here. To name a few, there’s Lucy’s In the Square, the Cornerstone Cafe, Fernwood Inn and Stir it Up. And all of them didn’t disappoint at this event.

J: And don’t forget the wonderful Little Piggy, Ed. I definitely felt very comfortable among the crowd. I talked with people I didn’t know, bumped into those I did and enjoyed the very social atmosphere that was Fernwood Bites. I’ll be planning a return. Aubergine is just one of a a few businesses that really caught my attention. They’re also highly regarded too.

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05.31.10
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Defending our Backyard, Arr!

J: Let me just say, the Island Chefs’ Collaborative 3rd Annual Food Festival has shown me how many more great people I have yet to meet. It was a beautiful sight to see caterers, farmers, restaurateurs and chefs all working towards one goal.

That is the promotion of local food. What I observed today was a drop of water from a very large pond. I hope over time we can bring these people to your attention.

E: And stuff our faces!

Defending our Backyard was like storming the barn doors, and going to see what the higher class restaurants offer without having to go there. I wouldn’t say it’s cheaper, but it’s a way to sample what each place could do before deciding to boldly go where no hungry man has gone before.

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05.28.10
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Spin me an Ice Cream

8aa3174ec22106894fe617617391a7a3_400x400Spinnakers Brew Pub
308 Catherine Street
Victoria West, BC
(250) 384-2739

What’s in an essence—the flavour? the spirit within? Perhaps it’s the divine force that’s unique to each and every soul.

In this case, it’s what’s unique to each and every ingredient. Spinnaker’s prides themselves in locally grown and produced products, and while I stopped by to purchase tickets to the coming Island Chefs’ Collaborative 3rd annual food festival, Defending our Backyard, I couldn’t help but notice they were selling ice cream too, at $6 per 12 oz tub.

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05.24.10
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Carribean Cooking Calypso

The Reef
533 Yates St.
Victoria, BC
(250) 388-5375

E: Avast ye mates! Shiver me timbers and gimme a beach to land on. Where I be today is at the Reef. In the Caribbean and ready to sample some rye. But, it’s really a bottle of rum that I seek.

J: Add tasteful mosaic tiles, one lifeless parrot (Monty Python sketch not included) and a bar that’d you expect at a beach, that’s only scratching the surface.

I rather enjoyed this place and I grooved to reggae music (or maybe my pants were too tight). Our friendly and helpful waitress even had that cock-eyed attitude that I love. If Blackbeard walked by and asked to use the little pirate’s room, I wouldn’t have batted an eye.

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