Category Archives: News

What is happening in your area.

12.16.12
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From the Ashes Rises Chef’s Quest

Note: This business is no longer at this location.

Chef’s Quest Cafe
760a Yates Street
Millie’s Lane
Victoria, B.C.

Sadly, the Jackalope has gone the way of the dodo. Both are extinct and they remain products of myth. In the alley near the Odeon Theatre that is seeing massive renovation, I have to assume that any business surviving there must be struggling through tough times, much like the stores of Daigon Alley when Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters were roaming free. Well, this analogy must ring true to some degree. To one side of Odeon Alley (or Millie’s Lane as it should be known) is a fenced off pit of despair, and the other: a few remaining businesses stay in operation.

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09.26.12
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New Restaurant to Spruce Up Old Yates

Like any man, curiosity gets the better of Ed (especially when it comes to ghosts) and I. And as we were waiting to go in to see the film Dredd at the Cineplex Odeon Victoria, we couldn’t help but be attracted to the close sounds of hammering and buzzing.

It was two doors down from the Cineplex that we located the source of the noise in the former Vietnam House and was met by a younger man named Mehmet.

He explained to us nosy food lovers that there is a new restaurant to open in the location of 788 Yates Street. As we listened further we were excited to learn the new eating establishment will be called Efes. This place will focus on authentic Turkish cuisine made from scratch and will make use of fresh local B.C. products.

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02.14.12
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A Big Wheel Update

I returned to the area of Cook Street Village to return videos to Pic A Flic and do what I planned on since reporting about this diner, and that’s to order their double double… well, a double patty burger. It was certainly much more filling and tastier. I could taste the grazed beef difference because of the volume, and has much changed?

Not really. With more meat to evaluate, it could do with some veins of bovine fat or being cooked with walnut oil (to bring out the flavour). Also, the condiments were not evenly spread out, but aside from that, I must say I commend their customer service.

I distinctly remembered that I ordered a double but when I looked at my bill afterwards, I saw that I paid for a single. When went to the counter to ask if a double is indeed coming my way, I was treated to a huge surprise. Not only did the staff corrected my order, but they did not ask me to pay the $2.25 difference. I received a complementary milkshake. There was even an apology by the manager which I found cool.

And since I got to try one their shakes, I have something new to report: I loved it. It was rich, creamy, and thick. The chocolate was not too strong. It even did not melt at all in the 15 mins it took for me to finish it off while on the way to town.

I have to say Big Wheel earned a huge point in its favour that day.

Big Wheel Burger on Urbanspoon

02.04.12
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Puerto’s New Location

For the fans of Puerto Vallarta Amigos or for those of you who are just dying to jump the border in reverse for the taste of authentic Mexican food, Puerto will be opening up a new location sometime in February of this year. This time they’ve upgraded from a food van to a floating eating establishment on Fishrman’s Wharf in the picturesque community of James Bay.

 

05.23.11
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A Quick Connoisseur’s Guide to Sea Urchin

In all the Japanese restaurants that I’ve frequented in the past five years, I have always asked if they have sea urchin (uni). Low grade pieces can be as salty and briny as one may expect, with a strong taste not befitting for most people to eat; and the uni one finds in grocery stores will most likely have been processed–further altering its taste.

They aren’t worth touching unless one is desperate. There are a few restaurants that may order these processed packs, but if one sees the real deal, spikes and all, the pieces of roe coming from off the sea is far better than what a processing factory may do.

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05.03.11
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Oak Bay’s Blethering Tea House’s New Face

Now known as Oak Bay Bistro, this new dining establishment has a new look and is open to the public. I came across this news when I picked up the May 2011 issue of Snap! Victoria, a photo newspaper spotlighting local culture.

Local designer J.C. Scott reworked the interior decor and according to this article, new booths were added, a new bar was built, and fancy lighting fixtures were created. A month was spent renovating this place. The new owners Bart Reed, partner in Moka House, Beagle Pub and Island Meat & Seafood in Cook Street Village, and Petr Prusa, the owner of Floyd’s Diner, couldn’t be any happier. The snapshots taken during their opening celebration showed some grandeouse smiles.

When our schedule permits, the Two Hungry Blokes crew will have to visit to see how well their meals fare. We can only hope this new establishment will continue some Blethering Place traditions. It’d make Robbie Burns proud.