Category Archives: Food

05.06.26
by

Is Cocobella Victoria Singing the Kokomo?

606 Johnson St
Victoria, BC

Phone: (250) 388-3111
Hours: 8 a.m.–12 a.m. (Daily)
Website: https://www.instagram.com/cocobellacanada/

When I was downtown for Free Comic Book Day last weekend, I showed up early enough to beat the crowd, but not early enough to beat the growl in my stomach. By the time I reached Johnson Street, most breakfast options were still rubbing the sleep out of their eyes. Maybe I should’ve wandered over to Broad Street instead. Le Croissant Chaud on the 1300-block might have been the smarter call, but Cocobella was right there. When a lot of corner eateries don’t seem to last long before a changeover to another food operation, I think a lot of areas are just “cursed.”

Since I didn’t expect anything on my comic list to quickly vanish, I figured I had time. That confidence started to wobble once my order at this Indian-inspired café began dragging its feet. A fully cooked sandwich can take up to ten minutes and I get that. Not every operation microwaves the food like Starbucks. But an iced pistachio latte? At one point, I wondered if they were hand-foraging the nuts out back.

Continue reading →
03.04.26
by

An Arcana Food & Spirits Update: Where The Ghosts May Lay, Over Time Not Everything Stays

Ed at Arcana (and Skull)

Arcana Food & Spirits
238 Abbott St
Vancouver, BC

During the Fan Expo Vancouver weekend, I returned to Arcana Food and Spirits in Gastown, and they certainly did not disappoint! On the eve before Valentine’s Day, the calm before the storm was certainly there! From the neon glow of a pet parlour in disguise outside to the noir-styled interior, the visit had the Twilight Zone intro play in the back of my mind. 

I was amused that I sat at the same spot as last year, when I first visited. But this time, I had my friend along; Susan and I have gone on paranormal investigations together, and she really wanted to check this place out after I gushed about it last year. And we had a fantastic time admiring the occult decor in closer detail and interacting with Zotar. Although I did not see anyone getting a fortune, I was mildly tempted, but didn’t want to test my fate.

Continue reading →
02.04.26
by

Franchised, Familiar, and Forgettable? University Heights Mall’s New Appetite

University Heights MallAlthough University Heights Mall is no longer what it was more than five years ago, if not a decade, the new façade of tall, looming structures stacked over lived-in space feels sterile and uninviting. What replaced it lacks the charm I grew up with: the roundabout staircases, the awkward corners, the small-town feel that made the mall feel human. No, I’m not asking to live forever in some nostalgic loop, but when news broke that the property had been sold to an American firm, my heart sank for good reason.

There used to be smaller brunch spots and a sense of community here, back when Gauntlet Games occupied the space. These were places run by people you recognized, places that felt rooted. Now, as glass-and-concrete buildings near completion and independent eateries quietly vanish, the corporate blueprint becomes impossible to ignore. What made this area distinct is being flattened into something efficient, repeatable, and ultimately disposable. When local businesses are replaced almost entirely by franchise food operations, the direction isn’t subtle. The decision has already been made.

With the arrival of Kinton Ramen, Chipotle, and Ono Poké & Grill in the new centre, brand loyalty replaces discovery. Fans of these names know exactly what they’re getting before they arrive, which is precisely the point. These operations anchor the ground floor, apartment towers stacked neatly above them, creating a self-contained ecosystem where residents are encouraged to spend without ever leaving the building. The smell of hot food drifting upward isn’t accidental; it’s part of the design.

Continue reading →

12.03.25
by

When the Hype Is Hotter Than the Chicken: Cafe Malabar

Don at Cafe Malabar

Cafe Malabar
407 Swift St
Victoria, BC

Hours: Weds–Thurs: 12–2:15 p.m., 4–8 p.m.
Fri–Sat: 12–2:15 p.m., 4–8:30 p.m.
Sun: 12–2:15 p.m., 4–8 p.m.

Website: cafemalabar.ca
Phone: (780) 600-0005

DK: Well it took us a while, but we finally touched down (please forgive the aviation pun) at Victoria’s representative in Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants for 2024 list. They’ve also gone back to back belly to belly as Yam Magazine’s Best South or Southeast Asian restaurant in 2024 and 2025. To be specific, the cuisine of Kerala. So naturally there were some expectations going into this one. Would the Kerala Fried Chicken be “something to write home about” as Air Canada “eater-in-chief”

Tara O’Brady said in her review? Or would I be saving the stamp and just clickety-clacking out a few weary witterings to Ed?

ES: This travel weary individual would say yes, while some dishes popped, other did not.

Continue reading →
09.03.25
by

Doner Delight Takes Over Broad Street — Will It Last?

Doner Delight Storefront1280 Broad St Victoria, BC Phone: (250) 382-3147 Menu: donerdelight.ca Hours: 11 am tp 9pm (most days) Delight has taken over the space that used to be Old Vic Fish & Chips, and suddenly I feel old. The former establishment and its owners tried to keep it afloat, but sadly, that wasn’t meant to last. Also gone is West Coast Waffles, which closed as the pandemic faded. It had been a local favourite for more than a decade, so its closure came as a surprise. Among the remaining eateries in and around Trounce Alley, a few have withstood the test of time, but there’s a sense of a slight curse affecting this block. With Doner Delight now in the mix, I’m not convinced this new place will last either. One reason for my skepticism is the price: a doner averages $16. I expected an American-sized, stuffed portion—something I can usually get at Maham & Pop’s Donair & Poutine on Quadra (currently temporarily closed). With similar operations popping up around town, the question of “who does it best” is wide open. I tried the beef donair with the works, but somehow I was hungry again almost immediately. Traffic during my late-lunch visit was light, and sadly, I don’t think this spot will last much longer either. Looking back at past eateries on Broad Street / Trounce Alley paints a colourful picture of the block’s history. Old Vic Fish & Chips (1316 Broad St) closed in January 2023 due to redevelopment of the historic Duck’s Building into a 135-room hotel. Toby’s, remembered locally as a classic fish-and-chips spot, and Lee’s Smorgasbord, an upstairs restaurant, also lived in community memory. Further back, Medieval Inn and Peking Buffet appear in local history threads. And of course, West Coast Waffles (1235 Broad St, 2010–2024) delighted the neighbourhood with inventive sweet and savoury waffles, gluten-free and vegan options, and late-night hours—even until 4 a.m. Its closure marked the end of a decade-long era for locals. Old Vic and West Coast Waffles both represent the charm and nostalgia of Broad Street’s culinary history. Doner Delight now steps into this space, but between the price point and light traffic, I’m unsure it will withstand the test of time. Only time will tell if it can carry the torch or join the growing list of short-lived ventures on this block. 3 Blokes out of 5
06.04.25
by

H-mart Victoria Is Finally Open! And Everyone Loves This Operation, Moreorless. 

H-Mart Front

Although H Mart is a U.S. based grocery store specializing in Asian (Korean) products, the current climate in Canada to not support American-based operations/goods did not stop the masses from checking out the grand opening. This place can do better by not carrying the usual Coca-Cola, Ferrero Group and the like, but I digress. Even on the second weekend, when I visited, it was packed. It felt like I was walking through a mini-Costco at Mayfair Shopping Centre. I sampled as much Korean food as possible and looked for the deals.

And the range of expanded Asian goods, when compared to other local operations, is the best I’ve seen in ages. I’ve visited T&T Supermarket in Vancouver, and the vast range of products is equally comparable. Had this operation decided on selling only South Korean, Chinese, and Japanese manufactured items, I’d shop very often here. Sadly, the pricing is no better than other places. A careful buyer is best advised to monitor H Mart’s weekly flyers to know where to go to buy those 5 packs of instant ramens!

Continue reading →