Category Archives: Food

Your guide to some of the best and inviting food establishments.

01.04.15
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Pagliacci’s: The Best Lasagna in Town

PagsPagliacci’s
1011 Broad Street
Victoria, BC
(250) 386-1662

J: New Year’s day offers very few places for people to dine. Many of the city’s restaurants, cafés and bistros are closed up tight because there is probably very little money to be made in the tourist off-season. And they are probably correct, at least where downtown Victoria is concerned. After Christmas and Boxing Day, who really has money to dine? And what about those New Year’s hangovers?

But neither that or empty wallets appeared to deter people from going to Pagliacci’s. They are a local landmark on the restaurant scene for the last 34 years. Artists like Jim Byrnes (Highlander the Series, Beast Wars) have eaten here and even the great Etta James performed at Pag’s for their tenth anniversary. Even the owner, Howie Siegel is still a local celebrity. Originally, he was a Jewish kid from the Big Apple. Here at Pag’s, Howie brought a little of what makes New York City desirable into a little corner of the Inner Harbour.

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12.17.14
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Fishhook Swept Me Off My Feet, A Review

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805 Fort Street
Victoria, BC
Phone:(250) 477-0470

I’m definitely hooked on a feeling that I’m really high in believing that there’s a lot of great fish to taste at an eatery aptly named Fishhook. They have been in operation since August, but I haven’t had the opportunity to visit until now — when I firmly decided I needed more fish in my diet.

Mind you, with such a delectable range of proteins to be found here (from black cod to salmon) I figured I might as well start from the top of the menu and work my way down. What I enjoyed with The Tuna Melt ($7 for 1 or $12 for 2) was first and foremost the wonderfully toasted bread.

This diner gets their supply from Irene’s Bakery and their commitment to high quality ingredients is to be commended. Even the fish are harvested with love. They are brought in from sustainable sources and are Oceanwise. The lusciousness of the raw albacore tuna was more than simply divine; the soft and light buttery texture melted in my mouth. It was served at the right temperature to make this meal very enjoyable!

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12.11.14
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There’s no Need to Run to Cafe Mexico

CAFE-MEXICO-2013-12-111425 Store St.
Market Square
Victoria, BC
(250) 386-1425

Cafe Mexico has been in operation for as long as I can remember. I think it’s been in operation since the early 90’s. These days, I rarely wander into Market Square as often because there is no comic book store (Island Fantasy) and candy store (Fat Phege’s) to entice me towards the water. Well, there’s Oh Sugar across the street.

When I do shop here, I visit Avalon, a new age metaphysical/book store and Camera Traders often. I met up with a buddy, Brendan Gibson, and we agreed to check out Cafe Mexico, since we both felt hungry.

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11.14.14
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Shopping and Dining over at Mattick’s Farm

 

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Adrienne’s Restaurant and Tea Garden
5325 Cordova Bay Road
Saanich, BC
(250) 658-1535

A visit to the area known as Mattick’s Farm can only mean one of four things — you’re there to golf at the nearby Cordova Bay Golf Course, eat at Adrienne’s Restaurant and Tea Garden, shop in one of the many boutiques in the strip mall or buy food at Red Barn Market. I was there for half of a briskly cold day to warm the cockles of my stomach. I’ve heard Red Barn has some of the best and thickest sliced bacon on the island (from Metchosin Farm in what I found) and that I must test and have a snack at the diner. It’s small cozy atmosphere was just right on a busy day. The smell of Christmas was in the air at the nearby shops and although it’s not a place I’d get sundries from, I’m sure what’s offered is as great as stocking stuffers and tokens to visitors who are not from Victoria.

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10.07.14
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The Road to Cadboro Bay – A Food Review

Mutsuki-An
2056A Sinclair Rd.
Saanich, BC
(250) 595-0378

E: When James and I were last in Oak Bay, I came across a Japanese diner that featured an article about a forgotten favourite place I liked to go dine in during the 90’s. Was I feeling nostalgia? Yes, because the owner/operator closed up shop on Yates Street and ever since then, I wished I could find a place that could serve the style of thick noodled ramen that I came here to enjoy. Apparently, in the article, it said that he came out of retirement to open up Mutsuki-An. This business is now family run, but as for where he is, or if any of those old flavours can still be found, the menu did not say. Newer flavours could be found … but it took a while for us to find this place. For some reason, I could’ve sworn that it was located off Foul Bay Road. After visiting a different diner, off we were, through Oak Bay than leaving it, to find this Japanese restaurant. I still blame James for giving me false directions since obviously he did not know his way around this municipality.

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10.04.14
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Kim’s Vietnamese is a Guilty Pleasure

Kim's VietnameseKim’s Vietnamese Restaurant
748 Johnson St.
Victoria, BC
(250) 385-0455

E: If ever you are in the mood for the food of Vietnam, then you should try your taste buds on Kim’s on Johnson. I know I’m starting off this article by sounding like a commercial but how else am I going to get you to try the atmosphere this place offers. It’s low lighting and warm comfortable decor is perfect for anyone having a romantic dinner or in some people’s cases a bromantic one.

J: I knew the owner’s sons at good ol’ George Jay Elementary. Okay, it was no Blanshard but they had one hell of a library. To get to my point, I wasn’t going to let any sort of association get in my way of a restaurant review.

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