Category Archives: Food

09.04.11
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How to do the Fringe Part 4: Going Club Med

Blair Mart Mediterranean Foods
924 Pandora Ave
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 721-1626 ‎

The fact that this grocery store is open after 8pm can easily have me singing the praises to Allah than that other deity. But if I am to look around the corner, I might find a shrine to Zeus tucked way and I’d still be awestruck.

To see this store still open (9pm) after Whiskey Bars: a kabarett with the songs of Kurt Weill must show that the staff has dedication. Actually, I think there’s only one guy who operates this store and he’s very accommodating to the night life in Victoria. People can venture in to buy groceries or grab a bite to eat nearly any time of the day. There’s a small deli serving up Halva’s, Nougats, and Baklavas. For me, it’d be the authentic and homemade Turkish Delights.

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09.04.11
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How to do the Fringe Part 3: On the Bison Trail

5th Street Bar & Grill
1028 Hillside Ave.
Victoria, BC
(250) 380-4600

Ever since Connoisseur Catering’s storefront operation was forced into closure (the building’s space wasn’t up to code), I had to wonder where could I get my bison fix. Sadly, I don’t think much of where Pink Bicycle gets their bovinae (it’s from Vancouver Island Bison), and when I was last at 5th Street Bar and Grill, I asked where they get their meat. They gave me the answer that nearly made me go Hallelujah. It’s Albertan.

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09.02.11
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How to do the Fringe Part 2: Sammiches!

Sam’s Deli & Bistro
805 Government Street
Victoria, BC (250) 382-8424

I ran into my friend Janine just as I was heading to see Zack Adams: Love Songs For Future Girl and here I was, with a bag of chips and a bottle of pop as my dinner. Oh boy, did I ever look sad.

After she looked at what I had, I tucked the chips into my satchel, and we walked down to Government St. for the healthier option at Sam’s Deli. This place is a favourite of her’s, and hopefully I’ll get her to insert a review too.

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09.01.11
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How to do the Victoria Fringe Festival: Going Japanese?

The Victoria Fringe Festival has grown and so has my waistline. With this event celebrating its 25th year, I knew this was one party I couldn’t miss. When this event has regular venues that remain consistent every year, one thing I will often do his hit familiar dining spots to satisfy my appetite. Fast food does not always mean hitting burger joint. Maki Rolls are considered fast food in Japan, and while there’s no option for Takoyaki here in Victoria, there are a few establishments to get a quick bite in before a show. When the Metro Studio, St. Andrews (Downtown Victoria) and Langham Court Theatre (Oak Bay) are very close by, there’s a few places nearby to get a snack in.

In Gordon Head, where St. Michael’s Richmond Campus lay, there’s even Fujiya’s Grocery. This place is well-known for churning out meals by the truck-load. They close at 7pm.  Herein contains my picks for folks looking for a bit of Nippon for their Fringe show for this year and beyond, as these operations show no sign of closing.

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08.29.11
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Going Green for Ice Cream

Call me spoiled, or call me Asian, but I certainly love my green tea. Depending on the plant used, the flavour can be exotically smooth or gently earthy. To infuse it as a flavour to go along with ice cream is tricky, and I can’t always visit a restaurant to sate my craving. Some establishments manufactures them in house but others will just buy a stock brand and dole them out for customers to enjoy.

In the few specialty ice-cream establishments I went to in town, the Marble Slab Creamery scores on the very good scale in making a smooth, buttery, green tea combination that I’d consider great, but also very sweet.

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08.27.11
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On the Hunt for Pearls of Passion

Oh Saturday, my warm Saturday, how must I love thee? It’s August, and there was no friggin way I was going to spend the day indoors. I had a sudden yen for oysters and while I could’ve gone to The Oyster Bar, it wasn’t happy hour yet. I thought I’d kill two birds with one stone by checking out two direct competitors on Fisherman’s Wharf by the Inner Harbour.

But first, I had to hit the Beacon Drive-In just to see how this place fares with its meals.

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