Category Archives: Food

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

04.07.11
by

Taste That Took the Wrong Fork In the Road


Crossroads Bar & Grill

1889 Old Island Highway
Colwood, BC

Update:  (07/28/12) – Crossroads Bar & Grill is no longer at the 1889 Old Island Highway location.

Update: (0524/11) – Following the recent post from the owner of Crossroads Bar & Grill, I want to state clearly that the name of the “House Burger” information was given to me by their server on the night in question. I took that info in good faith but I have now been corrected thankfully by Crossroads. It is not their House Burger but their “Fundraiser Burger.”

Some people follow the philosophy that some things should be best kept a secret. And on many occasions I’d agree, but this time I can’t. I can no longer keep this secret.

It took place last year. I was invited to an evening fundraiser for a junior football team by a friend. The event was to take place at the Crossroads Bar & Grill. Tickets were roughly $20 which included a meal. Now don’t get me wrong, Crossroad’s has a nice look to it both inside and out although a little cramped for a guy like me. You only had to partially fill the bar to have me bump into waitresses and punters. Or maybe I’m just used to walking about like Godzilla minus the swinging tail. But it was the meal itself that keeps me from returning.

Continue reading →

03.30.11
by

Salty’s Service Makes Mealtime Mediocre

Salty’s Fish & Chips
738 Goldstream Ave.
Langford, BC
(250) 474-6662
When one mentions “chippy,” what pops to mind isn’t some chubby cherub dressed in school uniform with his own BBC sitcom. Fond memories of indie shops with cod and chips served over counter, wrapped in newsprint, are lovingly recalled. To me, it’s a slice of heaven and for a time, it was named Gosworth Fish & Chips. Finding oneself a nice shop with a friendly proprietor is gold — and one can only hope it’s there for generations to enjoy much like The Golden Fish Bar in Central London.

Salty’s is a chippy of some form, but it’s more of a seafood restaurant with decent interior. The business just pushes British as you walk in. A film poster of Norman Wisdom, autographed photos from Coronation Street and wall hangings of various British regions can give an air of familiarity to British born or raised. Salty’s even carries copies of the British Columbian for an ex-pat (or ex-pat at heart) to read while waiting for a meal.

Continue reading →

03.23.11
by

Doo-Wop Dinner

Zellers Family Restaurant
Tillicum Centre
Suite 1444, 3170 Tillicum Rd.
Saanich, BC.
(250) 385-6623

J: I had a great time seeing Tron Legacy 3D with Ed (see his review of it at Linear Reflections), it was only natural to think of food. Practically any activity will make Ed and I hungry. Whether it’s working hard, wandering around town, watching a good movie, thinking of food, eating of food or just breathing.

So after two hours in a comfortable seat, we had the urge to shake our legs in the direction of the Zeller’s Family Restaurant at Tillicum Centre.

Now you may ask “what’s the point of writing a review for a restaurant that might be gone in a year or two?” My answer would be it’s here now and not all Zellers stores will be closing (to my understanding). I was a regular at the diner in the Hillside Centre location during the late 80’s to the early 90’s. I’ve always looked forward to many tasty burgers and quick chat served up by bionic waitress June. In the Tillicum location, they copy a 50’s nostalgia in decor and that suits me fine.

E: I can certainly say both places had a similar style of decor and I felt out-of-place. There were mostly seniors about. At least here in Tillicum, nothing much has changed. Continue reading →

03.23.11
by

I Don’t Want This Brand, I Want That Udder Guys

The Udder Guys provides a nice creamy treat with their wild blackberry flavoured ice cream. The great thing about this is that I can’t taste the fat like I can with other brands. Out of all of my experiences, only Chapman’s surpasses The Udder guys. With such a price for a small container (500 ml), I was rather worried I was receiving very little bang for my buck—but I was wrong, the ice cream is sweet but not sickeningly so. And it only takes a few scoops to satisfy ones appetite.

Real berries from Vancouver Island were used. I’m not only finding the seeds in my treat but I’m also seeing the blackberry juices in the cream.

Buying ice cream with blackberries in it is better than foraging. Think of the trouble and time I’d save from picking them. Think of the clothing I won’t have to wash. And look mum, no bloody fingers! The Udder Guys do the job for me. While they certainly won’t show-up to garnish my ice cream with blackberries, they will garnish my blackberries with ice cream.

Purchased from Western Foods (Langford).

03.09.11
by

A Little Bit of Willie

Willie’s Bakery
537 Johnson Street
Victoria, BC
(250) 381-8414

A while ago, I went to Willie’s Bakery & Cafe with my pals, Don (of the Victoria Burger Blog) and Alex. I showed up early to grab a table before the lunch-time rush and somehow in that hustle and bustle, my order was mixed up.

I ordered the Eggs Benedict and asked for a salad instead of potatoes. When the dish arrived, I got the latter and I had to scratch my head. When considering how busy this place became, I didn’t want to waste any more time to point out the mistake to my server.

Continue reading →