Category Archives: Reviews

Read along as we seek out the best of what the British Columbia coast (and beyond) has to offer.

07.02.11
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Thrifty’s Back Bacon Day

b0180-thrifty2b008J: I only had one thing on my mind the day before Canada Day and that was back bacon! The idea of heading down to Thrifty Foods for some BBQ grilled Freybe’s back bacon. It had my mouth watering. I arrived at their Colwood location with money to donate (it’s suggested in their advertising).

E: And for those roosters out there, a great way to start the day. I’m more like the owl and I was yawning all the way to take a look at what’s happening at the Tuscany Village and Saanich Centre location since they’re nearby.

For this event, it’s all about location, location, location … any other detail doesn’t matter.

And quite simply: helping local communities. In Victoria, the money raised will go to Jeneece Place and on the mainland, to the BC Children’s Hospital. It’s great to see these grocers support these local causes.

J: And goodness knows I did my part. But I was a little disappointed I could only eat two before my stomach said, “no more!” Come on stomach, the back bacon was delicious! The staff were very friendly and I chatted with a few of them. But alas all good things must come to an end. Work was calling and I had to shuffle off (which was all I could manage on a full belly).

06.28.11
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This Better Be the Best F#%@in’ Coke Ever!

Fernwood Inn
1302 Gladstone Ave.
Victoria, BC
(250) 412-2001

J: After Two Hungry Blokes, came, saw and ate at Fernwood Bites 2011, it seemed only proper to keep Ed walking until the alcohol wore off (or wore out). Emergency coffee was needed and Fernwood Inn only too gladly supplied. This place has changed from its days as the George & Dragon.

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06.28.11
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Fernwood Bites Back

Fernwood Bites 2011
Fernwood Square
Victoria, BC
June 26, 2011

E: At the rate I was flying on a Sunday, the early evening couldn’t come any sooner. Expectations were very high between James and I for Fernwood Bites, and I must say, we weren’t disappointed. It helped us identify what the best of Fernwood is all about: locally grown products and innovation.

Aubergine Speciality Foods, a quaint grocery store, was our first stop and we were greeted with rustic tomatoes and Cherry Coke from Great Britain!

J: I was keeping my eyes on the groceries from the UK, the locally grown produce and those South African teas. But let’s not forget the baked goods and fair trade coffee. Mmmm, cookies with macadamia nuts.

I walked away with something for almost everyone in my family. My dad loved that Heirloom tomato.

While Ed rushed off after forgetting his wallet and apparently his pants too (he was flashing knees in khaki shorts), I took my mark near the Fernwood Bites starting line.

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06.28.11
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Boylan’s Natural Root Beer

Available at Aubergine Specialty Foods and the Market on Millstream.

If I have to describe Boylan’s product in one word it would be “delicious.” But I don’t have to and if I did, it’d make for a very short article and this company deserves better. I discovered their brand of old-fashioned soda on a trip to one of the well-known local eateries, the Little Piggy.

Jersey’s Boylan Bottling Company is located in the area of the Hackensack River Watershed (a funny Jersey name) in the small town of Moonachie (which even sounds funnier). Their product was registered a year before Coca-Cola (1891.) And there are other good things that’ve come from New Jersey, such as the Four Seasons, Kevin Smith and Abbott & Costello. And if you believe the Moonachie locals, the Berry Creek Restaurant.

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06.21.11
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Wannawafel To My Heart


Wannawafel
Market Square
102-560 Johnson St.
Victoria, BC
(250) 590-5300

J: Wannawafel as a business is a complete no-brainer. Victoria has always been accepting of a good waffle recipe but it took a local Belgian family with their own recipes to turn something good into what might become a multi-million dollar franchise.

The family has gained previous success on an episode of CBC’s Dragon’s Den, a show where millionaires sit and listen to business ideas and product pitches only to get richer in the process. It’s not my cup of tea but something must be right if the Dragons see the potential.

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06.19.11
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Golden Boy Blues

Golden City Restaurant
721 Fisgard Street
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 386-8404

Going out for dim sum with my relatives have often made for a traditional Sunday brunch. That’s when it’s most popular. But to sate a sudden craving, it can be found served on other days of the week and sometimes not even brought out in a cart. That’ll depend on the restaurant.

When going out with friends, it was a plan concocted the night before. My friend, Qué Banh, had a craving and checked to see who was interested in an impromptu gathering. Also there was her father, Chan Hai, and her friend, Triana Avis.

When we arrived at Golden City, Qué was disappointed that the carts weren’t being wheeled around. She said it took away from the entire dim sum experience.

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