Category Archives: Reviews

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

04.27.11
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Fine Dining at the Chalet

Today’s installment comes from our guest writer, Michael Allen, the webmaster of 28 Days Later Analysis, an informative website dedicated to news and reviews in the independent horror entertainment scene.

Deep Cove Chalet
11190 Chalet Road North
West Saanich, BC
(250) 656-3541

The French-styled Deep Cove Chalet has been a fine dining experience along the west coast for over forty years. It is run by married couple Pierre & Bev Koffel. Lunch and dinner are served between Wednesday and Sunday, with the summer season offering courses on the beautiful deck, overlooking the water.

The complimentary fresh poppy seed bread and cold bottles of water helped clean the palette as we anticipated new tastes. This dining occasion was a birthday celebration and the co-owner, Bev, provided chocolate truffles for Mercia. The smiles were genuine and the service was delivered on a very high level of professionalism and care.

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04.14.11
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When James goes awry, Ed gets to play

Maude Hunter’s Pub
3810 Shelbourne St.
Victoria, BC

(250) 721-2337

I’m left with the task of holding down the fort because my partner, James, is struggling through some tough financial times. That means we won’t be doing as many articles together. Not like this mattered before, since we live in two different areas of Victoria, but this news is important for those readers looking for our humorous banter about the eateries we hit.

The straight man is out and the little fella will be running around loose.

So down the road I went, to Maude Hunter’s Pub to enjoy a meal and to hang out with my buddies from the Nexus Newspaper. It was the end of the Fall/Winter publishing year and we usually have a gathering before people spread their wings as Spring hits.

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04.07.11
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Trip the Fountain Fantastic

Fountain Diner
#102-2800 Bryn Maur Road
Langford, BC
(250) 590-6130

I said I was going to return to Fountain Diner for their lunch and boy was I surprised…at the line-up.

But once more, my parents were in tow as willing test subjects. Breakfast before was a disaster but what about lunch? I had seen Fountain’s previous advertisement for line cooks and I hoped it was of some good. I wasn’t willing to look my dad in the face for a second time just to see his disappointment.

I ordered their ‘Bad Ass Burger’ with fries that came to a slightly higher price of $12.49. It came with the usual trimmings of tomato, lettuce, mushrooms and cheese under a whole wheat bun top. An addition was red onion rings and bacon. Perhaps ‘Bad Breath Burger’ would be a more suitable name.

It’s not hard to make a burger but for some it’s harder to make a decent one.

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04.07.11
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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.

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03.30.11
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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.

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