Category Archives: Reviews

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

02.15.11
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Fine Dining in Bastion Square

Today’s Valentine’s Day instalment 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.

Camille’s Restaurant

45 Bastion Square
Victoria, BC
(250) 381-3433

Camille’s Restaurant is a fine dining establishment located in the heart of Victoria. Situated just a stone’s throw away from where Judge Begbie (The Hanging Judge) sentenced his court attendees, Camille’s is situated near the inner harbour, in Bastion Square. This restaurant has been cooking in this locale for over twenty years and the excellent dining experience therein is widely known. The food is exceptional; however, so are the prices!

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02.12.11
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[Victoria Film Festival ’11] The Chef of the South Polar, A Movie Review

It’s very rare when I get a chance to write about my interest in film on this blog. When there’s a foodie connection, I just knew I had to write about it. That’s assuming I can squeeze into a jam-packed theatre.

I can’t say I was impressed with the venue, the Empire Theatre (formerly known as Capitol 6) that the Victoria Film Festival uses. The individual movie screening rooms felt small. And after seeing another film at the Odeon half a block away, if this movie was shown there, they would’ve accommodated the dozen or so stragglers who wanted to see the film, but were denied due to the film being sold out.

Thankfully, my patience won out and I managed to see this movie, and it certainly had me hungry at the end!  The acting is very sublime and the subtitled translation is good. What I particularly enjoyed about this movie is its enduring quality: the look at the human condition of being torn away from civilization was at the heart of this film. When the lifeline is only a phone call away, just how many people really want to pay $8 a minute just to talk with loved ones, or even to the operator at the opposite end of the line.

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01.27.11
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Three Girls for Two Blokes

Osaka Sushi
1951 Oak Bay Ave.
Oak Bay, BC
(250) 590-6650

E: Oak Bay has a little secret, there’s a great place to hit for sashimi and it’s known as Osaka Sushi. While the graphic designer in me cringed at the familiarity of a papyrus-like font in their signage, I’m glad I didn’t let it deter me from walking in to try their food.

After heading to The Blethering Place for haggis earlier that night, I was still hungry. Instead, what caught my eye were the pretty waitresses …

J: On my previous trips to Oak Bay, I always passed by this cosy looking restaurant. But to actually sit down in a private booth and relax to smooth jazz while the world marches on outside, is bliss. Our servers were fast, polite and yes, attractive. I wanted for nothing while in their care.

Green tea was served while I spun my head at their extensive menu. It came in two parts and I warn you, it’s not for a potential indecisive like myself. If you can get over that hurdle, the prices are very reasonable.

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01.25.11
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Great Chieftain o’ the Puddin-race!

The Blethering Place
2250 Oak Bay Ave.
Oak Bay, BC

Update: (02/01/11) – The Blethering Place is no longer at the 2250 Oak Bay Ave. location.

J: What started out as a celebration for a pre-Robbie Burns day turned into a wake for the Blethering Place. The little old tea room, woven into the fabric of Oak Bay’s society, is closing. Yes, that’s right. According to staff members, the owner, Ken Agate, sold the establishment to Floyd’s Diner, who allegedly plans to convert it into a bistro.

Closure is expected to take place at the end of January. With what little time there is left, I would suggest a visit (or revisit) to this grand old lady before she’s defrocked.

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12.31.10
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The Year in Revue

Has it been eight months already? Although I’ve never been one to consider an end of year review of my culinary adventures, James gnawed on my arm and said we should write one.

In no particular order, the highlights of what I’ve experienced had to be in consuming more cherry coke and gourmet burgers in the past two years than at any other time.

I still have to rank Connoisseur Catering a great place to hit for packed lunch meals and for opening my taste buds up to the delights of real tasty bison. The mushroom soup I tried from them on another visit was perfect. Which leads me to my still ongoing quest for fries done right and they can be bought locally.

While Kennebac potatoes do make a difference in taste from Red Fish Blue Fish, there’s more than just how they’re cut up and cooked up. There’s a distinction and if the waitress asks for how you like them, that’s a sign of a great diner that cares about its product.

There are three ways to serve them: kettle, fry and chip. Some places fry them up once and not every place double-dips to keep ’em nice and warm.

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12.29.10
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Stop the Heart Attack, I Want To Get Off

(250) 382-8282

E: In a very windy holiday season, both James and I needed some warm liquid to keep our spirits up. The Fairmont Empress’ Festival of Trees was a decent diversion, but after the Dutch Bakery, I was still feeling hungry.

We headed to the aptly named James Bay Tea Room and Restaurant because it was all James’ fault. Really, it was. I’ve never felt so full afterwards because this place served more than just teas.

J: This was another of my “heard of it but never tried it” trips. After going Dutch I was in the mood for familiar UK surroundings. The James Bay Tea Room recently refurbished their dining area. I can see why people come here. It’s very cozy. The place is decorated with photos of various members of the royal family. Royal memorabilia adorned shelves that spanned much of the dining room.

During this festive season, the tea room took liberties with the hanging of mistletoe above the front entrance. It says too much when even elderly women won’t sneak me a Christmas kiss.

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