Wild Ginger
1401 3rd Ave
Seattle, WA
(206) 623-4450
It’s easy to become lost in the decision-making process of what to eat at the Wild Ginger. The menu has a delectable smörgåsbord of South Asian-inspired delights and the cocktails are even more savoury. I needed a map to guide me along what I wanted to sample in the temple that I entered into. During the evening, the candle lights made the dining experience like that of going swami entering a pagoda to meditate in.
1115 N Park St #2
Victoria, BC
(778) 433-5215
I miss being able to buy Cold Comfort Ice Cream at nearby outlets like The Root Cellar. This dessert is made in small batches and the unique flavour combinations are what makes this brand special. Ever since the Canadian Food Inspection Agency came in to say this product can not be sold elsewhere due to insufficient labelling (it did not conform to legislative standards), I have to visit the shop in the North Park neighbourhood of Downtown Victoria.
The issue came down last year in December and my craving for this local delicacy did not hit until recently. I discovered on their Facebook page photos showing rose water and lavender flavoured delights. I crossed my finger and hoped those were still available. I love the exotic flavours this local company offers! There’s a texture in their products not created by other brands. I love it when companies innovate. Ben and Jerry has competition!
The fact that Cold Comfort’s base of operations offers ice cream mashed in between cookies, graham crackers or a doughnut only cemented my need to visit sooner than later. I don’t want to wait for the Spring or Summer months to arrive to sate my taste buds.
Recently, they’ve been offering some unique flavours like Earl Grey and Blueberry Swirl. I wanted to savour every remaining bit off my plate. Anyone watching me would think I’m making love with the pottery. While those type of manners do not fly, is what I’m doing wrong? I ordered this cream sandwiched between a doughnut supplied by Empire Doughnuts.
On a cool night, even at the start of Spring, this company’s product certainly hits the spot. The store is open late on Fridays for the dating crowd, and who cares if I arrived alone. When I need to embrace Cold Comfort, I’m just there. With this place also selling Emile’s Organic Bread and Four Quarters Meats for sturdier meals, I may come here instead of hitting the grocery store for loading up on snacks for my trip to Seattle next month!
The best thing to know about Emerald City Comicon (ECCC) or Sakuracon at the Washington State Convention Center is that there are great nearby places to dine in before or after the show. People don’t have to go eat at the overpriced Cheesecake Cafe. I liked them once, but there are better options for the frugal con-goer.
Varying locations in Duncan, BC
(250) 244-6492
Would you believe I went to a broad spectrum gaming type event just for the food trucks parked here? I had this plan in mind ever since LANtasy announced the Duncan-based operation, Taco Revolution, will be coming down to feed the hungry masses. Between this truck and Coast Lunch Box (they have really tasty rosemary garlic fries with truffle oil aioli), I had my motivation in place although I was not all that hungry for the show itself. I’m saving up for Seattle‘s Emerald City Comicon — every dollar counts when I’m thinking about current foreign exchange rates.
With help from my friends at VicLUG, I changed my mind the next day because I truly appreciate what this gaming convention is doing for the local geek community. When I’ve been spoiled by the big conventions with a huge variety of exhibits and discussions, to go back to basics is difficult. Even the local events can be spectacular when done right, but when this exhibition did not offer panels this year for folks to learn about the latest rumblings in the industry, well …. This detail will be corrected for future events tho’. When I go to a show, I like to learn and discover. I wrote an article on Otakunoculture.com, where I looked at the show from the perspective of an outsider instead of someone immediately in the know.
I too felt affected by the sour impression the staff of Island Fantasy Con left upon the fan community when they took over the reigns and announced the cancellation after Bill Code fell deathly ill. He was no longer in control. I’m not as upset as others are, but with Mr. Code as the face of that operation, he needs to make a statement to clear the air. Whatever the reaction is, I’m sure voices will be heard calling for a revolution.
E: I’ve done the BC Ferries Pacific Buffet on and off over the years when I’ve missed a meal in trying to get to the ferry on time. Sometimes in my planning, arriving can be a close call, but other times — especially with James around — we have a sizable gap as wide as his belly.
To err is human but to eat a man’s worth of delicious ferry food (insert sarcasm here) requires watching James stumble when the ferry tips over because of some ocean wave.
J: All of Ed’s mocking aside, we made it early to the ferry that was to depart to Vancouver. I hadn’t much of a breakfast to digest and paying almost $8 for an egg salad sandwich at the Swartz Bay terminal would require a lobotomy on my part. I was hungry but not at those prices. And the idea of eating in the cafeteria on the ferry wasn’t appetizing either. For a man like me, the buffet is a cheaper option.
Saigon Char-Broil Vietnamese Restaurant
3710 Tillicum Rd,
Tillicum Centre
Saanich, BC
(778) 432-2000
E: To have a dinner and a movie altogether on the same day is not easy in the area of Tillicum. I somehow managed to convince James to see a horror film (a genre he doesn’t care for) and we both wanted a healthy option beyond popcorn and soda. Saigon Char-broil was very close and we didn’t have to cross the highway to get to Cineplex’s Silvercity Tillicum Location.
J: Ed, like me doesn’t like going to the movies on his own. It’s much more fun with a friend but you’d be surprised at how many people want to sit in front of a computer rather than get out of the house, even if you offer them a free pass. Stopping for a meal at a restaurant (including Saigon) makes more sense then spending roughly the same money or more on junk food at the theatre. I’ll have a snack if I’m at Vic Theatre, Sidney’s Star Cinema, or even UVic’s Cinecenta but if it’s a big corporation owned movie house like Silvercity, I put my money where I think it’ll do the most good, with the mom and pop food operations.
E: Mind you, that doesn’t stop James from getting sweetened yogurt from within the theatre operation. One large bowl of pho’ later, he was on dessert faster than I could swipe my SCENE card to see a film for free. That’s including trying to hear him say yes to my offer to treat him to the movies for the night. Mind you, when it comes to the drinks from this restaurant, I can go through a glass of pineapple juice in no time!
twohungryblokes.com 