Category Archives: Reviews

03.01.16
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Victoria, BC Gets a Visit from The Phantom of the Opera!

Phantom

The St. Michaels University School performing arts department puts on at least one musical theatre production per year, usually during Victoria Fringe Festival time, and I’ve been fortunate enough to watch more than a few recognizable faces grow up before my eyes. While I have to admit I don’t follow all this school’s productions (this film and nerd enthusiast’s life gets hectic at times), but after seeing their version of Phantom the Opera at McPherson Theatre last weekend only further enhances my appreciation in the shows they love to put on. In the past, they have done West Side Story, Pirates of Penzance and Jesus Christ Superstar. These are shows I could have gone to see, but I’m still holding out for Grease and Hairspray.

Theatre director Ian Collett revealed to the Two Hungry Blokes early on last year about what was next after their Fringe show, Band Geeks. I enjoy Andrew Lloyd Webber‘s works and have only watched and listened to his shows through recordings. Being island bound does not prevent me from going to the big shows in Seattle, but it does get expensive. I really have to pick and choose when I hear about a must see show off the island but for the Phantom, he’s one who must not slip away!

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02.25.16
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Omakase to My Heart! New Sushi Diner in Town!

12487051_660976984044593_3501945316300320856_o990 Blanshard St
Victoria, BC
(778) 265-8688

On a wet February night in Downtown Victoria, life was very good. Here I am, headed to Parkside Hotel & Spa to screen Empire of Corpses (屍者の帝国) as part of the Victoria Film Festival, and I passed by a corner to find it’s now occupied by a new Japanese restaurant. A few doors ahead was Yokohama, which has now changed to a Chinese only restaurant, and in bold letters read Omakase. I knew what that word meant in Japanese — the selection comes from the chef, and from Shingo Sano, I was wooed by the offer of fresh Japanese mackerel, local geoduck and fresh uni — all of it was delectable. I swear it came out of the ocean that day. There was a bit of processing on the sea urchin, meaning it was probably handled that morning, but I could feel the roe from the sea urchin tickle my tongue like a certain lover I met long ago.

Did I miss the anime? Fortunately not, but I was tempted to head in again on that night. I did visit this diner on the previous day, only to have my movie going schedule altered due to my food coma, but the price I paid was well worth it. I had intended to go see The Lobster, and wanted to celebrate by having the hefty lobster roll offered here. After seeing the size of that maki, I did not want to rush the meal by any means.

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02.23.16
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Fol Epi and the Yates Street Eater’s Bonanza!

fol epi IMG_4093Fol Epi
732 Yates St,
Victoria, BC
(778) 265-6311

Yates street is truly becoming a diner’s paradise. On one side of the street is Foo Asian Street Food, Hernande’z and Yates Street Taphouse. And on the other side is Cenote, Efes, Brickyard Pizza and Fol Epi, the latter being the latest occupant to a very busy street in what I consider to be the true downtown core of Victoria, BC. James will hate me, but Sushi Plus doesn’t count. They offer cheap Japanese treats, but my experiences here is less than stellar when nearly most of their offerings just does not have the flavour intensity I enjoy.

During the Victoria Film Festival, I found myself coming to Fol for more than just one quick bite. They have sandwiches I can buy on the go, macaroons to sneak into the theatre and a brunch that I should return to sampling. I’m more intrigued with their evening dining, but I have yet to look at their menu. I’m told everything is sourced locally, and that’s enough to get me curious. Next time I’m here, I’ll have to pick up some of their home-made sausages and pepperonis to make sandwiches at home.

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02.21.16
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Who are Ya Gonna Call When Hanks Untraditional BBQ Cooks Up a Storm & A Few Years Later Mysteriously Closes?

hanks-untarditional-bbqHank’s Untraditional BBQ
1001 Douglas St
Victoria, BC
(778) 433-4770

March 9, 2016 Update:
Hanks is back in business at this location! The mystery closure was apparently because they were renovating. 

There are times where I wonder if Unit G2A in the square by the bus stop on Douglas Street is cursed. At least three different eateries existed at this spot in the past eight years, and neither of them lasted long. I recall it as a pizza joint once, a cheese sandwich shop the next and was a BBQ style joint where the fixin’s get tasty. They offer wings, meat on biscuits, BBQ and smoked mains.

I wanted to return to sample more of the latter half of this list but by the time I get a craving to visit, they’re closed! I didn’t find any signs indicating what’s going on but I was concerned. Not many places offer game meat for their dishes and when I am hankering for some, I see the signs say the operation has closed and to keep an eye out on their website for updates. The day after, even that sign is missing! Now all I have to go by is my memory of the Duck Egg Bolognese Pasta.

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02.11.16
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[VFF ’16] How to Achieve Perfection with Chef Sergio Herman, A Documentary Review

poster3Victoria Film Festival
Sat, Feb 13th, 8:45pm
The Vic Theatre
808 Douglas St.
Victoria, BC

Sergio Herman’s high standards of cooking, gastronomy and culinary presentation is very prominent in the documentary of his life, Sergio Herman: F***ing Perfect. As former head chef and owner of Oud Sluis, a 3-star Michelin rated restaurant in Sluis, Netherlands, he pushed his staff to excel at what they do. He was not harsh or cruel like Chef Ramsay. Like him, they are both superstars in this culinary world. While Gordon Ramsay went on to achieve celebrity status in television, Herman never had the time to put his face on any other screen.

In the documentary, the last years of his time at the Oud are looked at. He talks about his struggles with trying to maintain a family (he has four children) and keeping up with two restaurants at the time. He admits to being a workaholic. It’s a virtue engrained in him when he apprenticed at the Oud when his father was head chef. He inherited the operation and to put closure on this chapter on his life was difficult. The film nicely highlights the issues he faced and spices up the story with teases of delectable meals he makes. From traditional dishes like langoustines à la nage to experimental like having a sea urchin shell filled with cream of rutabaga, the seafood lover will be salivating!

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02.10.16
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[VFF ’16] Foodies: A Culinary Jetset Should Be More About Haute Cuisine

poster1Victoria Film Festival
Sun, Feb 14th, 1:00pm
Cineplex Odeon Victoria Cinemas
780 Yates Street
Victoria, BC

FOODIES: A Culinary Jetset is not necessarily a comprehensive look at the culture of taste-testers from all around the world wanting the best in what dining is about. A lot of emphasis is placed on fine-dining instead of the everyday. Not everyone can afford to go to Michelin star restaurants and they tend to be concentrated in major metropolises instead of areas of the Pacific Northwest like Seattle. As a catalog of high-end restaurants, I’ve noted what this film suggests as places to go. However, I’d be interested in knowing what I can hit nearby instead of flying elsewhere to get a taste of the best.

Narrator Adrian Moar talks about the lives of Andy Hayler, Katie Keiko, Aiste Miseviciute, Perm Paitayawat and Steven Plotnicki. These individuals go to extremes to taste the best in what these restaurants offer instead of exploring what’s around the corner. As Plotnicki points out, the people who actively travel and blog about it are doing it for status. These people who have high readership on their online journals can have influence upon the establishments who are wanting to keep tabs on them. Soren Ledet of Geranium in Copenhagen, Denmark knows it.

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