Read along as we seek out the best of what the British Columbia coast (and beyond) has to offer.
I miss the Island Chefs’ collaborative’s version of the Spot Prawn Festival. That was truly an event to remember, and as far as I know, there was only one. The Victoria Public Market has since taken over with their own mini-festival. While not as large or elaborate, and really lacking fanfare, at least for those Victorians unable to leave the confines of this city to Cowichan Bay proper for all their independent shows (at brew pubs to eateries), what’s offered is good.
Baconalooza’s inaugural event at Velox Rugby field in Gordon Head will certainly get lovers of swine food arriving in troves. The lunch-time crowd was light, but when the event started at 1pm than noon, perhaps one opportunity was missed in hopes that the dinner time crowd will be busier. This later time is probably when the bacon eating contest will take place, but for one hungry bloke (who skipped breakfast for this show), namely me, I wish I had room to partake in more.
Poor James. He phoned me early in the day to say he’s been struck down with a cold, and I just had enough room to eat for the both of us, but I was taken down by one overloaded bacon cheese burger by the Esquimalt Lions Club (I asked them to keep on piling the bacon on top). However, I did have room for dessert. I could make quibbles in where the beef is sourced and cooked, but hey, I got more than my money’s worth in bacon. I shouldn’t complain.
The Traveling Smoke Show
950 Yates St.
Victoria, BC
(250)710-6010
The Traveling Smoke Show is looking to settle down. Before they operated out of Sooke for a few years, but now they’re in the heart of downtown Victoria and that’s where they want to stay. They’re located across the street from Harris Green Village (replacing Landmark Auto Sales) to ply their own take in designer sandwiches and brand of tastes. One look at their menu, and I was hooked at the thought of what does oyster mayo taste like? When it’s all blended up, the succulent taste is something that I can lap up as easily as the ocean waves washing in. It tastes great by itself and I can sea other uses for it, like in a cucumber only sandwich.
Mee Wah
1950A Oak Bay Ave.
Oak Bay, BC
(250) 595-3021
E: Honestly, I have to wonder about the attitudes that go on in a Chinese restaurant. In a proper establishment, customers are kept happy and the employees will go out-of-their-way to make sure the customer is well served. But when the level in service drops, I get visions of Mel’s Diner from the 70’s TV show, Alice. It makes me wonder why Mee Wah is generally well liked within certain food circles.
J: Is it the food? Perhaps but I know it’s not the service, the service (or lack there of) is poor. The place wasn’t packed but it was still busy. And during the time we were there I felt as though we were wasting the server’s time. I had to wonder what was bothering her.
Not only will the city of Victoria, BC get an extra day of geekery on but also, not many cities can lay claim to having four days dedicated to various fun events taking place nearly all at the same time. Here’s a quick summary of what’s going on:
May 1st
Lego at the Library (2:30pm)
Greater Victoria Public Library
Juan de Fuca Branch
This event is technically for children ages 7-10 who want to have fun with the sets offered at the library. Registered participants are also encouraged to bring their own bricks so they can learn how to stack them up in other creative ways for a take-home project.
Avengers: Age of Ultron Movie Premiere (evening)
This movie will definitely delight Marvel Movie Universe fans. Not only does this film continue on from where the first film and Captain America: Winter Soldier left off, with hints of two mutants — Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch — being important in the film, but also this movie will set the stage for the third part of the saga cumulating to Avengers: Infinity Wars.
People going to the IMAX screenings on this day should, in theory, get a keepsake poster while supplies last.
May 2nd
Comic Book Day (starting 10am)
This North American wide event has become the norm. With the Greater Victoria Public Library Central Branch and at least two of the three three comic book stores participating in this city, the fun can be shared, if not spread around. When the stores have to restrict just how many titles readers can grab, all the smart collector has to know is to walk from store to store (and library) to get a good fill.
This year has comics that will introduce folks to the fantastic worlds featured in Doctor Who, the realm where there’s plenty of robots in disguise in Transformers (thankfully not the awful Michael Bay version), the pulps in The Phantom and the mutants in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. A full list can be found on the official website.
Fireside Grill
4509 West Saanich Rd.
Royal Oak District
Saanich, BC
(250) 479-1222
J: When it comes to ghost hunting, Ed never likes to visit a heritage place on an empty stomach. I guess that is why we visited the Fireside Grill.
The tales this building’s owners could tell could make for some interesting pages in a local history book. But I was more interested in the food. Call me uninterested but if we pulled up in the Mystery Van, I would be looking to make myself a hero sandwich rather than looking for clues.
E: Yeah, James can pretty much be like the Shaggy to any Scooby gang should he ever decide to join one. He’s a coward when dealing with spooks but I will gladly try to shake an entity’s hand. Even if I visited a haunted house, I’m willing to bet I’ll find him in the kitchen sooner than later while I go scouting the premises in hopes something supernatural may present itself.
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