Category Archives: Reviews

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

11.03.13
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Azuma: Busiest Doesn’t Mean Best

Azuma Sushi
615 Yates St.
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 382-8768

E: I think James and I need a TARDIS the next time we plan for having a bite before going to see a theatrical production. We got into town at the right time, but when I was out looking for a collectible Superman coin from the Royal Canadian Mint and James insisted at a stop at Audio Video Reply, I was uncertain if we’d have time to have a proper dinner before going to the Rocky Horror Show.

Within the line of sight, I eyed Azuma Sushi. Now this place is popular … but I have to ask, to what community and who really likes to eat here? I doubt Dr. Frank n’ Furter would want to go here.

J: I think if Ed hadn’t managed to snatch that last silver coin of Superman from Canada Post (it was the display), his night would have been not as bright as it was. Ed brought me to Azuma and I’m going to be honest, it’s not my first choice for dining. It might look busy and the interior looked well designed but as I have learned a number of times before, that means nothing if they can’t get the food right. And for Azuma, it wasn’t just the food.

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10.29.13
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Cart on Over for Noodles!

Noodle Cart
1018 Blanshard St.
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 477-3883

E: For once, James did not lead me astray from finding good food. When he said, “Let’s go to the Noodle Cart,” I had visions of an operation similar to The Noodle Box, which I don’t care much for these days. Well, when considering this operation is run by a franchise operation Little Thai, I did have some reservations.

J: I’ve had previous experience with the Noodle Cart. A quest to grab some eats before a concert at Christ Church Cathedral lead me to sample their food. I was floored. I knew then this place needed reviewing. I don’t care if it’s a franchise, at least it appears to be a local franchise. The decor of this place is amazing. I would love to know who did all the artistry for this establishment.

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10.13.13
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It’s the Great Pumpkin Pie-Off, Charlie Brown!

Victoria Pie Co.
770 Fisgard Street
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 885-5220

Lunn’s Bakery Deli & Coffee Shop
2453 Beacon Ave.
Sidney, B.C.
(250) 656-1724

Thanksgiving is upon Canada and while most folks enjoy a great oven roasted meal with family, I’m thinking about which of the two pumpkin pies I’ve sampled so far is the best. To be honest, I know more bakeries should be involved in this impromptu taste testing challenge, but until I hear about more great places to find pie, this particular verdict is going to be a bit biased.

Perhaps in the future, the test will include more bakeries that offer a great pie (sorry, but if you’re a grocery store chain, you’re not in the running). I could have gone to Dutch Bakery to add them to the list, but I don’t find everything they make to be exceptional. Hopefully readers will submit their choices of a little known bakeries that I’m not aware of that can challenge my taste buds.

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10.09.13
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Dining for Under Ten Bucks: Maiko Sushi

Maiko Sushi Restaurant
#119 – 877 Goldstream Ave.
Langford, B.C.
(250) 995-8432

It may be easy for someone from my generation to confuse the former Maiko Gardens with Maiko Sushi but apart from Maiko Gardens having served Japanese cuisine, there is little they have in common.

Mariko, owner of Maiko Sushi (now former owner, she just sold the restaurant) has a keen eye for creating decent decor and should seriously consider her future as an interior decorator. Her sense of style is pleasing to the eye from the Japanese influenced displays in her business right down to the brightly furnished and vibrant washroom.  But in this current day and age Maiko still has some growing to do before they could eve match what locals remember so fondly of the name’s predecessor.

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09.29.13
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A Foodie’s Take on Victoria Vintage Expo

Biscotti di Notti & More
1026 Cardinal Way
Qualicum Beach, BC
(250) 752-3637
Peeta’s Pizzelle 
Kelowna Farmer’s Market
Kelowna, BC
(250) 899-4559

The Victoria Vintage Expo is a natural evolution of everything that the Victoria Vintage Fair offers. It’s far more festive because of the entertainment that’s offered throughout the day, and for people looking to see what’s trending, the two different fashion shows on both days is a plus. I’ve been to a few of the smaller shows just to check it out and the difference is very evident. I’d have to say the Vintage Expo is like a mini-convention because information panels were offered.

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09.28.13
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It’s Pie not π!

#6-1701 Douglas St.
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 885-5220

The Victoria Pie Company at the Victoria Public Market at the Hudson looks like they will take this city by storm. On the grey day that I went, I wanted to treat myself to something nice in celebration of my birthday. I’m a year older, an inch shorter, and my tummy … well, I won’t go there. Let’s just say that while I know I should be mindful about my health, there should be at least one day in the whole year where I can do whatever I want and have no regrets about it.

So I went for their banana cream pie with fresh whip cream on top, and my oh my, it was heavenly. The individual bananas were baked just right to ensure a soft delectable consistency in those bites where I could taste the slices. The sweetness is not overpowering and the crust is done just right so that all the textures blend perfectly once when my taste-buds make love to it.

When this company touts pie porn as part of its marketing gimmick, that is an analogy well earned. This company offers quiches and pot pies, and I’m a sucker for good pastries. I was so tempted to get a mushroom bacon quiche but alas, I didn’t have enough cash-on-hand to get everything I want and their debit/credit card machine is not set up yet. They’ve been in operation for about two weeks now, and this little detail is really minor in the grande scheme of things.

Anyone who can dangle a freshly cooked pastry or pie in front of me will have me clinging to it like a blue-fin tuna still biting into the lure. So just when is Cowichan Bay Seafood going to open at the Hudson anyways?

4½ Blokes out of 5