Category Archives: Reviews

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

02.04.13
by

GT’s Kombucha for the silver-tongued?

Fermented tea? With a drink called Kombucha you betcha! And with a variety of brands sitting in many a health food store and Fairway Markets over a year now, I finally made the decision to try this concoction.

GT’s Synergy brand seems to be leading the crowd, and this carbonated drink is not for the weak of heart. Simply put, the drink is highly carbonated and sour. I tried to polish one bottle off over a few days, taking a sip each day, and I did not get that far.

No matter what the added flavour is, this particular style of a fermented drink is not for everyone. This brew is nothing like beer. Try as I might, I didn’t get used the bitterness of this drink at all. I can see the drink working as a mixer to help balance out the acridness, but as for the health claims, the evidence is not there. I’m better off brewing my own mixture of herbs, fungi and bark prescribed from a traditional Chinese medicine man to mend my ailments away.


Ironically enough, that’s where this drink comes from. The origins of this kombucha drink can be traced back to ancient China where it was considered a “remedy for immortality.” So if the drinker wants a short life, he should sip this liquid? That’s a twist.

Another tale tells of how a Korean physician, Dr. Kombu, gave it to a Japanese Emperor as a healing tonic. Seriously, I think this drink is a product of folklore and many a Wild West tale. If readers remember all those travelling physician carts purporting to carry cure-it-all medicines, I’m willing to bet that kombucha was one of them.

01.17.13
by

This Clay Pigeon Can Fly

The Clay Pigeon
1002 Blanshard Street
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 590-6657

J: They say two birds in the hand are worth three in the bush. But it only took one bird, the Clay Pigeon, to be worth 3 food lovers. Ed and myself were accompanied by none other than Donald Kennedy of the Victoria Burger Blog and were more than glad to have his insight. Ed and I were finally able to relax in the atmosphere that is the Clay.

Our server for the night, Darion, was smart and had wonderful taste. Her knowledge of the menu and the ingredients involved in our meals astounded me. I should’ve tipped her more because her services in my opinion are worth double.

Perhaps I shall return with a “tip part 2” in a marked envelope. I knew this place was class as we were served glasses of water with small wedges of lemon bobbing about.

E: Her friendliness was what made the Clay Pigeon experience worthwhile. James and I heard of the food quality, but to finally be there with friends is what made this particular visit even better. And I finally got to try the crispy fried pig’s ear.

Continue reading →

01.12.13
by

A Hitchhiker’s Guide to La Fiesta, Episode Three .. or is that Four?

La Fiesta Cafe
G-12 1001 Douglas St.
Sussex Building
Victoria, BC
(250) 383-6622

E: I sounded off before on how I like La Fiesta on the corner of Douglas and Broughton, but very rarely can I convince James to hit a favourite place of mine. Not only that, they are open super late at night to make seeking out a quick bite possible.

J: Yes, they are now open Fridays and Saturdays until 3am for the bar crowd and late night/early morning walkers like myself. Yes, it is just after the holidays but downtown Victoria still closes early even on Saturday nights. It might be one of the reasons Victoria businesses suffer financially. Why go into town for a movie at the The Vic Theatre when you know almost everything will be closed after the film credits roll. Unless you want to drink ’til intoxication, there is little to do.

Continue reading →

01.08.13
by

Making a Port of Call at Saigon Harbour

Saigon Harbour
1012 Blanshard Street 
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 386-3354

E: I am amused that 3 Vietnamese diners are nearly a block away from each other; that makes for some stiff competition. When James and I were looking for food, it was our noses that were guiding us. And I have to believe our tracking abilities guided us to the wrong place. Saigon Harbour was not where the trail led; but the signpost showing off one of their specials, a spicy prawn dish did.

Continue reading →

12.31.12
by

Keeping in Touch with Efes Donair House

Efes Donair Kebap House 
788 Yates Street
Victoria, B.C.
V8W 3S2

J: If you’ve read my Efes article you’ll recall how it was still under construction. I’ve eagerly anticipated stepping into a much needed restaurant to liven up Yates Street and now I have my chance. Like all new businesses there are kinks to work out and projects to finish and Efes is no different but boy did I like what I saw. I’m liking the look of the place. We were definitely looking to sit down but I was changing tables on Ed.

E: On a chilly night about town, I guess James needed a good fireplace to roast his rump near. Although this operation is over a month old, their soft opening is certainly gathering a crowd. While their wraps certainly filled our tummies, I knew I had to come back soon to try their donairs.

Continue reading →

12.24.12
by

Murchie’s: More Than Just Tea

Murchie’s Tea & Coffee
1110 Government Street
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 383-3112

E: On our stroll down Government Street on a chilly December, two words jumped at me—Ginger and Chocolate—and James and I soon found ourselves inside Murchie’s. I thought the candy goodness could be found at the deli side of the operation, hopefully available for sampling. Sadly, they were not at the time.

Continue reading →