Category Archives: Reviews

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

12.05.12
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A bouquet of Meso-American spices and finding the Inca Gold of sodas.

Mexican House of Spice
2022 Douglas Street
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 388-6602

Open 10am to 6pm Monday to Saturday.

I may have found where most of the Mexican, South American and Caribbean restaurants in town gets their spices. Upon entering the Mexican House of Spice, I was treated to a delight of scents, an array of packaged spices, a towering amount of canned goods and plenty of sodas to make my eyes go wide. I was very impressed with the fact that no shelf looked half bare or empty. Had there been a deli, I’d be salivating.

Anyone looking to stock up or experiment with the flavours from Mexico, Latin America, Africa and Jamaica may already know about this store. But in an area of town that I rarely tread, to enter this store made me wonder what it’d be like walking through a street market in Mexico. What I experienced here was a teaser, and I’m providing as many high quality pictures in this entry so readers can see what I saw. Their flyer states that they carry a variety of tortillas but the list does not end there. There is no way I can mention them all, but here’s a sampling: queso fresco, dry chillies, Ibarra and abuelita (chocolate), mazapan, plantain flour, cock soup mix and even banana leaves. I think the stores in Chinatown should be jealous.

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11.26.12
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Mr. Stay Puft Arrives for Christmas Gifting at Oh Sugar!

Oh Sugar
561 Johnson Street
Victoria, B.C.
778-440-9192

To answer the question of what the difference is between the new Stay Puft marshmallow box and the old one, that’s in two key ingredients: the amount of caffeine and salt used. The cheaper product is being sold to build interest for the third movie. And for the die-hard, the pricier variant is what “real” Ghostbusters may require while searching for spirits during a long night. Or just maybe, like in the second movie, might build up in interest for a holiday celebration.

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11.08.12
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Shizen Sushi

Shizen Sushi
8-1706 Government St.
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 381-8228

J: Twice now I’ve been foiled from any attempt to grab some dinner at Ebizo Sushi. It’s either we were early or we arrived on a day they were closed.

Dejected, I was still determined to get my hands on some decent Japanese cuisine. The light bulb above Ed’s head was switched on. Ed’s idea was to eat at a Japanese restaurant in Victoria’s Chinatown. I thought “why not”, if someone of Chinese descent can own an Italian pizzeria, than why not a place that produces Japanese food.

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10.22.12
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Eat Machine

 

The Eat Machine
Inner Harbour
Lower Causeway
Corner of Government St. and Belleville St.
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 893-3303

E: The first time James and I found the Eat Machine, a food truck operation, it was closed. The second time, we arrived near their cleanup time. But realizing I was strapped for cash and was armed only with a debit card, I had to quickly find the nearest ATM. At nearly 5pm on a Sunday, I’m surprised we didn’t race to one side of the Inner Harbour and back. To imagine us at the wharf, shouting, “Look out, there are Two Hungry Blokes on the warpath!” would have been amusing.

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10.17.12
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Fairfield Fish and Chips

Fairfield Fish & Chips
1277 Fairfield Rd.
Fairfield
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 380-6880

J: I just can’t seem to stay away from Fairfield, no matter how I try. The quaintness of the houses and the slower pace of its residents (and we’re not speaking of its seniors) holds my attention.

To me, this area is idyllic. It’s close enough to downtown to enjoy the convenient shopping but it’s far enough away to enjoy a neighbourhood Sunday BBQ in peace. Perhaps in future I’ll rent a place here, for now, like a divorced man with no custody of his child, I’ll have to satisfy myself with the occasional visit.

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