Category Archives: Uncategorized

08.30.10
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Back home for more food!

Okay, Victoria, B.C. is no true mecca for gastronomic goodness, but it comes close.

After Seattle and Portland, this city feels very smaller but at least we have a certain pride for locally produced products and a few gems which does get international attention.

But as I unwind, I’ll be processing through all the drafts I’ve written up (god bless my iPod touch) of the diners in the smaller towns Yvonne Fried and I visited. We toured through various parts of Washington State, and I went by instinct to see where we should eat.

Out of every place we went to, I’d say only one was disappointing. The rest made for worthwhile stops. I’ll get the articles hopefully posted during the course of the next two weeks.

And at the same time, I’ll nudge James out of his heat induced coma to get some product reviews up.

08.08.10
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Seattle Follies at Noon

Note: This establishment has multiple locations.

Kidd Valley Burgers & Shakes
531 Queen Anne Avenue North,
Seattle, Washington

We made it! In Seattle and near the Space Needle, Yvonne and I tackled an American staple, the hamburgers and sandwiches that Kidd Valley serves. Located off Queen Anne Ave North, we went after the Firehouse Club. And it didn’t set me on fire, but instead had me simmering to the various flavours brought to life. The chicken had a level of spiciness that wasn’t too hard or harsh even for the most hardened of stomachs.

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08.06.10
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Heading out to the Highway

And I got nothin’ to lose at all. Judas Priest has nothing to what I’ll be doing in the coming week, and there should be a few articles from Yvonne and I, while James holds the fort back home.

He’s shifting focus to go look at the some foods you can buy at the grocery stores while I do a little culinary adventure of what Washington State can offer in our road-trip.

You’ll have to ask him why he isn’t part of this trip, but I think it had something to do with a bear. She didn’t appreciate him eying that salmon she just recently fished out of the river, or something ….

I could say I’m goin’ to do it my way (heck, I’d be tackling that bear down too for fresh sashimi) and takin’ a chance before I fall.

Anyways, I’ll be competing against Yogi if we end up in Yellowstone, but then, the whole trip will be one huge adventure.

We will be making a stop in Seattle so I can hit the Crab Pot again. That’s for certain, but there’ll be other places too as we work our way eastwards, perhaps through mythic lakes, ice-torn landmarks and an eerie ghost town too.

There’ll be updates as ‘net access permits.

07.28.10
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Breakfast Follies

Note: This establishment is no longer at this location.

Knockanback Grill
4136 Wilkinson Rd.
Saanich, BC

E: Every starving student knows that depending on where the campus is located, there’s very few or a lot of dining options to be found nearby. Well, over at Camosun’s Interurban, it’s either the Knockanback or that Chinese diner across the street.

After looking at their online menu, I had to drag James along to try this place out.

For the most part, it was good, but nothing spectacular to brag home about. Well, unless you’re a beer drinker. The almost European atmosphere had a Jamaican vibe going on the day we visited. I grooved to the music.

J: I remember the Knockanback from 15 years ago and couldn’t help but think it was nothing more than a redneck dive. After walking through those wooden doors, I can still see a few corners where a vampire could settle for pint. The waitresses were cute and the staff were helpful. But it’s not the type of place I’d frequent. If I’m looking to become a regular for a buffet meal, I’ll stick with Raymond’s. Or I’ll have a proper breakfast at Smitty’s.

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07.20.10
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Kudos to Chemainus

Editor’s Note: This business is no longer at the address listed below.

Kudos Japanese Restaurant
9875 Maple St.
Chemainus, BC
N/A

I went up island not too long ago and instead of my buddy James, it was some other good buds. We went to Ladysmith and on our way back, I suggested Chemainus as a stop. We hit upon their Wednesday Market at the downtown core and found a stall selling Japanese food from Kudos Restaurant.

The prices we paid for here are for samplers, but at these prices its easy to build a meal.

And here, both Brydon and I agree that the kaki fry (deep fried breaded oysters) were spectacular. At $2 a pop which includes a small salad, I could’ve easily bought them out.

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06.28.10
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Catering a way into my Heart

2012 Update: Sadly, this business has closed down but the chef continues to cater. If you have an event you wish him to cook for, you can contact him here.

Connoisseur Catering
2512 Bridge St.
Victoria, BC

Connoisseur Catering can easily run circles around the soups I’ve had before, and they do more than just cater soirees. They serve lunch to the masses in the industrial side of town. I’m somewhat of a regular here and visit when I can to get a Wild Buffalo Burger and a green salad tossed in a vinaigrette from Milan as my side dish.

I’ve rated their burger at my buddy’s burger blog and this time, I opted for something new, a white clam chowder. At $10.50 for both, I couldn’t stop spooning mouthfuls in fast enough. I haven’t had good chowder in ages, and the stuff I eat at Chinese restaurants (a different kind of chowder altogether) is just boring. Some restaurants do a decent job too, but usually, I find it’s not as good until you put in freshly ground peppers.

That makes for a huge difference. And a good chowder should be fluid. There should be just enough clams so l’m happier than a seagull after his next meal. But like a tootsie roll pop, after one lick I want to gulp it all down. After savouring this delight, the ambrosia can enter the great whale known as my belly.

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