Category Archives: Your Island Guide

Your guide to the best our islands have to offer.

04.05.23
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Limey, There’s A Lotta Sweets Here!

Limey Store FrontLimey, The British Shop
515 Chatham St, Unit 101, Victoria, BC
Phone: (778) 432 4620

1882 Dayton St, Kelowna, BC
Phone: (236) 420 4620

Website: https://www.limeyshop.com/

While I don’t recall when the Old English Sweet Shop closed its doors, this fixture from my younger days was my go-to place for my Jelly Babies. Every once in a while, when I have that craving or I want something else from across the pond, I’d always prefer to visit locally run operation that hows what to import in. And it seems not every sweet shop in town is built to last. The last time I was in Oak Bay, I forgot about Sweet Delights ceased operations–perhaps a result of the pandemic.

While I’m glad a few grocery stores in town like Fairway has a few items, I want my jelly babies in a white bag like The Doctor keeps them in. This time traveller helped introduce me to UK sweets, and from there, that’s how my belly became so jolly. Thankfully, there’s Limey to take over! And they also acknowledge why the TARDIS is important, since it’s painted onto one of their doors.

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03.01.23
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Too Many Yummy Waffles at Le Petit Belge Might Put a Bulge in Your Tummy

ed and waff340 Robson Street
Vancouver, BC

Phone: (604) 440-8781
Website: lepetitbelge.ca
Hours:
Mon – Fri at 8am – 3pm
Sat – Sun at 8am – 4pm

Sadly, Scoozi’s is no more. This fond breakfast place in Vancouver, BC closed sometime during the pandemic, and in its place is Curry Hut Indian Bistro. I will one day try, but as for why–that’s because I loved the ambience the space represented. Fortunately, Le Petit Belge is a terrific replacement, especially if you love waffles. Unfortunately, it’s located nowhere close to the Vancouver Convention Centre. It’s a fair walk away for those going to this city for events there. But if you’re here for a concert, it’s a hop and skip away from BC Place!

I was back in the big city for Fan Expo Vancouver, which brings nearly everything pop culture related under one roof. My convention report can be read here. This event packs a bit of everything into the large hockey-ring sized gymnasium located in the West Convention Centre building. Unlike that sport, there’s no stadium seating. On the three days I went, it felt jam packed! When compared to restaurants operating at full capacity, finding a chair is based on how long you’re willing to wait. There was a small recharge lounge within the convention though, so thankful people have a spot to unwind.

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10.14.22
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The Port Angeles Crabfest Experience is Back!

20221009_123140With the world deciding it’s best to live with the pandemic, many annual events have resumed and of the various foodie experiences in my region, I decided to make the Crabfest in Port Angeles my return to form. This event takes traditionally takes place on the first weekend of October.

I’m sorry Victoria, but what I’ve seen and done here is still the same ol’ same ol’, and I craved something new.  Not even the recently announced Maritime Museum’s Crabtober in November, a one day show, can match this Stateside experience. The key difference is that it’s a limited seating event than taking place at a public space (it sold out on the day it was announced) and people can’t wander around to look at arts and crafts vendors. There’s no mention of food trucks, thus making it seem like a closed event than something truly public like Esquimalt’s Ribfest.

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09.21.22
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A Capital City Comic Con 2022 Update on Nearby Places to Dine

capital city comic con

Victoria, BC‘s Capital City Comic Con (Sept 23-25, 2022) is almost here, and after a two-year absence because of a pesky pandemic, everyone (at least local) is excited about it. This city had a handful of other shows throughout the years which did not last long. And the hope from the team of businesses involved with this show is that this fixture is a tourist attraction in the years to come. And hopefully, #Nerdtoria can become a hashtag to use to recognise fandom in this garden city.

For a complete round-up on what to expect, please check out our sister-site’s look at this upcoming show. This September event is exclusive to 2022, and CapCity (not Comic Con as it’s registered to the San Deigo event) is expected to resume in March 2023 as part of the Spring Break tradition.

Getting a bite in between panels or wandering around won’t be easy. The events from the past usually required patrons to the Victoria Conference Centre to buy from their in-house catering service, and outside food was not allowed. Things may change since the pandemic is not over and instead of packing people in, to keep everyone distanced is for the better. Until more news is announced, we offer this updated guide (last one was dated 2018 and a lot has changed since) to eateries nearby that’s worth the visit.

For in-event concession, the organisers reported that it’ll be in the Crystal Gardens venue.

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09.07.22
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[Victoria, BC] Post Fringe Festival Thoughts and Upcoming Events Schedule

victoria fringe 2022

The 2022 Victoria Fringe Festival is a wrap, and it’s almost a full return to form. This event ran from August 24 to Sept 4 and was well attended. I passed by many lineups while wandering Downtown Victoria at those venues that hosted, and the one big thing that changed, as a result of the pandemic, was the lack of seeing talents run from venue to venue to pass along flyers of their shows, and saying you must check it out. While there were fewer places hosting, that’s to be expected (assuming if they adhered to indoor health code regulations).

An internal change that not every patron is aware of is to buy tickets in advance (online or at the box office). I observed a few people were unaware, and instead of being turned away, were allowed to purchase at the door. I’m glad Intrepid Theatre was aware this situation may happen, and were prepared. I suspect further revisions will be in store to help streamline future events. And as the world transitions to accepting Covid-19 won’t go away, further tweaks will be made. All anyone can do is to be mindful in how things must now operate to keep everyone healthy and safe.

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06.15.22
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Is it Too Fast and Furious with Finest at Sea’s First Annual Spot Prawn and Fiddle Fest?

Screen Shot 2022-06-14 at 10.25.23 PM

DK: If I were more prone to hyperbole, I would encourage Ed to title this post “Angry Protesters Clash With Security, Disrupt First Annual Spot Prawn and Fiddle Festival.”

But that is not the real story of this promising new event. True, three young protesters were escorted out of the park shortly after the festival started, but most people missed whatever their message was. My advice to young activists: make sure your banner is facing the crowd when you’re being whisked away.

Maybe next year we’ll all learn why listening to fiddle music while sucking down prawns and watching youth rugby makes us bad people. For now, however, blissful ignorance! The real story of this year’s event was a large crowd got the chance to enjoy some damn good BBQ spot prawns.

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ES: June 12th marked the end of the season for harvesting these sweet, lovely crustaceans, and I’m going to miss them. Technically, one can buy them in the freezer section, but there’s no denying when they’re from the ocean to the tanks to the grill, the taste difference is enormous!

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