09.14.11
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Pho Boy, What a Meal!

Pho Vy
772 Fort St.
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 385-5516

J: I played a little Russian restaurant roulette recently. It’s where one travels to the downtown core of quaint little Victoria. From here Ed places his faith in me to wander the streets before my stomach tells me to walk in. Will it be good, bad, a classic or just a night of taking Gravol?

I settled on a little Vietnamese place decked out in fake flowers but with a yellow and green colour paint combo that was oddly appealing.

E: Pho Vy sat on the opposite side of the road, where Pho Hua is on Fort. I checked out Hua a long time ago, reviewing it for Nexus, and wasn’t too impressed, but Vy had a different atmosphere.

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09.06.11
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Greek Fest 2011

10th Annual
Victoria Greek Fest
4648 Elk Lake Dr.
Royal Oak, B.C.

Either James is still recovering from our last outing or he’s hard at work at his day job, while I’m partying like it’s 1999. My counterpart is showing his age and slowing down, but yet, I’m moving at warp speed and I’m older!

Sunday’s weather topped at 25 degrees Celsius when I was at Greek Fest 2011. I met up with Mike from 28 Days Later Analysis, the horror news and reviews website, to hang out with and to enjoy the atmosphere. But more importantly, I didn’t want to miss out from what I didn’t try last year.

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09.05.11
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How to do the Fringe Part 5: God was at Fort St. Cafe!

Fort Cafe

742 Fort St
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 382-3130

My last night in taking on the Victoria Fringe Festival was met with two powerhouse performances and a good meal. The latter could’ve been better if it didn’t feel like it took a long time to get it to my table. I was able to Facebook, make status updates, read my email, compose a reply, and play six rounds of Angry Birds before it arrived.

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09.04.11
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How to do the Fringe Part 4: Going Club Med

Blair Mart Mediterranean Foods
924 Pandora Ave
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 721-1626 ‎

The fact that this grocery store is open after 8pm can easily have me singing the praises to Allah than that other deity. But if I am to look around the corner, I might find a shrine to Zeus tucked way and I’d still be awestruck.

To see this store still open (9pm) after Whiskey Bars: a kabarett with the songs of Kurt Weill must show that the staff has dedication. Actually, I think there’s only one guy who operates this store and he’s very accommodating to the night life in Victoria. People can venture in to buy groceries or grab a bite to eat nearly any time of the day. There’s a small deli serving up Halva’s, Nougats, and Baklavas. For me, it’d be the authentic and homemade Turkish Delights.

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09.04.11
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How to do the Fringe Part 3: On the Bison Trail

5th Street Bar & Grill
1028 Hillside Ave.
Victoria, BC
(250) 380-4600

Ever since Connoisseur Catering’s storefront operation was forced into closure (the building’s space wasn’t up to code), I had to wonder where could I get my bison fix. Sadly, I don’t think much of where Pink Bicycle gets their bovinae (it’s from Vancouver Island Bison), and when I was last at 5th Street Bar and Grill, I asked where they get their meat. They gave me the answer that nearly made me go Hallelujah. It’s Albertan.

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09.02.11
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How to do the Fringe Part 2: Sammiches!

Sam’s Deli & Bistro
805 Government Street
Victoria, BC (250) 382-8424

I ran into my friend Janine just as I was heading to see Zack Adams: Love Songs For Future Girl and here I was, with a bag of chips and a bottle of pop as my dinner. Oh boy, did I ever look sad.

After she looked at what I had, I tucked the chips into my satchel, and we walked down to Government St. for the healthier option at Sam’s Deli. This place is a favourite of her’s, and hopefully I’ll get her to insert a review too.

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