Goldstream Flea Market
Every Sunday, 9am – 3pm
679 Goldstream Ave.
Goldstream Masonic Lodge
Langford, B.C.
Ooh my little pretty one, pretty one. When am I going to have some time, samosa?
If you hurry on down to the Goldstream Flea Market, you’ll meet a very unusual vendor. She’s not unusual for her taste in clothes or for her hair but she is unique for the food she serves. She deals in Samosas. These little curried pastry puffs were the creation of her husband.
La Belle Patate
1215 Esquimalt Road
Esquimalt, BC
250) 220-8427
J: Hidden away in the wilds of Esquimalt is a little taste of Old Montreal at La Belle Patate (The Beautiful Potato). This joint is famous for their poutine.
E: … or dive, for lack of a better word. Janine and I chatted about what used to be here and I heard that this place was a laundromat once. I’ll have to do some digging to verify this rumour and to learn some history about the area.
At least in what’s here now, it has an old world charm. Instead of wowing customers with a beautiful looking building, I’m wandering some dark and dangerous streets that resembles East Vancouver. I haven’t been to Montreal so I can’t make that comparison.But at least the area exemplifies simplicity: authentic style cooking. You can see the order being made right in front of you than tucked away. And they have killer poutine, and I mean that literally. That’s because customers can stack it high with the extras at a $1 per pop. And I don’t mean, “just the basics m’am.”
This past weekend, the Inner Harbour was abuzz with people checking out the last of the celebrations and the nice day had me lumbering around town. I had to see what the markets in the bustling city core had to offer.
J: I only had one thing on my mind the day before Canada Day and that was back bacon! The idea of heading down to Thrifty Foods for some BBQ grilled Freybe’s back bacon. It had my mouth watering. I arrived at their Colwood location with money to donate (it’s suggested in their advertising).
E: And for those roosters out there, a great way to start the day. I’m more like the owl and I was yawning all the way to take a look at what’s happening at the Tuscany Village and Saanich Centre location since they’re nearby.
For this event, it’s all about location, location, location … any other detail doesn’t matter.
And quite simply: helping local communities. In Victoria, the money raised will go to Jeneece Place and on the mainland, to the BC Children’s Hospital. It’s great to see these grocers support these local causes.
J: And goodness knows I did my part. But I was a little disappointed I could only eat two before my stomach said, “no more!” Come on stomach, the back bacon was delicious! The staff were very friendly and I chatted with a few of them. But alas all good things must come to an end. Work was calling and I had to shuffle off (which was all I could manage on a full belly).
Fernwood Inn
1302 Gladstone Ave.
Victoria, BC
(250) 412-2001
J: After Two Hungry Blokes, came, saw and ate at Fernwood Bites 2011, it seemed only proper to keep Ed walking until the alcohol wore off (or wore out). Emergency coffee was needed and Fernwood Inn only too gladly supplied. This place has changed from its days as the George & Dragon.
Fernwood Bites 2011
Fernwood Square
Victoria, BC
June 26, 2011
E: At the rate I was flying on a Sunday, the early evening couldn’t come any sooner. Expectations were very high between James and I for Fernwood Bites, and I must say, we weren’t disappointed. It helped us identify what the best of Fernwood is all about: locally grown products and innovation.
Aubergine Speciality Foods, a quaint grocery store, was our first stop and we were greeted with rustic tomatoes and Cherry Coke from Great Britain!
J: I was keeping my eyes on the groceries from the UK, the locally grown produce and those South African teas. But let’s not forget the baked goods and fair trade coffee. Mmmm, cookies with macadamia nuts.
I walked away with something for almost everyone in my family. My dad loved that Heirloom tomato.
While Ed rushed off after forgetting his wallet and apparently his pants too (he was flashing knees in khaki shorts), I took my mark near the Fernwood Bites starting line.
twohungryblokes.com 