02.15.11
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Fine Dining in Bastion Square

Today’s Valentine’s Day instalment comes from our guest writer, Michael Allen, the webmaster of 28 Days Later Analysis, an informative website dedicated to news and reviews in the independent horror entertainment scene.

Camille’s Restaurant

45 Bastion Square
Victoria, BC
(250) 381-3433

Camille’s Restaurant is a fine dining establishment located in the heart of Victoria. Situated just a stone’s throw away from where Judge Begbie (The Hanging Judge) sentenced his court attendees, Camille’s is situated near the inner harbour, in Bastion Square. This restaurant has been cooking in this locale for over twenty years and the excellent dining experience therein is widely known. The food is exceptional; however, so are the prices!

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02.13.11
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Victoria Tea Festival Impressions


At the 5th Annual Victoria Tea Festival, one can sample nearly everything that comes from the coveted tea leaf. Whether it’s rooibos, green, black, or yerba maté, there’s certainly something to be found, even for a berry enthusiast like myself.

There’s a lot to partake at this show and I enjoyed the various scents coming from the sample cups of tea. The show can be experienced within a few hours for those who are simply shopping. But if anyone plans on skipping the presentations, they’re just going to miss out on one of tea culture’s many secrets. On Sunday, Jasmine Wong, a naturopathic doctor is giving a presentation on medicine and tea. She’ll be talking about the health benefits and risks associated with drinking certain types of tea.

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02.13.11
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Victoria Tea Festival this weekend

To those people haven’t had a chance to check out the Victoria Tea Festival, here’s my preview of what’s happening. Thanks have to go to the Nexus newspaper team for putting this article I wrote online.

For local readers, it’s not too late to check this event out. I will have a full review of my tea and food tasting experience later today.

The event runs at the Crystal Garden (713 Douglas Street), on Saturday (12-5pm); Sunday (11am-4pm). Tickets are $25 at the door and all proceeds go to supporting Camosun College’s Child Care Services.

02.12.11
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[Victoria Film Festival ’11] The Chef of the South Polar, A Movie Review

It’s very rare when I get a chance to write about my interest in film on this blog. When there’s a foodie connection, I just knew I had to write about it. That’s assuming I can squeeze into a jam-packed theatre.

I can’t say I was impressed with the venue, the Empire Theatre (formerly known as Capitol 6) that the Victoria Film Festival uses. The individual movie screening rooms felt small. And after seeing another film at the Odeon half a block away, if this movie was shown there, they would’ve accommodated the dozen or so stragglers who wanted to see the film, but were denied due to the film being sold out.

Thankfully, my patience won out and I managed to see this movie, and it certainly had me hungry at the end!  The acting is very sublime and the subtitled translation is good. What I particularly enjoyed about this movie is its enduring quality: the look at the human condition of being torn away from civilization was at the heart of this film. When the lifeline is only a phone call away, just how many people really want to pay $8 a minute just to talk with loved ones, or even to the operator at the opposite end of the line.

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01.27.11
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Three Girls for Two Blokes

Osaka Sushi
1951 Oak Bay Ave.
Oak Bay, BC
(250) 590-6650

E: Oak Bay has a little secret, there’s a great place to hit for sashimi and it’s known as Osaka Sushi. While the graphic designer in me cringed at the familiarity of a papyrus-like font in their signage, I’m glad I didn’t let it deter me from walking in to try their food.

After heading to The Blethering Place for haggis earlier that night, I was still hungry. Instead, what caught my eye were the pretty waitresses …

J: On my previous trips to Oak Bay, I always passed by this cosy looking restaurant. But to actually sit down in a private booth and relax to smooth jazz while the world marches on outside, is bliss. Our servers were fast, polite and yes, attractive. I wanted for nothing while in their care.

Green tea was served while I spun my head at their extensive menu. It came in two parts and I warn you, it’s not for a potential indecisive like myself. If you can get over that hurdle, the prices are very reasonable.

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01.26.11
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2010: Let’s Do The Time Warp!

It’s just a jump to the left or was it a step to the right. I’m definitely sure you have to put your hands on your hips and turn your knees in tight. But if a drag act is what one wants from this article one may have to watch the Rocky Horror film or a stage show with Danny La Rue (posthumously). This article is just a recollection of food I ate and weight I gained over the past year. If you don’t see a business listed here, it is most likely I was not able to dine there in 2010. And Here for the reader’s pleasure (or disgust) are my 2010 favourites.

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