01.25.11
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Great Chieftain o’ the Puddin-race!

The Blethering Place
2250 Oak Bay Ave.
Oak Bay, BC

Update: (02/01/11) – The Blethering Place is no longer at the 2250 Oak Bay Ave. location.

J: What started out as a celebration for a pre-Robbie Burns day turned into a wake for the Blethering Place. The little old tea room, woven into the fabric of Oak Bay’s society, is closing. Yes, that’s right. According to staff members, the owner, Ken Agate, sold the establishment to Floyd’s Diner, who allegedly plans to convert it into a bistro.

Closure is expected to take place at the end of January. With what little time there is left, I would suggest a visit (or revisit) to this grand old lady before she’s defrocked.

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12.31.10
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The Year in Revue

Has it been eight months already? Although I’ve never been one to consider an end of year review of my culinary adventures, James gnawed on my arm and said we should write one.

In no particular order, the highlights of what I’ve experienced had to be in consuming more cherry coke and gourmet burgers in the past two years than at any other time.

I still have to rank Connoisseur Catering a great place to hit for packed lunch meals and for opening my taste buds up to the delights of real tasty bison. The mushroom soup I tried from them on another visit was perfect. Which leads me to my still ongoing quest for fries done right and they can be bought locally.

While Kennebac potatoes do make a difference in taste from Red Fish Blue Fish, there’s more than just how they’re cut up and cooked up. There’s a distinction and if the waitress asks for how you like them, that’s a sign of a great diner that cares about its product.

There are three ways to serve them: kettle, fry and chip. Some places fry them up once and not every place double-dips to keep ’em nice and warm.

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12.29.10
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Stop the Heart Attack, I Want To Get Off

(250) 382-8282

E: In a very windy holiday season, both James and I needed some warm liquid to keep our spirits up. The Fairmont Empress’ Festival of Trees was a decent diversion, but after the Dutch Bakery, I was still feeling hungry.

We headed to the aptly named James Bay Tea Room and Restaurant because it was all James’ fault. Really, it was. I’ve never felt so full afterwards because this place served more than just teas.

J: This was another of my “heard of it but never tried it” trips. After going Dutch I was in the mood for familiar UK surroundings. The James Bay Tea Room recently refurbished their dining area. I can see why people come here. It’s very cozy. The place is decorated with photos of various members of the royal family. Royal memorabilia adorned shelves that spanned much of the dining room.

During this festive season, the tea room took liberties with the hanging of mistletoe above the front entrance. It says too much when even elderly women won’t sneak me a Christmas kiss.

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12.29.10
by

Wooden Shoes Not Included

The Dutch Bakery & Coffee Shop
718 Fort Street
Victoria, BC
(250) 385-1012


J: I’ve heard of the Dutch Bakery. And on the days I’ve strolled down Antiques Row, I would often see the delicious pastries tempting me from the display window.

But never have I stepped into the establishment. Me, a man born and raised in this fine city was completely unfamiliar with this place. I learned that in 1955, Cornelis J. Schadelee bought a failing coffee shop and turned it into one of the most successful independent businesses in the city. As I entered this bit of Victoria’s heritage, it was bustling.

People were queued-up to buy pastries for Christmas. Others sat in the diner that has changed little in appearance.

The diner was decorated in Dutch-themed wall hangings. Large black and white photos depicting the business history adorned one wall.

One would think Dutch Bakery takes great pride in their past.

E: I can only imagine what being here must be like when those meat pies are fresh out of the oven. Most of the time, when I want to treat myself, I pop in to grab one and delight in the buttery tenderness of the pastry they use to make these heavenly pies.

At $2.30 each, I can easily stop in anytime. Today, after bumping into my ol’ schoolmate, Shane Priestly, while heading there, all three of us sat down for a spell and enjoyed some good times reminiscing amidst the holiday rush. Both Priestly and I are recent graduates from Camosun College’s Applied Communication Program.

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12.06.10
by

Lebanese Nights

Editor’s Note: This establishment is no longer located at the address below.

Beirut Express
787 Fort Street
Victoria, BC

J: Beirut Express can best be described as a hole-in-the-wall with murals showing off the beauty of the Middle East. The place was immaculately clean. To find tables with chairs next to them were sparse and what seating was available were near the front door.

Our seating arrangement wasn’t one of my best ideas when considering how cold it was outside, but Ed was never in any danger of a numb bum.

The radio played as we sat but it struck me as odd that the TV was also turned on. I didn’t see the point. We ordered-up and then retrieved our canned drinks from the cooler.

Curiously, they were dented.

E: I had to wonder what was up with that. Fortunately, we weren’t victims of cola exploding onto our faces, but when the baba ghanoush we ordered arrived a few minutes later, what I saw didn’t look appetizing at all.

I’m used to eating food with vibrant colours to highlight the details, not something sprayed out of Mt. Vesuvius.

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