08.06.10
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Heading out to the Highway

And I got nothin’ to lose at all. Judas Priest has nothing to what I’ll be doing in the coming week, and there should be a few articles from Yvonne and I, while James holds the fort back home.

He’s shifting focus to go look at the some foods you can buy at the grocery stores while I do a little culinary adventure of what Washington State can offer in our road-trip.

You’ll have to ask him why he isn’t part of this trip, but I think it had something to do with a bear. She didn’t appreciate him eying that salmon she just recently fished out of the river, or something ….

I could say I’m goin’ to do it my way (heck, I’d be tackling that bear down too for fresh sashimi) and takin’ a chance before I fall.

Anyways, I’ll be competing against Yogi if we end up in Yellowstone, but then, the whole trip will be one huge adventure.

We will be making a stop in Seattle so I can hit the Crab Pot again. That’s for certain, but there’ll be other places too as we work our way eastwards, perhaps through mythic lakes, ice-torn landmarks and an eerie ghost town too.

There’ll be updates as ‘net access permits.

08.04.10
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Fairway Market’s Facelift

2635 Quadra Street
Victoria, BC
(250) 380-9773

Fairway on Quadra has a fully functional kitchen and a buffet that’s comparable to what any Chinese restaurant can offer. This place is worth hitting for those people who are tight on money; the food is good and for the speed, one can get a meal made up within minutes.

The only difference is that you have to choose what entrees you want and there’s no going back for seconds. You name it, they’ll most likely have it. To name a few, there’s dumplings, Szechuan style squid, tempura prawns, sweet and sour pork and egg rolls.

Prices begin at $6.99 and increase by dollar increments for any additional selections. While there’s no regrets buying from Fairway, there’s always tomorrow to hit the gym. Every time I consume one of those palettes of noodles with squid and prawns, I feel several pounds heavier.

Their meals are not really meant to be eaten in one go, or by just one person. Even in the smallest serving size, there’s enough for two. Sadly, while they give away squid like nothing, the prawns are limited to three per serving, and to get double that would take up a selection. The taste is about what you would expect for material made en masse. Sometimes, the squid is dry and the tempura batter greasier than oil baking out in a sun, but that’s because of how long it’s been sitting there. The people who dole out the food are probably not certified to be in a kitchen either. They take your order and look for who’s next.

If they truly cared about how to service a product, they’d be properly portioning out the food, so the packages do not feel top heavy.

I’ll be ready to tip over instead.

2 Blokes out of 5

Fairway Market on Urbanspoon

08.01.10
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Remembering a Bygone Era with Soda Shops

Note: This establishment is no longer operating.

Rogers’ Chocolates
Soda Shoppe
913 Government St.
Victoria, BC

J: Soda shops once populated the North American landscape and they are mostly are a faded memory. Places like Ma Heller’s west-side Montreal establishment was a popular hang out in the post-war era, but we can still support these simpler times by patronizing Victoria’s own The Soda Shoppe.

E: I hate to break this to you James, but there are still a few left around the world. It’s become more of a niche market. But for folks craving that old fashioned nostalgia, I’m certainly glad Roger’s Chocolates decided to open this store up. Whenever I have two spare loonies, I’d stop by and grab a cherry coke made the old fashioned way.

I still can’t forgive Coca Cola for pulling their product off the Canadian market. So I have to get my cherry pop craving elsewhere.

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07.28.10
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Breakfast Follies

Note: This establishment is no longer at this location.

Knockanback Grill
4136 Wilkinson Rd.
Saanich, BC

E: Every starving student knows that depending on where the campus is located, there’s very few or a lot of dining options to be found nearby. Well, over at Camosun’s Interurban, it’s either the Knockanback or that Chinese diner across the street.

After looking at their online menu, I had to drag James along to try this place out.

For the most part, it was good, but nothing spectacular to brag home about. Well, unless you’re a beer drinker. The almost European atmosphere had a Jamaican vibe going on the day we visited. I grooved to the music.

J: I remember the Knockanback from 15 years ago and couldn’t help but think it was nothing more than a redneck dive. After walking through those wooden doors, I can still see a few corners where a vampire could settle for pint. The waitresses were cute and the staff were helpful. But it’s not the type of place I’d frequent. If I’m looking to become a regular for a buffet meal, I’ll stick with Raymond’s. Or I’ll have a proper breakfast at Smitty’s.

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07.25.10
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Denny’s Canada Lacking When Compared to American Counterpart

3100 Douglas St.
Victoria, BC
(250) 382-3844

Franchise operations are always questionable, and the quality of the food never stays the same at every outlet you go to.

After my roadtrip and a few breakfasts Denny’s in the States, I find those operations far better than in Canada. They have more tasty offerings, especially in the cherry pop department, but over across from Mayfair Mall this particular Denny’s has moreorless stayed consistently the same.

Better known for their value priced breakfasts, I went all out and tried the Meat Lover’s Trio ($11.99). That’s the works, everything, complete with a heart pump included. Well, the grease content wasn’t that bad.

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07.20.10
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Kudos to Chemainus

Editor’s Note: This business is no longer at the address listed below.

Kudos Japanese Restaurant
9875 Maple St.
Chemainus, BC
N/A

I went up island not too long ago and instead of my buddy James, it was some other good buds. We went to Ladysmith and on our way back, I suggested Chemainus as a stop. We hit upon their Wednesday Market at the downtown core and found a stall selling Japanese food from Kudos Restaurant.

The prices we paid for here are for samplers, but at these prices its easy to build a meal.

And here, both Brydon and I agree that the kaki fry (deep fried breaded oysters) were spectacular. At $2 a pop which includes a small salad, I could’ve easily bought them out.

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