06.05.24
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Just Another Block Kitchen & Bar on the Yates Dining Strip

Block Kitchen - The DonBlock Kitchen & Bar
538 Yates St #101
Victoria, BC

Hours: Daily from 3 to 9 pm (10pm weekends)
Phone: (250) 590-6744
Menu: blockvictoria.ca

DK:This is the type of place you feel out of place if you aren’t drinking. Not so much because the waitress acts stunned when you order water, but because really if you’re not here to drop $60 on a few cocktails, why are you here? Tell me Ed, why?

ES: Although I’m not sure how to follow up on Don’s opener, I was just as baffled too. Yes, Block Kitchen & Bar is very much a place to get a drink after work and have a light meal. I don’t think I can get filled unless I spend $100 or more, and even on a former student’s mindset and budget, I’m not willing to spend that much!

However, I did get a cocktail to go with my sort of Japanese meal. I always wanted to try the Birds of Paradise and it was a flavourful drink. The Akvavit is the foundation where more fruity flavours are put on top, and although it’s not a layered drink, it certainly gave me a good buzz when the dishes finally arrived.

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05.01.24
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Meditating on What Makes Pho Wisdom Better Than the Strip of Pho Eateries A Block Away

20240430_180235102-915 Fort St
Victoria, BC

Open:
Tues to Fri 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 5–8 p.m.
Sat and Sun 12–8:30 p.m.

Menu: phowisdom.com
Phone: (250) 384-2971

Every time I take a stroll along Fort and count the number of Pho operations that exist along this street, I have to ask the big question: which one tastes the best and who in the right mind wants to challenge neighbouring competitors? Although I can’t answer the former query just yet, I’d say Pho Wisdom is the smartest of the bunch to not be so close. Plus, in addition to nearly everything that’s traditional in a Vietnamese menu, they got Thai too! 

In the next two weeks, they’ll be offering five different curries for the lunch and dinner crowd! I’ll certainly have to find time to return, as they’re claiming to be as genuine as this dish can be. 

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04.08.24
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Food, Inc. 2, The Sequel Everybody Must See. A Documentary Review

Food, Inc. 2 Movie PosterComing soon to select theatres and on VOD beginning April 12, 2024

According to US Senate Corey Booker of New Jersey, America’s food system is savagely broken. In the well-meaning documentary, FOOD, INC. 2, viewers are looking at how the industry has changed when the Covid-19 pandemic struck, what’s still wrong with it and how it’s affected the global distribution chain. It’s a loose sequel to the original, simply titled FOOD, INC. made 15 years ago.

While the last film by Robert Kenner and Melissa Robledo was about the industrialised nature of America’s food supply by saying monopoly is bad, there’s more being explored in this latest release. What’s examined shows Booker and Jon Tester as the most vocal U.S. Senators who want to save more than just the American heartland. And at the same time, we see problems. At some farms, migrant workers are mistreated, and some are even underpaid! Another concern asks whether shipping food from one corner of the world to another is really needed. There are a lot of issues being explored, and this work could be made better by having intertitle cards to separate each issue out. Not everything is related.

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03.06.24
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Otaki, A Destination for Fans of Yamadai Instant Ramen!

window displayThere’s a new operation in Victoria, BC which is designed to feed the hungry instant ramen enthusiast and also sell geeky wares. Otaki has over 30 flavours from Yamadai, and it all comes courtesy of the stock that the sister operation, Sakura Grocery, has. The plan is to provide even more brands from other parts of Southern Asia so that those hungry asian noodle eaters will say this shop is the place to go to find that comfort food from home.

Besides Oni Oni, which is a convenience store that sells delicious rice balls, the decision to open another operation was in response to the pandemic. Some folks wanted something to do. Although that time is behind us, these individuals didn’t quit these hobbies. That’s the reason this store is stocking up on those bestsellers and will consider how to expand from there. Because some folks are lazy to cook, instant ramen became all the rage for some self isolating, and as for what other instant goods one wants depends on who you ask.

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03.06.24
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In Victoria, BC, There’s a A Ramen Bar, but What’s Geekware?

This bit of tantalizing news dropped on some social media channels in the past few days, and we will update as soon as we can. This operation is opening today, and we have roving reporter Ed Sum going to this place near Market Square in Victoria, BC to investigate. We will update with further information, photographs as soon as possible.

Ramen Bar and Geek Ware

02.07.24
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Wanting Enercheez? Here’s Where To Find Them in 2024.

Version 1.0.0

Enercheez is a delicious snacking product that’s sold in select markets for a little more than seven years now, and they are finally hitting grocery stores! I discovered them over the weekend while at Thrifty’s Foods. And after doing some online fact checking, it seems they are more popular as a dried food product to take along for those camping expeditions. I assume that’s how they were sold when it came to market in 2017.

This cheese snack is made by Mountain Munchies, a family-owned company based out of Nelson, British Columbia. According to CEO Bruce Burgener, who said to Expert Navigator, “With the U.S. so close, it always seemed like the best market to access, however with the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) there are other options and other countries excited to bring in Canadian products.” 

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