06.07.23
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How “Pie” Can We Get When “The Bar” is in North Seattle?

20230422_232704(multiple locations)
2218 NW Market St
Seattle, WA

Website: https://www.piebar.com/
Hours: Weds to Sun 6:00pm to Midnight

DK: Every year, some local news outlet asks a 100-year-old lady, “What’s the secret to eternal life.” If the crew’s found an old coot that understands good TV, the answer back is always “whisky.” When my family asked my elderly aunt the same question, she said, “always eating dessert.” Well, call me Ponce de Leon, because on our Seattle trip I led Ed to Pie Bar to drink from the fountain of youth. Or to at least test old-lady wisdom.

ES: I’m glad we didn’t emerge out of that establishment visit with whipped cream beards on our way out. We had to look clean and shaven, with many years taken out, since added facial hair is an indicator. Although we hit this establishment late at night, I must say the more operations that exist till midnight are perfect for the drinking crowd. 

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05.17.23
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[Seattle, WA] How to Feast (or rather get Drunk) at Skål Beer Hall!

Ed and the Tree of Life5429 Ballard Ave NW
Seattle, Washington

Hours: Weds, Fri-Mon
from 12 PM to 11:00 PM
Phone: (206) 829-9615
Website: https://www.skalballard.com/

ES: The next time I return to Skål Beer Hall and have friends with me, we’re either tackling the Roast Pheasant or Chicken! Don and I were talking about visiting Seattle for a long time, and all I knew during our discussions is that this place was #1 on my list. Even though we didn’t fully feast like a Viking, to be a karl to an Jarl (Earl) is fine by me. For starters, what we were delighted about was enough to satisfy the appetites of youths.

Yes, I have to bring up How to Train Your Dragon for comparison (well the animated one versus the book), Don was Hiccup to me being like Fishlegs (being stouter), but were we able to make a dent at attacking the Njord Bord? What say you, Don?

DK: Now is where I insert a witty riposte to Ed’s characterization of me as Hiccup. But, having not seen the film or read the books, I’ll just assume Hiccup is a charming and intelligent sidekick.

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05.03.23
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Sometimes It’s Tough to Rate Victoria’s Favourite–Floyd’s Diner

Inside Floyd's DinerMultiple Locations 
Victoria, BC

Hours: 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM Daily
Website: floydsdiner.ca
Phone: (778) 440-1200

In Victoria, BC, Floyd’s Diner has been a mainstay since the start of the century. Although the original location on Quadra and Yates closed down (it’s become a poke salad lounge according to Google), I’m glad they have other locations to keep going at. Regulars come her for the ambience. You can feel it with all the vintage and pop culture decor that decorates the place. And the vibe you feel from entering is what defines the experience. The staff are very friendly, and as for what to eat, not many appetites are prepared for the Mahoney!

This meal can be anything. It’s described as whatever the cooks want to whip up! Pictures from their website show just how innovative and huge they are. And the pricing reflects that. It’s not so much about whether this meal can be finished in a sitting, but if you’re willing to gamble! If you flip a coin and call it right, you pay double the price, otherwise it’s a free meal! Or to be fair, one can just pay the listed price which is $23.95! 

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04.19.23
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Good Ovening. How Much KFC Can They Serve?

Donald Kennedy at Good Ovening799 Fort St,
Victoria, BC

Hours: 11am to 3pm, 5pm to 11pm Daily
Menu: goodovening.ca
Phone: (778) 440-4343

ES: It’s hard to come up with a joke to say how Good Ovening is. This operation serves Korean Fried Chicken and other crispy delights all baked up instead of greased up, and all I have to say is that it’s about time! It’s not so much about cutting the grease out of my comfort food, but to be more mindful as I get older and wanting to cut down on that. What this diner offers isn’t about fusion dishes, either. They got the ultimate churros! They are fried up, but you wouldn’t know it!

DK: As Ed alludes to in his intro, Good Ovening has been marketing itself as a “healthy” Korean Fried Chicken option. Healthy because it is baked, not deep-fried. I’ll resist the urge to get punchable pedantic over the persuasiveness of this campaign, and focus on flavour instead. 

We started off our meal with some great butter garlic prawns. Perhaps the best Ed and I have had since we enjoyed Four Spice’s tandoori prawns many months ago.

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04.05.23
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Limey, There’s A Lotta Sweets Here!

Limey Store FrontLimey, The British Shop
515 Chatham St, Unit 101, Victoria, BC
Phone: (778) 432 4620

1882 Dayton St, Kelowna, BC
Phone: (236) 420 4620

Website: https://www.limeyshop.com/

While I don’t recall when the Old English Sweet Shop closed its doors, this fixture from my younger days was my go-to place for my Jelly Babies. Every once in a while, when I have that craving or I want something else from across the pond, I’d always prefer to visit locally run operation that hows what to import in. And it seems not every sweet shop in town is built to last. The last time I was in Oak Bay, I forgot about Sweet Delights ceased operations–perhaps a result of the pandemic.

While I’m glad a few grocery stores in town like Fairway has a few items, I want my jelly babies in a white bag like The Doctor keeps them in. This time traveller helped introduce me to UK sweets, and from there, that’s how my belly became so jolly. Thankfully, there’s Limey to take over! And they also acknowledge why the TARDIS is important, since it’s painted onto one of their doors.

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03.15.23
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In Vancouver, What’s Served is Fast and AFURI Ramen (and Dumplings of course!)

Afuri Soft Shell Crab Bao and Ed7971 Alderbridge Way #140, Richmond, BC
2801 Main St, Vancouver, BC

Hours: 11:30 am to 9:00 pm Daily
Website: Afuriramen.com

AFURI ramen + dumpling has two locations in the Lower Mainland, and I’m sure both of them serve equally delicious and fast meals. The wait wasn’t too bad at the one I went to, and it’s a popular place to grab lunch because of their signature broth. From their website, they describe it as, “a light, delicate broth built upon a reduction made from local chicken, dry fish ‘niboshi’ ‘katsuobushi.’, dry kombu seaweed, and vegetables to produce a layer of umami flavours, and hints of refreshing yuzu citrus.”

The fruitiness is more pronounced with certain dishes than others. As I visited this place during February for Fan Expo Vancouver, I opted for their Valentine’s Day special, and oh boy, I was in love. I was there for the soft shell crab baos, and one is not enough. The cucumbers were brined in some sparkly sweet soda to make the crisped crustaceans bounce. The fluffy bread was like a cloud, and when I thought it’d be like a hamburger, it’s nowhere even close. It’s a light snack and I honestly was tempted to order more on that visit. However, I was waiting for the shining star to land upon me, and that was a bowl of Australian Wagyu Ramen!

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