Tag Archives: Desserts

01.26.22
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Yummy: The History of Desserts Book Review

Yummy: A History of Desserts (A Graphic Novel): Elliott, Victoria Grace: 9780593124383: Books - Amazon.caRandom House Publishing
Available to purchase on Amazon USA

Everything you want to know about those sweet confectioneries but are afraid to ask is all covered in Yummy: The History of Desserts. This graphic novel by Victoria Grace Elliott was published last year. Although I had a digital copy to read at first, I was also gifted a hardcopy over the holidays. After reading it multiple times, I feel a lot more informed by Peri, a food sprite, giving readers a fairly detailed look about my favourite after dinner treats. She also has fellow fairy type pals assisting.

The first chapter is a solid look at ice cream’s origins. I can’t help but wonder if there are more regional versions because one part of the world–South America–isn’t known for this treat. They are known for Calzone Rotos and Picarones (a version of the doughnut), pies and cookes, but not really anything else. 

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11.17.21
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When Cravings Are Tough to Satisfy at Cinnaholic

20211027_173335Cinnaholic
#102 – 535 Yates St
Victoria, BC 

Hours: Sun to Sat: 11:00 am to 9:00 pm
Menu: cinnaholicvictoria.ca
Phone: (778) 265-2564

ES: Don’s the real Cinnaholic between us, and when a operation (technically, it’s a franchise) opened up in town, we pondered when to sample their wares. They boast freshly made cinnamon rolls which can be decked out anyway you want. I counted more than a dozen possibilities, and all I can say is wunderbar! Or should that be cinnabar? Okay, so the joke doesn’t work….

It’s often cold and wet in Victoria these days. To nibble on anything warm is required when out on the town late at night.

DK: Cinnamon buns are like cars, as soon as you drive them off the lot they start to lose value. A bun can be a 10/10 fresh out of the oven, but a 3/10 by midday. Also if you park a cinnamon bun in a bad neighbourhood you want to make sure not to leave any change lying around in the frosting.

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05.12.21
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It Isn’t Possible to “Black Ball” A Taiwanese Dessert Cafe Going Canadian

berries759 Yates St
Victoria, BC

Hours:
Wed-Sun 10 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Order:
doordash.com

Black Ball Taiwanese Dessert Cafe was once a Taiwanese operation, but they’ve franchised out! With a few outlets in Canada–one in Downtown Victoria I knew I had to eventually to visit this place. It was odd they were setting up shop last year, at the start of the pandemic.

For takeout frosty desserts, it’s best to live near the area instead of doing take-out for consumption at home. The ice treats can melt fast. The drinks are a lot more enjoyable while strolling down the walkway along the Inner Harbour, or towards the bridge.

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03.03.21
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I’m Screaming for Ice Cream (and to Travel Again)

Shug’s Ice Cream
and Soda Fountain
Pike Place Market
1525 1st Ave Seattle, WA

Hours: Thurs to Sun 2 pm to 8 pm
Phone: (206) 602-6420

I miss making my annual trip in March to Seattle, Washington. One reason is that this city is home to Emerald City Comic Con, the largest show celebrating pop culture for the Pacific Northwest (Canada included)! Last year’s event didn’t happen because of the pandemic. I was making my plans, but when Seattle became famous for being a hotbed of possibly getting infected, I knew I had to cancel.

ReedPOP made the wise call to “postpone” their event as nobody wants to get COVID-19, and while they are scheduling to resume for Winter 2021, just whether that will fly will depend on the global situation. Vaccines are being delivered and by Summertime, I should be a card carrying member of almost immune to COVID-19 club. I’m still going to wear a mask everywhere I go and have hand sanitizing wipes though! Upon landing, I know I’ll be making a beeline to Shug’s Soda Fountain and Ice Cream. They offer late night treats when the sugar craving calls! Throughout the year, plenty of seasonal flavours become available, but my plan is to attack the Big Eddie again–or I may order something different.

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06.24.20
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Oh My Taiyaki at Snowy Village

Snowy Village
4071-#2a Shelbourne St
Victoria, BC

Phone: (250) 590-2277
Hours: Weds – Monday: 2–8p.m.

Unit #2a at Feltham Centre must be cursed. Every few years, it changes operations. Not even the novel coronavirus can stop Snowy Village during these harder times. I’ve visited this dining space in its previous forms, which can be found here offering churros) and here (Hong Kong style desserts). Instead of going back to what it was (I’m guessing the same Asian family rents the space but depending on whose idea it is to change theme, that person is the manager), the decision to buy into a new franchise was on their mind. Now, I can get cold treats like the bingsoo and a staple with taiyaki.

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07.10.19
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Is Milkcow Worth Mooing About?

Milkcow Cafe
762 Yates St.
Victoria, BC

Phone: (unlisted)
Hours: 12:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Summer is here in Victoria, BC and ice cream parlours all over the downtown area are no doubt going to see a surge in business. There’s at least one per 3×3 city block. Pretty soon, I think I will have to rate the five or so businesses that I’ve sampled over the and during the years when the craving hits. With Milkcow being the latest and a franchise-based operation, I have to ask myself if they are worth the wait?

Korean dessert shops don’t seem to have a long life-span in Gordon Head, the area which I live. One space at the corner strip mall has been turning over from one sweet shop to churros (run by a Korean) to still another sweet shop all within 2-3 years. Hopefully, in Downtown Victoria, they can last longer.

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