Tag Archives: Desserts

02.28.18
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Landing in Rock Bay with a Parachute … for Ice Cream!

parachuteParachute Ice Cream
105-2626 Bridge St
Victoria, BC

Hours: 11 to 7pm
Phone: (778) 265-1999

I’m rarely in the area of Rock Bay, where the industrial side of Victoria exists. Plenty of automobile shops and breweries are strewn around. It’s amazing how only a couple of years will see change. Gone are a lunch stop — where I had the best bison burger I’ve ever had (review on Victoria burger blog) — and one of Prima Strada’s locations. They now operate out of Cook St (Fairfield area) and Fort (in the municipality of Oak Bay).

Now, other stops have sprung up, which includes a coffee shop offering nouveau sensations (i.e. ethically sourced ingredients) and a few doors up is Parachute Ice Cream. They opened in May 2016. After walking around to see what’s changed, I should make a point of being in this area more. At night, this location can be dodgy. This operation closes at 7pm every day. During the warmer seasons, I suspect they stay open longer. This detail is important for those who linger around. Down the block is Moon Under Water Brewpub and Saltchuck Pie Company. Both will be places I will want to check out. For beer lovers, they can have their pick of Hoyne, Driftwood or Vancouver Island Brewery to get kegs. All three should have rooms to sample their latest brews.

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12.27.17
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[Burnaby, BC] Cold Treats on a Cold Day at Sulmida Dessert Cafe

Shaved IceSulmida Dessert Cafe
4697 Kingsway
Burnaby, BC
Phone: (778) 379-8935

When ordering shaved ice desserts as delicate as a fresh snowfall is tasted off season, some folks may think I’m weird. I couldn’t care less as when Winter is in full swing. Technically, I was here in October, and I can imagine this place struggles during the cold months. But when I’m away from home more, I like to explore.

The evening was mild and I had to check out Sulmida Dessert Cafe, located on the opposite side of where Metrotown is in Burnaby, BC. I had the strawberry vanilla and slowly savoured the sweet milk center. I attempted to consume it like a tootsie roll made by Jack Frost and had no luck. A spoon was needed. My love for local BC berries were met with my taste buds feeling conflicted. They are out of season. I suspect this operation makes do with what they can get from wherever (Mexico).

The single sized servings start around $12 and go higher for share me. After one spicy meal in the area, I had to go for icy to cool my stomach down. The larger fruit slices are soft. When mixed with flash frozen, I was curious as to why have both. I took time to savour my treat as the ambient temperature was chilly enough to prevent everything from melting or softening. At another season, I’m sure these dishes will melt fast.

I knew I should not take too long too, before it became a slushy mess. The vanilla ice cream on top was tops and tastes like Breyers.

It’s a safe bet to assume this place is very popular during the summer months. Shaved ice is a treat in both Asia and Polynesia. I don’t often come across this type of operation in the wet Pacific Northwest but they have been popping up on the Lower Mainland more than the island I call home. Perhaps I should move.

3½ Blokes out of 5

06.21.17
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[Seattle, WA] Good Golly, I Miss Going to Molly Moon’s Ice Cream

Molly Moon’s Ice Cream
(Multiple Locations)
Seattle, WA

The only difference between Victoria, BC’s Cold Comfort operation to Seattle, WA’s Molly Moon’s is perhaps the latter has several operations than one. The quality of the cream is similar (both are hand-crafted in store), the service is super friendly and the variety … perhaps the same. During a wet Pacific Northwest night, the craving for ice cream certainly hit me.

Now that summer is here, I’m reflecting on which ice cream parlors I miss. Both operations have a cozy place to hang out in, and I have to say they are equal in exceptional variety and quality!

Sustainability is key to both operation’s success. While there were issues with my home-based operation not able to provide exacting details to satisfy the Canadian Food Inspection Agency requirement to provide sufficient labeling to sell in groceries, I’m sure at Molly Moon’s they could if they wanted to.

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12.14.16
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Qu’est Ce Que C’est Favoris? Gotta Taste Them All!

simg_1027Les Chocolats Favoris
1010 Government St
Victoria, BC
(778) 265-7050

JS: Move over Beacon Drive-In, there is a new ice cream shop in town and they speak Québécois French. Can a bit of olde England (Victoria) stand up to the noveau French invasion? Personally, I will say Beacon has little to worry about. But careful, do not drop your guard. Do not take Favoris lightly. Sure Beacon has their own lightly creamed sweet ice cream but when the urges take over, now and again, I want a hearty ice cream that is less on cream but more filling. For these urges, I shall run to Les Chocolats Favoris.

ES: I like the fact that the president of this company, Dominique Brown, decided to open up shop here in Victoria instead of Vancouver. They are based out of Quebec and to have an operation here is a gamble. Over the summer, during the busy tourist season where a cruise ship stops by every few weeks, this place was busy! Of course, James and I were late in learning about it and we still wobbled our way over to try ice cream off-season.

The draw has to be with the size of the portions offered. When I was walking to the Inner Harbour later, some tourists gawked at what I had left and I pointed them to where they could buy one.

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09.07.16
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The Stubborn Chef 拉麵館 changes the Ramen Scene ‘Round with AsUsual Cafe – 老地方

stubborn_chefStubborn Chef – 拉麵館
AsUsual Cafe – 老地方
3960 Shelbourne St
Victoria, BC
(778) 432-3818

Only James can think Kuma Noodle Japan has the best ramen all around Victoria. He’s most likely right, but he’s not had the complete Japanese experience (I had it in Japan, a place he has yet to travel to). Yes, I’m relentless in teasing him about this fact and one year, we will visit the Land of the Rising Sun to sample the food together. Back in Victoria, in the meantime, competitors eventually will emerge to challenge my buddy’s statement.

Trying to schedule his willingness to go out with my Pokémon GO adventures (I need to fuel up somehow) is like dragging a closet gamer out of the comfort of his own home to see the light, er sun.

We have tried a few places together. Foo Ramen Bar has been running for a while and unless you know which Japanese restaurants to go to, they will have this common staple buried along with the Udon and Soba. Next to the Victoria Public Market downtown is Ox King Noodles. In Gordon Head, The Stubborn Chef specializes in a variety of noodles. James finally checked out this place during one of his rare departures from Langford. By then, I’ve been here for the third time. Interestingly, the chef is a third generation noodle-maker. He’s been trained by the best and I’m glad he’s settling into the Gordon Head culinary landscape. The folks who ran this operation used to operate out of Chinatown in the past five years. And when it was sold a few years ago, I’m assuming the change of pace is because this municipality is closer to home. There’s less distance to travel. I’m thinking the owner/operator is taking a cue from James’ book. Why travel far when you can enjoy the comforts of home?

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07.06.16
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[Vancouver, BC] Breakfast at Scoozis Bar & Grill

Scoozis Bar and Grill
Scoozis Vancouver IMG_0431445 Howe St,
Vancouver, BC
(604) 684-1009

J: On a holiday weekend in Vancouver, one would think many places would still open for business given this city’s rather large population. Much to my chagrin, there were two options: Starbucks and a local Italian eatery called Scoozis. I bet you can guess what location I chose. And I’ll also bet you know how that decision turned out.

E: I recall having problems finding breakfast outside of my hotel from a previous trip. When I’m staying near the Vancouver Convention Center, it’s even worse. In this visit, especially when considering Canada Day was a few days ago, well it’s time to simply go for what’s open. I could have suggested a Vietnamese place that I tried years before, but I absolutely had no interest in returning there. Fortunately, the Italian flavour can have me shouting, “Che bello!”

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