Tag Archives: Desserts

12.29.10
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Wooden Shoes Not Included

The Dutch Bakery & Coffee Shop
718 Fort Street
Victoria, BC
(250) 385-1012


J: I’ve heard of the Dutch Bakery. And on the days I’ve strolled down Antiques Row, I would often see the delicious pastries tempting me from the display window.

But never have I stepped into the establishment. Me, a man born and raised in this fine city was completely unfamiliar with this place. I learned that in 1955, Cornelis J. Schadelee bought a failing coffee shop and turned it into one of the most successful independent businesses in the city. As I entered this bit of Victoria’s heritage, it was bustling.

People were queued-up to buy pastries for Christmas. Others sat in the diner that has changed little in appearance.

The diner was decorated in Dutch-themed wall hangings. Large black and white photos depicting the business history adorned one wall.

One would think Dutch Bakery takes great pride in their past.

E: I can only imagine what being here must be like when those meat pies are fresh out of the oven. Most of the time, when I want to treat myself, I pop in to grab one and delight in the buttery tenderness of the pastry they use to make these heavenly pies.

At $2.30 each, I can easily stop in anytime. Today, after bumping into my ol’ schoolmate, Shane Priestly, while heading there, all three of us sat down for a spell and enjoyed some good times reminiscing amidst the holiday rush. Both Priestly and I are recent graduates from Camosun College’s Applied Communication Program.

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10.01.10
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Foraging for Hedgehogs

Cakes Etc.
2821 Quesnel Street
Victoria, BC
(250) 360-2390

Dare I say it? Well, the day after, what lays before me in a secretive box is not a furry or spiny beast that I trapped from Cakes Etc. It’s what I’m going to discover in a chocolate treat that’s said to be hand dipped in chocolate, rolled in oat crumble and lightly drizzled in white icing and chocolate lace.

Better known as a Hedgehog ($1.50 per), what I dug my fork into was tough to break into. It’s not easy to simply jab the rotund cake to life. It’s hard exterior is equally matched with a meaty interior, meaning it’s a thicker product to consume.

I’m a fan of lighter deserts than something heavy, because after one forkful, I’m ready to fall over like a log. It’ll take me time to enjoy this dessert in its entirety, and I could very easily nibble on it all day than to let it go.

Okay, I’m sadistic. Given the amount of sweets I’ve been having lately, tis better to have small amounts than to eat it in one go. At least I’ll be able to burn off the calories faster.

3½ Blokes out of 5

Cakes Etc. on Urbanspoon

09.30.10
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Cakes Etc.

2821 Quesnel Street
Victoria, BC
(250) 360-2390

This week has been nothing but a series of good things. Another year rolled around for me, I received a glow-in-the-dark Ghostbusters T-shirt, and Ocean FM’s VIP Platinum Club sent me an automated email with a gift certificate of $5 to try out Cakes Etc.

Now no birthday is ever complete without cake, and the next day, I charged out of the classroom, down Hillside, and to what’s basically a bakery in the oddest of all areas—an industrial section of town. I was expecting something more eat-in than take-out; there wasn’t enough space for me to surreptitiously grab pics.

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05.28.10
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Spin me an Ice Cream

8aa3174ec22106894fe617617391a7a3_400x400Spinnakers Brew Pub
308 Catherine Street
Victoria West, BC
(250) 384-2739

What’s in an essence—the flavour? the spirit within? Perhaps it’s the divine force that’s unique to each and every soul.

In this case, it’s what’s unique to each and every ingredient. Spinnaker’s prides themselves in locally grown and produced products, and while I stopped by to purchase tickets to the coming Island Chefs’ Collaborative 3rd annual food festival, Defending our Backyard, I couldn’t help but notice they were selling ice cream too, at $6 per 12 oz tub.

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05.24.10
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Carribean Cooking Calypso

The Reef
533 Yates St.
Victoria, BC
(250) 388-5375

E: Avast ye mates! Shiver me timbers and gimme a beach to land on. Where I be today is at the Reef. In the Caribbean and ready to sample some rye. But, it’s really a bottle of rum that I seek.

J: Add tasteful mosaic tiles, one lifeless parrot (Monty Python sketch not included) and a bar that’d you expect at a beach, that’s only scratching the surface.

I rather enjoyed this place and I grooved to reggae music (or maybe my pants were too tight). Our friendly and helpful waitress even had that cock-eyed attitude that I love. If Blackbeard walked by and asked to use the little pirate’s room, I wouldn’t have batted an eye.

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