Tag Archives: Dinner

05.06.26
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Is Cocobella Victoria Singing the Kokomo?

606 Johnson St
Victoria, BC

Phone: (250) 388-3111
Hours: 8 a.m.–12 a.m. (Daily)
Website: https://www.instagram.com/cocobellacanada/

When I was downtown for Free Comic Book Day last weekend, I showed up early enough to beat the crowd, but not early enough to beat the growl in my stomach. By the time I reached Johnson Street, most breakfast options were still rubbing the sleep out of their eyes. Maybe I should’ve wandered over to Broad Street instead. Le Croissant Chaud on the 1300-block might have been the smarter call, but Cocobella was right there. When a lot of corner eateries don’t seem to last long before a changeover to another food operation, I think a lot of areas are just “cursed.”

Since I didn’t expect anything on my comic list to quickly vanish, I figured I had time. That confidence started to wobble once my order at this Indian-inspired café began dragging its feet. A fully cooked sandwich can take up to ten minutes and I get that. Not every operation microwaves the food like Starbucks. But an iced pistachio latte? At one point, I wondered if they were hand-foraging the nuts out back.

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04.08.26
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An Update to the University Heights Expansion & Dining Problem

University Heights in the 80s, A Vestige Long Gone
University Heights in the 80s, A Vestige Long Gone

There’s a quiet hum building up in Gordon Head, and no, it’s not the continuing noise of construction and continued single lane use of Shelbourne Street for residents and drivers alike. While the new University Heights Shopping Centre it taking shape and other parts are demolished, it’s not over as the corner opposite is demolished and phase three is slowly worked on. As a result, there are areas where folks are waiting in line to fuel up, take residence (not every apartment building is move-in ready) or just eat. And the options? Well, they’re here. Whether they’re your options is another conversation altogether.

Between Dave’s Hot Chicken, Kanton Ramen, Chipotle, Ono Poké, and Firehouse Subs (the latter positioned at another building), the development is starting to fill in fast. Dave’s is the Nashville-style hot chicken chain that turned a Los Angeles parking lot pop-up into a continent-wide phenomenon, with a heat scale that starts at “No Spice” and climbs to “Reaper,” which is less a menu item and more a personal challenge with consequences. Kanton brings ramen to the mix, which any neighbourhood honestly needs more of. Chipotle is Chipotle, the reliable burrito assembly line you either swear by or feel lukewarm about. Ono Poké slots in as the Hawaiian-style bowl spot for the health-adjacent crowd who wants to feel virtuous without going full salad. Firehouse Subs rounds things out with overstuffed hot subs and a firefighting theme that is either charming or puzzling depending on how hungry you are.

None of it is local. None of it is surprising. But all of it is strategically placed.

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12.03.25
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When the Hype Is Hotter Than the Chicken: Cafe Malabar

Don at Cafe Malabar

Cafe Malabar
407 Swift St
Victoria, BC

Hours: Weds–Thurs: 12–2:15 p.m., 4–8 p.m.
Fri–Sat: 12–2:15 p.m., 4–8:30 p.m.
Sun: 12–2:15 p.m., 4–8 p.m.

Website: cafemalabar.ca
Phone: (780) 600-0005

DK: Well it took us a while, but we finally touched down (please forgive the aviation pun) at Victoria’s representative in Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants for 2024 list. They’ve also gone back to back belly to belly as Yam Magazine’s Best South or Southeast Asian restaurant in 2024 and 2025. To be specific, the cuisine of Kerala. So naturally there were some expectations going into this one. Would the Kerala Fried Chicken be “something to write home about” as Air Canada “eater-in-chief”

Tara O’Brady said in her review? Or would I be saving the stamp and just clickety-clacking out a few weary witterings to Ed?

ES: This travel weary individual would say yes, while some dishes popped, other did not.

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07.03.25
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[Vancouver, BC] Arcana Food and Spirits, More Than Meets The Eye

Arcana Food & Spirits Bar238 Abbott St,
Vancouver, BC

Phone: (604) 336-4006
Hours: Tues to Sun 5 p.m.–1 a.m.
Menu: arcanabar.com

To get a seat at Arcana Food and Spirits, it’s best to make a reservation. This guarantees you a seat because this operation has the feel of a vintage speakeasy. Whether you’re here for a quick drink or a bite, that depends on when you visit. On a busy Friday night, I knew it’s going to be busy, and I have to wonder how many peeps Fan Expo Vancouver squeezed in back when they booked the space to get people excited about the convention? I suspect not many, as it may hold 70 folks at most (there are two levels), and to look around requires navigating the corridor.

Ever since it opened in December 2023, it’s been doing well. I’m 100% in love with this theme bar. While the food is a step above the typical bar food, albeit with some nicely named treats to satisfy my interest in the occult, I’d come back just to try a few more dishes. I dressed for the occasion! Not only that, but I was wearing my Viking Cthulhu themed bomber jacket, and Anubis tee, so I was really loving the dark atmosphere where it felt like I was here to witness a ritual summoning!

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05.07.25
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At Himalayan Flavours, Skip The Buffet and Try Dine-In Instead

Don at Himalayan Flavours3945 Quadra St
Victoria, BC

Phone: (778) 966-7755
Menu: himalayan-flavours.com

Hours: Tues to Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

DK: “Momos, as far as the eye can see!” Is what I’d be saying if Himalayan Flavours lived up to my food fantasies. Instead, we got primarily a parade of standard buffet items. Oh well, you wanna stick to the dance floor fillers I can deal with. But zero naan on the line? That’s insane, Jeremy.

ES: Although I had a sneaking suspicion a name change would not help this former Indian food restaurant any, when Don suggested this place for lunch, I was hoping. Ultimately, it would look for those dumplings. We’re already crying foul for misleading information. There wasn’t even a yak in sight.

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04.02.25
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[Vancouver, BC] Only The Best. Tojo’s Restaurant Exceeds Expectations!

Tojo's Restaurant's Head Chef1133 W Broadway
Vancouver, BC
Phone: (604) 872-8050
Menu: tojos.com

Tojo’s Restaurant is world renowned for a simple reason. This is the place where its head chef (and owner) not only invented the California roll but also has a philosophy that anyone who sees the documentary, The Chef and the Daruma (movie review), might want to adapt. He’s a person I’ve always admired ever since I saw him on morning news television on Global Vancouver with Simi Sara showing how he crafts particular Japanese dishes. Back then, I didn’t know about the life behind the camera, but it intrigued me. After seeing the 2024 film, my appreciation has only grown.

Over time, this restaurant became world-renowned because of the amazing range of food he can prepare. He’s also a licensed fugu chef, so if there’s the means to import this blowfish in, I’m there! But with other dishes prepared by him or one of his chefs he’s trained, I probably couldn’t tell the difference. There’ll be a time when he’ll retire and the people he’s taught will take over.

He’s a gentle soul who is great to talk to. He’s like the Mr. Rogers of Vancouver! I was in town for Fan Expo and this time; I made the point of setting aside time to visit this restaurant! It’s honestly not that far from the downtown core, but to get there means either taking the taxi or public transit. The former can get you there, and the latter, is about eight blocks away from the major routes. I visited this operation twice because the experience was amazing! The staff is friendly and the atmosphere is perfect. And there’s a slight chance of seeing someone famous dining here. I should advise that you first check with management if it’s okay to approach their table.

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