Tag Archives: Dinner

06.09.11
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Putting a Heart on Fire

The Spice Jammer
852 Fort Street
Victoria, BC
(250) 480-1055

Today’s installment comes from our guest writer, Michael Allen, the webmaster of 28 Days Later Analysis, an informative website dedicated to news and reviews in the independent horror entertainment scene.

Spice Jammer is one of the true dining delights offered by this small West Coast town. They have East African cuisine and are highly regarded for its flavourful curries and marsalas. The food, combined with the service and atmosphere, create an exceptional casual dining experience.

Is the Spice Jammer the best Indian restaurant in Victoria? This exotic food lover would give an emphatic yes. If you’re lucky enough to enjoy a night here, then your first memories will likely be about the fine service. Immediately upon entering Spice Jammer, I was greeted by a host wearing a dark red kurta. I was quickly seated in a lushly coloured sitting area and my order for appetizer samosas and naan bread was promptly taken. The only imperfection in service was the slower time in preparing the meals; with over 15 occupied tables, the reason for the delay was understood.

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05.21.11
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Cruisin’ the Grand Pacific Buffet

The trip on and off the rock known as Vancouver Island is wrought with one potential problem: the cost of using BC Ferries. Love them or hate them, they’re one means getting people away from or to the capital of British Columbia. One could enjoy the feasting of the Pacific Buffet ($22 at dinnertime) until the next harbour is reached.

The quality of the food is fairly good even though prices have gone up since I last entered through their frosted glass doors. Depending on the ferry, Spirit of British Columbia or Spirit of Vancouver Island and Coastal Celebration, what gets served will vary. Prices also vary depending on the time of day.

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05.10.11
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Gateway to Ireland

Dubh Linn Gate Pub
4320 Sundial Crescent
Whistler, BC
(604) 905-4047

On my last day at Whistler, I made my way over to Dubh Linn Gate, an old Irish pub. As I looked around, I saw plenty of character in its decor and to my right was a good view of the main stage—this was where the performers would play during the 2011 Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival.

I was there before the dinnertime rush, and I found the half order of a Steak and Guinness Pie was more than enough to tide me over even after I made it back to the island–six hours later. I wondered what a full order ($17) would’ve been like.

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05.08.11
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This Fish Ain’t no Whistlin’ Dixie

Nagomi Sushi
4557 Blackcomb Way
Whistler, BC
(604) 962-0404

Nagomi Sushi is a restaurant that opened in 2008 in Whistler, BC. After sampling their mackerel in their Saba-Bo Sushi platter ($14.50), this place had me whistling Dixie and then some. I haven’t had that level of fresh fish for a long time. When I bit into it, I knew I was biting into something that was fished out of the sea that day. I was more pleased to see some tender skin was left for me to nibble into.

And with a full fillet to fill me for the night, I had to wonder if I had room for the other two dishes I ordered. This one roll is enough to serve three, let alone the two gullets I was trying to make up for. But with a night of video editing before me, I needed all the brain juice that I could muster.

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05.01.11
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Yokohama Blues

Yokohama Japanese Restaurant
980 Blanshard Street
Victoria, BC
(250) 384-5433

2016 Update: This operation has since closed and become Xiang Rui Chinese Restaurant.

The Yokohama Japanese Restaurant has been around since ‘79, but that doesn’t mean anything in terms of quality. Especially in regards to the quintessential ingredient that’s used in Asian cuisine—rice.

At dinnertime, their “Regular Sushi” was priced at $13.95, $2 more than what’s listed on their lunch menu. Let’s hope that wasn’t a misprint. Both came with a bowl of shabu soup. The soup arrived quickly, and I gulped the flavourful broth down in nearly no time. When I was examining the ingredients in this soup, I wondered about the other flavours. The carrot slivers tasted like they came from the outer skin than the core, and the mushrooms were nothing special. Normally, I’d expect to have shitake than white, so I was left with mixed feelings when the bowl sat empty.

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04.27.11
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Fine Dining at the Chalet

Today’s installment comes from our guest writer, Michael Allen, the webmaster of 28 Days Later Analysis, an informative website dedicated to news and reviews in the independent horror entertainment scene.

Deep Cove Chalet
11190 Chalet Road North
West Saanich, BC
(250) 656-3541

The French-styled Deep Cove Chalet has been a fine dining experience along the west coast for over forty years. It is run by married couple Pierre & Bev Koffel. Lunch and dinner are served between Wednesday and Sunday, with the summer season offering courses on the beautiful deck, overlooking the water.

The complimentary fresh poppy seed bread and cold bottles of water helped clean the palette as we anticipated new tastes. This dining occasion was a birthday celebration and the co-owner, Bev, provided chocolate truffles for Mercia. The smiles were genuine and the service was delivered on a very high level of professionalism and care.

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