Victoria Oven
Government St. at Fort St.
Victoria, B.C.
J: On a warm Victoria day, I was following Ed on an empty stomach as he attempted to complete his errands, from the metaphysical crystals at Instinct Art & Gifts to the artistic supplies of Island Blue. But now and again I would redirect when something of interest popped into the corner of my eye.
Like any man, curiosity gets the better of Ed (especially when it comes to ghosts) and I. And as we were waiting to go in to see the film Dredd at the Cineplex Odeon Victoria, we couldn’t help but be attracted to the close sounds of hammering and buzzing.
It was two doors down from the Cineplex that we located the source of the noise in the former Vietnam House and was met by a younger man named Mehmet.
He explained to us nosy food lovers that there is a new restaurant to open in the location of 788 Yates Street. As we listened further we were excited to learn the new eating establishment will be called Efes. This place will focus on authentic Turkish cuisine made from scratch and will make use of fresh local B.C. products.
Veneto Tapa Lounge
1450 Douglas Street
Hotel Rialto
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 383-7310
Tapas seem to be the hottest trend these days, and these lounges that offer small sized portions of food is not a place I’d often go to. After this dine-in experience, I have found a new place to induldge in one particular guilty pleasure: enjoying fusion cuisine.
Runs every Thurs, Fri, and Sat & Sun from 11 am – 5:30 pm
From May 6 – September 30
Langley Street
E: After one hefty lunch, I was surprised that James could even eat more that day. When random readers like to point out our eagerness at being overweight, my only response at seeing my buddy eating a Boston Cream Doughnut at the Bastion Square Market was OMG. As much as I liked to partake in one too, at least I knew my limits… well, sort of.
J: I will confess, I gave in to the cravings and tossed my strict diet out the window just to sample one of the obese Boston creams occupying a stall at B-Red Bakery. Ed on the other hand was willing to sell his soul to sample some unique pasta.
Oh Sugar
561 Johnson Street
Victoria, BC
778-440-9192
2016 Update: This operation is now under new ownership.
I could very well sing the praises of the traditional folk song “Oh Susanna” in place of Oh Sugar than The Archie’s “Sugar Sugar” once this candy store really takes off. This company’s logo certainly has me praising something.
According to Rick Goodman, who runs the shop with his wife Justyna, the more exotic and stranger the candy is, the more likely this operation will carry it. I had to ask Rick about Stay Puft Marshmallows and if he could special order it for crazy clients like me. Fans of Ghostbusters know what the fuss is all about; yes, these puffy delights are caffeinated!
Skinnytato Polish Restaurant
615 Johnson Street
Victoria, BC
(250) 590-6550
J: A lesson to be learned by one hungry bloke is that a barely populated establishment does not a poor restaurant make. Or at least not below average in any sense of the word. It was a shoot-out between Skinnytato and Lotus Pond.
Ed had reinforced my doubts about the fact that we had recently done the Asian food scene to death. It was time to call for a change.
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