Tag Archives: Esquimalt

11.09.16
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Within Esquimalt Lies One Great Kyubey

Kyubey26

Kyubey Sushi
612 Head St.
Esquimalt, BC
(778) 433-9696

E: I’m finding that the out-of-the-way Japanese diners do better at serving up delicious meals than those in town. In the municipality of Oak Bay, there’s Osaka and in the district of Esquimalt, there’s Kyubey. In Saanich (Lower), there’s Yoshi. While there’s none to find in Gordon Head (yet) maybe one day that will come. Sorry Sushi Island, but there’s nothing ‘traditional’ I find in your dishes. While they do serve Okonomiyaki, I’m finding that going out to the docks on the opposite end of the city is where I need to be to get my serving.

The thought of the shrimp pancake offered here had me pulling James away from his plans in the morning and diving deep into this municipality for a touch of authentic fare.

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09.16.14
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There’s Good Thai Over the Blue Bridge

Zap Thai Restaurant
1207 Esquimalt Rd.
Esquimalt, BC
(250) 389-1845

E: So many jokes can be made with a diner simply named Zap Thai, but upon walking in, I wondered if James and I entered a radio fix-it shop or we wandered into a gym. The ornaments were mixed, but it made for an interesting cozy atmosphere where Thai food can be enjoyed in the middle of the municipality of Esquimalt.

J: The atmosphere is as mom and pop as you can get. It is in the same strip mall were once a locally known burger place was situated. I visited the shop in the 80’s but now that it’s long gone and Pad Thai is here, I have a reason to return. And for you young girls, you may appreciate the hunky male server who looked more like he belonged in a gym than a restaurant. Hopefully his lack of enthusiasm wasn’t a sign of things to come.

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09.04.13
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Esquimalt’s RibFest & Beyond


Esquimalt Ribfest 2013
Sept 13 – 15, 2013
Bullen Park
Esquimalt, B.C.

Toothpicks and dental floss are going to be needed after anyone who partakes in Esquimalt’s first annual Ribfest. It runs from Sept 13 to 16 with one hungry bloke really eating for two. James had no interest and I was not going to miss out in some potential meaty bone sucking goodness. His loss is my weight gain, but I think anyone wanting to try the best in what each of the five ribbers offer will suffer a financial setback as well.

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06.03.12
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James’ Pick of the Events – June, 2012

Esquimalt’s Buccaneer Days
I may not have a peg leg but I knows a good pirate festival when I sees one. What true pirate can resist a fair? or refuse a pancake breakfast? A pirate has to have something to go down with the rum. Activities for the whole family including a parade, a craft and garden sale, children’s activity area and a Saturday night dance.

Vee Dub 9 Skateboard Competition
Much has changed since the days of being thrown from a banana board and today, the sport isn’t just for kids.

Island Chefs’ Collaborative Food Festival
What can be better than partaking in alcoholic beverages and food in the beautiful historic setting of Fort Rodd Hill. Names of the new businesses, the old establishments and the well established have served their wares at previous ICC Food Fests. Let’s hope for the sun on this one.

Christ Church Cathedral Community Fair
I can easily enjoy a good church social and the CCC’s Community Fair sounds very inviting. Here, I can look for local baked goods, And Gilbert & Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore will be performed. The Church has a strong history. They were graced 2 years ago by the presence of HRH the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. In the 1960’s CCC produced a record of songs performed by choir boy Bill Dyson.

First Peoples Festival
In elementary school, I was read the stories of Raven, I was also taken to see the Aboriginal People’s exhibit at the Royal BC Museum. Here at the festival, I can relive some fond memories of observing wood carvers, jewellers, and weavers ply their craft. Also, there will be knitters from Cowichan Valley and shamans teaching traditional medicine.

Fernwood Bites 2012
Victoria’s neighbourhood of Fernwood is “distinct.”

Topped by the crown jewel that is the Belfy Theatre, this commuity offers a decent amount of fine businesses to patronize — Aubergine Specialty Foods, Fernwood Inn, The Little Piggy and Stir It Up.

Besides an excellent Vintage Fair, Fernwood Bites is a must attend. They offer many delights for attendees to savour. They have plenty of delicious food, fine wines and spirits. But it is the meeting of many creative individuals that make this scene an excellent venue for anyone to mingle in.

To those people who loathe the nightclub scene, this event is a refreshing salvation.

03.28.12
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Two Crowns, One Roof

Chicken on the Run/Crown Palace
405 Craigflower Rd.
Victoria West, BC
(250) 385 – 3468

E: When I leave the decision making up to James in where we should go next, Perhaps I should’ve honestly interjected and said, “Are you crazy?”

Chicken on the Run and Crown Palace operate under the same roof. They’re technically a take-out operation. And when we saw that there was a small area for dine-in, James got the idea we should try the best of both worlds, Chinese and Western cuisine.

J: The issue I was having wasn’t the lack of dining space, it was moreso the lack of a public washroom. If it wasn’t for the availability of the Victoria West Community Centre’s facilities, I would’ve been scouting bushes in Banfield Park. I always wondered why the place was so green.
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12.24.11
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Burgers on the Industrial Side of Esquimalt

Bimo Burger Stand
878 Viewfield Rd.
Esquimalt, BC
(250) 360-2955

By my count, only a few months have elapsed since I said that I’d visit Bimo Burger Stand. It literally is a shack, owned and operated by a friendly-looking Chinese couple, and if I wanted some Chinese fast food to go, yes, that option is available.

But that’s not what this operation is all about. They serve burgers street vendor style, and they’re reasonably tasty ones at that. Although it doesn’t have the greasy joe’s feel, what I ate was a touch on the dry side. It doesn’t dribble when you’re eating and walking at the same time. When that’s put in a nicely warmed whole-wheat Kaiser bun, it left me satisfied for several hours. I only opted for the $5 piece just to see how their basic product fares.

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