Fuji Market
204-4000 Whistler Way
Whistler, BC
(604) 962-6251
Sushi Village
4272 Mountain Square
Whistler, B.C.
(604) 932-3330
I do take out sushi all the time at Fujiya’s at Shelbourne on those days where I’m in a rush. With a video editing project to finish for next day, I wondered where I could find that kind of equivalent here in Whistler, BC.
Sushi Village
4272 Mountain Square
Whistler, BC
(604) 932-3330
When I entered Sushi Village, I was half expecting to be whisked away to feudal Japan. In Whistler, anything can happen, including sudden turns of the weather—but in this case, it’s a touch of the old world with the new, and a noisy neighboring table of Chinese tourists. A customer was complaining about the service and not getting what he ordered.
It had me wondering what I got myself into. The waitress’ unease disappeared when she approached me, and I could sense that she had a long day. The complementary green tea was served without any delay and it wasn’t hard for me to choose what I wanted—the SASSs roll ($14.95), a spicy tuna roll ($5.25), and a spicy scallop roll ($8.25) as my first round.
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.
It’s very rare when I get a chance to write about my interest in film on this blog. When there’s a foodie connection, I just knew I had to write about it. That’s assuming I can squeeze into a jam-packed theatre.
I can’t say I was impressed with the venue, the Empire Theatre (formerly known as Capitol 6) that the Victoria Film Festival uses. The individual movie screening rooms felt small. And after seeing another film at the Odeon half a block away, if this movie was shown there, they would’ve accommodated the dozen or so stragglers who wanted to see the film, but were denied due to the film being sold out.
Thankfully, my patience won out and I managed to see this movie, and it certainly had me hungry at the end! The acting is very sublime and the subtitled translation is good. What I particularly enjoyed about this movie is its enduring quality: the look at the human condition of being torn away from civilization was at the heart of this film. When the lifeline is only a phone call away, just how many people really want to pay $8 a minute just to talk with loved ones, or even to the operator at the opposite end of the line.
Osaka Sushi
1951 Oak Bay Ave.
Oak Bay, BC
(250) 590-6650
E: Oak Bay has a little secret, there’s a great place to hit for sashimi and it’s known as Osaka Sushi. While the graphic designer in me cringed at the familiarity of a papyrus-like font in their signage, I’m glad I didn’t let it deter me from walking in to try their food.
After heading to The Blethering Place for haggis earlier that night, I was still hungry. Instead, what caught my eye were the pretty waitresses …
J: On my previous trips to Oak Bay, I always passed by this cosy looking restaurant. But to actually sit down in a private booth and relax to smooth jazz while the world marches on outside, is bliss. Our servers were fast, polite and yes, attractive. I wanted for nothing while in their care.
Green tea was served while I spun my head at their extensive menu. It came in two parts and I warn you, it’s not for a potential indecisive like myself. If you can get over that hurdle, the prices are very reasonable.
Sushi Plus Restaurant
766 Yates Street
Victoria, BC
(250) 386-3116
J: Sushi Plus is a cozy little Japanese restaurant conveniently located in the vicinity of the Odeon Theatre. My initial experience was a pleasant one. Here was this Japanese restaurant actually run by a Japanese family.
E: James expounded strange wonders and the thrill of going to this place for the first time and all I did was pull a Mr.Spock. And I can’t say I was too thrilled at the presentation. The meal was mildly tasty, but it was more reminiscent of what a street vendor would do. And I had the authentic experience too while in Japan.
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