Tag Archives: Saanich

03.18.14
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Going Back in Time with 1550’s

1550 Cedar Hill Cross Rd
Saanich, BC 
(250) 472-0047

E: 1550’s is one of those cozy bistros which will send diners back in time and if Back to the Future fans will recall, that’s where George McFly met his son, Marty, and he would not attempt to date Lorraine Baines until Marty dressed up as a nuclear suited version of Darth Vader.

Interestingly enough, on the drinks list was a drink of the same name. Coincidence?

J: At first I thought it was an alcoholic drink so strong that it would give you a force choke. But there is no such luck because it doesn’t contain any alcohol. It’s similar to a Shirley Temple and has fruity ingredients, hardly a drink for a Sith Lord and more suitable for a Hollywood child star with curls.

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12.04.13
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Yoshi’s Sushi

#604 – 771 Vernon Ave 
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 475-3900

Yoshi Sushi is one of Victoria’s hidden secrets. I’ve been here a few times before and they have never disappointed. When I’m here for a lunch with a new friend, I had to find that prawn cocktail that I tried before and only saw that it had been replaced with a sashimi cocktail ($11). I was not disappointed, as the former meal had a sharp tanginess that could have been brought down a notch. With this new variant, the intensity is only as strong as the diner wants it when its dipped in a mix of soy sauce and wasabi. With various slices of tuna, salmon, sweet shrimp and scallop (lightly coated with roe) presented over a bed of radish noodles and seaweed salad, I thought the presentation was impeccable. The only thing missing is what I believe is a tomato that their online menu illustrates.

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11.12.13
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Is Young Young Nom Nom?

Young Young 
1540 Cedar Hill X Rd.
Saanich, B.C. 
(250) 388-9806

J: Young Young is one of those Asian restaurants in the University corridor of Gordon Head, known as Cedar Hill X Road. It is not only a road frequented by Camosun College Lansdowne campus students but also the University of Victoria and the St. Michael’s University students as well. What is interesting is is this is a restaurant frequented by Asians, much like Kuma Noodle across the road. And why not, the restaurant has unique seating depending on what your eating arrangements will be. You have the wooden booths for hot-pot (and a special booth available for a large hot-pot party), the cushioned booths for regular eating, tables for two with mod looking chairs and there is a cozy corner for a large group to relax.

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09.02.13
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The Two Hungry Blokes Take On Avenue Q and the Victoria Fringe Festival

Avenue Q
August 29 – 31, 2013

Copeland Lecture Theatre
St. Michael’s University School
3400 Richmond Rd.
Saanich, BC
E: I find it hard to imagine that James Shaw is a Victoria Fringe Festival newbie. I’ve heard him talk about his days in theatre from his years long gone, but the intervening twenty years have not been kind. He’s been a busy beaver in the work scene and has forsaken the arts. Shame on him!

After a quick bite at McRae’s down the street, we were rushing to make it on time to this play. I was able to get him out of the house to get an education with a high school style rendition of Broadway’s Avenue Q. This coming-of-age parable is an interesting one. Because of this show’s Broadway success, it has been adapted by the creators so it can be performed by any theatre group in either North America or Europe.

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09.02.13
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Dinner Theatre: McRae’s Bistro

McRae’s Bistro
1652 McRae Ave
Saanich, B.C.
(250) 590-6944

J: After four years, the Two Hungry Blokes have moved on to the next stage in their evolution. And I’m not talking about trousers with stronger waist elastic. We’ve decided that it was only natural for the arts, both the culinary and the theatrical, to come together on our blog. The end result is a love child where dinner and a show are both reviewed.

Although it won’t always be at the same time, I think it’s a perfect joining of the two. And who better to take part in the union then McRae’s and St. Michael’s University.

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08.30.13
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There’s no Opa for Greek Fest 2013 and Beyond

GreekFestGreek Fest 2013
4648 Elk Lake Drive
Royal Oak
Saanich, BC

J: When it comes to all things Greek. this year Ed and I were missing the mark. It was due to our lousy timing that we managed to show up on a Friday with a two hour window between performances. Technically there were dancing lessons but apart from one young man getting up on stage while a woman in the audience eyed him like candy, nobody else was partaking.

E: When there was barely anybody there, except for retirees, I suppose saying opa was out of the question. Well, despite our mistake, we did finally get to try some desserts that would otherwise be normally sold out during the busy hours of dinner or the next three days of the two weekend long festival. Honestly, I can’t say any of it was anything special. I’m thinking the line cooks and people preparing the meals have gotten complacent in thinking their food is the best… but these days, it is not.

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