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.
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.
Fruition Paletas
837 Fisgard St.
Victoria, BC
250-580-3934
On a warm August day at Bastion Square Market, having a delicious fruity ice pop from Fruition Paletas certainly hits the spot. The availability of certain flavours are seasonal, and I can easily see some ice pops sell out faster than others. The richness of the fruit and creaminess of the base product certainly had me polishing off the fruit on a stick in no time.
As August was ready to fade away and I was at the Intrepid Theatre looking to buy a few tickets to the Fringe Festival, I was told there was an “ice cream” shop nearby. Much to my delight was this operation’s storefront. Not many cart operations actually have a store to operate from and to know where I can get my fix without having to hunt is great.
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.
Halibut House
3500 Quadra St
Victoria, BC
(250) 385-4944
E: After managing to kill an hour in two malls, Uptown and a quaint strip mall off of Quadra and Cloverdale, James and I found a taste of what I fondly remember from Cantonese style cooking cuisine. I heard good things about Halibut House from both cultures; the fish n’ chips are said to be killer, and a buddy who’s a chef says not many places can prepare tripe right.
Qoola Frozen Yogurt Bar
Uptown Centre
101-3531 Uptown Blvd.
Saanich, BC
(250) 590-6816
J: Ed managed to achieve one of the improbabilities in his life. Did he solve the riddle of life, the universe and everything? No. Did he manage to get himself a girlfriend? No. Did he manage to find me a girlfriend. Hey, I said improbable, not impossible.
Ed managed to coax me to Uptown Centre. And anyone who knows me knows I dislike Uptown. It’s massively big and it confuses me. I feel more at home in Mayfair Mall or Hillside Centre. Even when I’m walking in the area of Uptown, I’d rather go around the behemoth then use it as a shortcut.
But Ed said the one thing I and I am sure no true Scotsman can resist, he offered to buy. This is one of the reasons he is my best friend. He knows me as much as I know myself.
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