Eating Victoria- Food Blog and Eating Guide

Hey all!

I am en route to Seattle, so stay tuned for culinary( and Vegetarian) highlights for my mini-vacation to Seattle!

Also, when I get back I want to update some of my recent food experiences. I had the five course vegetarian tasting menu at Camille’s which is worth sharing about, and I’ve been to Lotus Pond a few times, and Pagliacci’s. In March I took a three-class cooking lesson at Cook Culture( inside the Atrium) on artisanal breadmaking. It was great, and I will share my experiences with you.

Cheers

-Eating Victoria

2011 is a very imporant and dynamic year for me. I completed a challenging cleanse early in the year,and now I find myself contemplating an even larger change, meat or no meat?

A book, Eating Animals, by Jonathan Safran Foer, sparked this dilemma ( www.eatinganimals.com) .

Growing up in an agricultural community, it wasn’t uncommon to have meat three meals a day. It was “healthy”, it made me “strong”, helped me grow taller, etc. There may have been some truth to those claims, but the state of mass-produced meat production is alarming, and arguably doing the opposite, causing sickness and weakness in those that eat it.

I don’t want to preach to the choir, but I do encourage everyone reading this to check out the book(see link above), and educate yourself. Jonathan Foer presents our carnivorous tendencies from both sides of the fence, avoiding a Michael Moore-esque steamrolling point of view. The topic of eating animals is a touchy subject for most, and honestly, one of the topics I have thought about least. I consider myself an educated person, but I haven’t taken the time in 24 years to research the welfare of the animals I eat. I love eating chicken, beef, pork, fish, and generally, most animals. But just because I like the taste of them, doesn’t excuse me from my ignorance of how they are raised, fed, and slaughtered. As a biologist, it would be a fair statement that I enjoy and appreciate animals. But the more I read about farming practices, I also learn how brutal, sadistic, and heartless the process can be. And all for what? Keeping prices of meat cheap? I would rather pay more for meat and eat less of it. I would rather eat a chicken that got to run around and eat bugs, or a pig that got to explore the farm pasture, than pigs and chickens who are raised in polluted and cramped conditions.

We are lucky to live in a part of the world where we, as consumers, have more buying power and choices than we realize. Our diets are so varied, partially due to a globalized economy, but also in conjunction with the plethora of cultural diversity present in Canada. When we have some beautiful ingredients and products to choose from, why do we not have much choice with regards to how chickens and other meats are raised. By buying these products in Safeway and other grocery stores, we’re giving our consumer stamp of approval that it’s ok to raise animals in their own filth and pump them full of hormones and antibiotics that eventually leech into our water supply and food chain.

So what? Well if I have the power to say yes or no, I feel compelled to say no. I want to eat those animals, but I want to make a stand for not only my health, but for animal welfare. The reason I have occasionally made fun of vegetarians is solely based on the mystery factor. I never really understood how they survived or how they were nourished without meat. As I continue to explore health and cooking, I am amazed daily, at the level of creativity and excitement of vegetarian food. I can survive on oatmeal for breakfast with hemp hearts and blueberries, rice and lentils and vegetables for lunch, and a nice pasta for dinner. I can still eat desserts. I’m not going to die without meat. Actually, there’s a good possibility that my health will improve. I have had hypothyroidism for over 8 years now, and a couple of food sensitivities. I owe it to my body to give it a break, even though it will require me to cook more at home, it will give me a creative avenue.

Thanks for listening to my rant. This is where I am at. There are a lot of restaurants in Victoria that celebrate farm to table cooking, and I highly encourage supporting these establishments,especally those that boast ethically raised meats from local farms.

Has anyone else been thinking about eating less meat or going veggie? I would appreciate stories and thoughts on the topic.

Cheers

-Eating Victoria

There have been some great Groupons lately! If you haven’t tried Groupon yet, click on my link!

http://www.groupon.com/r/uu9392370

Cheers

-Eating Victoria

Greetings all!

I have been in the process of moving into a new house, so I haven’t had the time or internet to be blogging.

Updates on their way for… Nando’s, Moxies, and The Reef [I'll post the updated visit at the top of the original post for each restaurant]

and also,

Dine around Victoria reviews for Sips Bistro in James Bay and Veneto

Cheers

-Eating Victoria

I’ve heard great reviews about the Black Olive, from the quality of their olive oil to what some say is the best lamb served in Victoria!

Get this great deal today!

http://www.groupon.com/r/uu9392370

Allo everyone,

So I’m on a bit of a budget for many reasons at the moment, but I really want to partake in Dine Around Victoria.

Are there any participating restaurants that you would like me to cover the most? Which restaurants should I not miss?

I appreciate your suggestions,

Cheers

-Eating Victoria

Hello Everybody!

Today’s Groupon is for Qoola,  a frozen yoghurt treat located in the new Uptown shopping centre. It’s similar to Marble Slab, in that you can choose toppings and flavours, but yoghurt is much healthier, less calories and with probiotic cultures! For $5 you get $10 to use at Qoola,and you can buy up to three Groupon’s, which expire by May 16,2011. Also 5% of the Groupon proceeds go towards the Steve Nash Foundation, it’s a win-win situation.

Grab a healthy and yummy Groupon today!

Click here to get started—> http://www.groupon.com/r/uu9392370

Cheers,

Eating Victoria

Done the grueling one month cleanse, back to my blog!

I ate last night at Cafe Ceylon, so I will post a review later on today about my experience there. Also, I’ve got a couple of Groupons to use up, so I will be using a Groupon for Crumsby’s cupcakes and Posh Sukiyaki in the next couple of days.

And with Dine Around Victoria coming up, it’s a very exciting time!

Cheers

-Eating Victoria

I love Red Fish Blue Fish, and I was surprised to see that they’re doing a Groupon. There is almost always a wait, but it’s always worth it.

The scallops are out of this world, the tacones are tasty, and their chowder is an experience you won’t forget!

The Groupon is 8 dollars for 16 dollars worth of food at RFBF!

Click on this link and it will take you there! http://www.groupon.com/r/uu9392370

Cheers

-Eating Victoria

I meant to do this earlier, but I’ve had a month of reflection, and these are the results:

I’ll start with the positive accolades first!

Gold Stars for…

Most memorable- Camille’s in Bastion Square- Hands down the best dining experience I had all last year. The service was outstanding, and the food was playful and delicious.

Made me a believer- Red Fish Blue Fish- For the longest time I swore off shellfish, but after trying the scallops at RFBF, the world was a different place. Scallops can be beautiful, this experience then prompted me to think of how many donkey chefs had served rubbery shrimp and scallops to me in the past.

Affordable Luxury- Relish on Pandora- Homemade everything it seems, very affordable, and the quality exceeds the pricepoint.

Best Burger and Best Dessert- Aura Waterfront in the Laurel Point Inn- I eat a lot of sweets, but nothing like the dessert platter I had at Aura. The burger was decently priced, but it had a lot of refined toppings, very nice.

Fresh and Simple- Hernandez- Simple food prepared with fresh ingredients is a recipe for success. This is a staple for lunchtime. They should take interac and credit cards though, who carries cash anymore?

Favourite Vegetarian- Lotus Pond on Johnson- This is a gem in Victoria, Buddhist Chinese food, some of the friendliest service I’ve had, and always flavourful. Vegetarian food doesn’t have to be boring, try out Lotus Pond!

Best Breakfast- Blue Fox- Blue Fox goes the extra mile for breakfast. Despite a couple of negative reviews, I don’t see any other competition in town. I didn’t like the breakfast at Floyds, Shine, or John’s Place. I love the bread and homemade jam at Blue Fox, sure there is always a wait, but I believe it’s warranted.

Trail Blazer- Ulla on Fisgard- Ulla is run by a young couple, and I admire their courage and creativity. This restaurant has the potential to become one of the top restaurants in Victoria.

French Comfort- Brasserie L’ Ecole on Government – Simple French Bistro eats, not too expensive, great wine list, but good luck getting a table without waiting, wish there was a better system in place.

Mediterranean Delight- Nar in Oak Bay- This is the only place I’ve found in Victoria that serves Turkish food, and tasting their borek and lentil soup was a pleasure. The flavours are authentic, and the interior is cozy, definitely a unique experience.

Favourite Sushi- Japanese Village -Although I haven’t eaten sushi in over 6 months (due to the realization of what the state of the world’s oceans are, especially the tuna fishery), Japanese Village was the best sushi I’ve tried in Victoria. I like the sushi bar, I’m not a huge fan of the grill. The fish is really good quality, and the guys behind the bar are experts.

Best Thai- Baan Thai- I go here at least once a month, either in Oak Bay or downtown on Blanshard, the service is always quick, the flavours are great. I love the Thai Iced Tea and the deep fried banana. Their peanut sauce, fermented chili sauce, and curries are great.

Best Vietnamese- Green Leaf Vietnamese- I like the interior of this restaurant better than all the other Vietnamese places I’ve been to. The family is very sweet, and the pho was really good, the summer rolls were O.K.

Best Ambiance- Bengal Lounge in the Empress- I love chilling out at the Bengal Lounge, the cocktails are top notch, the service is impressive, and the food, although it is overpriced, is very good quality.

Biggest Flavours- Veneto Lounge- I’ve been to Veneto over four times now, and they consistently deliver great food. The Mongolian ribs are to die for, the wine list is extensive, and the tapas are a fun idea. Beautiful interior.

Exciting ingredients- Cafe Brio on Fort St.- I have had a lot of “firsts” at Cafe Brio, so I love it for that. Sweetbreads, fiddleheads, Foie gras, the chef inspires me with his range.

Best Bakery- Murchies- I don’t buy many baked goods, and when I do, it’s usually at the Market on Yates. But occasionally, well special occasions, I will buy one of the beautiful cakes from Murchies. They’re expensive, but they are a real treat.

Tiny place, Big taste- Ayo Eat- Indonesian-style food in Market square, the little guy cooking in there cooks with love, and you really taste it in the food. I like that even though the menu is small, he really puts pride into the way he presents it to you.

And now for the restaurants that made it onto my naughty list:

Room for improvement

Beirut Express- perhaps one of the most talked about restaurants in town, and the idea is great. We really do need some fast Middle-eastern food in Victoria. Unfortunately the falafel was one of the worst things I ate all year. I hope they get to turn it around, and change the food, to bring customers back.

Bard and Banker- the most horrific service I’ve ever experienced, I really hope the girl who served my family and I was canned.

Whitebird Lounge- appalling service, lazy kitchen, the whole place smelled like burnt oil, and the food was almost inedible.

Pig BBQ- another very ‘hyped’ restaurant, both times I was left wanting more, not in a good way, like in the way that you feel like you were ripped off.

The Tapa Bar- I’ve stopped going here. The food each time I went was bland, expensive and boring.

Zambri’s- There are some things I like about Zambri’s. I like the interior, and the idea of serving fresh and local food. The service and execution on the food didn’t match the price tag. I spent over 50 dollars on lunch,  and I didn’t feel like it was worth that much.

Canoe Brewpub- I love the interior, but the last few times I ate there the fish was overcooked, or the burger was dry. Just shows me that the kitchen has no quality control. The beer is good.

J&J Noodle House- I had high expectations for this place and felt really let-down. Maybe I should have tried the noodles.

Milestones- This place is all over the place. Sometimes the food is good but the service sucks, or the service is good but the food sucks. Get it together!

Side Dish- I was excited to eat Persian food in Victoria, but the bread let me down, as did the vegetables and the service, and the tea. Actually the only good thing about the meal was the kebab which was flavourful, but everything else was a slap in the face.

The Keg- Expensive, half-ass service, not worth going.

I’m excited for what 2011 will bring. I look forward to sharing my opinions on all the eating adventures I plan to go on!

Cheers

-Eating Victoria
eatingvictoria@hotmail.com