Archives for category: Food

February, for chocolate

February 19, 2014 //

The hot chocolate search will continue, but I will be drawn back again and again to Chocolat, Chocolatiere de Victoria. It’s understandable that a chocolatiere would be the place to find exquisite hot chocolate, what’s not understandable is why I hadn’t tried it before yesterday! I have bought delicious chocolates there many times. It’s probably just too tempting a place to be; as we enjoyed our delicious beverages I was thinking about all the chocolates to try! There is some cozy seating in which to savour your hot chocolate (several varieties including Chili Hot Chocolate and Chocolate Chai) as well as coffees and lovely desserts.

On the left, Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate, and right is a Dark Hot Chocolate without the whip.

Chocolat, 703 Fort Street, Victoria BC

Tags Chocolat, Chocolat Chocolatiere de Victoria, chocolate, Chocolatiere, Chocolatiere de Victoria, dark chocolate, Hot Chocolate, Salted caramel hot chocolate, Victoria BC

Categories Food, Travel, Uncategorized

February, for chocolate

February 15, 2014 //

One of the first businesses to open at The Hudson (where the Downtown Public Market is located) was 2% Jazz Coffee. This is their second location, their first being at 2631 Douglas Street, popular with coffee drinkers for many years. The decor is industrial and interesting with coffee roasting visible from an open balcony near the entrance.

2% Jazz Coffee, 1701 Douglas Street, on the Fisgard Street side of The Hudson.

The hot chocolate was tasty and very sweet. There was a hint of spice. The barista said it was chipotle, but I didn’t detect any smokiness or heat, just an interesting flavour.

The space was left raw and open with lots of seating options and big windows.

Yummy looking treats.

Tags 2 Percent Jazz Coffee, 2% Jazz Coffee, February, Hot Chocolate, Spicy hot chocolate, The Hudson, Victoria BC

Categories Food, Travel, Uncategorized

February, for love

February 14, 2014 //

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Vanilla Sablé Cookies; adapted from this recipe with cinnamon sugar hearts.

All packaged and ready for delivery.

Tags cinnamon hearts, cookies, heart, Valentine cookies, Valentine's Day, vanilla, vanilla sablé cookies

Categories Food, Uncategorized

February, for chocolate

February 13, 2014 //

Valentine’s Eve breakfast this morning: homemade chocolate walnut sticky buns with cinnamon. I used this recipe for naan bread. I rolled out the dough after it had risen for about 2 hours, brushed it with melted butter, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, toasted organic walnuts and chopped organic chocolate. After rolling it up like a jelly roll, I cut into 11 pieces and placed cut side down in a nine-inch round cake pan lined with parchment. The tops were brushed with butter and sprinkled with more cinnamon sugar. Very delicious and not too sweet!

Tags bread, chocolate, chocolate bread, chocolate walnut sticky buns, sticky buns, Valentine's Day

Categories Food, Uncategorized

February, for chocolate

February 5, 2014 //

Popped into JagaSilk again today to see if they offered a chocolaty delight for my February blogging; of course they do! We enjoyed their Aztec Chocolate Drink: single origin chocolate from The Philippines, direct source cinnamon from India, a pinch of cayenne, a touch of penela (raw-unrefined cane juice) and organic milk. Truly divine! Miyuki and Jared are so knowledgeable and passionate about what they do and what they offer. They would love to tell you all about the magic of this drink and, of course, maccha.

Aztec Chocolate Drink at JagaSilk, Victoria BC.

Tags aztec chocolate, chocolate, Hot Chocolate, JagaSilk, single origin chocolate, Victoria BC

Categories Food, Travel, Uncategorized

February, for love and chocolate

February 1, 2014 //

February; winter is still here. Love and the promise of spring are in the air. So I will dedicate myself to my hot chocolate obsession, and look for other lovely things to photograph.

I begin with my enduring favourite: peppermint hot chocolate from Bean Around the World. Made with peppermint tea instead of syrup, it’s rich and satisfying, and always beautifully presented.

I want on of these right now!

Fun and eclectic, one of my favourite Chinatown hangouts.

Tags Bean Around the World, chocolate, February, Hot Chocolate, peppermint hot chocolate, Victoria BC, winter treats

Categories Food, Travel, Uncategorized

Brunch at Catalano

February 1, 2014 //

Catalano Restaurant and Cicchetti Bar is the new restaurant at the beautiful Magnolia Hotel. Last weekend they began serving brunch. We couldn’t resist trying it right away, as brunch is the meal for us! It’s a pretty place with some cozy booths and some tables with a view towards the harbour. The coffee was delicious, service excellent and our meals were superb. There were so many mouthwatering choices, it was hard to decide.

Catalano Restaurant and Cicchetti Bar, corner of Courtney and Gordon streets.

The Magnolia Hotel, Victoria BC.

Yum! Clockwise from bottom left: The Weekend Crossword (creamed leeks and crispy prosciutto with truffled hollandaise benny), the Catalano Corn Cakes (with mascarpone cheese, caramelized apple and bacon), and the Tagine (a Moroccan vegetable stew with grilled lamb sausage and eggs).

From our table, the view past the outdoor seating towards the Empress Hotel and Inner Harbour.

Tags brunch, Catalano Restaurant, dining, eggs benedict, pancakes, tagine, Victoria BC

Categories Food, Travel, Uncategorized

Snacks at 10 Acres Bistro

January 27, 2014 //

Another newish place in town is 10 Acres Bistro, formerly Bon Rouge. I met a friend there for snacks last week. This is a concept that intrigues me: a restaurant with its own farm. There are already many restaurants in town who take advantage of the abundance our island offers and support many of our local organic producers, which is wonderful. I am curious to see how this concept will grow and what the restaurant will do to promote the idea of local, seasonal eating. I can imagine so many possibilities! While there, we shared three items from the “for the table” menu. They were all delicious and beautifully presented. I am excited to try brunch there one weekend soon.

10 Acres Bistro and Pub, located at the corner of Courtney and Gordon streets, just north of the Inner Harbour, Victoria BC.

Left to right: quinoa fritters with hummus, farm vegetables (that day included beets, sun chokes, parsnips and kale, roasted beautifully), and artisan bread with olive tapenade.

The covered patio is enclosed right now for warmth. I’m sure in the summer it will be an amazing place to sit.

Tags 10 Acres Bistro, farm fresh produce, restaurant farm, Victoria BC, Victoria BC dining

Categories Food, Travel, Uncategorized

Lunch at Uchida

January 24, 2014 //

Our friends from Tofino are in town right now. We had all been wanting to try this little Japanese place, Uchida, in Nootka Court. It’s right beside my other new favourite, JagaSilk, which we also visited for maccha and dessert. The lunch was sublime; delicate, intricate flavours and textures. The small menu features organic produce and local meats as well as the freshest seafood. The daily specials are posted on their facebook page which will make you drool. Get there before noon to beat the rush.

Uchida at Nootka Court, Victoria BC (just inside the Courtney Street entrance).

Simple decor in a beautiful space. There are only a few tables. Best to be there before noon if possible.

Duece waits patiently for us to enjoy our lunch. We could watch her as she visited with the passers by with whom she made friends.

Our lunches: Two of us tried the Teriyaki Chicken Don (left) and the other two had the daily special, Rockfish Ankake. Both were amazing.

I’m loving the Maple Maccha Latte at JagaSilk, and yesterday we tried Daifuku: a traditional Japanese dessert of glutinous rice cake filled with sweet azuki bean paste. Delicious!