Archives for category: Food

A week ago we hosted a birthday dinner for a friend. We decided to have just hors d’oeuvres plus a special dessert, all with a French theme. Here’s the result:

(PS Forgot to take any pics of the dessert: lemon yogurt cake with home-made lavender ice cream and sparkling wine.)

The whole spread. We couldn't have done it without Choux-Choux Charcuterie (olives, jambon de Champagne and Fol Epi bread), Terra Nossa organic farm (sausages and chicken livers) and some inspiration from here.

The whole spread. We couldn’t have done it without Choux Choux Charcuterie (olives, jambon de Champagne and Fol Epi bread), Terra Nossa organic farm (sausages and chicken livers) and some inspiration from here.

GJ's home-made paté along side delicious French olives and a lemon rosemary goat cheese dip for crudités.

GJ’s home-made paté along side delicious French olives, candied walnuts and a lemon rosemary goat-cheese dip for crudités.

Tiny caramelized onion quiche and organic sausage/sage/pear bites.

Tiny caramelized onion quiche and organic sausage/sage/pear bites.

Delectable cheeses from Choux Choux.

Delectable cheeses and meat from Choux Choux.

Baked brie with fig jam.

Baked brie with fig jam.

There are so many great shops, restaurants, and boutiques in our Old Town/Chinatown neighbourhood of Victoria BC. Dogs in the Bakery is one of my favourite. Located in vibrant Dragon Alley, Dogs provides toys and novelties for your beloved pooch as well as house-made healthy treats, including custom birthday cakes.

The sign still says High End Dog, but royalty or average pup, Dogs in the Bakery has something for you.

The sign still says High End Dog, but royalty or average pup, Dogs in the Bakery has something for you.

Roxie and Max are always ready to great you warmly, whether human or canine.

Roxie and Max are always ready to great you warmly, whether human or canine.

Delicious nibbles for pup; great as gifts too.

Delicious nibbles for pup; great as gifts too.

Special treats.

Special treats.

Lots of sizes and colours!

Lots of sizes and colours!

Waiting for friends on a blustery day.

Waiting for friends on a blustery day.

We tried a new coffee bar yesterday called Shatterbox. I had read a great review of them on page 14 of the Spring issue of EAT Magazine. I thoroughly enjoyed their Dark and Spicy Hot Chocolate which was really sublime; the smell of cinnamon and then the rich creamy chocolate followed by the warm sensation of chili, all perfectly paired. And it was really hot (temperature); I’m less fond of lukewarm hot chocolate. GJ says his Americano was delicious, nice and strong, just as he ordered it. Shatterbox Coffee Bar is at 950 Yates Street, Victoria BC – right across from Harris Green Village.

950 Yates Street, between Vancouver and Quadra.

950 Yates Street, between Vancouver and Quadra.

A small, but bright and airy space. Not much seating inside, but a nice patio.

A small, but bright and airy space. Not much seating inside, but a nice patio.

All the shiny tools of the trade.

All the shiny tools of the trade.

My gorgeous Dark and Spicy Hot Chocolate, so satisfying.

My gorgeous Dark and Spicy Hot Chocolate, so satisfying.

An nice strong Americano and a beautiful Mocha.

A nice strong Americano and a beautiful Mocha.

We enjoyed a pleasant spring day walk yesterday along the Galloping Goose Trail and through Banfield Park to Craigflower Road. There is a small bank of shops at the corner of Raynor which includes an old-fashioned barber shop, bakery, children’s clothing shop, hair dresser, hemp clothing store and cafe. Our main destination was The Spiral Cafe to see paintings by Philip Willey. The Spiral hosts a lot of live music and makes great coffee. We also picked up some yummy bread and other treats at Fry’s Red Wheat Bread. The frangipani in their almond croissant was amazing.

Must have hot chocolate everywhere I go! This one was great and GJ says his coffee was excellent.

Must have hot chocolate everywhere I go! This one was great and GJ says his coffee was excellent.

An accidental shot in the Spiral; sort of cool.

An accidental shot in the Spiral; sort of cool.

The Spiral Cafe: a great venue for local music and art.

The Spiral Cafe: a great venue for local music and art.

A great group of local businesses.

A great group of local businesses.

One of the newer artisan bakeries in Victoria.

One of the newer artisan bakeries in Victoria.

We walked home along the Westsong Walkway, enjoying the beautiful view of the Inner Harbour.

We walked home along the Westsong Walkway, enjoying the beautiful view of the Inner Harbour.

One of my favourite Victoria coffee establishments is Habit. Their newer location in the Atrium Building is nice and always busy, but I still love their original shop, just a couple blocks from us, on Pandora Avenue: great coffee and snacks, beautiful art on the walls, awesome selection of magazines to read and purchase, cozy windows seats from which to watch the city. Both locations offer an authentic local experience and dedication to their craft.

Habit Coffee, 552 Pandora Avenue, Victoria BC

Habit Coffee, 552 Pandora Avenue, Victoria BC

The hot chocolates and triple chocolate cookie are obvious in their deliciousness, but don't be fooled by the plain look of that muffin: lemon, lavender and wild blueberry – just divine!

The hot chocolates and triple chocolate cookie are obvious in their deliciousness, but don’t be fooled by the plain look of that muffin: lemon, lavender and wild blueberry – just divine!

We enjoyed another delicious breakfast at Clay Pigeon in Victoria BC yesterday. They have a new treat and we couldn’t resist trying one. It’s a homemade pastry reminiscent of those packaged toaster goodies my mother would reluctantly buy once in a while if we pleaded long enough. These were superb!

New and delicious toaster-style pastries at Clay Pigeon, Victoria BC. And in the background, their amazing strawberry/rhubarb compote.

New and delicious toaster-style pastries at Clay Pigeon, Victoria BC. And in the background, their amazing strawberry/rhubarb compote.

Flakey and sweet with a flavourful strawberry filling; and all homemade, except for the sprinkles!

Flakey and sweet with a flavourful strawberry filling; and all homemade, except for the sprinkles!

Gorgeous, cold, sunny day today. We walked around in Fernwood enjoying the brisk air. We stopped at the Cornerstone Cafe for a warmup. Their hot chocolate is very good. It had a nice subtle scent of cinnamon and a hint of cinnamon and chili in the flavour. The cafe is very pretty and a true part of the community.

Rich and creamy, great flavour!

Rich and creamy, great flavour!

Bright, large windows look out towards the square and The Belfry Theatre.

Bright, large windows look out towards the square and The Belfry Theatre.

Cornerstone Cafe, corner of Fernwood and Gladstone.

Cornerstone Cafe, corner of Fernwood and Gladstone.

Our last full day in Vancouver began early with another delicious breakfast at the Central Bistro with I and M. They were also staying at The Sylvia. Then we hopped aboard a bus to UBC and spent most of the day at the Museum of Anthropology. There were some new exhibits to explore since our last visit. In the late afternoon we headed back downtown to Chinatown where we wandered a bit waiting for Bao Bei Chinese Brasserie to open. This was our second time there and what a treat. Since we were so early, we were seated at a great table. Every dish was superb and the desserts were divine. Best to go early or quite late, but also well worth the wait. As we ate so early, we were back at the hotel just after 7 so decided to walk through Stanley Park to see the Bright Nights display. This event is a fundraiser for the BC Professional Firefighters’ Burn Fund. Entrance to see the lights is by donation, but there is a fee to ride the Christmas Train. We didn’t ride the train, but it was still really fun! The strangest compilation of lights and displays I’ve ever seen, most looking like they had been donated from the long-forgotten corners of garages. The children there that evening were so loving it. There were great snacks for sale, live music and Santa was on hand for photos until 9 pm. Another fabulous day, perfectly festive!

One of my favourite little bits of MOA.

One of my favourite little bits of MOA.

Many decades of Yuletide decor represented. If I had more time in Vancouver I would love to research all the pieces to see how far back they go!

Many decades of Yuletide decor represented. If I had more time in Vancouver I would love to research all the pieces to see how far back they go!

These beautiful vintage reindeer were tucked away in a quiet part of the display.

These beautiful vintage reindeer were tucked away in a quiet part of the display.

This sweet little miniature village was one of my favourite vignettes.

This sweet little miniature village was one of my favourite vignettes.

Upon returning to the west end, we took a short walk along the sea wall then back to the hotel to prepare for our evening out under the grand chapiteau for Cirque du Soleil’s Amaluna. We had a lovely walk through the west end and ate a very delicious light dinner at ShiZenYa on Hornby Street. Nice sushi, a lot of vegetarian options, organic greens and brown rice, and Ocean Wise fish. The night was crisp and dry so we decided to walk to the venue which is at Concord Pacific Place at the old Expo site. Along the way we watched people skating on the outdoor rink on Robson Street, just below the Art Gallery. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the smell of popping corn, the buzz of excitement, and the beauty of other patrons who had adorned themselves in Cirque-worthy outfits. Our Victoria friends M and I met us there and we all enjoyed the show so much. A quick sky train/bus ride back to the hotel just in time for last call at the Sylvia lounge. I had a boozy hot chocolate; the perfect end to a perfect day!

Late afternoon light plays with clouds and reflections on English Bay.

Late afternoon light plays with clouds and reflections on English Bay.

Photo does no justice to the wonderful meal at ShiZenYa. We will definitely eat there again.

Photo does no justice to the wonderful meal at ShiZenYa. We will definitely eat there again.

Absolutely magical outdoor skating right downtown.

Absolutely magical outdoor skating right downtown.

Festive, warm and friendly in the lounge at The Sylvia.

Festive, warm and friendly in the lounge at The Sylvia.

A second wonderful day. Had a relaxing sleep-in at The Sylvia, which we love, delicious breakfast at Central Bistro, fascinating tour of the Vancouver Art Gallery, extra delicious hot chocolate at 49th Parallel in Kitsilano and wonderful dinner at Nuba on Hastings. Picture taking failed me today, but check out all the links!

Super rich and strong hot chocolate, beautifully presented at 49th Parallel.

Super rich and strong hot chocolate, beautifully presented at 49th Parallel.