Archives for category: Travel

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

Lion Dance for the Lunar New Year

February 4, 2014 //

Yesterday our neighbourhood of Chinatown hosted the Lion Dance celebration as part of Chinese New Year. Colourful lions, martial arts displays, drumming and fire crackers welcomed in the new year. It was a lively afternoon!

Participants and spectators taking part on the Lunar New Year Lion Dance, Chinatown Victoria BC.

Participants and spectators taking part in the Lunar New Year Lion Dance, Chinatown Victoria BC.

Shops and homes along the lion dance route hang lettuce and red packets with money enclosed. Accompanied by drummers, the lion visits each doorway and accepts the packet and lettuce. Firecrackers scare away evil spirits and leave be behind good luck and good fortune for the year ahead.

Eight lions seen photographed through old wavy glass.

My favourite lion. The artistry is magical.

So many beautiful colours and costumes.

A colourful dragon waiting to come to life.

Dales Gallery ready with it’s offering for the Lion.

Tags Chinatown Victoria BC, Chinese New Year, historic Chinatown, Lion Dance, Lunar New Year, Victoria BC

Categories Travel, Uncategorized

February, for love and chocolate… and flowers

February 3, 2014 //

February on the south tip of Vancouver Island brings the promise of spring with early flowers. The snowdrops have been out for weeks now, and more blooms are bursting every day. Yesterday I spied this beautiful witch hazel:

Tags blooms, February, spring, Spring flowers, Victoria BC, west coast, witch hazel

Categories 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

Happy New Year from Victoria BC

January 31, 2014 //

Today marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year, The Year of the Wooden Horse. Here are a couple pics from Canada’s oldest Chinatown, plus a nice link to explore the history of my beautiful neighbourhood!

The 500-block of Fisgard Street and The Gate of Harmonious Interest, erected in 1981, are freshly adorned with new lanterns, some green, to mark the Year of the Wooden Horse.

The second of two stone lions which stand on either side of the gate. These were donated by the city of Suzhou, Victoria’s sister city in China.

Tags Chinatown, Chinese New Year, Gate of Harmonious Interest, Victoria BC, Year of the Horse, Year of the Wooden Horse

Categories Travel, Uncategorized

Foggy January morning

January 29, 2014 //

I have been going for early morning walks lately. Well, early being 8:30/9 am. When it’s warmer and lighter earlier, I hope to make it out by 7:30. There is a quality to early morning downtown; an atmosphere and attitude to the day which is so lovely. These foggy shots were taken last Sunday morning around the Inner Harbour.

The Inner Harbour, victoria BC. The Legislature buildings almost completely obscured by fog.

The Inner Harbour, Victoria BC. The Parliament Buildings (which house the Legislative Assembly for BC) almost completely obscured by fog.

Stairs to the lower causeway with the legislative buildings.

Stairs to the lower causeway with the Parliament Buildings.

The revamped Steamship Terminal, formerly the home of the Wax Museum, now hosts The Robert Bateman Centre, a restaurant, and a coffee shop.

Looking back towards the Empress Hotel and my way home.

An early bloom of pink; the Royal BC Museum in the background.

Tags fog, Inner HArbour, Robert Bateman Centre, Royal BC Museum, Victoria BC

Categories 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!