It’s always time for tea when I’m out with Annie, so last week we stopped by JagaSilk on our way to a craft fair…
JagaSilk Teabar is a gem tucked away in Nootka Court, just off Courtney Street.
Instead of my favourite maccha latte, we mixed it up with a London Fog and a Masala Chai; plus house-made vanilla bean shortbread cookies.
Peeking through the window at teaware… and Annie.
Victoria’s newest offering in the realm of tea is Terroir Tea Merchant on Fort Street. In one of a row of my favourite retail spaces in Victoria, Terroir has created a calm retreat of tea experience. Their passion for their product is immediately evident. We enjoyed Black Ruby from Taiwan, and Ceylon Chai blended in house with spices and tea leaves from Sri Lanka, both infused with their interesting method. A wonderful addition to the increasingly fabulous 800 block of Fort Street.
Tea is big in Victoria again. We’ve never lacked places to purchase high-quality tea – Special Teas, Silk Road, Murchies. But now, there are increasing options for sitting down for a fine cuppa. Recently, a friend and I stopped at one of our favourite Oak Bay haunts, Just Matcha. They will be opening a new location in our neighbourhood soon. My latte was very pretty, as well as delicious. Like so much of Victoria’s food culture, tea inspires a passionate dedication to quality and preparation.
Before I am fully involved in seeking out new venues for my seasonal hot chocolate obsession, I will be visiting some of the fine tea purveyors in the city.
Wishing you all a splendid day! I have much to be thankful for, and will spend my day in mindfulness and appreciation.
It is with reluctance that I write about anything that is not happy, beautiful, or inspiring. We are, however, about to see some changes to our beautiful Chinatown neighbourhood, and that is making me sad. The extent of these changes I do not know, but for me the word “gentrification” means the end of affordable rental accommodation in a city where anything under $1000 per month is almost impossible to find. So many artists, students, and local small businesses call this neighbourhood home. These renovations are to a set of buildings which back-to-back face Fisgard Street and Pandora Avenue. They are beside a brand new condo building which was just completed in a space that was a parking lot. A building on the west side of historic Fan Tan Alley was just recently gutted. The facades were kept intact, but a taller addition was added inside the original walls. This one seems to be advertising rental units, but the cost?
With a thermos of hot chocolate in hand, we headed out for a nice long walk to Ogden Point in James Bay to meet friends and walk out to the lighthouse at the end of the breakwater. It was a spectacularly glorious day to start the year, crisp and bright. Thanks to our friend J for organizing such a delightful ramble!
Off we go! The railings are a recent addition, making the breakwater friendlier for all walkers and wheel chairs.
Looking back towards the entrance to the inner harbour.
Looking southwest towards the Sooke hills.
The breakwater and lighthouse were completed in 1916.
Looking back from the end you see the alternate walkway along the outside of the breakwater. There were a lot of divers enjoying this excellent shore dive location. This is also a popular spot for fishing.
As we prepare to say farewell to 2014, we wish you all the most joyful new year, filled with love and adventure!
I was too busy cooking and enjoying our friends and cats – and eating of course – to take very many pics on Christmas Day. We did a beautiful turkey and so many delicious dishes. One friend brought rum, another fresh home-made eggnog and another pickled carrots and beets, plus wine galore. We totally cleared off GJ’s workspace and transformed it into a dining table, with his beautiful candle sticks and wine glasses, mismatched vintage plates and fragrant beeswax candles, orange pomanders and branches of bay. A perfect, peaceful and joyous day! The only thing missing was snow!
A gift of a green centrepiece, my baking, juicy oranges and English candies sent by my sister from her recent trip to London!
Our lovely table!
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