In search of a coffee, Saturday night

Downtown is "bimodal". It either caters to the people who work here, or to the bar scene.

It was 6:45 PM and I was looking for a place to have a coffee. I knew that the Soda Shoppes closes later than most, but due to Halloween, they closed today at 5:30.

I am surprised most of the coffee shops in the area don't stay open. The only exceptions are Serious Coffee (from where I am writing this) and the two Starbucks. I suspect QV is open at this time too.

(We were kicked out at 8:00 PM, though)

--dmg

Wake up Victoria

At the end of Sept, the Downtown Victoria Business Association started a promotion involving 32 coffee shops in Downtown Victoria called "Wake Up Victoria".

The goal is to get a "passport" (a sheet of paper) "stamped" (perforated) by each of the coffee shops. Once you get all the stamps, you submit your passport at the Downtown Victoria Business Association for a chance to win some "prizes".

Out of the 32, I have reviewed 13, so this is a good motivation to visit these locations.

I didn't know about the promotion before, therefore I have only 33 days to do 32 coffee shops. Doable? I think so.

And I write this at my first: Legacy Gallery. Today the coffee is not as good as usual, but the place can't be better. Yes, choosing a coffee shop is more than just the coffee.

31 more to go.


--dmg

On dating entries

Up to this point, I have been trying to date the entries to match the date I went to the restaurant.

My backlog is never empty (I am currently 20 reviews behind), and I feel I would like to talk about more "current" events. As a consequence, starting today, the dates on my entries will be the dates in which I upload the review.

This will result in a discontinuum, in which I might mention reviews that haven't been uploaded.

Ultimately my goal is that, if I feel like writing today, I do, and I don't have to wait until I clear my backlog to do so.

--dmg

Pink Bicycle

<2010-09-20 Mon>

No. 110

Soo many people talk so highly of the Pink that I am surprised I haven't been here before.

As it opens on Monday, it already gets brownie points. It was early and i was one of the first persons to be there. It is an elegant and pleasant place, although a bit dark towards the back. The carnations light the tables.

Frequently is the nice touches that make the difference. As I sat a glass and a bottle of water were placed on my table. I appreciate that.



As its name implies, burgers are their speciality. And they have lots of options, for any palate.
I have been eating too much meat lately, thus I ordered the portabello burger.

It was a delicious burger and salad. There was certain nuttiness in the burger, and bun was delicious, the portabello nicely grilled. A tasty salad was adorned by roasted pecans. I wanted more.

The only blemish: please, don't ask me if I want change.

Verdict: The Pink is a great find. I am definitely a convert. Recommended.

Paid: 12.32 + tip.

For more information, including address, please visit:

Mirage at Government

<2010-09-18 Sat>

No. 109

Coffee Review

Mirage is one of those coffee shops that keeps opening branches. Its original one is located in Blanchard, between View and Fort.

One of their main claims to fame is that they roast their own coffee (you can buy it at their coffee shops). I like their espresso. It is good coffee.

This location, however, is a bit odd. It sits around 12 people, plus 6-8 outside. In a busy day, it is hard to find a place to sit.

I do like its window bench, even though is few inches too high and somehow uncomfortable to type on a laptop. It is a good place to observe the passing tourists.

It has strong competition: The Soda Shoppe, and 2 blocks south Artigiano (the best in the area), or Macchiato, my preferred destination in the area.

Verdict: Good coffee, and a nice, but small, place for people watching.

Update, Nov 24, 2010. I got today a delicious espresso.

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