Mee Wah

No. 118

<2010-09-29 Wed>

It had been at Mee Wah two or three times for lunch before, and I had been very disappointed: the emphasis had been on volume rather than quality. One of my Chinese friends likes the restaurant, but I think he is heavily influenced by the price he pays.

As my plan is to visit every restaurant in Victoria again, I had to eat there. This time, I spent more time perusing the specials: 16 lunch specials at a hard to beat price: $6.50. Yes, 16.

I think at Mee Wah it is a matter of ordering correctly. The meals I had in the past have been huge, but they haven't been very good.

At lunch time the customers are not Chinese, and that probably biases the menu heavily. At lunch time, every time I have been here, I see a lot of old people, and I wonder if many of them are in a day trip from one of the many retirement homes in the area. Certainly the table next to me was such a case.

I decided to go for duck on rice. The meal was simple, yet good. For the price, I felt I got an excellent lunch. And this is the key to a meal: the ratio cost/benefit.

You can't expect a restaurant that serves food for $6.50 to match the one that is served by a restaurant that charges 13 dollars a dish. In fact, this was the case, when yesterday I ordered duck at Blighty's for $13 and today duck again for $6.50. If I didn't have to pay, hands down the Blighty's is a better choice. But once I pay, I would say this is a tie: Blighty's serves duck in a sophisticated dish at a good price, Mee Wah serves duck in a very simple way at a excellent price. My choice? I would eat either one of them, depending on how the days goes.

Verdict: ample amount of food, and rock bottom prices. Quality varies across dishes.

Paid: 7.30 + tip

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Brickyard Pizza

No. 117

<2010-09-28 Tue>

There are many, many Pizzerias in town, but somehow, I never think of pizza as a meal, or even a snack. I rarely eat pizza out, so take my comments with a grain of salt.

Located next to the Odeon, Brickyard pizza is a pizzeria and a bar. I think its strength is to offer inexpensive food in the evenings (particularly after a night at the movies, or out drinking).

I ordered a slice of spinach pizza. It was decent for the price, but I would not go out of my way to have this for lunch.

As a location, I like it. It has a good vibe. This might come from the fact that it feels like a bar when people come to mingle with each other.

Verdict: a decent place for a late-night snack, but not a lunch destination.

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Blighty's Bistro

No. 116

<2010-09-28 Tue>

Blighty's Bistro is located on Oak Bay Avenue, just East of Fort. It is in an occluded place, even as I was walking towards it, it wasn't sure It was there. Long time ago it used to open for lunch, and just recently they decided to restart the lunch service again.

It was originally on Friday when I tried to visit. But I arrive 5 minutes before 2 and Rachelle, the owner apologized that the kitchen had already closed. I was sadden: I mentioned to hear that I had just read on the website that their service ended at 2:00. She replied that she felt guilty and she would get me some food. I said I was ok. She offered me a free lunch the next time. Deal.

I came back the following Tuesday.

This is a relatively small, place. Elegant, is how I can describe it as I walked through the door. Nice, leather chairs, but the leather cover on the tables seems a little too much. The art on the wall works great with the rest of the decor.

Rachelle recognized me. I told her that I was going to pay nonetheless. She stood her ground and said that, if I really wanted to pay it would go to charity. I thought it was a great compromise.

At first, I was annoyed by the insects flying inside the restaurant. But without saying anything, Rachelle apologized explaining that it is the location and the time of the year.

Rachelle works the floor at lunch time. And this is very important: she knows what is going on, and she wants the place to succeed. Hence, she takes good care of you.

The lunch menu is focused on light food: salads, sandwiches, soups (they had 2 specials of the day). I like duck (when properly cooked) and jumped at the opportunity of having a duck salad.

While I waited, I enjoyed the great smell coming from the kitchen. My salad and the duck were delicious. The duck rolls were not made with the best part of the duck, but that was expected (lunch time for this type of restaurants is an opportunity to take advantage of the ingredients they don't use during their dinner service).

The service was magnificent. This is a excellent alternative in an area that does not have many.

As I was finishing my lunch I mentioned to her that I was surprised to know that the restaurant had reopened for lunch service. We discussed the difficulties of bringing new customers through the door, and that worth of mouth is one of the most important methods.

I would suggest using a sign on the street (although, I would not be surprised that the rabid by-law police of Oak Bay might have some regulations against it).

In my opinion, I would like to see Blighty's succeed.

Verdict: Very good food. I need to visit it again to fully recommend it.

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Wake up Victoria, 1/2 way through

As I finish my coffee, I have completed 16 out of 32 coffee shops in Wake Up Victoria:

- [X] *Liberty Café 708 Douglas Street
- [X] *Mirage Coffee 1122 Blanshard Street
- [X] *Mirage Coffee 733 Yates Street
- [X] *Penelope's 739 Pandora Avenue
- [X] *Picnic 103-506 Fort Street
- [X] *Sam's Deli 805 Government Street
- [X] *Serious Coffee 1280 Broad Street
- [X] *Street Level Espresso 714 Fort Stree t
- [X] Breve Bistro (Hotel Rialto) 1450 Douglas Street
- [X] Habit Coffee 552 Pandora Avenue
- [X] Legacy Art Gallery 630 Yates Street
- [X] Soda Shoppe 801 Government Street
- [X] Union Pacific 537 Herald Street
- [X] Venus Sophia Tea Room Coffee Bar 540 Fisgard Street
- [X] Wild Coffee House & Bistro 632 Yates Street
- [X] *Zazu 1028 Blanshard Street


I have not written the review for the ones prefixed by a star. I didn't try the coffee at Sam's; I will review its sandwiches.

So far I can say that the biggest surprise was Street Level Espresso. It is really good, perhaps the best coffee in town. I also enjoyed my visit to Picnic.

Of all of them, my favourite is, in terms of coffee, a toss up between Habit (if I want to work on my computer) and Street Level (if I just want the coffee). In terms of a place to work for a while, Legacy. In terms of ambience, Street Level.

I also like Breve as a good balance between place and coffee. Venus can also be a good option, particularly when they have free live classical music.

At the bottom of my list are the Soda Shoppe and Penelope's. In both the espresso was undrinkable. I truly mean it. In neither case I finished it.

I still have 18 days to visit 16 more. I think it is doable.

--dmg

Subway, Pandora and Quadra

No. 115

<2010-09-27 Mon>

For some inexplicable reason, whenever I need take-out I always think of Subway (I am not sure it is a good thing).

This day I was in a rush, and in that area of the city there are few options (I had already being at McDonals!) and decided to get a sub.

The location is medium sized, with plenty of tables. It was clean and inviting. It was relatively busy when I was there. As you can expect from a restaurant close to "Our Place" homeless shelter, the washrooms sport a big sign: "Only for customers".

The sandwich tasted the same as any from another Subway (I presume most of you have been at Subway, so what would the point of a "food" review by then). The franchise has done a great job of making them totally uniform. And I think I am fed up with them. Time to find an alternative. Suggestions?

Verdict: Feels like any other Subway.

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