Relish

While I have not posted a review yet, I can say that, as of today, I consider Relish the best lunch destination in town.

Review will follow.

--dmg

John's Place

<2010-10-04 Mon>

No. 122

John's Place is located in Pandora, few meters from Douglas. It is a local's favourite.

Having woken up at 5:00 AM to take the first ferry to Victoria from Vancouver, I was very hungry at 10:00 AM.

Lively and noisy was my first impression as soon as I stepped in. The restaurant was playing very loud music, and it was surprisingly full for this time of the day.

John's Place is a "full day" restaurant, that offers a large breakfast menu.

John's place is a visual feast too. Like Pagliacci's, one can't stop looking at the walls. It is full of posters and photographs that cover music, sports, and entertainment. Here and there you can find photos of "John". The center piece is a large mural of the now defunct Tiger Stadium in Detroit. Under it, the wall is peppered with photos of famous players of the Tigers. No other subject is as heavily represented. John must be Tiger fan, I reckon. There are Canadian icons too: a photo of Joe Carter running the bases after his famous home run that gave the Jays the World Series (I still remember that moment, soon after the roar in the neighbourhood caused by the play--I was living in Jay's territory at the time); a faded poster of Gretzky in his early years holding the Stanley Cup along Geoff Cournall.

The breakfast-lunch is populated with pancakes and eggs. I ordered the "John's Special": two scrambled eggs with chorizo patties. The eggs were dry, the patties had only a faint flavour to chorizo, but a heavy one to cheap grease. It was a forgettable breakfast that makes me wonder: why is this place so popular? The other two times I have eaten here I left wondering why I did. The food has always disappointed me. The food, in my opinion, does not deserve this restaurant's popularity. And this is a question to you, the reader. If you like John's place, would you mind explaining me why?

Verdict: Avoid

Paid: 9.24 + tip

For more information, including address, please visit:

Cranberry's Coffee Cup

No. 121

<2010-10-01 Fri>

Coffee Review

Located in Pandora, almost at Quadra, this is a beautiful small cafe. Recently opened, there are few locations in Victoria that exude love like Cranberry Coffee Cup.

I had passed by the place around one week ago, and liked it, and made a mental note to come to visit. I arrived at 3:30; they were getting ready to close the till, but were happy to accommodate me.

Cranberry lives up to its name: its decor is bright red while and black, lovely little tables with matching table cloths. It is definitely beautiful.

As I walked in, there was certainly cheerfulness in the air. It felt like a family gathering, the ones that talk highly of good vibe between the staff.

I got my coffee (a good cup of espresso) and chat with them. I learnt that this is a family run and operated business. "Mom" runs it, as one of them explained it, "and the family helps".

The offer light lunch at very good prices. The place is small and cozy, and I love their bench by the window where you can people-watch under the sun.

Unfortunately they have one of the toughest competition next door (Relish). Food wise, I will choose Relish (yes, I haven't tried the food here, but such is the power of Relish in me). In terms of coffee, I'd choose Cranberry. Cranberry's coffee is head and shoulder above the Wildfire bakery (where I had undrinkable espresso the last time I was there; I should admit I have not tried the coffee at Relish).

I thought it had been open longer, but it is only 5 days old (at the time I wrote this review, Oct 1). I wish them the best of luck.

Verdict: They are the type of business that I love to support.

For more information, including address, please visit:

Saigon Harbour

No. 120

<2010-10-01 Fri>

Saigon Night is located in the most competitive block of town (Fort/Douglas/Blandshard/Broughton). It is within few meters from some of my favourites: Devour, the Pink Bicycle, and Pho Vy. It is no surprise I haven't visited it in a very long time.

It was 1:22 and it was full! I was in a hurry, and this took me by surprise. This is a place where I have eaten in the past and it was never this full. Finding a full restaurant is always a pleasant surprise.

It is medium sized place, with a dark decor. I perused the menu. I ordered the "Pho dac biet". I got the largest supply of sprouts of all the pho restaurants I have visited. They were very fresh too! The meat was good, and the broth decent. I enjoyed it.



I guess the question that I should answer is: how does its pho compare to Pho Vy's? Saigon Harbour has less pho options, its meat and broth feel a notch below Pho Vy, but its vegetables (sprouts and herbs) were more abundant and fresher.

Saigon Harbour is very similar to Saigon Night in terms of options. Saigon's pho included pinker meat, but it might have been the particular type of pho that I ordered (I am not expert in this type of food, after all).

On the other hand, it is no competition versus Devour or the Pink Bicycle.

Verdict: Decent Vietnamese food, but with very tough competition.

Paid: 10.25 + tip

For more information, including address, please visit:

Nando's

No. 119

<2010-09-30 Thu>

Once I went in, but left without ordering. Nando's felt too much like a chain restaurant, and I felt the prices were expensive compared to restaurants in the area.

Since starting my quest, I had been in front several times, always wondering if it should be the day to review it. Every time I headed somewhere else.

A friend gave me a coupon that had one week left before its expiration date. She likes Nando's and urged me to try it.

Nando's is a fast-food type of restaurant that serves relatively slow food. Contradiction? Yes. They make the chicken to order.

Nando's is a South African chain. It is easy to guess its origin: the walls are covered with African artefacts. The location is beautiful. The restaurant occupies the corner, with plenty of Sun light, and sitting space.

You order from the wall. The options are straightforward: choose the type of chicken part you like, the amount, and add sides (and there are not that many of them). They will bring the food to your table.

The prices vary from 9.49 to 13.69 plus tax.

They offer it in 4 levels of spiciness. I asked for a double leg, hot (the hottest, next time I'll ask for medium).

I really wanted mash with my chicken, and the option of a potato sounded too dry for me. This is my main complain about Nando's: the sides do not seem to go very well with the chicken. I asked for the coleslaw.

The chicken had a very rich lime, and hot pepper flavour. It was so juicy that I had to check the bone: yes, it was cooked, and it was perfectly cooked. It was delicious.


With regard to prices. Nando's is one of the restaurants that has a single menu for the entire day. At dinner time, its prices are cheap, at lunch time, they are average, towards expensive. You can eat in China Block for a lot less.

With regard to competition: Nando's is in a difficult location, again, just a block from China Block. But if you are looking for chicken, this is a very good destination. Just don't bring a vegetarian along: he/she will be utterly disappointed.

Me? If they add mashed potatoes to the menu, I would become a regular. As it stands, the lack of good side dishes makes the meal boring.

I received very good service too. This is particularly remarkable because it is a fast-food style restaurant.

Verdict: Unexpectedly, I liked it.

Paid: 10.63 (minus coupon).

For more information, including its address, visit: