Rebar Modern Food (Victoria)

On a recent visit to Victoria we visited Rebar Modern Food, one of the most famous vegetarian eateries on the West Coast (heck, they even have a cookbook!). I have heard many raves about the place from people I know. Despite the fact that I'm a die-hard omnivore, I do appreciate vegetarian cooking.

The restaurant is located right downtown Victoria, in the Bastion Square area. It's a little hidden because the restaurant is somewhat below ground. Inside, the surroundings are quite lovely and warm with bright walls, colourful tablecloths, and various knick knacks (plastic godzilla, anyone?). We were greeted warmly at the door and we were free to choose any table we liked.

For breakfast, I chose the 'Migas' ($13), which was eggs scrambled with peppers, cilantro and topped with tortilla strips and a salsa verde. The scramble came with pan-fried red potatoes, toast, and homemade jam and ketchup. This was just okay - it needed a bit more seasoning, and could have used quite a bit more kick to the salsa and scramble itself. The potatoes didn't have the best texture and could have used a dash of salt. However, the bread, jam and spicy ketchup were fantastic.

To be honest, I was much more impressed by what Shane ordered. He got the wild mushroom omelette with spinach and chevre ($12), which came with the same potatoes, toast, jam, and ketchup. This was delicious; the mushrooms had a perfect earthly flavour, and was complemented by the tart creaminess of the goat cheese.

For the first time at Rebar, it was a pretty enjoyable experience. The atmosphere is great, and while the food is a little pricey, the quality ingredients definitely make up for it. We will have to come back for a deeper look at the menu.

Pagliacci's - Victoria

Pagliacci's has been around since the 1970's and has quite the following. Every time we've visited Victoria, we've seen long line ups outside the restaurant; for this reason, we've avoided it, but this time we decided to try it when we went for dinner with Shane's dad. Being from Victoria, Shane had tried the restaurant before, but not in a long while.

Luckily, the weather was clear the night we decided to go, so the wait wasn't too bad even though the line was really long. However, the restaurant was well aware of this and brought us each a beverage as we waited. We thought that was pretty great and quite rare for a non-fine dining place.

The interior of the restaurant was filled with knick knacks and bright yellow walls. The space was really small, and tables were jammed into the restaurant with very little room for people to move. We were probably six inches from the next table. It was a little uncomfortable.

The complimentary foccacia  bread was amazing and unique. It was flaky, buttery and utterly rich. It was really irresistible.

Demsey's Lasagna ($14), touted as a favourite of Bob Dylan's, was surprisingly delicious. The handmade pasta was still slightly chewy instead of the usual mushy stuff that you'd normally get. The meat sauce was delicious and had a wonderful basil flavour. On top of that the whole thing was really cheesy, and you had decadent strings of cheese as you portioned it to your mouth. It was probably one of the best lasagna's I've had. Would I order this again? Yes and yes.

Shane had "The Heart of Saturday Night", which had artichoke hearts, capers, olives, red peppers in a tomato sauce over fettucine ($14). The pasta was well cooked, but the sauce lacked punch. With those ingredients, you might expect assertive, briny flavours, but the whole dish tasted really bland. The tomato sauce lacked the freshness that the lasagna had, and even the olives and capers imparted no flavour. In fact, we had to add a bunch of salt to this dish to make it palatable.

I've thought of the lasagna many times since this visit and can't wait to return. I had my doubts about this place before I went, but I now understand the long line-ups!

Pig BBQ Joint - Johnson Street Location

A week and a half ago we spent the weekend in Victoria to visit Shane's family. One of the things we wanted to do was return to Pig BBQ Joint, which was one of the many highlights of our last trip. I thought about their pulled pork sandwich a lot. Perhaps this was part of the reason we ate at this place not once, but three times.

To our surprise, when we walked over to the restaurant, we found that the location had (temporarily) closed and that Pig had moved a few blocks away to the corner of Johnson and Blanchard. What a difference! The old joint had seats for about five people and was literally a hole in the wall, but the new digs are large enough to seat about 30 or 40 people and are very swanky in comparison. Apparently, they had only been open at that new location for two weeks.

The decor was full of personality and cool, from the chalkboard menu, to the multi-layered wooden pig, down to the blue water spout above shelves of mason jars.

The iced tea was a steal at $1.50 and arrived in one of the aforementioned mason jars. This was not too sweet and utterly refreshing.

The first time, both of us ordered a pulled pork sandwich ($6), and we saw a curious thing on the menu: the deep fried macaroni ($4), which of course we had to order. The sandwich did not disappoint; it was as good as we remembered, with tender, subtly smoky pork, a tangy sauce, and a mustardly coleslaw. Delicious.

As for the deep fried macaroni and cheese, it was as you'd expect: amazingly crunchy on the outside while being soft and creamy on the inside. The only flaw was the seasoning - the macaroni and cheese should have used a tad more salt and cheese.

For our second visit, we tried the pulled pork meal ($10), which consisted of 1/2 pound of pulled pork, beans, and cornbread. The pulled pork is again excellent. The beans are a little sweet, but the cornbread is very good, especially with the sweet herb butter they provide.

On our third visit, our gluttony continues, with Pulled Pork Poutine ($9), which arrived steaming hot. The portion was huge. This dish was interesting, though neither of us knew if this was entirely successful. The pork didn't add much to the poutine, strangely enough, and the curds were too 'melty', and should have had more of a squeak when you bit into them. Lastly, the gravy was a tad salty. However, we were really glad we tried this.

Finally, the Fried Chicken meal ($12), consisting of 3 pieces of chicken, coleslaw and cornbread. The chicken was wonderfully crispy and well-seasoned, and the meat was wonderfully juicy, even for pieces of white meat. After sharing that huge poutine, we couldn't finish all the chicken, so we saved a piece for the next day. The chicken was even really good cold.

Every time we paid Pig a visit, the place was jumping and incredibly busy, which made us ever so happy. However, a part of me is glad we don't live in Victoria - coming here so often would really fatten us up!
Anyhow, Shane got himself a Pig BBQ t-shirt and wears it proudly.

Brasserie "L'ecole" - Victoria

We were in Victoria around the time of our anniversary, so we decided to splurge one night on a fine dining restaurant called "Brasserie L'Ecole". I was pretty excited, because I had heard that this French bistro was one of the best restaurants in Victoria. One thing to keep in mind about this restaurant is that they don't take reservations, and they don't have a set menu. Instead, there is a 'fresh sheet' everyday.

The restaurant itself is located in Chinatown. There is a very cool mural on the side of the building.

The restaurant itself was pretty small, and has your typical bistro feel - Toulouse Lautrec posters, red walls with dark wood trim.

Here was the day's fresh sheet (I know, I've been really slow to write about this).

I normally don't take pictures of bread, but I couldn't resist the cute little butter pot. The bread was good, though nothing spectacular.

For appetizer, we shared some Frites with Parmesan, garlic, parsley and truffle oil ($8). This was so good - the potatoes really tasted like potatoes (potatoey?), and the fries were exceptionally well seasoned. The garlic and the Parmesan really gave these potatoes a yummy savoury quality. The aioli that accompanied the frites was probably the best I've had, because it had a pronounced vinegar flavour which went especially well with the greasy fries. As you can see, the portion was huge. We were impressed.

Shane ordered the Boeuf Bourguignon with parsley potatoes ($22). The bowl came piled high with the stew. It looked really good. It tasted even better. The beef was cut in large chunks which were meltingly tender, and the dish had an incredible richness of taste. Everything about it--the texture, the seasoning, the flavours--were perfect. Shane was in heaven, and I was quite jealous.

Similarly inspired by reading 'My Life in France' by Julia Child (an excellent read, by the way), I got the Rock Fish Meuniere with vegetables ($23). For those of you that haven't read the book, 'Sole Meuniere' was the first dish Julia had in France, and it introduced her to the exciting, sensuous world of French cuisine. The rock fish, when it arrived, looked spectacular. The presentation was lovely. The fish was cooked nicely, with a nice sear on the edges. However, the fish was a little underseasoned, even with the addition of capers. It was also a little too greasy for me, though of course how could it not be, being fried in butter and all. But I guess in comparison with the robustly flavoured Boeuf Bourguignon, the fish really suffered.

However, the vegetables, which were served on the side, were really delicious and incredibly well cooked. It was the first time I had tried fiddleheads, and I really liked it (fresh, green tasting, with a subtle slippery texture). The veggies were the best part of the dish.

Check out this coffee presentation. It's cute, no?

Yes, we had dessert, even though we were really full. The creme brulee was very good, with a really thick crust yielding to the eggy goodness underneath. It didn't blow my mind, but it was a pretty nice ending.

Dining at the Brasserie was a very special experience. There was so much care put into the food, and you can't help but admire and appreciate that. I would definitely come back. For the Boeuf Bourguignon.

The Noodle Box - Victoria, Douglas St.

One evening, we were on our way to an event and decided to stop by The Noodle Box. We were curious about this place because it always seemed busy and popular. There is a Noodle Box restaurants in Vancouver, but there seems to be a great many more in Victoria.

The interiors are nice--modern, though a little generic.

Shane ordered the Spicy Peanut Box with pork ($11). One thing I can say about this place is that the portions are HUGE. Two people could easy share a dish and be stuffed. The noodles were actually pretty tasty, with a not too overpowering peanut flavour. The coconut milk added a nice richness to the dish. However, the problem with this dish is texture. It's a gloopy mess. Fried noodles are supposed to be a little crispy and chewy, not overcooked and dripping in gluey sauce, as this was. You would not find this on any street corner in Asia.

I'm not sure why I did it, but I went for the "Tom Yum" with Prawns ($11). Again, this was really big. But see the red oil slick at the top of the container? Let me assure you that it shouldn't be there. It was a little unappetizing. I taste the broth. It is fine. Not great, but fine. The weird addition is the noodles. Why would you do this? This is unheard of in Thailand. The noodles again were overcooked and emitted that white starchy flavour that just ruined the broth. However, I can say that they were tremendously generous with the shrimp. These were huge, plump and pretty delicious.

I wouldn't say that the food here is bad--actually in many aspects they provide tasty meals. However, don't come here looking for any authentic Southeast Asian dishes.

Pizzeria Prima Strada - Victoria

After reading Andrew Morrison on Vancouver's lack of authentic pizza, we put pizza on the list of things to eat in Victoria (also check out Foodosophy's informative review). Who can pass up Prima Strada's Neopolitan pizza and their authentic ingredients (including flour from Naples, local artisanal cheese, and house made charcuterie)?

We arrived during the lunch hour and the place was packed; however, we were lucky enough to get the last booth that was available. The decor of the place is clean, stylish and comfortable. Of course, the star of the space the large brick wood-fired oven in the middle of the restaurant. Apparently the temperature in the oven is about 700 degrees.

To start, we ordered the 'Antipasti Misti' ($13), which consisted of prosciutto, salumi, various cheeses, olives, chickpeas, nuts, and bread. Although we were a little disappointed by its size, the ingredients were stellar. The olives were especially good. Our only complaint was that it only came with three slices of bread. Really? That is not nearly enough bread to eat with the salty ingredients.

Our first pizza of choice was the Margherita ($14.50) which consisted of tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese from Fairburn Farms, basil and sea salt. The pizza was impressive. The dough was crispy yet soft at the same time, and the pizza had great flavour. The tomato sauce tasted very fresh, and the basil was especially good on the pizza.

The second pizza was the Rucola e Crudo ($16), which is tomato, parmigiano and mozzarella pizza topped with fresh prosciutto and arugula. This was great. The saltiness of the prosciutto and parmigiano gave the pizza great flavour, and the freshness and bite of the arugula contrasted nicely with the hot crust.

We thoroughly enjoyed this dining experience, and will definitely be back. You can definitely taste the care in preparation and the quality of the ingredients. Bravo!

Pig BBQ Joint - Victoria

Pig BBQ Joint is literally a hole in the wall off View St. in Victoria, a small space with only a handful of seats. The decor is basic but pretty stylish, with a blackboard menu and a pretty cool sign. The restaurant claims to serve authentic Southern BBQ and smoked meat, so we were pretty curious to try it out on our last trip to Victoria.

First of all, we almost didn't go in because it was so dang small. To sit inside the restaurant you'd have to be up close and personal with the restaurant staff, and I didn't feel like doing much of that then. However, the smells of smoked pig drew us in.

First, we ordered the pulled pork sandwich, which, at a measly $5, was an amazing deal. Fitting with the theme of the restaurant, there were no plates, or baskets, or even paper--the food was served directly on their black plastic trays (however, the eco-friendly disposable wooden utensils were a nice touch). That weirdness aside, the sandwich was incredibly beautiful: a large soft bun stuffed to the hilt with meat topped by a red BBQ sauce. We weren't prepared for how good this tasted. The meat was the star--tender, incredibly well seasoned, and topped with a tangy and not too sweet sauce. The bun was soft and a great partner is absorbing all the meat juices. So, so good. The perfect sandwich. Ever.

We also ordered the special of the day, which was a rack of ribs with cornbread with thyme butter and beans ($13). This also came right on the tray, which was a little disconcerting. However the ribs were tender, flavorful, with a real deep to the bone smokiness. The sauce is amazing. The cornbread was a good, though a little dry (the sweet thyme butter is a nice touch). The beans were also tasty, with a medley of beans and vegetables to almost resemble a vegetarian chili.

However, the ribs paled in comparison to the pulled pork sandwich, even though it was great. It's like comparing a Vermeer painting to a work from a guy off the street or something. Or comparing heaven to purgatory. Or something like that. Utter perfection always makes everything else seem imperfect, no?

If you are ever in Victoria, this is a must visit. It is glorious meat. Don't bring your vegetarian friends here, of course. But this place would confirm your allegiance to the carnivorous side.

Pho Vy - Victoria

Walking down Fort Street in Victoria, we were intrigued by two Vietnamese restaurants right across the street from each other. One of the restaurants was actually a popular chain Vietnamese restaurant in Vancouver, but the other one, Pho Vy, I'd never heard of; however, we looked through the windows at both places and chose the one with the most customers (always a pretty good indication).

Like a lot of Vietnamese restaurants, Pho Vy's decor is nothing to write home about--really functional and basic. The service is minimal, but polite.

I ordered the large pho with beef balls and steak (around $8), and this looked wonderful. As usual, the soup came with the side of sprouts, Vietnamese basil, and a wedge of lime. The soup was dotted with thinly sliced onion, bits of green onion and cilantro. This was a comforting and delicious bowl; the noodles were nicely cooked, and they were also generous with the meat. The broth had a clear, brown colour, and it wasn't too fatty; however, the broth also had a particular sweetness which I usually don't like in pho broths (this is a personal preference, though), but this kind of grew on me, and I really liked it in the end.

Shane had the grilled pork vermicelli bowl (around $8). It arrived in a huge bowl, and came with a spring roll and veggies. This was delicious. The meat was tender and well marinated, and had a wonderful grilled flavour. This was probably one of the better grilled pork I've tasted. The sauce that came with the dish was also good--not too sweet, and with a really nice savoury quality to it.

We really enjoyed this place--if we lived in Victoria, we would definitely be regulars here. Simple atmosphere, unpretentious food at a most affordable price, what else can you ask for?

Baan Thai Restaurant - Victoria

I was a little weary of trying a Thai restaurant in Victoria, but we passed by this place one night walking on Fort street and it seemed really popular. As you may or may not know, I'm particularly picky about Thai food because I was born and partially raised there, and because I've visited Thailand quite a few times and nothing is really comparable to the food you get in Thailand.

So we went in and we were pleasantly surprised at the interior because, aside from the window, there was a lack of Thai knick-knacks that almost always litter a Thai restaurant. Instead, the interior was warm, bright, and modern. However, what we weren't impressed by was that we had to stand there at the entrance, waiting for a table, without even a smile of acknowledgment, for five minutes. At this point we almost walked out because I was starting to get a hinkey feeling about the place.

The menu. There were the very usual items: curries, stir-fries, tom yam soups, fried noodles, and fried rice. There didn't seem to be anything to distinguish from any other Thai place at all. Also, there seemed to be lots of chicken dishes, and a distinct lack of pork/beef dishes for some reason.

The ordering of the food was a little strange. First, we wanted some Thai iced tea, but were informed that the machine was broken. Then beer from the tap--again, the tap was broken. I wanted to try their larb chicken, but they didn't have that. They also didn't have the gai yang (grilled chicken).

Okay.

At this point I was a little frustrated. However, the good thing is that our server (who actually seemed to be the owner as well), was actually Thai.

So we ended up with:

Chicken curry (around $12 bucks). This was okay. I mean, it wasn't bad, but it's hard to screw up a Thai curry, you know? There wasn't anything special about it---the taste was one note. Sometimes, with good Thai curries, you get this amazing depth of flavour, with kaffir lime leaf, lemongrass, etc., but this was just standard. It was still good to eat, mind you.

The second dish we got was the Pad Krapow Gai (around $12 bucks), or chicken with Holy Basil (a very different herb from regular basil, I assure you). I was really disappointed with this dish, because it seemed like just a regular stirfry. First of all, the pad krapow you get in Thailand is dry, with sharp holy basil flavour, but this one had lots and lots of sauce. Way too wet. There was only a mild vague basil flavour.

The experience was disappointing. Baan Thai is good if you're not picky and you're looking for standard Thai food. It seems to be very popular, in any case.