We've lived up here almost 2 years now and hadn't gotten to Victoria on the ferry! Last week, I just put it on the calendar, in ink, and we took the trip yesterday. What a beautiful city and a fun one also. We walked our a$$es off - had planned on taking a bus/taxi to get around, but tried walking first and we just ended up continuing - boy, do I feel it this a.m., but it's a good 'feel'!!
Met an old friend of some of ours - from the old place we all used to visit... remember Harbourchef/Ben Cram?? He's got the neatest little cafe on N. Park St. He used to chef in one of the better restaurants, but decided he wanted more time with his growing family, so branched out on his own. The Parsonage Cafe was packed the whole time we were there, which surprised us because it's really in an out of the way location, but the locals are very loyal to him and word of mouth is spreading his excellent cooking style. And, he is just a little cutie to boot!!
I had Salad Nicoise and Roy had a Mac & Cheese (oh boy, was that tasty!!) and a bowl of onion soup - everything was just delicious. He also roasts coffee beans in this huge machine which makes the cafe hotter than hell, but those folks don't seem to mind. We were lucky to grab a table just outside where it was nice and cool. He does plan to expand upstairs and move all the coffee bean paraphernalia which will certainly help the temperature downstairs.
Anyway, it was so fun to meet another old friend of almost 5 years for the first time. The jar is a little present I took over for him - Boysenberry Mustard, which is so good on cheese and crackers!!
I'm ready to go back over, it's such a fun place. Lorraine, we, of course, brot home some more maple syrup and managed a bottle of Mission Hill Estate '04 Merlot from a great little wine bar on Government St.
What a fun day!
Met an old friend of some of ours - from the old place we all used to visit... remember Harbourchef/Ben Cram?? He's got the neatest little cafe on N. Park St. He used to chef in one of the better restaurants, but decided he wanted more time with his growing family, so branched out on his own. The Parsonage Cafe was packed the whole time we were there, which surprised us because it's really in an out of the way location, but the locals are very loyal to him and word of mouth is spreading his excellent cooking style. And, he is just a little cutie to boot!!
I had Salad Nicoise and Roy had a Mac & Cheese (oh boy, was that tasty!!) and a bowl of onion soup - everything was just delicious. He also roasts coffee beans in this huge machine which makes the cafe hotter than hell, but those folks don't seem to mind. We were lucky to grab a table just outside where it was nice and cool. He does plan to expand upstairs and move all the coffee bean paraphernalia which will certainly help the temperature downstairs.
Anyway, it was so fun to meet another old friend of almost 5 years for the first time. The jar is a little present I took over for him - Boysenberry Mustard, which is so good on cheese and crackers!!
I'm ready to go back over, it's such a fun place. Lorraine, we, of course, brot home some more maple syrup and managed a bottle of Mission Hill Estate '04 Merlot from a great little wine bar on Government St.
What a fun day!
Retired and having fun writing cookbooks, tasting wine and sharing recipes with all my friends.
www.achefsjourney.com
www.achefsjourney.com