Saturday 26 October 2013

Jam - they're worth the wait

Jam Cafe in Victoria is a great little breakfast spot on Herald Street.

It's no secret though....

When you arrive, it may look like the picture on the left....or, if it's the weekend and you're arriving at peak brunch time - you may take part in the photo on the right.

All quiet on the Western front (aka 8am)
An eager crowd awaits, 8:05.....kidding (more like 9:05)

Once you're inside - great things await you...

Tuesday 22 October 2013

Zambri's - classy Italian at the Atrium

Zambri's has been a fixture of Victoria's restaurant scene for over fourteen years.

The restaurant is located in the beautiful Atrium building, adjacent to the main entrance on Yates Street. Prior to opening up shop in their glass walled setting, they were tucked into a non-descript spot between London Drugs and the Market on Yates. Back then, weekdays lunches were ordered & paid for at the counter and brought out to your table. Dinners were usually a wait for one of the unreservable few tables (or you might luck-out and grab a stool at the tiny bar). Scene-change: Atrium - now Zambri's is open for lunch six days a week (with table service) and reservable for dinner seven nights a week. They're also open for a fabulous brunch on Sundays.

Zambri's Atrium location

Everything about the restaurant setting has changed. Nothing about the quality of the food has.

Monday 7 October 2013

Jubilee Pharmacy...there's food too!

Pharmacy?
A food blog with a Pharmacy entry?
Yes, it sounds like a miss-post, but you need to know about this store.

Jubilee Pharmacy has two locations - one kitty-corner from the Jubilee Hospital (that one you could see coming, I'm sure) and the brand-new, second location on Johnson Street at Quadra. If you're now performing a mental Google Map - this location used to house a rotating array of carpet vendors (and Fabricland, way back when). The rugs are gone, the reno's are done and the food is here.

Yes, it's THAT old carpet building

Jubilee Pharmacy AND MARKET!

The original location is always an interesting place to shop for groceries. Two jam-packed aisles are loaded with an incredible selection of sauces, spices, pasta, gluten-free items, dried fruits, exotic chocolates, pop, jams and so much more. Shoppers brave tight aisles, barely allowing two people with hefted baskets to pass, to access the unique selection and amazing prices.

The second location?...

Tuesday 1 October 2013

Roast Carvey - a slice of heaven

The Victoria Public Market is open!
Hip-hip-hooray!

I'm actually relieved that the places are rolling out at a slower pace (if they were all open at once, I would probably agonize over the decision on where to eat).

First stop:

I just met up with a friend for lunch so we can check-out Roast Carvery. The stall is in the middle of the market with a simple sign hanging high out front...generally with a line of eager patrons waiting beneath it.



It's not hard to see what their "wares" are - right at the front of the stall, the owner is slicing off roasts of pork, beef and chicken (and occasionally lamb, as a recent tweet informed me). There is also a veggie sandwich as well - in case you're not hankering for roast beast.