Mortiscycle Doughnuts @ the Superior Point Espresso Bar

Update part deux:
While Mortiscycle currently is no more, I've heard rumours (June 2014) that their doughnuts may live on - Empire Doughnuts. And they are linked with PiCNic (upper Fort St location), possibly after their expansion into the adjacent space. More to come....I'm sure.


Update:
Currently the Mortiscycle Doughnuts have not set-up shop for 2014. The previous owner has moved on from Victoria and the currently owners of the Superior are concentrating on the restaurant portion.
Hopefully they'll open the espresso bar outside and maybe some delish doughnuts...




The Superior Point Espresso Bar is a lovely little coffee “stand” at the corner of Superior Street and Kingston Avenue (kitty-corner from the main entrance to Fisherman’s Wharf). It’s been opened by The Superior Café, whose owner is no stranger to the restaurant industry in Victoria (I’m sure there are some of you who remember having coffee -before it was “having coffee”- at La Boheme or Bohemetea).

They serve 2% Jazz coffee and homemade baked goods including Mortiscycle Doughnuts. Like I wrote before, doughnuts are popping up everywhere (and I say…..awesome-sauce!). I recently stopped in for a quick latte and (twist my rubber arm) a doughtnut to go with it. As I pulled in on two-wheels – I even got a special deal on my morning snack.

Love the vintage Coleman cooler...

You can hang out at the stand, making yourself comfortable on the steps, chairs or...

Donuts - the new cupcakes in town

We've had the cupcake craze happening in Victoria for several years now (the stores run the gamut - big, small, vegan, tv show tie-in, you name it). It wasn't like cupcakes didn't exist before this proliferation about five years ago - but the grocery store versions were mere shadows of the gourmet goods getting iced today. And now, I'm quite sure, the next big thing is gaining momentum - doughnuts. And like the aforementioned barbie-sized cakes, these are not your garden-run timmy's old fashioned plain.

In the name of exhaustive research, I will endeavour to try as many as I can (read: before I have to move the notch on my belt). To start off - I've hit two purveyors recently - Doughboy Donuts and Yonni's.

Doughboy Donuts can be found at some of the nicer coffee shops around town, but also Saturdays at the Moss Street Market. Inside the courtyard, tucked in the corner, the day's offerings are on display, each identified on the butcher paper covering the table.
**UPDATE**
Doughboys is currently not creating their fabulous donuts - but hopefully we'll see them around soon.

Doughboys Donut Stall at Saturday Moss St. Market

Doughboys Saturday Selection

On the two occasions I've visited the stall (research people, research!)...it's a steady stream of people coming...and the inventory doesn't last long...

Finest at Sea - fish & chowda!

Another (somewhat) sunny Saturday in Victoria and we find ourselves on the search for some fish & chips again – this time next door to Fisherman’s Wharf. Finest At Sea (FAS) seafood (in a green heritage house) on Erie St in Victoria, overlooking Fisherman’s Wharf Park, is a great fish-monger, now wearing a restaurant hat (well, at least a take-out kiosk cap).

The retail fish store inside the house is under construction currently - so sales have been moved outside to a shiny trailer in the parking lot. And the best part - now they're cooking fish in this kiosk to serve! Fish, chips and chowder, to be exact. The small crowd ordering when we're there is an even split between those picking up fresh halibut & salmon fillets and those ready to dive into some yam fries with their halibut burger.

F.A.S. kiosk in parking lot beside store

Bring on the fish!...

The Fish Store - A great chippy at fisherman's wharf

With the sun out and the temperatures hitting the shorts'n't-shirt range these past few days - it seemed like the perfect time to hit Fisherman's Wharf - and we weren't alone in this decision - the wharf was hopping like it was tourist season.  So we headed to one of my favourite places for fish & chips - The Fish Store.

They have you covered here - half fish store, half kitchen - you can get provisions for tonights dinner and something for lunch right away.  And you can feel good about the fish & shellfish too - it's all 100% OceanWise certified (environmentally friendly seafood).  My heart says "yay!" and my stomach says "bring it on!"

And then onto the food...

Aura - putting the 'special' in occasion

We are out for dinner to celebrate a friend's birthday- a milestone one - so we're pulling out all the stops. We don't do this all the time (read: once before), but it's nice to pretend to be rich and famous once and a while. This blog will include extensive food-porn shots - I hope you enjoy.

We booked a chef's tasting menu at Aura Restaurant at the Laurel Pointe Inn. The restaurant itself has a stunning view of the inner harbour, right from the Legistlative buildings over to the Songhees. As an unexpected bonus, our table has been set-up in the private dining room (which looks to hold up to twelve comfortably). Printed menus lay out the meal we're about to experience - complete with wine pairings with each course.

Feeling like Rock-Stars already...

Table in the private dining room

Menu for our meal.

Bring it on.....