IN MY ‘HOOD
Momos, Java and Tacones
Pandora Ave. resident Treve Ring offers up her take on the historic street in some quick and tasty bites. PANDORA AVENUE (500-700 block) is anchored by the Blue Bridge, abutted by Market and Centennial squares, and address to government offices, hotels, loft dwellers and migrants. Fought over by Old Town, The Design District and Chinatown, Lower Pandora’s first construction boom dates back to the 1880s. It is one of the last streets between downtown and industrial land, making for just enough fringe to allow for creative hipsters to co-habit comfortably next door to City Hall. Heritage restorations are bringing new residents, merchants and travellers to the block, feeding the bloom of pocket-sized cafés popping up along its sidewalks. Weekday suits and briefcases are replaced by weekend brunch line-ups and bikes, and Pandora’s theatre-goers, pub-crawlers and train-catchers have their pick of coffee spots and whole food eateries. Here’s a culinary map of the block: Swans—the Art Hotel—is home to popular live music at Swans Brewpub, has on-tap craft beer brewed on site, plus 750-mL bottles to go at their beer and wine store (oatmeal stout a favourite). As well, its Wild Saffron Bistro is filled with upscale and arty Pacific Rim fare. 506 Pandora Ave., www.swanshotel.com. Across the street is historic Market Square, an open-air complex with a mix of retail, office and eats. Of note? Green Cuisine—a vegan, pay-by-weight buffet with a rotating lineup of virtuous fare; Tibetan Kitchen—a tiny one-woman, window-front, momo machine run by Pemba Bhatia, the daughter of Tibetan refugees; One Fish Two Fish—the portable Ocean Wise outpost of Wharf Street’s sustainable Red Fish Blue Fish, and the home of the city’s best fish tacones. 560 Pandora Ave, www.marketsquare.ca, www.greencuisine.ca, www.redfish-bluefish.com. Right outside the entrance to Market Square is Solstice Café, a funky place for organic and/or locally produced foodstuffs, light lunches and organic, fair trade coffee and tea. It also moonlights most nights as a live performance venue. 529 Pandora Ave, www.solsticecafe.ca. Directly across the street you’ll find Victoria’s best espresso, baristas that give a damn,
rotating art exhibits, a formidable vinyl collection and a loyal congregation of hipsters in need of a caffeine fix. Habit coffee + culture’s open and laid-back vibe is as addictive as its customroasted direct trade Hines Public Market Coffee. 522 Pandora Ave. www.habitcoffee.com. Conveniently next door is Mo:Lé Restaurant. Convenient, since you can sip a coffee in habit while waiting for your table (and do be prepared to wait). Chef Cosmo Means’s deliciously healthful foodstuffs earned him a spot on the Canadian Triathlon Team—as chef. Hopping and family-friendly, serving food that’s locally sourced and lovingly prepared. 554 Pandora Ave., www.molerestaurant.ca. Chef Means’s magic touch reaches all the way next door—he’s part owner of Café Bliss, an organic, live-food juice bar. No time to chew? Pop in and rejuvenate with vital energy elixirs and super-food smoothies. 556 Pandora Ave., www.cafebliss.ca. Kitty-corner you’ll land at wi-fi hotspot Red Dragon Bistro. Lots of seating, including a Pandora-fronting patio, plus house-made breakfasts, soups and pastries, make this a favourite with the lunch suits. And that smell wafting through the hood? That’s them—roasting small batches of farmer-friendly organic beans. 1480 Government St., www.reddragonbistro.ca. A couple minutes up the road takes you to the brand-new Vintage Spirits store in the Hotel Rialto, currently undergoing a heritage restoration. Vintage is stylish and well-researched with a nice selection from Yellow Tail to ’05 Bordeaux. *Note: The hotel’s website mentions Veneto Restaurant and Brevé are opening May 1. www.hotelrialto.ca. Is there anyone who hasn’t lined up for breakfast at John’s Place? Owner John Cantin’s diner is easy to find; just look for the lineup out the door and down the block. Big portions, little prices. Colourful, fun and eclectic sums up the staff, decor and food. 723 Pandora Ave., www.johnsplace.ca. A few doors up takes you worlds away. The Black Olive prides itself on its classic Mediterranean cuisine. The rack of lamb gets rave reviews, as does owner Paul Psyllakis’s Kastamonitsa Cold Pressed Olive Oil, available for purchase in the restaurant or local grocery stores. 739 Pandora Ave, www.theblackolive.ca.
DRESSED UP & READY TO GO!
For dinner out, a family gathering, home parties or kicking back at the cabin, Tinhorn Creek has the wines for the occasion. Celebrating our 15th anniversary with a fresh look, we are proud to show you our 100% estate-grown varietal line up and Oldfield Series wines. At Tinhorn Creek we sustainably farm our land and create wines of merit. Our 150 acres of vineyards are located on two unique and diverse south Okanagan sites: the Golden Mile and the Black Sage bench. Our ability to blend the grapes from these vineyards and capture the best characteristics of each site sets us apart. Visit our spectacular estate winery in Oliver, BC and experience for yourself. We will welcome you with open arms. NATURALLY SOUTH OKANAGAN www.tinhorn.com
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EAT MAGAZINE MAY | JUNE 2009