Dutch Bakery and Diner

According to their menu, four generations of the Schaddelee family have been running the Dutch Bakery and Diner since 1956. Founder Kees Schaddelee Sr, retired at age 72 but frequented the shop until he passed away at age 97 in 2007.
It's a busy spot with folks ordering from the bakery counter to take home and people lunching in the diner.
I notice a sign for the afternoon special - a pastry and tea or coffee for $5. I ask my server which pastry they're most famous for and she replied, "Without a doubt the Vanilla Slice" so I order one with a pot of rooibos tea. The vanilla slice, seen here, is two layers of puff pastry filled with custard and topped with vanilla fondant and buttercream. A little sweet for my taste, but I'm sure I'll be back to sample another pastry from their long list. 

Murchie's Fine Tea and Coffee

The history of European settlement on Vancouver Island is not a deep one. With Victoria as its capital, Vancouver Island became a British Crown Colony in 1849. By 1871, Victoria's population had grown to 3,630.
John Murchie started working for Melrose of Scotland tea merchants as a young lad. After immigrating to Canada, he started his own company in New Westminster, BC in 1894 making it one of Canada's oldest brands. Murchie's special tea blends and Arabica coffees established their reputation for excellence. All nine shops are in BC but their products are more widely available.
In 1985 they relocated their Victoria store to this flagship location at 110 Government Street. One side is a cafe and the other side a shop that sells tea, coffee and assorted paraphernalia. They have a spectacular array of pastries and cakes. At the counter I ask, "What are you best known for?" Both servers reply, "Our scones".  I order a black currant scone and pomegranate rooibos tea. The scone arrives warmed with cream and jam on the side, a steal at $5.95. Highly recommended.
Out front a chalk artist is creating optical illusion art and you can see this tourist having his photo taken while "standing on top of an eyeball".

Rebar Modern Foods

Centrally located in Bastion Square, a pedestrian mall, this funky bistro is a real delight. Friendly, efficient service and veggie versions of deli favourites keep local regulars coming back for more. For lunch I choose the Tempeh Rueben - marinated tempeh, grated beets, sauerkraut, swiss cheese, mustard and dill pickle grilled on dark rye bread and a cup of beautifully spiced yam soup on the side. With a bottomless cup of coffee, total is $22.05 before tip.

At the table next to me, two women are planning a dinner at one of their homes with the goal to raise twenty grand for a charity. They're trying to decide on who to invite and whether to ask $500 or $1000 per plate. You just can't buy this kind of entertainment.

Rebar Modern Foods is highly recommended.

Mary's Bleue Moon Cafe

From the outside, it would be easy to underestimate Mary's Bleue Moon Cafe. Inside, it's more spacious than you might think and the decor celebrates the restaurant's history as a local landmark serving airport personnel and locals since 1939. 

The service is friendly and efficient ranking it near the top of our list for local eateries. The Salmon Burger is well cooked and comes with a load of fries,  $15.59. I order a bowl of Seafood Chowder and two pieces of garlic toast a tasty and filling combination. They've got live music and special deals throughout the week. We'll be back. 




Mary's Bleue Moon Cafe 
9535 Canora Rd, Sidney, BC V8L 1P3
Saturday to Wednesday 9 am to 9 pm Thursday & Friday 9 am to 10 pm

Star Cinema & Bistro Suisse

Hubby & I took Mumsy to see Mamma Mia! 2 at the Star Cinema. The theatre is so "small town" that they don't even bother giving you a ticket, they know who has paid.  As you can see by the hand-lettered signs, seniors pay $7.50; adults $9.00 and everyone $6 on Tuesdays. Concessions are also very reasonably priced - small popcorn with real melted butter $3 and chocolate bars for $2. There are two screens and all of the pre-movie ads are from local businesses. The theatre is only about a quarter full for the 3 pm showing. We all enjoyed this kitschy romp to ABBA's hits.

Star Cinema
9842 Third Street
Sidney V8L 3A7

The Bistro Suisse is empty when we arrive around 5 o'clock. We're asked if we have a reservation (we didn't) and are seated quickly.  The decor is traditional Swiss and so is the menu with schnitzel featuring prominently. However, there are some interesting vegetarian twists. Mumsy and I order the veggie bratwurst with sauerkraut, red cabbage, onion sauce, rösti, crispy fried onions and dijon mustard, $18.50 (seen here) and hubby picks the Vegetarian Spätzli Casserole an oven-baked dish of spätzli (Swiss drop noodles), mixed veg, mushrooms and cheese, $16.50. It's all very delicious but not piping hot. Hubby had asked for the soup de jour as a starter but it did not arrive. One server chides the other saying, " It's hard to get good help. He's new here" when it was obviously not the case. The running gag continues throughout our meal and starts to grate a little. The restaurant fills up with regulars who are greeted by name and ushered to their usual tables so it's not surprising that the Bistro Suisse is one of the top-rated dining establishments in town.

Bistro Suisse
2470 Beacon Ave,
Sidney V8L 1X8
Tuesday to Saturday 11:00 - 2:00; 4:30 - 8:00 pm

North Saanich Flavour Trails Festival: Part 2

Checking the locations of places I wanted to visit, I decided to take the bus to the furthest place and walk home instead of riding my bike.

Sidney Laboratory - Centre for Plant Health
(Canadian Food Inspection Agency)
8801 East Saanich Road, North Saanich, V8L1H3

Established as one of Canada's Dominion Experimental Farms in 1912, the centre's main functions are now quarantining imported fruit trees and plants, researching and developing tests for related viruses and serving as a repository for "virus-tested clones of important commercial varieties for export certification".  Heavyweight science is happening here but research staff, Michael Rott, Ismail Abdulahi (centre of photo below), Allison Gratz, & Harvinder Bennypaul, make it interesting and accessible to tour participants.

Dominion Brook Park
8801 East Saanich Road, North Saanich
V8L 1H3

Retired educator, Ian Cameron, led our group on a very informative walk through this 11-acre park that was established in 1912 as an arboretum and ornamental garden.  The park is being restored and maintained by a non-profit society called Friends of Dominion Brook Park in cooperation with the Federal and District of North Saanich Governments. There are some incredible and rare specimens that are thriving in our microclimate, including the Cedar of Lebanon seen here.

Roost - Farm Bakery and Vineyard Bistro
9100 East Saanich Road, North Saanich
V8L 1H5

Many local shops and restaurants are experiencing difficulty in hiring and keeping staff and the NSFTF has brought a lot of folks to the Roost this morning but I am still shaking my head after this experience.

I order a "Half and Half Combo" which promises a half-sized salad, bowl of soup and a slice of focaccia bread.  I order the spinach salad and mushroom soup.  The server apologizes that they are out of focaccia and offers me a choice of other breads and I pick multigrain.  When the soup and salad arrive, I notice that it's mixed greens and not spinach but think "no biggie" and let it go. Twice the server assures me that the toast will be coming soon. After about twenty minutes, by which time I have finished eating my food, a slice of untoasted bread arrives. Again, in itself not a big problem but when you're paying $12 for a light lunch, you want what's advertised. I call over a hostess and ask "Am I missing something? I waited twenty minutes for this and it's not even toasted". She defers to a manager who sits down and my table, apologizes, explains that the kitchen is "overwhelmed" and offers me a 15% discount and complimentary cookie.  The last time we were at the Roost, we made a game of counting how many times the servers said "sorry" to customers. Not sure if the root problem is with staffing, training, supervision or a combination thereof but I would hesitate to bring guests to the Roost and won't be rushing back anytime soon.

North Saanich Flavour Trails Festival: Part 1

Hubby was away at a vintage car racing event in Mission BC so I decided to check out a few stops on the NSFTF on my Brompton bicycle, Ruby.

Snowdon House Gourmet Gifts
1890 Mills Rd, North Saanich, V8L 5S9

I purchase some Blueberry Cinnamon Fruit Infusion Vinegar and Douglas Fir Infused Vinegar at promotional prices and order a
yam & lentil wrap and a bottle of lemon verbena water for lunch. I have to remind myself that I'm not in the big city anymore when service is a bit lackadaisical. While waiting for my food to appear, I get chatting with a family from the US and enjoy watching the antics of the free-range chickens.

The Fickle Fig Farm Market
1780 Mills Rd, North Saanich, V8L 5S9

There's something about the internal layout of this place that I find discombobulating so I grab a Salted Caramel Brownie, $4 to take home and head back out on my bike.

Holy Trinity Anglican Church
1319 Mills Rd, North Saanich, V8L 5T2

The brochure promises complimentary tea/coffee, scones with local berry preserve and cream starting at 2 pm. While waiting for the church hall to open,  I get chatting with a charming group of local women who invite me to sit with them. After this delicious treat,  we proceed outside at 3 pm for a guided tour of the historic cemetery which highlights founding families, local business people and well-loved characters. I finish off a very interesting afternoon with a look at the interior of Holy Trinity Church which was consecrated in 1885.

Victoria Lavender Farm

After reading in the local paper that Kent, UK native Alan Mayfield will be scaling back operations at Victoria Lavender Farm, we decide to pay a visit. The farm will be closed to the public after this weekend's North Saanich Flavour Trails Festival, however, the shop on Beacon Ave in Sidney will remain open.

The farm is also home to a herd of Nigerian Dwarf Goats, peacocks (regular and white), ornamental pheasants, and a number of dogs. I have to admit that the idea of participating in "Goat Yoga", a regular activity here,  does not appeal to me personally.

While hubby & Alan get into car talk, I choose three lavender plants, which have been discounted by 25 %, for my garden. Unable to decide which gourmet product to try, I opt for the sample pack which has four 60ml sized jars:  Lavender Raspberry Jam, Lavender Honey, Marmalade, Jelly.



Read the newspaper article here. 

The Ploughshare Cafe

After early shop at Uptown Mall in Victoria, we head home in search of coffee. We stop at The Ploughshare where the regulars are greeted warmly by first name. It's counter service and you help yourself to coffee $2 the first cup and $1 refill. Couldn't resist trying a Many Berry Granola Square, which wasn't quite what I expected but tasty none the less. This 1953 Chevy Bel Air pulls up and hubby's in "car talk" mode in a flash. No shortage of car culture on Vancouver Island. Recommended for a quick coffee.

The Ploughshare Cafe            Open weekdays 7:30 am to 4:00 pm
4649 West Saanich Road         Saturday 8:30 to 3:00 pm
Victoria, BC V8Z 3G8              Sunday 9:00 to 3:00 pm

Artisan Bistro and Penna & Co. Kitchen Shop

Our search for wiper blades for the smart car takes us to Broadmead Village shopping centre, about 20km due south of Sidney, just off Pat Bay Highway.

We stop for brunch at Artisan Bistro where we're served by the enthusiastic and efficient Kayla. If you need to train serving staff, observe her in action to learn how it's done properly.

I opt for the breakfast special bennie - poached eggs, avocado, tomato, smoked cheddar and Hollandaise on a croissant, exquisite at $17. Hubby enjoys the Traditional Breakfast, substituting avocado for sausage or bacon. The scrambled eggs are properly prepared, by restaurant standards, $14. Total with tax and tip, $46. Recommended.

Artisan Bistro
Broadmead Village
350-777 Royal Oak Drive
Victoria, BC V8X 4V1
Open daily: 8 am to 9 pm

Before leaving the mall, we notice that Penna & Co. kitchen shop has a 20% off sale. They've got all the high-end brands (Le Creuset, Peugeot, Bodum) and lots of chef toys. I felt like a kid in a candy store and purchase a USA Pan square cake pan, baking rack, a couple of sporks made in Sweden and other goodies.  Staff are very knowledgeable about their products. Recommended.

The Urban Bee

You can't help noticing the colourful hives and fields of flowers across West Saanich Road from The Urban Bee. Inside the shop is a vast selection of honey, beeswax and bee-themed items from tableware to jewelry. 

We enjoy coffee and baked treats served up on china dishes made to resemble vintage enamelware. The honeyed almond cookie and blueberry muffin were both delicious. Unfortunately, I haven't got the itemized receipt but coffee was about $2.50 a cup and the total including tax about $12.50.  Recommended. 

I purchase a package of three different sized Goldilocks Wraps, which I've wanted to try for some time. They're a locally made eco-friendly alternative to plastic bags and cling film. A tea towel and wooden honey dipper also come home with me.

It's fascinating to watch the bees in the open hive and as they fly in and out through a transparent tube in the wall.

Urban Bee Honey Farm
6440 West Saanich Road, Saanichton BC

The Roost Vineyard Bistro and Farmhouse Bakery

We cycle out to the Roost for hubby's birthday lunch. I'm proud of myself as I conquer a fair sized hill in second gear. No Polkadot Jersey yet though. En route we stop to pick blackberries which grow so abundantly in the area, people consider them as garden pests.

The Roost offers two options, table service and full menu in the bistro and counter service for baked goods and drinks. We chose the former and are quickly seated. I ask for cranberry juice but the server comes back and says they won't have any for a few minutes, I ask for water instead (their loss). Hubby channels Rick Nelson and chooses the "Garden Party" pizza that comes topped with tomato sauce, mixed mushrooms caramelized onion, roasted garlic, mozzarella, Edam and fresh dill, $17.25. I order the soup & salad combo picking lentil tomato soup, spinach & berry salad and Russian Rye bread, $9.75. Everything is fresh, tasty and well presented. Total including tax and tip $32.60. Recommended.

The Roost Vineyard Bistro and Farmhouse Bakery
9100 East Saanich Road, North Saanich, BC
Open daily from 7 am - 8 pm

PS: Blackberry & Apple crisp with plain yogurt I made with the berries we picked.

Mid Knife Crisis

When we bought a pair of gardening shears at a yard sale, we knew that they would need sharpening. My nearly 40-year-old Henckels chef knife and Wiss scissors were also long overdue. Searching for a local business, I found Mid Knife Crisis (MKC) mobile sharpening service, owned and operated by Anthony Dompierre out of Brentwood Bay. His slogan is "Never a Dull Moment!"

MKC is a regular at several of the peninsula's weekly markets. We meet up with Anthony at Oakland Community Centre's Sunset Market at 2827 Belmont Ave, Victoria and are immediately impressed with his professionalism and meticulousness. He took apart the shears to clean and sharpen them and did equally thorough work on the knife and scissors. Total including tax $30.

While we're waiting for Anthony to work his magic, we pick up boysenberries, artisanal olive and rosemary focaccia and Talonridge Honey from various vendors.

McGavin's Bread Basket

 As always with shopping, you have to know your prices to get the best deals. We were accustomed to sourcing bargains at Weston Bakery Outlet in Etobicoke, which has recently closed. The nearest thing I've found on the peninsula is McGavin's Bread Basket at 770 Bay Street, in Victoria.

You'd have to really do a major shop to make it worthwhile driving there from Sidney, but combining it with other errands makes sense. Just like at Weston Bakery, the selection can vary quite a bit from day to day. We score Dempsters 100% Whole Grain loaves, some light rye and packages of 24 whole wheat thin buns for $1.64 each. When you buy ten items you get one free and I also got a loyalty card stamped

Melinda's Biscotti

A biscotti factory in a business park may not be the obvious choice for brunch but then again Melinda Cownden is not your average entrepreneur. Her success story is a remarkable one. She started selling her biscotti to family and friends, moved on to local coffee shops and then expanded to grocery stores. Demand grew so much she and husband Alun Hodgson started up this commercial production bakery and added a cafe at the front. She writes, "Dreams are built on hard work and dedication and the team at Melinda's Biscotti is happy she never gave up."

I try the Green Goddess Bennie (pictured here) - avocado, poached eggs, pesto hollandaise on an English muffin - with hashbrowns on the side, $12.95. Not an obvious flavour combo but truly delicious. Hubby opts for the Breakfast Burrito which is packed with veggies, scrambled eggs and cheese, $9.25, and is equally tasty.   Add two bottomless cups of coffee, tax, tip and special deal on a six-pack of assorted biscotti = $40. Recommended.

Melinda's Biscotti
101, 10134 McDonald Park Rd, North Saanich, BC
Open Monday to Friday 7:00 - 16:00, Saturday 8:00 - 15:00, closed Sunday. For breakfast, lunch, coffee and biscotti.

Lettuce Galore

Through local Facebook buy/sell/trade group I find a neighbour selling fresh baked bread. We ride our bikes a few blocks to purchase a loaf fresh out of the oven. "I like this game", I think.

Next, I read about a girl who is selling beets, lettuce, and peas from her garden to raise funds for her dance classes. Through her mom, I place an order and we drive out to the farm to pick it up. I gave her a bit extra as a donation, "from one dancer to another".  When I got home and started unpacking I began to think I had bought more lettuce than we could possibly use in time. I don't know many folk in town yet, so I thought I'd ask the bread lady. Turns out, the veggie girl is her granddaughter!

Hubby asks: "Isn't there such a thing as lettuce soup?"  Within a few minutes, I find a recipe for "pea, lettuce and mint soup" posted by the National Trust in the UK. Luckily, I had all the ingredients including fresh mint from my garden. It turned out surprisingly delicious!  I roasted the beets, put some in the freezer, and made a salad with some beet greens and lettuce too.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/felbrigg-hall-gardens-and-estate/recipes/pea-lettuce-and-mint-soup