Zazu

Zazu

• Location: 1028 Blanshard Street, Victoria, British Columbia
• Operator: Matthew Crisp
• Contact: 250-412-5311
• On line ordering: zazucoffee.ca
• Featuring 'Kicking Horse Coffee', salads, sandwiches & soups

One of my favorite luncheon spots for a quick, BLT sandwich and great tasting coffee. Pleasant counter service and prepared dishes are served to your choice of inside or outside tables. Salads and sandwiches have fresh ingredients. Order on line and receive a small percentage off your tab.

Restaurant Rating Scale		(Rating out of ten)
	Taste	6.5
	Presentation	6
	Décor	4
	Delivery	n/a
	Cost	6
	Location	7
	Washroom Cleanliness	5
	General Cleanliness	5
	Server Etiquette	n/a
	Average Score	5.64

Side Dish Restaurant

Side Dish Restaurant

• Location: 1008 Langley Street, Victoria, British Columbia
• Owner: Ben Arani
• Telephone: 250-477-9995
• Specializing in Persian food
• A small, easy to miss, brightly interior painted, comfortable eatery

Very pleasant staff and informal atmosphere featuring a delectable Middle Eastern menu. The lamb and chicken kabobs were flavorful and memorable and the balsamic rice was perfect! The brightly painted walls were uplifting and added to the cottage-like setting. Prices are reasonable.

Restaurant Rating Scale		(Rating out of ten)
	Taste	7
	Presentation	5
	Décor	6.5
	Delivery	6
	Cost	6
	Location	7
	Washroom Cleanliness	n/a
	General Cleanliness	7
	Server Etiquette	6
	Average Score	6.31

Heron Rock Bistro

Heron Rock Bistro

• Location: 435 Simcoe Street, James Bay Village, Victoria, British Columbia
• Owner/operators: Andrew Moffatt and Ben Peterson
• Telephone: 250-383-1545
• An art-clad, locally owned & operated, jazzed infused dining establishment

The menu has undergone some changes during the first years of operation, remaining fresh with the seasons. Creative offerings continue to grow. My favorite lunch item has left the menu but interesting and tasty soup choices remain my favorite appetizer. Many menu items are organic and locally grown or raised. Also featuring a nice collection of local wines.

The owners are personable and appreciate your patronage. Servers and other staff have been a mix of the knowledgeable and trained to the less than ideal. Staff etiquette, presentation and delivery can take 'fine dining' either up or down a notch. Perhaps because it is a relatively newer business, I can only describe its atmosphere as chameleon. I intend to re-acquaint myself with their updated menu and write more about their food offerings.

Restaurant Rating Scale		(Rating out of ten)
	Taste	7
	Presentation	6
	Décor	6
	Delivery	5
	Cost	5
	Location	6
	Washroom Cleanliness	5
	General Cleanliness	6
	Server Etiquette	6
	Average Score	5.77

The Blue Carrot Cafe

The Blue Carrot Cafe

• Location: 18 B Bastion Square, Victoria, British Columbia
• Telephone: 250-381-8722
• E-mail: marisaoakes@shaw.ca
• Proprietor: Marisa Oakes
• Counter service featuring homemade soups, sandwiches, wraps, cakes & cookies... 'made from scratch'

In the cutest hide-away in town, I frequent this cozy, upbeat establishment for my clubhouse fix. Thick chunks of REAL chicken on multi-grain bread is a delicious filler so if I am to indulge in their old-fashioned, home made cakes, muffins and cookies, I forfeit the entree and go straight for the desserts. Prices are fair for the quality of fresh ingredients and the pleasant experience of lunching in historic Bastion Square. Eat inside and enjoy the gallery of art or have your lunch served outside, seated under their umbrella-dorned bistro tables.

Restaurant Rating Scale		(Rating out of ten)
	Taste	7
	Presentation	6
	Décor	7
	Delivery	5
	Cost	7
	Location	7
	Washroom Cleanliness	7
	General Cleanliness	7
	Server Etiquette	n/a
	Average Score	6.63

Souped Up

Souped Up

• Location 736 View Street, Victoria, British Columbia
• 250-380-0856
• Soups on the go: Advertises fresh made soup, sandwiches, snacks with a weekly soup menu
• Counter servers; bus your trays
• Limited seating in mall-like walk thru, especially during lunch times
• Average costs
  

I often have my lunch at Souped Up. The sandwiches (chicken with cranberry, ham & cheese & veggie) and soups are very satisfying. My favorite 'soups' were the homey chicken stew and the thick chili. I like their coffee, too. Counter staff are always pleasant and efficient.

Restaurant Rating Scale		(Rating out of ten)
	Taste	7
	Presentation	4
	Décor	2
	Delivery	n/a
	Cost	6
	Location	7
	Washroom Cleanliness	n/a
	General Cleanliness	7
	Server Etiquette	6
	Average Score	5.57

Cabin 12

Cabin 12

• Located 607 Pandora Avenue, Victoria, British Columbia
• Email: cabin12gm@live.com
• Informal, retro-fitted decor with an interesting collection of art (for purchase)

Menu offers creatively named ordinary favorites at average local prices. I have visited Cabin 12 on several occasions and sampled their full-bodied soup, garden salad, clubhouse sandwich and BLT. All were timely delivered and well enjoyed.

Staff were very friendly and attentive which added to the overall relaxed atmosphere.

I continue to look for an eating establishment that will offer smaller portions. I want a food choice that will stand alone, without the side-fillers and distractions such as salads and fries 'included'. The price should reflect the lack of extra, unwanted and wasted food.

When I see a large, heaping plate or platter headed my way, I do not get excited over the amount of food making its way to the trough, I just get overwhelmed and frustrated. Reduce prices and offer the fillers as choices/side orders. I do not want my BLT on three layers of toast, for example. Maybe this is why servers incessantly ask, "Are ya still workin' at it?"....it is like work trying not to waste food. Dining should be a pleasant and leisure activity, not WORK.

NOTE: This criticism does not only apply to Cabin 12 but nearly every dining establishment I have visited.

Restaurant Rating Scale		(Rating out of ten)
	Taste	6
	Presentation	5
	Décor	7
	Delivery	6
	Cost	6
	Location	7
	Washroom Cleanliness	5
	General Cleanliness	6
	Server Etiquette	6
	Average Score	6

Restaurant Rating Scale

Restaurant Rating Scale		(Rating out of ten)
	Taste
	Presentation
	Décor
	Delivery
	Cost
	Location
	Washroom Cleanliness
	General Cleanliness
	Server Etiquette
	Average Score

Georgie's Cafe & Emporium

Georgie's Cafe & Emporium

• Formally 'The Bagel Queen' and 'Mount Royal Bagels'
• Location: 4649 West Saanich Road, Victoria, British Columbia
• Phone: 250-479-6747

July 13, 2009

I was surprised to find the adjacent European deli and produce market no longer in business.

The former Bagel Queen had opened up the space and extended their seating capacity, leaving one section for gift ware. Some items were locally crafted and expensive. At the end of the building, a nursery/ garden business had opened.

Bagels are no longer made on the premises but are still a central feature on the cafe styled menu.
They offer: bagels, soups, sandwiches & sweets according to their business card. Order from the counter and pick up from counter but prepared food is sometimes brought to your table.

Some of the dining chairs had loose legs and were placed on the slope of the floor. Flies were a nuisance, especially when one landed in our bowl of salad. After the dressing weighted its wings down, we were able to remove it... dead.

I had the sausage soup and bagel with garlic cream cheese. Delicious. On another visit, I sampled the chicken pasta salad and white, lemon cake. Delicious.

The young, counter staff is pleasant but rather reserved and not particularly talkative or friendly. At least they didn't constantly bother us or ask us if we were 'still working on' our food. The staff member in the gift section was more friendly.

The washroom facilities were reasonably clean. The establishment would benefit from a funky new plant job and a new, even floor...and a Venus fly trap.

Prices were competitive...not overly expensive but not cheap either. Two of us enjoyed lunch, including beverages for approximately $20.00.

Restaurant Rating Scale		(Rating out of ten)
	Taste	7.5
	Presentation	5
	Décor	4
	Delivery	n/a
	Cost	6.5
	Location	5
	Washroom Cleanliness	6
	General Cleanliness	3.5
	Server Etiquette	5
	Average Score	4.69