cheap warming eats: Seoul Korean Barbecue

Seoul Korean Barbecue

Today is so cold and windy. Weather like this gets me thinking about warming food and drink. One dish that I often crave at this time of year is a popular Korean dish Bibimbap. The name means mixed rice and that’s exactly what bibimbap is. A large bowl of steamed rice is topped with small piles of seasoned vegetables, most commonly grated carrot, zucchini, cucumber, pickled bean sprouts, steamed seasoned spinach, doraji (belfowe root), and some fried beef (optional). Topping this all off is a fried egg. It is always served with kimchi (chilli cabbage) and a bottle of chili sauce on the side. Sometimes you also get little dishes of additional vegetables.

This week we had a impromptu visit to Victoria’s Seoul Korean Barbecue. We were scurrying from our car  to Pho Vj in search of warming Vietnamese soup when I suddenly spotted the Korean place. It’s been opened for a while and I’ve always wanted to try it. Suddenly bibimbap was a more appealing option than soup so in we went.

Cups of complimentary steaming tea

Interior of Seoul Korean

Interior of Seoul Korean

Bibumbap (back) and beef and vegetable soup (front)

Bibimbap

Blurry pic of my bibimbap mixed up

The first thing you’ll notice about Seoul Korean Barbecue is that it does not have a very ambient atmosphere and the second thing you will notice is that the service is extremely prompt and polite. As soon as we sat down we were presented with two cups of steaming tea, and menus, followed with a bow. I quickly ordered bibimbap (without beef) while C ordered beef and vegetable soup. Our dishes arrived quickly and again we received a bow. Both of the dishes were lovely and very good value. My only quibble with Seoul Korean is that the decor is rather harsh and cold. The tables, chairs, tiles, and wall paneling are black,  the floor is dark brown wood and the lighting harsh. All in all it is the sort of atmosphere that does not encourage one to linger. However, for a quick weekday supper this is not a big problem especially given that Seoul has all the other attributes you want; great value (tea, supper for two and tip for under twenty dollars) and quick, professional service. If you’re seeking a warming weekday supper I’d definitely recommend giving Seoul Korean a try!

Location:

768 Fort St
Victoria, BC V8W 1H2
Tel: (250) 592-4244

For directions see Map

Little Piggy – Fernwood

Little Piggy on Fort St has opened a second, much smaller, location in Fernwood. This mini cafe has three tables and seats about seven people. The menu is small but the prices are excellent and the food is yummy. We popped over there today for a quick Saturday lunch. I had a lovely tasty creamy yam soup ($4) served with bread. The soup was lightly spiced with cardamon and cayenne pepper, sweetened with a touch of honey and given a fresh twist with some fresh cilantro. My boy had a butter curry served with brown rice as well as a bowl of the yam soup. The curry was very fresh and tasty. A very filling lunch served quickly, all for $14.  Another great cheap eat!

Kid friendly Crumsby’s Cupcake Café: Estevan Village

Crumsby's Cupcake Cafe

image credit: Mama in the City

While recently shopping at Estevan Village (2500 block Estevan Avenue) with a friend and her little girl I got the chance to visit Crumbsy’s Cupcake Cafe. I have wanted to try this new cafe since earlier this past summer I spotted its sign advertising cupcakes and its pretty, seaside holiday inspired decor. My long anticipated visit lived up to my expectations. When we stepped inside we found customers sipping tea served in brightly coloured ForLife teapots while lounging pretty outdoor style furniture finished in matt white paint. The holiday furniture is beautifully complemented by the brightly painted blue and yellow walls and the whimsical decorations, such as the tin picture above, perched on shelves.

Tea is served in cute ForLife Teapots

As the name of this cafe suggests Crumsby’s sell a range of cupcakes – in child and adult flavors – as well as mini-muffins in interesting flavors (raspberry oatmeal and lavender lemon). My friend and I both choose a mini-cakes which were delicious while my friend’s little girl had a healthier muffin.

For parents a highlight of Crumsby’s is the play area located  on one side of the cafe. A lot of thought has obviously gone into this space which is furnished with beautiful wooden toys, a large chalkboard and child sized furniture. While my friend and I chatted, drank tea and munched our lovely cup-cakes her little girl played very cheerfully. Indeed she was having so much fun when she thought her mum was coming over to take her home she bolted to the other side of the cafe. What ensued was a very amusing chase around the cafe until eventually the little run away was captured. Luckily for her it wasn’t time to head home. It was muffin time!And she seemed to enjoy the muffin very much. It seems that this little girl is not the only one to appreciate the play area as the cafe was mainly packed with mums and dads with little ones.

While Crumsby’s has many attractions for parents it is definitely a place that the childless will also enjoy. If you want to see a little more of the charms you can check out some lovely pics of the cafe interior and its changing flower displays taken by one of the women who works at the cafe. (see FlickR) or just check out the cafe itself, with or without a little one in tow!

image credit: Mama in the City

Details:

Crumsby’s Cupcake Café 250-595-2221. 2509 Estevan Ave.

Cheap eats – red fish blue fish

Red Fish /Blue fish is a lovely little take out seafood restaurant located in the docks in the harbour. One of the many cool features of Red Fish/Blue fish is that it is housed in a refurbished grey, marine blue shipping container. RF/BF is famous for their fish tachos and edamame tachos which come with a side salad of coleslaw. On our last visit I had the BBQed fanny bay oysters which came with a green salad. The oysters were fantastic but the salad was rather disappointing. The leaves were very heavily coated with a sweet creamy dressing. Luckily the location always make up for anything that is lacking in the food. We sat on the cute little wooden stools, watched the sea planes and boats coming and going in the harbour and were cooled by the sea breeze. What a lovely way to spend a hot summer evening.

Pink Bicycle burger joint

The Pink Bicycle is a cool new burger joint that offers interesting budget priced burgers and a small but interesting dessert menu. The retro inspired decor is fresh and cozy. Go early because they often sell out by 7.30PM. See their website for more details:

http://www.pinkbicycleburger.com/

http://mondaymag.com/articles/entry/pink-is-the-new-burger

“Dine around Victoria”

“From February 19th to March 8th, 2009, enjoy a three-course dinner at some of Victoria’s hottest eateries for $20, $30, or $40 CDN per person”

http://www.tourismvictoria.com/content.aspx?f=Content\1.+Visitors\6.+Packages+And+Promotions&p=3.+Dine+Around+And+Stay+In+Town+Menus.html

Fuse Restaurant in Sooke.

We recently discovered Fuse Restaurant in Sooke. Located at the edge of Cooper’s Cove and just off the Galloping Goose this restaurant has beautiful water views, an interesting menu and very reasonable prices. You can even borrow a blanket to wrap around you if want to sit outside but find the air a little chilly.

Address: 5449 Sooke Rd Rr 1

You can find a Victoria City Guide review here:

http://www.canada.com/cityguides/victoria/story.html?id=5c9597e3-4e04-4285-a833-7214b249c46a&k=80072

Sobo Restaurant Tofino

This weekend we discovered the Sobo Restaurant in Tofino. Soba offers high end, contemporary cafe style cuisine that draws on local produce. I loved their Killer Fish Tacos which were served in a hard blue corn tortilla and topped with a fresh fruit salsa that included blackberries, kiwi, melons and pine-apple. My dining partners enjoyed their shrimp pizza and homemade angel hair pasta with wild mushrooms.

Check out their menu at: http://www.sobo.ca/

Good eats in Tofino

The current issue of Eat magazine reviews restaurants in Tofino. See page 50 at: http://www.eatmagazine-digital.com/eatmagazine/20080708/