Rites of Spring 2010 - looking for some great coffee house staff · Saturday March 20, 2010 by colin newell
When you are Shane Devereaux, arguably the reigning king of downtown Victoria coffee cool, your mere presence in any doorway is generally an indicator that you are guarding the latest caffeinated portal to hipness.
And it is with that abstract observation that we are pleased to announce that soon, very soon, there will be another dose of HABIT arriving on the shores of our collective cerebral cortex – ready for a stiff tapping at that…
On Yates street. At the new (and highly anticipated) Atrium complex.
Along with the likes of Zambri’s, PIG and some other ultra-sexy businesses.
And Shane is looking for a few good women and men. To join a team of coffee super-beings. Who love coffee. Who love people. Who love combining the two. Who are ready to be family members. Who have food and coffee culture passion measured in gigawatts.
Do you have that right stuff?
If you do and you are prepared to participate in the mind-orgy of now… Well then send an e-mail to the Shane-meister at habitcoffee@gmail.com
And may the cool be with you.
Winter all food, fun, drink and coffee culture - The Stick in the Mud · Friday March 19, 2010 by colin newell
Listen here for our Stick in the Mud interview today… Flash player below – if you cannot see that, click here for the mp3.
We interview David Evans of the Stick in Sooke!
In the waning days of winter 2010 we conclude our series on crisp season fun with an audio soundbyte from the heart of Sooke B.C. Canada.
Because we spent a quiet mid-week at Point no Point resort on the windy west coast of Vancouver Island – and enjoyed several yummy meals at the look-out restaurant – under the watchful eye of Chef Jason and his assistant and sous chef Ian. More on this later.
At right – Caffeine dream weaver and coffee roaster, David Evans, stands guard at the Stick in the Mud coffee house… Eustace Avenue off of Otter Point Road in beautiful Sooke, British Columbia.
On the return leg to Victoria we stopped in at Sooke village for some necessary great coffee from “The Stick in the Mud” coffee house – and talking with coffee expert, ad man, bon vivant, raconteur and ideas dude… David Evans.
Well, he gave us the low down on some of the history behind this very exciting cafe in the heart of Douglas fir country. Here is some audio to sink your ears into. Pitching a podcast idea to a local food magazine…
Back out in the wild at Jordan River and the Point no Point resort, we had two great meals by the hands of Chef Jason Neinaber and sous-Chef Ian Carr. Come to think of it, I think we ate everything on the menu – like the was a choice in the matter. Thankfully, on our first evening visit we only mentioned our presence on the way out – and in that sitting, I had two appies; oysters under caesar salad and seared scallops on a bed of cous cous, house made bacon and mushrooms – my dear wife had the chicken.
When we returned the night after, we were greeted by a plate of Jason and Ian’s brand new charcuterie – house cured meats with condiments, and suitable pickles.
At left – Chef Jason has his own cured meats at the Point No Point view restaurant – several types; salami, capicola, duck proscuitto, bread crisps, onions, pickled mushrooms, etc… click photo for the super size
This was a first meet with Chef Jason after a couple of phone interviews and a successful story pitch to EAT Magazine – the article appearing in the May June episode of EAT. Jason Neinaber is an imposing and intense 6’ 4” or so and takes his food very seriously – but is equally passionate and sharing with his knowledge of new culinary discoveries.
Andrea tried pork cutlets at this sitting and I – a couple of appetizers, home made rigatoni stuffed with a meaty and rich bolognese and, dig this, the seared scallops on a couple of things including sweetbreads… never had that before – look it up in lieu of me describing it… an interesting flavor and texture!
Point no point on the wicked, wild and windy West coast road is our secret get-away and stress buster. Cabins from around $195/day include private outdoor hot-tubs, super romantic views, full kitchens and a restaurant with some World class eats if you are so inclined. You can reach them at 250-646-2020… tell them Colin sent you.
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Winter Fun Food and Adventure Victoria - Return to the Stage · Saturday February 27, 2010 by colin newell
Andrea and I sort of live in Fernwood… inasmuch as we sort of live in Oak Bay…
and Victoria… you might say that we are somewhat itinerant.
Anyway – we first appeared at the door of Stages Small Plates in 2007 – review here .
And we have gone back a couple of times – but tonight we had the pleasure of eating out with our favorite couple – the crazy, sexy cool that is The Engels. Valerie and Mark are the brains behind the Bubby Roses Bakery Cafe machine in Victoria.
There is a reason why Bubby Roses Bakery has more kilowatt buzz per square inch of Cinnamon bun than any other bakery in town – it is because of the Engels and their staff. Honest to God, if the World was going to end in 24 hours, this is where I would send everyone to spend their final moments.
Going out with Valerie and Mark generally involves a couple of glasses of Pinot Noir per person and a whole heck of a lot of great stories – back and forth, back and forth.
Anyway, another advantage of going out with a hungry couple is being able to order just about everything on the menu; Edamame (Japanese twig beans), Mussels, Falafel, Squid, White Fish, and pork belly…
and enjoying every morsel!
Although that was not everything, it was a good cross section.
That and dessert; chocolate pate and a creme brulee…
and a 1/2 gallon of Cafe Fantastico decaf.
Dinner for 4 and lots of wine and great stories… about $180
Winter all food, fun and drink marathon begins - Olympics full swing · Saturday February 20, 2010 by colin newell
Just in case someone thinks that I am rolled up in the corner like a cobra or glowering like a vulture as the Canadian sports Olympiad rolls out in all its glorious redness…
I can honestly say that I am enjoying the sports and athletes in colorful HD.
Nothing like the detail in pairs skating. Or the ‘nothing to the imagination’ of sliding events like luge , skeleton , and bobsled .
Don’t get me wrong. Like our participation in Afghanistan. I question the mission but I support the troops without a hiccup.
The Olympics is a 2 week plus party – and Vancouver – Whistler residents and visitors appear to be enjoying themselves. Awesome. Right there with you.
The protesters are well behaved, peaceful, getting their message across – and the lug nut Black Bloc are keeping out of the way, utterly discredited as the bone-headed thugs they are.
When it is all over, you will probably not hear another negative word about the subject – it’s done like dinner. Time to move on. Back to actual real life stuff.
So. Thanks for your patience loyal reader Jeanie. You have the patience of a…
well. You fill in the blanks.
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