Archive for the ‘Food’ Category
Happy Summer Travels
Wednesday, August 11th, 2010
I’ve been taking some time off from blogging to enjoy amazing summer weather on Vancouver Island but will be back soon with places to visit and food to try along the way.
Wishing everyone a wonder summer, no matter where you stay or go!
Posted in Food, Travel, Vancouver Island | No Comments »
Travel Eats: Sinfully good pastry from Coombs Market
Monday, July 5th, 2010
Coombs Old Country Market is known for their grass roof covered in live goats and a funky market full of imported foods, gifty things, and their massive bakery counter.
Located not too far from me, Coombs is less than ten minutes west of Parksville on the Port Alberni Highway 4 on Vancouver Island. I’ve been a fan of their Bee Sting pastry for some time now – a croissant-style puff pastry roll which has been split in half, stuffed with fresh whipped cream (real, not that edible oil garbage), then covered with a thick layer of freshly-made caramel, drizzled over the top. It’s beyond ridiculous and just as good as it sounds.
A friend visiting Vancouver Island from the prairies recently went to try her first Coombs Market bee sting on the way to Tofino and reported back to me that there was another flavour of Bee Sting: Blueberry and Lemon. I was in the car the next day with a somewhat suspect list of groceries that could only be purchased from Coombs Market as, lets be honest, a weak excuse to get my hands on a new kind of pastry.
When I arrived, to my dismay, there were no Bee Stings, blueberry lemon or caramel, to be seen anywhere in the bakery. Then, like magic, a fresh tray of treats slid into view inside the enormous glass baked goods case, topped with a sign that said “Raspberry Lime Bee Stings”.
Raspberry and lime in pastry sounded as weird as it did delicious and I dove right in. The combination of flavours was perfect – the classic Bee Sting puff pastry roll, split in half and this time stuffed with raspberry whipped cream, flecked with pieces of real raspberry. The lime glaze topping was perfect, smooth and velvety with a zingy lime twang that highlighted the creaminess of the interior. This sweet monstrosity was topped with two perfectly fresh ripe raspberries and a small slice of raspberry crystallized jelly, unintentionally making a tasty little happy face.
There are tons of great reasons to stop in Coombs on your travels around Vancouver Island, but getting your hands on a Coombs Market Bee Sting or another of their decadent desserts should definitely be topping that list.
I’ll be back in line soon enough… I haven’t tried the Blueberry Lemon Bee Sting yet!
Click here for more information about Coombs Old Country Market.
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Fire and Ice Festival comes back to Oceanside
Friday, April 30th, 2010
The Qualicum Beach Fire and Ice Festival has a very warm place in my heart (no heart-burn pun intended) as it was the first Vancouver Island festival that we attended after making this area our new home. And it’s back tomorrow, May 1st – 11 am to 3pm, rain or shine, bringing chili and ice carving to the streets of Qualicum’s adorable and quaint downtown.
Celebrating their 18th year in 2010, festival goers gorge on the chili offerings of local businesses and restaurants for the bargain one-time price of $3 for a sampling cup and spoon. (more…)
Posted in Food, Travel, Vancouver Island | 1 Comment »
Decaffeinated Vegas – a rant
Wednesday, April 14th, 2010
On my last trip to Las Vegas I was lucky enough to stay at the beautiful Platinum Hotel, who supply each room with a coffee maker and daily supply of coffee. I found the coffee they offered to be mediocre but hey, it was available and I was happy to drink it. I was irritated with Platinum’s Kil@wat restaurant for charging me 1/2 the price of my breakfast for a coffee (breakfast: $6, cup of coffee: $3). Little did I know just how good I had it… (more…)
Posted in Food, Las Vegas, Poker | No Comments »
Eating touristy Mexican on the Las Vegas Strip
Thursday, March 11th, 2010
Las Vegas is absolutely jam packed with dining options, but when when looking for a fast, affordable bite right on the strip, it can be fun to stop on a whim when something catches your eye.
We were surprised to find ourselves gravitating to touristy Mexican spots along the strip for a quick, cheap meal and a cheesy vacation drink or two. This may have been the power of suggestion as everyone and their grandma is walking around with a giant margarita in their hand (present company included, how could I resist?).We tried three Mexican restaurants on the strip, chosen on a whim as we walked by and were pleasantly surprised each time. (more…)
Posted in Food, Las Vegas, Travel | No Comments »