Rogers’ Chocolates Soda Shoppe and days of yore
1 Comment
Bruce Nguyen
July 25, 2009
Located in prime tourist real estate at the base of Government Street, approaching Victoria’s Inner Harbour, Roger’s Chocolate Soda Shoppe has set up shop.
The layout is split into two physically separated areas, soft serve ice-cream sundaes in the larger corner space, and hard, scooped ice cream in the smaller adjoining space. Also served are ice cream floats, malts, cookie ice cream sandwiches, splits, and a host of other related treats.
The store sign itself promotes “Olde Fashioned Ice Cream Concoctions” and I haven’t quite made up my mind whether the interior décor is ironic, an avant garde take on retro, or just confused. Old time charm is attempted to be blended with modern design ethics; LCD screen menus are side-by-side with stained glass light fixtures and signs in “Olde English” at the same time that wooden accents merge into bold granite fixtures. Although I have to admit, I am a fan of the uniforms. It’s the hat that does it, really.
I tried one of the more conservative sundaes on their menu. Yes, the drooling beast in the image below would be considered conservative in terms of number of toppings – vanilla soft serve ice cream rimmed with nuts, a Rogers’ chocolate medalion, and finished with caramel, whipped cream, and a marachino cherry.
My favourite part of the sundae was actually the nuts. But I’m an odd fellow who claims his tongue is abnormally full of too many sweet receptors. It wasn’t until after I was happily crunching on my sundae toppings that I noticed a sign advertising cookie ice cream sandwiches. That’s one childhood indulgence that has stayed with me all these years.
Looks like I’m going to have to make another trip to ye olde soda shoppe sooneth.
Rogers’ Chocolates Soda Shoppe
801 Government Street | Victoria
(250) 382-4249
Official Facebook Page
Categories: Beyond Vancouver, Blogathon 2009, Blogging for Social Change, Dessert, Food, Restaurants, Sweet, Vancouver Island, Victoria
Patio favourites in Victoria
4 Comments Bruce NguyenJuly 25, 2009
We’re in the height of summer and that means most nights out I’m looking for a patio to enjoy a drink with my dinner. My critera for a great patio is pretty bare:
- Great view
- Heat source for when the sun sets
- Good drinks
Anything more is gravy. I’ve already talked about Glo Europub and Grill, so here’s a rundown of a few of my other favourite patios in Victoria.
Canoe Brewpub, Marina and Restaurant
beer @ canoe brewpub by sashafatcat (Creative Commons)
Canoe’s restaurant interior design relishes in the fact that it’s placed within a 1894 heritage building, showing off its exposed brick and timber supports with gusto. But today we’re not here to talk about interiors; today we care about patios.
The outdoor terrace overlooks the marina and is west facing. Making it perfect to watch a setting sun while you kick back with one of Canoe’s microbrews,
The Sticky Wicket Pub & Restaurant
The Sticky Wicket by elwino (Creative Commons)
I admit that even if I did not appreciate the food or drink here, Sticky Wicket would still make this list by the fact that there’s a sand volleyball court on the rooftop patio.
I repeat: a sand volleyball court. On. The. Roof.
Great for large gatherings, the normally drop-in courts can be reserved with a minimum food order of a few hundred dollars.
Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub
A brisk walk along the water the West of Downtown Victoria, across the Johnson Street bridge lies one of the best brewpubs in the city. And the view from the top floor? It’s the kind where the wide ocean view clears your mind and your soul.
Or maybe that’s a side effect of the micro-brews. While I’m a fan of their hand-pumped stout, a coworker of mine swears by their IPA.
There are many more great patios in Victoria – a couple of hotel restaurants and a one named after a small, narrow boat immediately come to mind.
Chime in in the comments if you have a favourite patio.
Canoe Brewpub, Marina and Restaurant
450 Swift Street | Victoria
(250) 361-1940
canoebrewpub.com
The Sticky Wicket Pub & Restaurant
919 Douglas Street | Victoria
(250) 383-7137 | 1-800-663-7476
strathconahotel.com/the_sticky_wicket_pub___restau.html
Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub
308 Catherine Street | Victoria
(250) 386-2739 | 1-877-838-2739
spinnakers.com
Categories: Beyond Vancouver, Blogging for Social Change, Food, Restaurants, Vancouver Island, Victoria
Globetrotting at Glo Europub and Grill
2 Comments Bruce NguyenJuly 25, 2009
Located along Victoria’s Gorge Waterway, Glo Europub and Grill isn’t a restaurant most people will serendipitously pass by and notice. As such, it’s one of Victoria’s worst kept secrets.
Glo Europub and Grill
Their smoked gouda pizza (blackened chicken, cashews, asparagus, gouda) is often reason enough alone to make a stop. Add in being a five minute drive from my office and Glo becomes a favourite for after work drinks.
In the summer, their scenic patio opens up along the water feeding your senses with sights of kayaks and dragon boats racing by as you take a trip around the world with their city named martinis. I’ve never quite made it around the world in one sitting, but that doesn’t mean I won’t keep trying!
If the martinis don’t pique your interest, Glo also has an extensive wine list with certain bottles priced at just a few dollars over cost on Wednesdays. By pure coincidence, I assure you, I used to take my project team to here after work on Wednesdays.
Glo Europub and Grill
104 – 2940 Jutland Road | Victoria
(250) 385-5643
gloeuropub.com
Categories: Beyond Vancouver, Blogathon 2009, Blogging for Social Change, Food, Restaurants, Vancouver Island, Victoria, Wine
About Tiny Bites
Tiny Bites is a food blog that explores all things edible and imbibable in Vancouver, British Columbia. More >
Our Forum: Chefs’ Table Talk
Chat with other Tiny Bites readers and BC's restaurant pros on the province's newest food community forum.
Articles by Karen Hamilton
Read the food and non-food articles that I've contributed to sites other than Tiny Bites.
Tiny Bites on the web
You can find additional Tiny Bites contributions at these sites:
