A high-powered executive told me how he was using the rather posh public washrooms in the Hotel Vancouver when his cell phone rang. The call was from an important client in Edmonton so the exec opened his briefcase and proceeded to combine business with…er business. When the user next door was leaving he knocked on the exec’s stall and said, “Nice office buddy!”
Daily Archives: 08/20/2008
Those were the days!
Visitors to British Columbia might be surprised to learn that it wasn’t so long ago that you couldn’t drink in a restaurant or bar on a Sunday. The big change came in 1986 when Vancouver hosted the World’s Fair. The then Social Credit government decided that Europeans would be aghast at the Province’s then outdated liquor laws. You couldn’t buy alcohol anywhere on a Sunday and could only drink it in a restaurant if you were having a meal. Liquor stores were closed on Sundays and there were no private off sales allowed. If you forgot to stock up for a Sunday barbeque you were out of luck or had to find a bootlegger. Now most pubs have off sales on Sundays and even some of the Provincial Liquor Stores are open on Sundays.
Brew of the Week
While watching the Olympic women’s triathlon in my local last Sunday I developed such a thirst just seeing those competitors working so hard in the heat that I ordered a pint of Race Rocks. The ice-cold ale really hit the spot and I was able to finish the race without breaking a sweat. Race Rocks is an ‘Amber’ ale from Victoria’s own Lighthouse Brewery (Flash). With its malty flavour and creamy texture the award winning ale is described by some as a dark beer that doesn’t taste dark. I find that it goes down nicely with whichever sport I’m watching.
Wine of the Week
Proprietor’s Reserve Sauvignon Blanc from the Peller Estates was the bargain of the week in Government Liquor stores. At $7.89 for a 750 ml bottle (at time of writing, Sunday August 17). This dry medium-bodied wine gives real value for money. I tried it with roast chicken and found it to be a good accompaniment. The overall citrus flavour is enhanced with the light taste of kiwi fruit. Peller recommends you enjoy it with chicken, asparagus and light cream sauce pastas. Sounds like grilled chicken with an asparagus sauce would be just the ticket.
Bar Talk
Overheard last week in a Victoria pub.
Bar staff on dinner break: These fries are good.
Barmaid: They were ordered by mistake but they are better than the regular ones.
Waiter knowingly: Fries are important.
As a self-confessed potato addict I agree. Fries are important so I am holding a contest. I’ve never met a chip I didn’t like but some are better than others and I consider myself somewhat of an expert on the matter (my potato-like shape tells it all). Comment in your vote for the best French fries in Victoria. I will force myself to sample your choice and the winning entry (my unbiased and expert opinion) will win a signed copy of my new book Murder in Victoria ($25 value).