Kamloops Bumbling

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I was walking downtown the other day and passed Vyanjan Fine Indian Cuisine at 354 Seymour Street. In the window were two signs I’d not seen before. Excitedly, I scanned these notices and saw many dishes I’m eager to try. It may be a while before I make a visit (crazy schedule until June), but at the same time I wanted to share these findings with you all before then. If anyone tries the above specials and would like to share their experience, please comment!

Lunch Specials (available during Lunch Hours every day):

  • Samosa with Chana Masala $3.95
  • Chana Bhatura $6.95
  • Butter Chicken with Rice $6.95
  • Take-Out Combo $9.95 (2 Non-veg curries, 1 veg curry/rice, naan, salad)
  • Veg Curry with Rice $5.95
  • Dahi Bhalla $4.95
  • Paapdi Chat $6.95
  • Chicken Pakoda (I wonder if this is Pakora?) $8.95
  • Gol Gappe (6 pieces) $4.95


Weekend Specials:

Vyanjan Fine Indian Cuisine is open 11am - 10pm Monday to Friday, 12pm - 10pm Saturday Sunday and Long Weekends.

http://www.vyanjancuisine.com/index.html

Filed under Kamloops Vyanjan Fine Indian Cuisine Restaurant Indian Cuisine Cheap Eats Frugal Lunch Specials

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Greetings, y’all. I just came back from the Lansdowne Cooper’s Foods and spied this local product stocked in the freezer there. Papa Tee’s PIzzeria has packaged a gluten-free pizza for Kamloops consumption. It looks very good and I’ll buy one soon to bake and eat with a movie. I’m thinking possible double post of food and movie review. Any film recommendations to pair with this pie?

Greetings, y’all. I just came back from the Lansdowne Cooper’s Foods and spied this local product stocked in the freezer there. Papa Tee’s PIzzeria has packaged a gluten-free pizza for Kamloops consumption. It looks very good and I’ll buy one soon to bake and eat with a movie. I’m thinking possible double post of food and movie review. Any film recommendations to pair with this pie?

Filed under Kamloops Papa Tee's Pizzeria Frozen Pizza Gluten Free

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April 25, 2013 Earlier this evening, I walked through a mass of trees cut down in the Royal Inland Hospital front lawn. The felling crew wasn’t around, and there was a torn spot in the caution tape. I picked some leaves off the fallen trees, shown above. Another great loss was felt in Kamloops today. Earlier this morning, our community lost a great-hearted and beloved small business owner, Jay Good of Jay’s Good Eats. I ate there many times, and each time Jay enthusiastically presented one culinary wonder after another. His restaurant set a gold standard in the food industry and he will be greatly missed. Thank you, Jay.

April 25, 2013

Earlier this evening, I walked through a mass of trees cut down in the Royal Inland Hospital front lawn. The felling crew wasn’t around, and there was a torn spot in the caution tape. I picked some leaves off the fallen trees, shown above.

Another great loss was felt in Kamloops today. Earlier this morning, our community lost a great-hearted and beloved small business owner, Jay Good of Jay’s Good Eats. I ate there many times, and each time Jay enthusiastically presented one culinary wonder after another. His restaurant set a gold standard in the food industry and he will be greatly missed. Thank you, Jay.

Filed under Kamloops Jay Good RIH Trees Jay's Good Eats

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Attention, everyone in the Kamloops area! Today, Saturday April 20th is the final day of Barb’s Annual Used Book and Music Sale, located in the Sahali Mall from 9:30am - 5:30pm. I picked up this beauty for $1. The “Kamloops Korral Kollection” (circa 1960s) is a song book compiled by Charles Culling for the Post Graduate Course in Medical Technology, Royal Inland Hospital. Songs include such gems as “Green Grow the Rushes, Ho!”, “Loch Lomond” and “The Ould Orange Flute”. While you are at the Sahali Mall, stay a little longer for lunch at Burger Cafe & Joy. Also hit up Papa’s Candy Shop on your way out - after all, reading goes better with confections.

Attention, everyone in the Kamloops area! Today, Saturday April 20th is the final day of Barb’s Annual Used Book and Music Sale, located in the Sahali Mall from 9:30am - 5:30pm.

I picked up this beauty for $1. The “Kamloops Korral Kollection” (circa 1960s) is a song book compiled by Charles Culling for the Post Graduate Course in Medical Technology, Royal Inland Hospital. Songs include such gems as “Green Grow the Rushes, Ho!”, “Loch Lomond” and “The Ould Orange Flute”.

While you are at the Sahali Mall, stay a little longer for lunch at Burger Cafe & Joy. Also hit up Papa’s Candy Shop on your way out - after all, reading goes better with confections.

Filed under Kamloops Kamloops Korral Kollection Song Book Royal Inland Hospital Medical Technology Charles Culling Book Sale

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An event caught my eye on Facebook recently. There will be a musical performance by Derailed along with a special appy menu (!!!) and local beer/wine offered at The Ploughman’s Lunch and Coffee this Friday April 12th from 7pm - 9pm. Mmmm…I wonder what will be on the special appy menu? Reservations for this event are recommended by the establishment. Telephone (250) 572-7896 to make yours set in stone. The Ploughman’s Lunch & Coffee is located in downtown Kamloops at 152 Victoria Street. The above etching is titled “The Ploughman” by Wenceslaus Hollar (1607 - 1677). There are other etchings by this artist at the University of Toronto Wenceslaus Hollar Digital Collection: http://link.library.utoronto.ca/hollar/digobject.cfm?Idno=Hollar_k_0290&query=Hollar_k_0290&size=large&type=browse

An event caught my eye on Facebook recently. There will be a musical performance by Derailed along with a special appy menu (!!!) and local beer/wine offered at The Ploughman’s Lunch and Coffee this Friday April 12th from 7pm - 9pm. Mmmm…I wonder what will be on the special appy menu?

Reservations for this event are recommended by the establishment. Telephone (250) 572-7896 to make yours set in stone.

The Ploughman’s Lunch & Coffee is located in downtown Kamloops at 152 Victoria Street.

The above etching is titled “The Ploughman” by Wenceslaus Hollar (1607 - 1677). There are other etchings by this artist at the University of Toronto Wenceslaus Hollar Digital Collection: http://link.library.utoronto.ca/hollar/digobject.cfm?Idno=Hollar_k_0290&query=Hollar_k_0290&size=large&type=browse

Filed under Kamloops The Ploughman's Lunch and Coffee Derailed Ploughman Events Musical Performance Scenes from Virgil

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Sad news from the world of new Kamloops restaurants. According to the comment thread from my previous post about the Arabian (formerly Arabic) Restaurant, they will be closing on Monday due to lease confict with Chili King. Seriously? I’m not sure who put the gears into motion to get them closed, but this foodie ain’t happy about it. Please, Arabic Restaurant, don’t give up! We love you! Thank you to both Regis Breaks Free and Lvoers for their input on this distressing news. Kamloops foodies unite!

Sad news from the world of new Kamloops restaurants. According to the comment thread from my previous post about the Arabian (formerly Arabic) Restaurant, they will be closing on Monday due to lease confict with Chili King. Seriously? I’m not sure who put the gears into motion to get them closed, but this foodie ain’t happy about it. Please, Arabic Restaurant, don’t give up! We love you!

Thank you to both Regis Breaks Free and Lvoers for their input on this distressing news. Kamloops foodies unite!

Filed under kamloops arabian restaurant arabic cuisine closing restaurant sad

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Kamloops Model Railway Days Friday April 5th, 6pm - 9pm Saturday April 6th, 9am - 4pm 1205 Rogers Way, Kamloops (Calvary Community Church Hall - Take the #7 Aberdeen bus) 5000 sq ft of Displays, Operating Model Railroad Layouts and Vendors Contests and Door Prizes Refreshments and Much More! A portion of proceeds will go toward the restoration of Kamloops’ beloved steam locomotive #2141 Admission: Adults $5, Children and Seniors $4, Families of max 4 $15 For More Information contact Brian Kelly (250) 377 8510 bandwkelly@shaw.ca or Ken Klein (250) 828 8776 paleotrains@shaw.ca The above picture was pilfered from a 1958 Lionel model train catalogue: http://archive.org/details/Lionel027SuperoHo

Kamloops Model Railway Days

Friday April 5th, 6pm - 9pm

Saturday April 6th, 9am - 4pm

1205 Rogers Way, Kamloops (Calvary Community Church Hall - Take the #7 Aberdeen bus)

5000 sq ft of Displays, Operating Model Railroad Layouts and Vendors

Contests and Door Prizes

Refreshments and Much More!

A portion of proceeds will go toward the restoration of Kamloops’ beloved steam locomotive #2141

Admission: Adults $5, Children and Seniors $4, Families of max 4 $15

For More Information contact Brian Kelly (250) 377 8510 bandwkelly@shaw.ca or Ken Klein (250) 828 8776 paleotrains@shaw.ca

The above picture was pilfered from a 1958 Lionel model train catalogue: http://archive.org/details/Lionel027SuperoHo

Filed under kamloops model trains miniatures dioramas lionel catalogue

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I came across this poster at Fratelli Foods recently: Lets Talk About Food Join Kamloops Food Policy Council Listen, Learn & Talk about Strengthening our Local Food Economy Urban Agriculture Food Security in Our Community Network with Food Groups like Farmers Market * Chef Collaborative Food Bank * Community Gardens * Garden Gate Master Gardeners * Back Yard Hens There Will Be a Potluck Dinner So bring food to share & your own eating utensils April 3rd * 5:30 to 8pm Mt. Paul United Church - 140 Laburnum St. FMI:  http://kamloopsfoodpolicycouncil.com/2013/03/april-3-2013-lets-talk-about-food-530-mt-paul-united-church/

I came across this poster at Fratelli Foods recently:

Lets Talk About Food

Join Kamloops Food Policy Council

Listen, Learn & Talk

about

  • Strengthening our Local Food Economy
  • Urban Agriculture
  • Food Security in Our Community

Network with Food Groups

like

Farmers Market * Chef Collaborative

Food Bank * Community Gardens * Garden Gate

Master Gardeners * Back Yard Hens

There Will Be a Potluck Dinner

So bring food to share & your own eating utensils

April 3rd * 5:30 to 8pm

Mt. Paul United Church - 140 Laburnum St.

FMI:  http://kamloopsfoodpolicycouncil.com/2013/03/april-3-2013-lets-talk-about-food-530-mt-paul-united-church/

Filed under Kamloops Potluck Food Policy Council Urban Agriculture Food Security

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Easter is upon us and with it, massive carb-loading just in time to negate any last vestiges of New Year’s resolutions. Embrace it. I did last week at the Holy Trinity Ukrainian annual Easter bake sale.

First of all, there is a very specific way to enter the building according to the signage, as they are mobbed with patrons every year. Order must be maintained! One enters through the right and exits out the left. I felt like I was getting into this weird underground event. I must have waited in the stairwell leading to the basement for at least 10 minutes, smooshed between other hungry bake sale attendees. Finally I emerged into the pastry-laden catacombs. There were long tables filled with paska, beet jelly and various dainties. In the middle of the horseshoe of tables were coolers filled with perogies and cabbage rolls. We all shuffled with the line around the tables choosing our treats, some filling cardboard boxes with the tasty loot. At the end of the tables a congregation member tallied my item (they were incredulous that I had only chosen one item), printed out a receipt and directed me to pay another congregation member (cash only). I then exited into the churchyard and toddled away, slightly disoriented and clutching my $1 dough-birds (pictured above).

If you missed the sale, there should be another in the autumn. I’ll keep y’all posted. Pinky promise.

Filed under Kamloops Bake Sale Dough Birds Paska Ukrainian Orthodox Easter

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There are two Ukrainian Easter Bake Sales coming just around the corner. As a Saskatchewan expat, I’ve had the pleasure of sampling Ukrainian cuisine a lot. I took it for granted then, but now that I’m in Kamloops, any opportunity to scarf down authentic perogies and Ukrainian baking is a top priority for me. Here are the details for these bake sales: Saturday March 23 the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League is holding an Easter Bread and Bake Sale at the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church (109 Tranquille Road) from 10am - 12pm. For sale will be paskas, babkas, fresh baked cabbage rolls, potato and cheddar cheese perogies and assorted homemade baking. Friday March 29 the Ukrainian Women’s Association is holding their Annual Easter Bake Sale at the Ukrainian Orthodox Centre (725 York Avenue) from 10am - 12pm. For sale will be Easter breads, perogies, cabbage rolls, sausage, Ukrainian ceramics and Ukrainian Easter eggs. For more information contact Bella (250) 375 9680 or Donna (250) 376 0581. The above picture was lifted from Wikipedia Commons. It is a vintage Ukrainian postcard depicting paska bread. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Velykden2.jpg

There are two Ukrainian Easter Bake Sales coming just around the corner. As a Saskatchewan expat, I’ve had the pleasure of sampling Ukrainian cuisine a lot. I took it for granted then, but now that I’m in Kamloops, any opportunity to scarf down authentic perogies and Ukrainian baking is a top priority for me. Here are the details for these bake sales:

Saturday March 23 the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League is holding an Easter Bread and Bake Sale at the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church (109 Tranquille Road) from 10am - 12pm. For sale will be paskas, babkas, fresh baked cabbage rolls, potato and cheddar cheese perogies and assorted homemade baking.

Friday March 29 the Ukrainian Women’s Association is holding their Annual Easter Bake Sale at the Ukrainian Orthodox Centre (725 York Avenue) from 10am - 12pm. For sale will be Easter breads, perogies, cabbage rolls, sausage, Ukrainian ceramics and Ukrainian Easter eggs. For more information contact Bella (250) 375 9680 or Donna (250) 376 0581.

The above picture was lifted from Wikipedia Commons. It is a vintage Ukrainian postcard depicting paska bread. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Velykden2.jpg

Filed under Kamloops Bake Sale Easter Ukraine Ukrainian Paska Vintage Greeting Postcard Event

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Arabic Restaurant

Yesterday I finally got to visit a most anticipated eatery. The Arabic Restaurant is connected to Murphy’s Chop’n Block at 1415 Hillside Drive. It’s not a large space, and is much like a take-away counter with seating area (about 4 tables) and hot food served from a steam table. I went straight to the front counter and this worked well for ordering. I was warmly welcomed and asked if I would like to try samples of the different kinds of rice - both were delicious and it was difficult to make a decision between the two. I chose the Chicken Kapsa, which is red rice with chicken and mixed vegetables. The chicken (wing + breast) was moist and flavourful with crispy, complexly seasoned skin. The rice was cooked perfectly and tomato-tangy. The veg had good flavour, but I thought it was out-of-place that frozen mixed vegetables were a part of it. Maybe this is generally accepted in Arabic cuisine? I’m not sure, but I still enjoyed my meal immensely. I was very pleased to be offered a free cup of spiced tea (also available for sale in the Chop’n Block section). Very sweet and complimentary to the flavours of the meal.

I managed to snap a pic of the menu but it turned out super-blurry. Using the power of technology however, I’ve managed to decipher the blurry photo and bring you the menu items. First are the breakfast sandwiches, which I learned are only served until approx 1pm. These look so good and I’ll visit a little earlier next time to take advantage of these reasonably-priced sandwiches:

Breakfast Sandwiches (served to approx 1pm):

Falafel $3 Fried ground chickpeas mixed with parsely, onion and garlic.

Kebda $4 Small pieces of lamb liver prepared with tomato, onion and Arabic spice.

Shakshoka $3 Eggs with tomato, onion and green pepper, prepared at high temperature.

Mohakal $2 Combination of cream cheese, peanut butter and gam (“gam” - this word was too blurry in the photo to decipher completely - it remains a mystery)

Masloge $3 No description given.

Fried Egg $3 

Main DIshes (Lunch and Dinner):

Lamb Kapsa $16 (Kapsa - “It is a favourite food in Saudi Arabic. It is red rice with lamb or chicken. It makes with tomato and onion and Arabic spice. Also, mixed vegetables topping.”)

Lamb Mandy $16 (Mandy - “It is white rice with lamb or chicken. It makes with tomato, onion and green pepper with another kind of Arabic spice”)

Lamb Biryani $16

Chicken Kapsa $13

Chicken Mandy $13

Chicken Biryani $13

Also on the menu is Kebab (no price given) - “4 skewer grilled Kebab, grind lamb, mixed with onion, garlic, and parsley. Come with French fries, grilled tomato and onion, and beta braid”

Fish (no price given) - “fried tilapia fish marinated in lemon, garlic and Arabic fish spice. Comes with saffron rice topped with raisins.

Give this place a visit, folks. It came off as a little disorganized, but keep in mind this is the first week. I’ll keep returning to this laid-back and friendly eatery with the Arabic cuisine. I gotta get at those breakfast sandwiches. I wonder what kind of bread is used for them?

The Arabic Restaurant is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 8:30am - 6pm, Sunday from 8:30am - 5pm and closed Mondays.

At this time, payment method is cash only.

Filed under Kamloops Arabic Cuisine Arabic Restaurant Food Chicken Kapsa Restaurant Frugal

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Fratelli Foods in Kamloops now has oversized imported Italian chocolate eggs. I think the Easter bunny is a much fancier fellow across the pond than he is here. These eggs (pictured above the yellow sign) are gorgeous! Small - $4.69 +tax Medium - $8.99 +tax Large - $21.99 +tax Fratelli Foods is open from Monday to Friday 8:30am - 5:30pm and Saturday from 9am - 4pm.

Fratelli Foods in Kamloops now has oversized imported Italian chocolate eggs. I think the Easter bunny is a much fancier fellow across the pond than he is here. These eggs (pictured above the yellow sign) are gorgeous!

Small - $4.69 +tax

Medium - $8.99 +tax

Large - $21.99 +tax

Fratelli Foods is open from Monday to Friday 8:30am - 5:30pm and Saturday from 9am - 4pm.

Filed under Kamloops Fratelli Foods Easter Eggs Foil Wrapped Confection Candy Chocolate

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Last Friday I went to one of my favourite eateries in Kamloops. The Thompson Rivers University Culinary Arts Cafeteria (that’s a mouthful, no?) features unique lunch specials, hot breakfasts, fresh breads/pastries, a salad bar, sandwich counter, soup station and dessert case! On that day I chose the Farmer’s Omelette for $6.55. Egg dishes are not usually my first choice for meals (I’m more a fan of egg nog than egg dishes), but I must say this: the omelette served to me that day was absolutely scrumptious. The ham was real ham. None of that toupee style pressed-style stuff. My other favourite item on the plate were the beets - sweet ‘n’ tangy. There were also carrots dressed in butter. They were good, but very crunchy. Now, I have to call out the elephant in the room. That rice! Parboiled and gummy. It was definitely out of place on that colourful plate. All in all, however, this was a nourishing meal for a great price. Check out this menu of specials (these change daily). Catch the #4, #7 or #9 buses from the downtown terminal to visit the TRU campus. The TRU cafeteria is open Monday - Friday for breakfast from 8am - 10am (note: breakfast service is temporarily unavailable from March 19 - 28) and lunch from 11am - 1pm (hot meals served at 11:30am). The final day of the Culinary Arts cafeteria for the 2013 Spring semester is April 26th. http://www.tru.ca/act/culinary/culinarylocation.html

Last Friday I went to one of my favourite eateries in Kamloops. The Thompson Rivers University Culinary Arts Cafeteria (that’s a mouthful, no?) features unique lunch specials, hot breakfasts, fresh breads/pastries, a salad bar, sandwich counter, soup station and dessert case!

On that day I chose the Farmer’s Omelette for $6.55. Egg dishes are not usually my first choice for meals (I’m more a fan of egg nog than egg dishes), but I must say this: the omelette served to me that day was absolutely scrumptious. The ham was real ham. None of that toupee style pressed-style stuff. My other favourite item on the plate were the beets - sweet ‘n’ tangy. There were also carrots dressed in butter. They were good, but very crunchy. Now, I have to call out the elephant in the room. That rice! Parboiled and gummy. It was definitely out of place on that colourful plate. All in all, however, this was a nourishing meal for a great price. Check out this menu of specials (these change daily). cafeteria menu

Catch the #4, #7 or #9 buses from the downtown terminal to visit the TRU campus.

The TRU cafeteria is open Monday - Friday for breakfast from 8am - 10am (note: breakfast service is temporarily unavailable from March 19 - 28) and lunch from 11am - 1pm (hot meals served at 11:30am). The final day of the Culinary Arts cafeteria for the 2013 Spring semester is April 26th.

http://www.tru.ca/act/culinary/culinarylocation.html

Filed under Kamloops Cafeteria Culinary Arts Frugal Campus Cheap Eats Budget

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As promised, I’ve brought news of the Arabic food to be offered starting March 16th at Murphy’s Chop’n Block (10 - 1415 Hillside Drive). There are seating areas (pictured above - approx 6 tables), and deli staff confirmed this will be the Arabic lunch space! The dining area is located in 12 - 1415 Hillside Drive, so it looks like customers will be entering either through Murphy’s Chop’n Block (10-1415 Hillside Drive) or through the doorway to storefront (#12) that is connected to the Chop’n Block. Not easy to explain unless you see it (I didn’t get a pic of the connected store front…d’oh!). There is still so much mystery until the unveiling on Saturday. When I go, I’ll probably browse around the main store and then swoop in and sit at one of the tables. Then the feasting will begin. This is so exciting, as I’m certain there will be flavour profiles at this new lunch space available at no other Kamloops eatery. As an aside, there are Middle Eastern spices available for sale near the seating area. These spices include zatar spice, black seed spice, dry mint, sage, sumak, kabse spice, dry lemons. 

As promised, I’ve brought news of the Arabic food to be offered starting March 16th at Murphy’s Chop’n Block (10 - 1415 Hillside Drive).

There are seating areas (pictured above - approx 6 tables), and deli staff confirmed this will be the Arabic lunch space! The dining area is located in 12 - 1415 Hillside Drive, so it looks like customers will be entering either through Murphy’s Chop’n Block (10-1415 Hillside Drive) or through the doorway to storefront (#12) that is connected to the Chop’n Block. Not easy to explain unless you see it (I didn’t get a pic of the connected store front…d’oh!). There is still so much mystery until the unveiling on Saturday. When I go, I’ll probably browse around the main store and then swoop in and sit at one of the tables. Then the feasting will begin. This is so exciting, as I’m certain there will be flavour profiles at this new lunch space available at no other Kamloops eatery.

As an aside, there are Middle Eastern spices available for sale near the seating area. These spices include zatar spice, black seed spice, dry mint, sage, sumak, kabse spice, dry lemons. 

Filed under Kamloops New Restaurant Arabic Cuisine Saudi Arabia Cuisine