Day 10 Western Adventure

Day 10

The choice for dinner last night was an excellent one ! We headed out of the main downtown area onto a side street in the antique district where we found Sen Zushi. Todd booked a reservation on Open Table after I did some research about the place on TA. We had a great time there….

When we entered and mentioned the reservation, we were warmly greeted and promptly seated in the front area of the restaurant. The décor is rustic Japanese. There is a bar in front of the sushi/sashimi work station and numerous tables that run the length of the restaurant. It was obvious many regulars frequent here, by the greetings to the owner working at the sushi/sashimi bar. Every time someone was leaving the restaurant, the owner and his wife thanked the patrons for visiting.

We didn’t feel rushed at any time and took our time ordering various items while people-watching and enjoying the energy at Sen Zushi. We started with Miso Soup – a perfect mix of salt and pungent flavours and an order of Edamame Beans which had only a hint of salt (nice change from other places where we have had these overly salty). Next we ordered the Maguro Sashimi (melt-in-your-mouth buttery texture) and Yakitori (perfectly cooked chicken on a skewer with a delicious teriyaki glaze). Then we ordered Goma-Miso Udon to share (Sanuki Udon noodles with chunks of tender white-meat chicken and daikon in a creamy sesame sauce served warm). And, to wrap up the meal, we decided on an order of Yam Tempura for our dessert (lightly fried, perfectly cooked with a side of soya for dipping). This meal at Sen Zushi was the best Japanese food we have had in years and highly recommend it if visiting the Victoria area….

We took the truck and drove north about 30 minutes to Butchart Gardens this morning (55 acres of garden begun in the early 1900s to cover up a quarry area; comprised of a Japanese Garden, Italian Garden, Rose Garden, Sunken Garden, and so much more…). The gardens are intensely populated by a number of different plants – a huge undertaking to create, a huge undertaking to maintain…

After exploring the grounds, we headed back towards Victoria and found the State & Church Winery. We were just in time for the raptor show. The Raptors, based out of Duncan, have paired up with Stone & Church to put on shows to the public and protect the vineyards. We were given info and firsthand  introductions to a Barn Owl, a Great-Horned Owl, a Peregrine Falcon, a couple of Ferruginous Hawks, and another hawk that neither Todd and I can recall.

Once the Raptor demonstration was complete, it was time for some wine tastings and purchasing (a couple of Cabernet  Blanc Rosés and two 2009 Meritage bottles). Then we went for lunch at the restaurant on site. We ordered the Cabernet Blanc Rosé to go with our Watermelon and Feta Salad and our Vegetarian Pizza (eggplant, cherry tomatoes with basil and mozzarella and parmesan cheeses – yummy). Nice flavours and just the right amount for a late lunch.

The remainder of the afternoon comprised of relaxing on our balcony, opening some wine, and continuing the blog. If the weather remains nice (and by the way, weather here each day has exceeded the forecast; today was sunny and a high of 26°), we will be eating outside at Red Fish Blue Fish tonight.