An insider's guide to Victoria since 1997.

It was clear from the first bite that the Pink Bicycle stands by its claim to the highest quality ingredients, most sourced locally. However, and I will stand by this, it’s not the best burger in town. Both burgers were moist, well cooked (one of my friends has more than once sent his Pink Bike burger back to the kitchen, still red in the middle but ours were fine), and the garnish was fresh and crisp. My only complaint about the cheese burger is that it tasted too lean; when I order a burger, I expect it to get some of its flavour from fat. No complaints for the lamb burger.

The sides were another story.

My first bite of an onion ring wasn't bad; the batter was substantial but not heavy, and the onion well cooked -- soft but not mushy. However, the spice in the batter caught up with me, an overpowering hot taste (it wasn't overly fiery, just an annoying heat) -- I suspect cayenne. The aftertaste also brought out almost a cheese flavour, like parmesan. They were edible, but not something I'd order again.

I wish I hadn't eaten any of the truffle fries. Drizzled with truffle oil and coated liberally with pepper but all I could taste -- for HOURS afterward was the truffle oil. Those fries single-handedly ruined the meal and I would not recommend them at all.

Would I go back? Probably not. While I give them credit for locally-sourced ingredients and very fresh food, they lose a lot of points for the attitude (their website includes space for a manifesto -- although it's still in the "coming soon" phase) and for trying too hard with their menu items. [Pink Bicycle Gourmet Burger Joint website]