Vancouver Island's Wine Country

I can think of few better ways to spend one's holiday than touring wine country, especially if that country encompasses not only Vancouver Island but some of the Gulf Islands as well. First stop must be the Cowichan Valley. Here, once you turn off the main highway, you'll follow winding roads, pass country cottages and hobby farms and then come upon a winery. Unfortunately I don't have space to cover all the oenophile delights to be found in this beautiful area (for that you'll need to check outwww.wineislands.ca) but I'll share a few of my memorable sipping (and let's face it, eating moments too) at the island's wineries. Cherry Point Estate Winery's delightful garden bistro is the perfect place to sip the afternoon away indulging in some of the award winning wines, in particular the Coastal Red, a light easy drinking bottle. Cherry Point is where you'll also have the good gastronomic fortune to have the best cheesecake ever (in my opinion), a light, frothy cake, accompanied by their bursting with flavour blackberry dessert wine. The experience at Averill Creek Winery is slightly more rustic as here you have to BYOP (bring your own picnic). The booze, of course, is on site, and with a bottle of the winery's Averill Creek Prevost in hand and a picnic basket stuffed with local cheeses, bread, fruit and chocolate you can settle in for an afternoon even Dionysus would be proud of. A day spent on Salt Spring is never a waste especially if you go early Saturday morning to take in the market before visiting the island's two wineries; Garry Oaks Winery and Salt Spring Vineyards. But for something off the beaten path but still on the wine trail, hop on the ferries to Saturna Island. It takes a little longer to get there but it's the perfect combination of getting away from it all, but not so far you can't indulge in the delights of wine and good food, especially if you linger at Saturna Island Family Estate Vineyards.  Although the winery is accessbile by road, I suggest you make your visit a Gulf Island one through and through by kayaking to the winery's beach, before settling in for lunch and a glass of wine (the Pinot Noir Rose is a great way to  First stop must be the Cowichan Valley. Here, once you turn off the main highway, you'll follow winding roads, pass country cottages and hobby farms and then come upon a winery. Unfortunately I don't have space to cover all the oenophile delights to be found in this beautiful area (for that you'll need to check outwww.wineislands.ca) but I'll share a few of my memorable sipping (and let's face it, eating moments too) at the island's wineries. Cherry Point Estate Winery's delightful garden bistro is the perfect place to sip the afternoon away indulging in some of the award winning wines, in particular the Coastal Red, a light easy drinking bottle. Cherry Point is where you'll also have the good gastronomic fortune to have the best cheesecake ever (in my opinion), a light, frothy cake, accompanied by their bursting with flavour blackberry dessert wine. The experience at Averill Creek Winery is slightly more rustic as here you have to BYOP (bring your own picnic). The booze, of course, is on site, and with a bottle of the winery's Averill Creek Prevost in hand and a picnic basket stuffed with local cheeses, bread, fruit and chocolate you can settle in for an afternoon even Dionysus would be proud of. A day spent on Salt Spring is never a waste especially if you go early Saturday morning to take in the market before visiting the island's two wineries; Garry Oaks Winery and Salt Spring Vineyards. But for something off the beaten path but still on the wine trail, hop on the ferries to Saturna Island. It takes a little longer to get there but it's the perfect combination of getting away from it all, but not so far you can't indulge in the delights of wine and good food, especially if you linger at Saturna Island Family Estate Vineyards.  Although the winery is accessbile by road, I suggest you make your visit a Gulf Island one through and through by kayaking to the winery's beach, before settling in for lunch and a glass of wine (the Pinot Noir Rose is a great way to 

Vancouver Island Local

Honey? Check. Cheese? Check. Salt? You betcha.

Welcome to the world of local food a la Vancouver Island. I don’t know whether it’s because we’re separated from the mainland by a huge swathe of water, or that there’s something about island life that attracts creative food connoisseurs, but here food producers have made it possible to enjoy a 100-mile diet without giving up too many of life’s edible pleasures.

Locally-produced meat (including bison!) and veggies are available almost year round as we have oodles of artisan farms up and down the island (during the spring and summer I highly recommend an Island Farmers Market tour). But what about some of the more esoteric but-can’t-live-without items such as honey, coffee, salt and more importantly cheese, because who, honestly, can live without cheese?

Well, have no fear, all of it can be found here. The hum of thousands of bees is what greets you when you enter Freidrich’s honey farm and it’s a sure sign you’re gettin’ the real local thing. But it isn’t just delicious, produced-on-the-spot honey you can get. Freidrich also sells bee pollen and propolis (said to have enormous health benefits), bee bread (a mixture of honey and pollen and ditto on the health benefits) as well as candles and soap.

When it comes to great coffee we are truly spoiled for choice. Okay, I admit, there coffee beans aren't being harvested on the island. But, there are a number of companies that buy beans and create their own roasts. I’ve already waxed lyrical about Drumroaster but there’s also Red Roaster Coffee roasted on Gabriola, available in various Vancouver Island cafés, Peaks Coffee in the Cowichan Valley, Creekmore Coffee in Coombs and Rhodos Coffee in the Comox Valley  to name a few.

And yes it's even possible to get salt, thanks to a young business called, well, Vancouver Island Salt Co. And this isn’t just any ol’ salt. You can try maple-smoked salt and roasted garlic, balsamic, Mustard and Banana Pepper Infused Salt. Of course plain Canadian Sea Salt is also available.

Which brings us to our cheeses. Unfortunately, I Ieft it too late as I could write a whole column on the cheeses created on Vancouver Island. So, I will – soon. In the meantime I’ll tease you with a sampling of my favourites: the award-winning Natural Pastures Comox Brie and the Yoo Boo Blue from Hilary’s Artisan Cheeses.

What’s that? You’d like a little wine to go with that cheese?  Well, perhaps my next column on the island’s cheese culture will include a few tidbits on where to get local wine to go with all that delicious cheese. 

Something for everyone at Woodfire

Where can you get gourmet food prepared by a chef trained in French classical cooking, who’s created meals for the likes of Boris Yeltsin, Bill Clinton, and Sarah McLachlan? On Gabriola, of course, at Woodfire Pizza & Grill Chris Hooton has thirty years of experience under his chef’s hat and if you’ve tasted his pizzas, pastas or delectable specials, you’ll be thankful he’s brought that experience to Gabriola.

Left photo: The pomegranete martini, served up with lemon zest, has proven to be one of the popular drinks at Woodfire.(Derek Kilbourn photo)
He and his wife Sharon, who skillfully manages the front-of-house-operations, own and operate Woodfire and their goal is to create a cozy, welcoming environment where they can serve fresh, seasonal dishes, using the best quality ingredients.
If the flavours that melt in your mouth when you taste a Woodfire meal are anything to go by, it’s obvious Chris has learned a lot during his 30 years in the preparing-unforgettable-meals biz. I ordered the Sandwell pizza with ingredients you wouldn’t find in just any ol’ pizza joint: prawns, spinach, smoked bacon, baby mozzarella, and herb lemon butter atop a crispy crust cooked to perfection in the woodfired oven. My dinner companion opted for one of the main entrees – a mouth-watering meal of slow-roasted ribs with a homemade Bourbon barbecue sauce, woodfired vegetables and seriously chunky fries.
The best Woodfire meal I’ve had though, wasn’t actually at the restaurant.
I was fortunate enough to attend a birthday party catered by Woodfire. The guest of honour had requested Chinese food and after digging into stir-fried strip sirloin in a soy and ginger glaze, a sumptuous sweet and sour pork dish, flavourful chow mein noodles and a spicy prawn dish, everyone agreed it was the best Chinese food they’d ever had.
The Hootons can cater for any occasion and at reasonable prices. They’ll fix sandwiches for fishing trips, cook pasta for an easy mid-week dinner, whip up pizzas for a party, or design a four-course menu for a wedding. They simply want to support islanders in whatever way they can as they love working in their community. Judging from the steady stream of hungry guests coming in to the restaurant, the community is lovin’ them, too. Right photo: White chocolate and vanilla pannacotta. (Derek Kilbourn photo)

Did you know...
…Woodfire now has an Early Bird menu between 4pm-5pm: $16 for two courses including tea or coffee.

…there are gluten-free versions of most of the pizzas and pastas.

…on Thursday dinner is accompanied by live music courtesy of Amber Handley and Brad Shipley.

Urge to Purge

Most of my friends know I’m not a huge fan of cleaning. In fact I kind of look at it the way Erma Bombeck, an American comedian, did when she said, “My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance.” However, when spring rolls around I inevitably start to suffer from that seasonal affliction known as ‘spring cleaning fever’. I think this annual urge to purge is one reason Easter has never been important to me. By the time it rolls around I’m in the mood to get rid of bunnies – dust bunnies that is -- not welcome more bunnies (mythological, chocolate or otherwise) into my home.
I’ve learned though that the trick is not to be too ambitious. Up until this year I would start my spring cleaning full force, determined to put Martha Stewart herself to shame. I’d root out clothes that hadn’t been worn since high school, scrub spots that hadn’t seen a dishcloth since we moved in, and wash windows as though my life depended on them being spotless. But there was a problem (besides the fact that I hate cleaning.) The fever usually only lasted about 24-hours and so I’d end up with piles of stuff everywhere, and only about half the windows and half the spots cleaned up. That meant the house looked even worse, the unclean parts seemed even dirtier next to the sparkling clean areas. So this year I’m setting my sights much lower – chasing a few dust bunnies around, purging some clothes, maybe doing a bit of laundry. And when that fever hits hard, I’ll grab my honey and head outside. After all there’s more than one kind of fever one can succumb to when spring hits.

Road Tripping on the Island | BC Lifestyle

Road Tripping on the Island | BC Lifestyle

Gabriola Restaurant Sizzles all Year Round

Chef Jonah Hicks in the Silva Bay kitchen, 

preparing the Turf part of the Mexico-style 

Surf and Turf special. Derek Kilbourn photo

Do you like your seafood sustainable? Your sauces made from scratch? A menu that reflects the seasons? Then it’s time to head down to Silva Bay Pub & Restaurant and indulge in a dish prepared by the personable, and talented, young chef Jonah Hicks. The night we went was dark and stormy but when we walked through the doors we were enveloped by the cozy ambience – fireplace roaring, muted music playing and the chatter of conversation. Even though the million dollar view wasn’t visible, I realized Gabriolans Tanya and Tim Gambrill, who own and operate the restaurant at Silva Bay, had created a place where it’s easy to relax and unwind – no matter what’s happening outside. The menu has traditional pub fare (fish and chips, burgers, chicken wings) and the Gambrill’s have also put their creative talents to work partnering with their chef to create one-of-a-kind dishes like the Cashew Lentil Burger, Ravioli Puttanesca, and Miso-Planked Salmon. There are also nightly specials so even frequent visitors always have something new to try.Which is why I found myself indulging in a Mexican style Surf & Turf with scallops, steaks, frites and refried beans. It was supposed to come drizzled in mole (mo-lay) sauce but our server Joelle kindly brought the sauce to me on the side as I wasn’t sure I could handle the heat. Turns out I could because this mole sauce was homemade with the heat tempered by just the right amount of chocolate and cinnamon. My dinner companion went à la carte and his Island Stir Fry was chock-a-bloc with veggies, chicken and noodles, although we substituted them for rice to create a gluten-free version. Even though we were both stuffed, Joelle managed to convince us to try the Crème Brûlée topped with candied orange slices and filled with custard infused with lavender and Grand Marnier (Yes, we finished it all.).The best part? I learned that even though I love Silva Bay in the summer, cozying up in the winter with a great meal and a pint has its own unique charm.

Did you know…
…all the seafood on the menu has been approved by the Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise Sustainable Seafood Program?
…they serve breakfast on Sundays in the summer?
…the menus shift to reflect the seasons?

Bento Box Bash at the Bastion

Okay, I guess it wasn't exactly a bash. But the two out of eight of us who ordered bento boxes during the company lunch felt we'd chosen best. Before I tell you why, did you know, those of you who live in or near Nanaimo, that Minnoz (the restaurant/bar at the Coast Bastion Inn) has a daily bento box special? Well, now you do.

So onto the delicious details. The bento box is like a food adventure -- in each little compartment you get to discover a different taste sensation: here a little sushi, there a little tempura and everywhere wasabi and pickled ginger to spice things up. Yum! And each daily bento box at the Bastion comes with something a little bit different -- one day it might be a spicy tuna roll and ginger beef, the next a california roll and lemon chicken. And yes, if your colleagues like to have their adventures well away from the restaurant table there is more traditional fare -- like a bacon, brie chicken sandwich (gluten-free bread available if you want) and of course, fries.

Location: 11 Bastion Street, Nanaimo, BC
Price: lunches, $9-$15 

Walking (and Spelunking and Snowshoeing) in a West Coast Winter Wonderland

A foggy walk through Nanaimo's Swy-a-lana. www.bradpowellphoto.com

The beautiful thing about west coast winters is the dramatic weather. One day there’s a foot of snow; the next a torrential downpour; and then a day of bright sunshine and blue skies. But, the best part is the thermometer rarely dips to the “frozen wasteland” temperatures that most of our compatriots have to deal with. And that’s why, even when there’s snow on the ground, we still get to go outside and play. One of my favourite Vancouver Island ways to do that is bundling up and going on a leaf-crunching walk through the plethora of city and wilderness trails that criss-cross the island. 

My favourite Vancouver Island city walk is along the Nanaimo harbourfront. It doesn’t have the grandiose views of Victoria’s Harbour, with the Empress Hotel and Parliament Buildings, but I’m happier with the unimpeded views across the Strait of Georgia to the sky-scraping North Shore Mountains (or a cosy stroll through foggy winter mornings), as well as the delicious hot chocolate at the marina-side Javawocky Café.   

Head just north of Nanaimo and you’ll discover a plethora of trails between Parksville and Qualicum Beach. You can follow them through old growth forests, by stunning waterfalls, and across rolling rivers where, if you’re lucky, you’ll catch site of the resident eagles swooping in to pick up dinner – even during the winter.

If you’re afraid of small cramped spaces, oh, and the dark, the next hike may not be up your alley. But if you’re up for it then spelunking through the caves at Horne Lake might be just your thing. Be prepared though – this trip isn’t called wet and wild for nothing.

And then there’s Mount Washington and Strathcona Park. Sure you can ski in both places but why not try something a little different (and cheaper) like strapping on the light-weight modern day version of the snowshoe and literally trekking through a winter wonderland. Mount Washington hastrails mapped out for you; the more adventurous can bushwhack through the pristine wilderness of BC’s oldest provincial park – 250,000 hectares of pristine wilderness to be exact.

Photo Credit: www.bradpowellphoto.com

Girls' and Boys' Toys

A girl (in her blue jeans, blue shirt, and blue shoes) and her Lego.

Last Sunday I had the displeasure of going into Toys 'R' Us to buy a birthday present for my son’s friend. Usually I avoid this store at all costs. As a dear friend described, the store makes one itchy, with its sky-high piles of televisions and pop star branded toys. Unfortunately, it was the only store in town to have this particular toy. After my experience though, I will never step foot into it again. Here is the conversation I had with a staff member: 
Me: "Do you have BeyBlades?"
Staff member: "Yes. Those are in the boys’ toy section."
Me (now looking aghast at said staff member): "Gasp. Boys’ toy section? You have a ‘boys’ toy section’? Oh…never mind."
With that I marched off to find out which toys this massive retailer has deemed suitable only for the boys among us. It was filled with Transformers (which I loved as a child), Lego (ditto) and yes, BeyBlades (no comment, as I’d never heard of such a thing till this weekend). The girls’ toy section was so blindingly pink I had to shield my eyes as I walked by, but I caught glimpses of Barbies, dolls and Hannah Montana. 
Now, as the mother of a son I’m fully aware boys and girls are different, and not just physically. But do we need a major toy retailer deciding whether a toy is suitable for girls or boys? 
What’s next? A ‘boys’ and ‘girls’ section in the bookstores? 
Children and their parents are the ones to decide if a toy is suitable based on their family values, not on gender. 
If a girl fancies the newest action figure, or a boy wants to play with Barbie, then no one, especially not a massive corporation, should be sending any other message than “that’s okay.”

Happy Robbie Burns Day! Bring on the Haggis

It's Robbie Burns Day tomorrow. Anyone up for Haggis at Mclean's Specialty Foods? Remember, if Haggis isn't your thing, Mclean's has one of the most amazing cheese selections this side of France.

Discover One of Nanaimo's Hidden Restaurants

Hidden at the end of a long hallway behind Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) bustling cafeteria is a place you can enjoy a gourmet three-course-meal for a fraction of the cost accompanied by a million dollar view of Georgia Strait and the North Shore mountains. What? You’ve never heard of VIU’s Discovery Room restaurant? Not to worry – neither had I until I started working at the university. But I'm here to tell you it's not one to miss.

We were greeted at the non-descript door by a very helpful Hospitality student who took our coats and led us to our window-side table. During the course of the meal we had two students fussing over us, filling up our water even before we asked and consistently checking in just to make sure all was well.

A complimentary amuse bouche (I love that this phrase literally translates as 'mouth amuser') started us off and then we were asked to chose from a selection of appys and mains. I chose a New England Clam Chowder swimming with veggies and clams and just the right consistency. My lunch partner had a delicate dish of wasabi and sesame crusted Albacore tuna -- seared just right. We both chose lamb medallions for our main and they were presented on a bed of mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables with a delicious red wine sauce reduction. 

And for dessert? Profiteroles

Best of all the bill didn't leave a bad taste in my mouth because this gourmet food is prepared by VIU’s stellar chefs-in-training so at the Discovery Room it costs a fraction of the price these chefs will be charging once they graduate. What a treat!

Location: 900 Fifth Street, Nanaimo, BC, Canada V9R 5S5

Price:$10-$15

Slurping up International Flavours at Atlas Cafe

Heading up island this weekend? Then you should pay a visit to the Atlas Café in Courtenay and treat your taste buds to some international flavours. Although our server seemed a little distracted (perhaps Santa didn’t bring him what he wanted), the food more than made up for it.

Check out these mussels – direct from the waters of Saltspring Island, they were some of the plumpest, most flavourful crustaceans I’ve had the pleasure of slurping up in a long time.

My companions decided they needed to warm up with some Mexican flavours and indulged in a massive baked burrito – good thing we were heading up to Mount Washington for cross-country skiing the next day.

If you’re not into Mexico (although how could you not be?) then the menu features flavours from around the world with nods to Japanese, Morroccan and Italian cuisines. And yes, there are even burgers for those who don't went to venture to far afield in the culinary world. Best of all , much of it is made with ingredients sourced right here on Vancouver Island. Happy island weekend!

Location: 250 6th Street, Courtenay, BC
250.338.9838

Price: Dinner entrees from $12-$25

Yoga isn't bad for your body -- you are!

     The yoga world is in a twist this week after this New YorkTimes article suggested yoga can be harmful to your body. Of course like any headline making story it just focused on all the bad stuff listing a huge array of injuries people had suffered in the pursuit of yoga.

      Can yoga wreck your body? Nope. But you can wreck it doing yoga. That’s right – like everything it’s your responsibility to say “Um, I’m sorry, but I really, really can’t wrap my leg around my neck this morning and seriously, I have no desire to do that.” If your teacher insists you do it, leave the class and find a new teacher.

       Personally I think the crux of the problem is most of us are either too scared or too competitive to admit we can’t do something AND most of us (unlike dedicated yoginis) do not have the time to practice three hours a day and create a body capable of bending into knots, or doing full headstand for five minutes.

        So when we’re in class and our gorgeous yoga teacher (who does practice three hours a day) bends over backwards we think, “If I just push a little harder I can do that, too.” Of course, what we should be thinking is, “OMG, if I do that I’m gonna pop a disc.”

         If you want to keep enjoying yoga then find a teacher who truly means it when she says “listen to your body” (Nanaimoites can head to Steph's class at OmTown yoga). And when your body is screaming ‘dear god stop’ then, stop. 

A Positively Brilliant New Year

        Ah, a fresh new year – 12 pristine months with which to create our world anew. Apropos of that, I think we need an injection of positive thinking to get us off on the right foot, especially with the dreary weather upon us. So here’s a few (very) random rays of sunshine to brighten up the first month of 2012.

•        Canada’s crime rate is at its lowest in 40 years – the homicide rate at its lowest in 45 years (I won’t point out how foolish this makes Harper & Co. look because they don’t belong in a good news story).
•       The need for a work-life balance was acknowledged (gasp) by an international corporation when Volkswagen agreed emails to its German workers would not be forwarded to their Blackberry’s after 6 p.m. or before 7 a.m. 
• The Canadian Boreal Initiative says the future of Canada’s Boreal Forest looks bright. They released their top ten stories about the forest, and nine of them were positive. The top spot was a shout out to Quebec’s government for creating the largest land conservation plan in history for the forest. Vive la Boreal Forest à la Québec!
• BC Ferry riders will appreciates this one: David Hahn is gone. I repeat: Hahn is gone.
• Rumour has it that the Rolling Stones are planning a 50th year reunion tour and everyone loves a good rumour.
• The prediction this was going to be the coldest winter on record is proving patently untrue (touch wood).The shortest day of the year is long gone, which means the idyllic west coast summer is rapidly approaching.
• And finally – on Feb. 7, 2012, Charles Dickens fans will celebrate his 200th birthday. So, to paraphrase his most famous words, here’s my wish to you for 2012: “God (or whichever supernatural being/entity you chose to believe or not believe in) bless us, every one.”

Get your Firehouse On

So here’s the challenge...to review one restaurant a week somewhere on Vancouver Island.  No boundaries or rules – they can be chains, one-offs, diners, pubs, fine-dining establishments – anywhere you can get food and drink.

Let the games begin.

Firehouse Grill – Nanaimo. Since I’ve lived on Gabriola Island, Nanaimo's beautiful old firehouse with a peek-a-boo ocean view has been home to a number of restaurants that sadly have all crashed and burned. Its most recent reincarnation (which opened in 2007) looks set to burn brightly for many years. Welcome to the Firehouse Grill – where the food is original, eclectic and downright delicious. In fact, there’s something for everyone in the family – from sushi aficionados to meat lovers and the excellent chefs are willing to alter recipes to accommodate any food allergies. 

But enough. What about the food? Well I indulged in a Curry Karma roll, just one of the many signature sushi rolls the creative chefs have come up with. This one was stuffed with avocado, tempura asparagus and cucumber and topped with a sweet, spicy curry sauce. It was sublime. Next time I'm going to indulge in the Black& Blue roll: ginger, coffee and garlic rubbed tuna, lox, avocado and green onion with the made-in-house Firehouse sauce. For those who aren't too sure about sushi there's another whole menu with more traditional fare, all of it made with the Firehouse flare -- pulled-pork sandwiches, fish and chips, a variety of pasta dishes, steaks and a spicy jambalaya in a Creole sauce. All of this is accompanied by excellent service, a great wine list -- oh and delectable desserts for those who have any room left after their dinners.

One caveat: You may want to book -- when we visited on a Monday night it was absolutely packed and we were seated in the upstairs alcove.

Entrees: $10-$26

Location: #7 Victoria Road, Nanaimo