According to my husband, our ten year old son has been to more restaurants on Vancouver Island than the most dedicated food critic. While the word exaggeration comes to mind in response to this, it’s true our son has followed in my footsteps and become a dedicated foodie, or at least dedicated to eating the finest fries and most heavenly hamburgers. Fortunately for me, Vancouver Island has become a foodie paradise in the last decade or so and there are a plethora of restaurants up and down the island that cater to both his demands, and my more, um, refined palate.
Last time we were in Victoria we spent a memorable evening at Ferris’ Oyster Bar & Grill, where the specialty is BC oysters. They can be had fresh, barbecued or tucked into a variety of dishes including pasta (and yes, there is an oyster burger on the menu). My son’s favourite part was sitting at the bar (the only seats available) as waiters rushed around us and the personable bartender regaled us throughout dinner with (mostly) age-appropriate tales.
If we don’t make it as far south as Victoria then we head to Merridale Cidery in Cobble Hill. My son spends his time exploring the acres of apple trees, and, when he was a younger, looking for fairy homes (they really are there). I prefer sipping a selection of made-on-the-spot ciders and both of us enjoy indulging in a bistro lunch where even I don’t mind indulging in the burger – the house lamb and rosemary burger that is.
By far my son’s favourite restaurant on Vancouver Island is at the Chemainus Theatre. Yep, you read that right. The staff at this delightful theatre created the perfect day or evening out when they started a pre-show buffet. No need to worry about that glass of wine you just had and forget about watching the time — you’re already at the theatre so you aren’t going to be late. The plays are family-friendly and some of the best I’ve seen on the island, although my son still insists his favourite part of the day is eating the “hash-browny” fries in the restaurant.
If your child is not distracted by the gaggle of goats eating grass on the roof at what the locals refer to as Coombs Market in, well, Coombs, then he or she will get lost in the fantastic toy section inside. Adults can browse shelves that are stuffed with goods from all over the world and then indulge in some of the most delicious baked goods this side of the mainland. And yes, they also have hamburgers and fries.
Where they don’t have burgers and fries is at Hot Chocolates – a chocolate-lovers heavan in Courtenay. My son doesn’t seem to mind his favourite foods are not on menu here, as the hand-made artisan truffles and home-made gelato are enough to make him slow down long enough for me to sip one of their mochas and indulge in my own grown-up chocolate delight.
No comments:
Post a Comment