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