June 23, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Victoria, Dining
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To read the first part of my post about whale watching, check the whale watching posts.
On June 15th in Victoria, while on the last day of my BC Book Tour promoting my new bestseller Whale Song, we went on a fun little cruise in search of killer whales.
Afterward, my reward was a delicious dinner at Vintage Wine Bar & Grill in Victoria. It's a gem of a restaurant that I think must often be overlooked since it's in the Super 8 Hotel on Douglas Street. And they don't serve your ordinary Super 8 fair.
Marc had the grilled 8 oz. AAA New York Steak with a wild mushroom demi-glace, shallot mashed potatoes and seasonal veggies--broccoli, paper-thin onion rings and what I am sure was panfried squash (perhaps spaghetti squash).
I had the Pacific Seafood Linguine, which was absolutely heavenly. The linguine was tossed with a delicate white wine sauce, spinach, grape tomatoes and red peppers, and then topped with a generous portion of mussells, clams, halibut and prawns, and sprinkled with shaved parmesan.
We also shared one of the best Caesar salads I've ever had. The Vintage Caesar is made with hearts of romaine, shaved fresh parmesan, double-smoked bacon, parmesan crisps and foccacia croutons. The homemade creamy Caesar dressing had an extra bite of anchovy, just the way I like it. In fact, I had it for supper again tonight! :)
While we were waiting, our attentive waiter Gordon treated us to some tapas--amuse-bouche, pan-seared tuna 'kissed' with wasabi aiolo on a flatbread croustini. Delicious! We finished our dinner with a dessert that was almost sinful--a coconut & pineapple creme caramel, light and fluffy, served with whip cream, pineapple crisps and presented with flair. I wish I had my camera! Maybe I'll have to go downstairs to the restaurant later and order it again...uh, just so I can get a picture of it, of course...
Chef Jamie Martineau has created an awesome taste-inspired menu that compares to some of the fine dining restaurants I've been to, although Vintage is casual dining.
Great service, relaxing ambiance, generous portions and concoctions by a talented chef--what more could you ask for? I give Vintage Wine Bar & Grill...5 ankhs! :)
My day in a nutshell: I saw more sea creatures at suppertime on my plate than on my whale watching trip. But all in all, it was a divine day!
~Cheryl Kaye Tardif, author of Whale Song, The River and Divine Intervention
http://www.cherylktardif.com/
http://www.whalesongbook.com/
June 23, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Victoria, Whale Watching
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On June 15th, we headed to Victoria for the last stop of my BC book tour promoting
Whale Song, my new bestselling novel. We spent the day settling in and enjoying the sunshine--the ONLY full day of sun we had on our entire trip. And thank God, because that was the day we planned to go whale watching.
So we sped off the ferry in order to get to the hotel, check in and then find the whale watching office. We reached Five Star Whale Watching Expeditions and sped around the block looking for parking. Not a fun thing to do when you're already 5 minutes late! Finally, Marc let me out while he went to park the car.
When I reached Five Star's office, the man behind the counter said we were scheduled for the NEXT trip out...in 2 hours. Yikes! Somehow I was sure the gal had said 2 pm on the phone. And I had that terrible sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach--the kind that says 'oh boy, did you screw up...and Marc is going to be sooo happy.'
Then the very nice fellow behind the desk said he could get us on the 2 o'clock tour! YES!!! Marc showed up after finally finding a parking spot and off we went down to the boat dock to board a 45-passenger catamaran. On the way to the dock I let it slip that we had luckily been squeezed onto the 2 pm tour. I think it's a good thing they did squeeze us in. I have a feeling I would have been swimming in the bay.
The cruise was breath-taking. We sat outside at the bow, the wind whipping at my hair, the sun on my face, the smell of the ocean all around us, while glistening diamonds covered the surface. We hit a few choppy patches and the boat bucked, slapping the ocean and sending huge sprays over the stern. In some areas the currents clashed and swirled and it looked like we were speeding over mini-whirlpools.
For three hours we looked for whales. We saw sea lions, seals, porpoises, many different species of birds (seagulls, bald eagle, cormorants and more), lots of seaweed...uh, driftwood...a couple of buoys...but no whales.
I was disappointed, as were many of the people on the trip. In the end, the only whales we saw were the photographs that one of the gals showed us and the whales on my bookmarks. However, I did enjoy the trip and the time 'off', so it wasn't a complete waste, but it was the whales--in particular, the killer whales--that I wanted so dearly to see.
Although I completely understand that Five Star and the other whale watching tours can't really guarantee we'll see whales, I was surprised that with technology these days there wasn't a more reliable way to know where they were hiding. And yes, there was a part of me that thought those darned whales should have stayed where they were that morning and waited for me! :)
Oh, well. Now I have an excuse to come back. (Not that I ever really need an excuse to come to Victoria.)
To read the second part, look for my blog post in the dining blogs.
~Cheryl Kaye Tardif, author of Whale Song, The River and Divine Intervention
http://www.cherylktardif.com/
http://www.whalesongbook.com/
June 21, 2007 | Podcasts >
Prince George, Festivals & Events
Excepted from Margaret's weekly radio segment on "All Points West", a CBC Victoria show heard every weekday from 4:00 - 6:00 PM.
Podcast for June 15, 2007.
Father's Day Suggestions:
- Family Fishing Weekend throughout BC
- Prince George Farmer's Market & Bob Harkins Fishing Derby
- Family Fun Day in Blackburn
- A Great Northern Beer Festival in Prince George
- Sam Steele Days in Cranbrook
June 21, 2007 | Podcasts >
Whistler, Skiing & Snowboarding
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Excepted from Margaret's weekly radio segment on "All Points West", a CBC Victoria show heard every weekday from 4:00 - 6:00 PM.
Podcast for April 13, 2007.
Celebrating Spring:
- Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival in Whistler
- Annual Sun Pitt Safari at Panorama
- Powder Pedal Paddle race in Fernie
- Okanagan Fest of Ale
- Titanic Exhibit at the Royal British Columbia Museum
June 21, 2007 | Podcasts >
Vancouver, Festivals & Events
Excepted from Margaret's weekly radio segment on "All Points West", a CBC Victoria show heard every weekday from 4:00 - 6:00 PM.
Podcast for April 20, 2007.
* Pan American Diving Trials in Vancouver
* Country Bluegrass Jamboree in Quesnel
* Indoor Rodeo in Williams Lake
* First Nations Celebration in Osoyoos
June 19, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Victoria, Sightseeing Tours
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Since I'm currently working in Seattle (though live in Sacramento, CA) it made perfect sense to spend a few days in Victoria and then take the Ferry over to Whistler. It had been quite a few years since we'd been to either area and it was definitely time to revisit. The weather was beautiful the whole time. The scenery was the Northwest best as it is in summer. Food, sightseeing, the ferry ride and activities -- including the ziptrek in Whistler-- made it a great week!
David and Linda
June 18, 2007 | Podcasts >
Prince Rupert, Festivals & Events
Excepted from Margaret McCormick's weekly radio segment on "All Points West", a CBC Victoria show heard every weekday from 4:00 - 6:00 PM.
Podcast for June 8, 2007 * Seafest in Prince Rupert
* Shellfish Festival in Comox Valley
June 18, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Surrey, Dining
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There is not much anyone can do when the weather isn’t ideal outside. Last Saturday, I decided to venture out and try something new. My boyfriend and I love dining out and trying new cuisines. Since it was pouring outside, we decided to go for something spicy that will warm us up: Indian food. We went to “Taste of Punjab” in Whalley, since it came recommended by an East Indian co-worker for its authentic flavours. I order a butter chicken dish with rice while my boyfriend decided to try one of the chef’s recommendations, an assortment of different Indian dishes that include chicken, lamb, and beef. The food was absolutely delicious and the portions were more than enough. The atmosphere of the restaurant was excellent and I would definitely go back again. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys lots of flavour and spice in their food and is interested in trying something ethnic.
Dining tip: Stop by the Surrey Visitor Centre diagonally across the street and pick up 10% coupons for the restaurant.
June 17, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Powell River, Beaches & Swimming
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This is an area that may soon be logged, we are trying to protect it for the public to enjoy. We have to protect these areas for the fishing, the serenety, enjoyment and for those who seek peace.
June 17, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Powell River, Guest Ranches & Horseback Riding
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I rode my horse on a logging road up to this bluff from Louis Lake. The view across the Jervis inlet was awesome.
We really need Canadians to stop and think about what we have and what we can lose if we do not look after it.
