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March 26, 2009 | Tips from Us > Campbell River, Dining
I had the great pleasure of meeting Sonora Resort's Chef Matthew Stowe this afternoon and even though he is described on their website as as a "Decorated Chef", personally I think they should replace "Decorated" with "Passionate."
In addition to serving his guests exquisite meals while at the remote luxury lodge on Sonora Island (accessible by helicopter, seaplane or boat) Stowe spends his time searching out the best local ingredients, giving personalized tours of his kitchen, holding cooking classes, and writing what I'm sure will be a well-loved, well-used cookbook. (Launching later this month.)
He told the tale of the independent local spotted-prawn and crab fisherman that drops off fresh seafood to their dock. He revealed how by accident a new supplier of succulent pears and crisp apples was found across the water in the Comox Valley. He disclosed how excited he was to find local suppliers of flavourful beets and carrots (so many different kinds!) and heirloom tomotoes in the Fraser Valley outside Vancouver. He describes the growers - characters as passionate as him about the benefits of local organic foods.
Talk of herb gardens at the lodge and their own charcuterie and the on-site six-grill outdoor kitchen and smoking their own salmon and PASTRY! Let's not forget about the cream used in the pastry! And the wines that go with it all, and , and.... whew!
I hope I am getting all this correct... the words were coming fast and furious and I just remember getting hungrier and hungrier. (I hope I wasn't drooling...)
In addition to great food, Sonora Resort has recently joined great company - they are now a member of Relais & Chateaux.
March 26, 2009 | Tips from Us > Mount Washington Alpine Resort, Skiing (Downhill)
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If you look at a map of the ski runs on Mt Washington Alpine Resort, you won't find the Alpine Village run. However, throughout the original village weaves roads wide enough for a car during the summer, but only accessible by ski, board and snowboots during the winter.
I was fortunate enough to stay in one of the village chalets last week and found out there is nothing like skiing out every morning by weaving between chalets and snow-topped trees, making fresh tracks on perfect powder.
To find the trail, swoosh under the walkway between the Alpine Lodge and the Bradley Centre.
LATEST TIP 2009: Due to the epic snow conditions (see "perfect powder" above) the resort is staying open until late April this season!
March 26, 2009 | Tips from Us > Courtenay, Skiing (Downhill)
I don't know if there is a Mt. Washington in Japan or not, but I was happy to find out there was sushi on the ski hill when I hit the slopes last week! Mt. Washington Alpine Resort is Vancouver Island's "local" ski hill, located slightly north of the Comox Valley.
Sushi-Mon is located at the bottom of the Hawk chairlift, across the parking lot. One of those great places you wouldn't know was there unless you knew it was there.
Upon opening the door, the crisp snow-flaked filled air was replaced by wafting smells of curry-infused yummyness (is that a word?) Time to take off my jacket, loosen my boots and fill myself up with yam tempura rolls and miso soup. By the time my food arrived I wished I had ordered one of thier ramen noodle bowls, packed with enough veggies to soften any fall on the black diamond runs. (BEWARE: HUGE portions - my miso soup was served family style. Thankfully my family was there to share.)
Unfortunately, when I asked if one of the dishes we ordered was coming, I got a bit of a snappy remark - "yes, we're a bit busy, you know." Fair enough, they were busy, and as soon as the rush calmed down the staff did as well. I won't hold it against them and I will go back and of course, recommend the place to you.
Here's another tip for you - the Alpine Cafe serves up awesome chicken fingers!
March 26, 2009 | Tips from Us > Victoria, Walking
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Feel like sitting down with a warm bowl of veggie chili and a hot cup of coffee (or a cold beer) after a long walk in the fresh air? This is the place for you! I recently moved to Victoria but I have already discovered one of my new favourite hang-outs. Odgen Point Cafe & Dive Centre. It's off Dallas Road and next to the cruise ship terminal.
The cafe is a cozy, neighbourhood kind of place with warm smiles and local papers being passed around, as well as the pastries and quiche. I could sit here for hours, and every second I would get a different view.
The cafe is located at the start of the Ogden Point breakwater, and sits on top of the dive shop. There is a rocky beach close by, a seawall walkway leading to Clover Point, and a small marina within view. Between the divers hitting the water (one of the best dive sites in Victoria), the joggers jogging, the kids skipping rocks, the dogs walking their owners, and the tugboats and cruise ships going to and fro, the view is ever changing. (You can often see the dog from the owner of the dive shop hitting the water too!) People watching at its best - especially if you get a coveted seat on the patio.
I recommend wearing a jacket on the breakwater as the wind can get a bit intimate - especially if you make it to marker #5. But then, what a good excuse to head into the cafe to warm up!
September 15, 2008 | Tips from Us > Salt Spring Island, Artists & Art Galleries
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I have found it! The perfect Salt Spring Island art for me. Not a watercolour or a pastel. Not a wood carving or metal statue. Not a poem or pretty photograph or elaborate woven basket or simple wool shawl. Of course, there are lots of those to be had though. My favourite art on Salt Spring Island is of the soft, mushy, melt in your mouth, can't stop eating variety - cheese!
Hand made Salt Spring Island goat cheese, in fact. A soft, delicate chevre that grabbed my heart and soul and left me wanting more.
On our first day on the island we rode our motorcycle up to the farm shop (newly paved roads are a plus) and bought two flavours - Garlic and Basil. On the second day we were back for more, tried Lemon and Pepper, but bought Chili and White Truffle. By the third day we were highly addicted and managed to grab some White Truffle from a local grocery store on the other side of the island before heading back to our cabin for the feast.
Day four - you guessed it - three packages of White Truffle, a loaf of artisan bread and a bottle bought from a nearby winery. Full on addiction had set it.
David Wood, the "head cheese" (pardon the pun) officially recognized us on day four and gave us a welcoming smile that I have to believe is as famous as his cheese. The dogs ran up to us like old friends.
The Salt Spring Island Cheese Company is open daily. I recommend going in the morning to grab a cup of complimentary coffee and relax on their inspiring patio before indulging in your first, but not last, bite of cheese.
September 15, 2008 | Tips from Us > Salt Spring Island, Other
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A recent retreat to Saltspring Island landed me oceanside in a fantastic cozy cottage for two - The Love Shack. By cozy, I mean comfortable and petite in the most delightfully eclectic, funky, shabby chic way. The Fulford Harbour hideaway comes complete with an orange slow-bubbling lava lamp, a collection of records including ABBA (Super Trouper of course), Marvin Gaye, Gordon Lightfoot, Santana and Valdy, just to name a few.
The waterfont deck includes an outdoor bathtub and orange and lime green Adirondack chairs. A bowl of pears, plums and island-picked apples awaited our arrival, as did a friendly sea otter walking up the steps from the ocean.
By far, the best part of the Love Shack was the old wood-burning stove, with which we were able to use to quickly convert the cottage into a Love Sauna. Hot, hot, hot!
Shagadelic and groovy baby, just as their website says.
January 7, 2008 | Tips from Us > New Hazelton, Historic & Heritage Sites
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Hazelton has become my favourite small town in B.C. The town lives on the convergence of two rivers, the Skeena and the Bulkley. It is also a place where the First Nation and the Pioneer cultures converge, creating a beautiful little town with a lot of history. Here are my two tips from Hazelton.
1. The tour of the ‘Ksan Heritage Village is a must. You can not access the longhouses unless you are on a guided tour. Although you can wander the grounds on your own, you can only “experience the experience” with a guide. My guide was warm, inviting, and open to discussing her culture. She made me want to spend the rest of the summer with her and her family attending their traditional potlatches and ceremonies, learning their unique crafts, and lying on the vibrant green grass in front of the river.
2. In Old Hazelton, go to Mercedes Beans and Model Teas for an organic cup of goodness. It is located in Triangle Square, a colourful tea garden to hang out in. I sat beside a jug of sun-kissed tea and slurped my iced chai latte. Yum!
January 7, 2008 | Tips from Us > Queen Charlotte City, Museums
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While my son was fishing on the Masset wharf, I wandered over to the Dixon Entrance Museum to indulge in a little history. The tiny museum is filled with intriguing gems of life on the northern end of Haida Gwaii/ Queen Charlotte Islands, including glass Japanese floats, sea shells, a collection of canned salmon (the Dixon Entrance is well known for its salmon, halibut and crab) and an old recipe book that includes instructions for cooking moose.
Turns out my museum host was an elderly gentleman who retired from Saskatchewan to live up on the coast in northern B.C. He had always wanted to live by the ocean and now he volunteers at a maritime museum. I love that! He was a great character and made the museum come alive, despite (possibly because of) his prairie-town background.
January 7, 2008 | Tips from Us > Wells, Historic & Heritage Sites
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I can’t even begin to describe the disappointment I felt when I realized just how much there was to see and do in Barkerville, and I only had 3 hours to do it in. I usually research my travel plans thoroughly, but this summer I was on a bit of a “yahoo, let’s hit the road, come what may” kind of trip, and I was unprepared for, well, almost everything about Barkerville.
I have been to many heritage sights around B.C., but none quite as engaging as Barkerville, and none requiring so much time. So I missed staying over in the King George Hotel, right there on the main street. (While other travelers leave the gold rush town, you can sleep in a restored hotel and explore the town in the quiet of the night, or dew-drop morning, virtually alone). I missed eating tempting dim sum at Lung Duck Tong’s. I missed the theatre show, the stagecoach ride, and the cemetery tour.
However, I did manage to squeeze in an educational lesson on panning for gold, as well as the comedic skit on how to operate a water wheel. I also managed to sneak into a few candy shops before they closed. Which reminds me, I have never met anyone more friendly than the candy shop clerks in Barkerville; when my son only had $1 to buy his mini-jawbreakers, the clerk “accidentally” slipped a bit and spilled too many tiny balls of sweetness into the handmade bag. Oops, he said with a wink. Another candy store clerk (yes – there are more than one!) re-opened the store for me after she had already closed for the night. She wouldn’t dream of letting me leave without seeing her shop, despite the fact I told her I wouldn’t be buying anything.
Next time, I will leave at least a day in my itinerary for Barkerville, and a night as well, if not two.
January 7, 2008 | Tips from Us > Queen Charlotte City, Fishing
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While travelling on the ferry from Prince Rupert to Haida Gwaii / Queen Charlotte Islands this summer, a local halibut fisherman told my son the best dock fishing was to be found right off the main wharf in Masset.
Three days and three fish later (admittedly, not the kind you would pay $600 a day of sport fishing for, but big enough for my eager six-year-old) we were happily packing the tackle box up and silently thanking the local for the tip.
While Haida Gwaii may be best known for the high-end fishing lodges, there are many local fishing spots that are worth stopping at, for the scenery alone if not for the fish.
A few of our favourites include the Masset dock, the wharf at Alliford Bay, and Mayer Lake, a lily-pad filled oasis in the middle of Graham Island.
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