Since today was such a beautiful fall day we decided a drive up 19A to Courtenay might be a plan. Good plan too. Almost no traffic and wonderful fall colours all along the way. Mostly bright yellow and amber with a bit of red from time to time. Good time to go since another good wind will take down most of the leaves.

Arriving in Courtenay at 1:30 and feeling a bit peckish we decided to try something new. Our good friend Mary had recommended a joint called BISQUE. It is in a nondescript strip on 14th and from the street looks about as inviting as an auto parts store. But inside it was quite charming. All expense had been spared on the decorating but there was some interesting art on the walls.

However, the menu has some good sounding offerings. Of course, my favourite girl ordered Crab Cakes that were very good served with home cut excellent fries. I was at Bisque so I ordered, what else, seafood bisque. Very good accompanied with garlic toast and two deep fried wontons stuffed with shrimp and ginger. They were the best. All in all a pretty good late lunch. They also had an array of daily specials and our server said their pastas are worth considering.

It’s worth a visit if you want a change from a pub lunch. Check this up their menu here:
http://www.bisquerestaurant.ca/lunchmenu.htm

Just saying…

Not long ago our coffee gang tried the Taste Cafe in the Beach Club retail complex at 173 Island Highway West. It is a great location with a view of the beach and ocean and the patio would be perfect in the summer months.

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They have a good selection of Tea and Coffee along with pastries. However, I  don’t think it will satisfy an early morning caffeine fix since they don’t open till 9 on weekdays and 10 on Saturday. Also they are closed on Sunday and Monday and Holidays too. Definitely not Starbucks hours!

We sat inside and while I don’t like to sound negative the place is kind of cold. Not warm and inviting at all. The chairs are truly uncomfortable metal things. Don’t plan on parking here with your iPad or laptop. You won’t be comfortable.

Having said that, the coffee was good and the cake I had was delicious. If you are craving a coffee between 9 and 4, give it a try. But I’m not going back until the sun is shining in their patio in June.

Just saying…

On Friday I met some pals for lunch at the BLACK GOOSE on Resort Drive in Parksville. It was not the first visit but the first lunch there in a long time. The former McClure house is a funky old building, quite charming with lots of classic wood paneling. It seems like a pub and acts like a pub but it’s not a pub. It’s a restaurant masquerading as a pub.

The menu is loaded with items that you would expect to find in an English Pub. Fish & Chips, meat pies, bangers and mash etc. They also feature a good range of beer. My choice for lunch was a Steak & Mushroom Pie, a small one, which was delicious. To wash it down I enjoyed an Erdinger no alcohol beer probably the best one yet. On other visits I have enjoyed the Fish & Chips and the Hamburger. All good. You can perouse the menu here:

http://www.blackgooseinn.com/menu-at-the-black-goose-inn/

In true English Pub style you place your order at the bar and the food is delivered to your table.
In the summer a large outdoor area is available too. Lots of parking in front.

The Black Goose is not my favourite pub but it is pretty darn good. If you have not been you really should try it out.

Just saying…