Not long ago I reported on Seascapes, a restaurant in Schooner Cove. Well it didn’t make it for whatever reason. However, the folks who own the Qualicum Beach Cafe and the Water Street Cafe in Vancouver’s Gastown, saw an opportunity and a month ago reopened the property as THE NANOOSE BAY CAFE. 

Today we met my favourite brother and sister-in-law at said Cafe for lunch. We reserved a table for 4 on the patio which is quite spacious and overlooks the Schooner Cove Marina with a view to the mainland across Georgia Strait. Our table was perfect right in a corner by the rail.

The menu here is really excellent. They serve lunch, dinner and have a daily happy hour every day but Monday. In addition they have a breakfast/coffee spot open daily from 8 to noon. 

As we soaked in the view, which included sighting two 37 foot Tollycrafts, we perused the menu. D’Arcy & Pat headed for the Spring Rolls and Dumplings, a house specialty. Sheila and I satisfied a recent hankering for oysters and ordered Po Boys with pan fried oysters. 

Our waiter, Mike, was both charming and efficient, which one might expect from a chap from London. 

The food was delicious.  Everyone enjoyed their choices. Then Mike arrived with a dessert menu. Who has dessert after lunch? Apparently we do. Sheila targeted the Citrus Tart. Pat went for the Chocolate Mousse Tort and your scribe merely told the waiter “I’ve never met a Creme Brûlée I didn’t like. Were the desserts good? They were outstanding.

The newly opened Nanoose Bay Cafe is excellent. Great ambiance, View service and food. We plan to return soon. Highly recommended. 

Check out their website… https://www.nanoosebaycafe.com

Just saying…

Since the RUSTED RAKE FARM BREW PUB reopened we had not paid a visit. My next door neighbours highly recommended it. So did my brother. So today, having skipped lunch and still recovering from our Canada Day celebrations we drove the slow way to Nanoose and the RUSTED RAKE. And we are so glad that we did. 

We arrived at 4 for an early dinner and were seated a a perfect table outside on the very spacious deck. That made me happy since I remember that it is a very noisy place inside. 

Sheila had heard that the Seafood Chowder was outstanding and she was not disappointed. Mussels, Clams, Smoked Salmon and Scallops in a wonderfully cream broth. Simply delicious. She also ordered the Burnt Ends. BBQ Beef Brisket pieces served with a luscious Aioli and some raw veggies. 

 I chose the Beef Brisket Dip. My brother, who spent years in Texas and knows all about BBQ Brisket,  suggested getting the Aioli on the side so as to ensure the perfect flavour of the Brisket. Served on a bun with fries on the side this was a very generous portion of brisket in a bun. Absolutely delicious. 

They don’t have a huge menu but what they do they do WELL! 

A glass of Blasted Church White and a ROSA THE REBEL MEXICAN LAGER. Both were just what we wanted. Cold and tasty. 

The service was excellent! The location looking out onto a field, part of the farm, was relaxing.  Lots of free parking right in front.  

RUSTED RAKE!  It’s just a great place with delicious food and good service. Check out the 

website https://rustedrakebrewing.ca

You can find them on Northwest Bay Road just down the Road from the PetroCan on Highway 19.  Closed on Tuesdays. 

Just saying…