Here we are in Ucluelet on the west coast of Vancouver Island for a leisurely 6 days. Staying in a friend’s condo right on the water. How lucky are we? 

Part of the adventure includes some serious noshing at some of the local culinary offerings. On day one we hit FRANKIE’S RESTO BAR for an early dinner. It’s a funky place in what seems to be an old house & has indoor & patio seating. The patio was almost full so we headed inside. Nothing fancy to be sure, but the menu looked really good. Bedsides not much else was open on a Monday evening. 

Well, a very pleasant surprise. Good service! Great food. Pulled Pork with mashed potatoes and vegetables for Sheila and a ground ribeye burger for me. The mashed potatoes were ‘to die for’ good. The burger was one of the best in a long time. Cheese, tomato, pickle, bacon, lettuce in a Brioche Bun and served with outstanding fries. Two glasses of Haywire Pinot Grigio added to the enjoyment. FRANKIE’s is a really good joint. https://www.frankiesrestobar.com By the way, we loved the sign in the window.

When one is holidaying in this neck of the woods a good brunch is mandatory, not every day, but often. We found The Heartwood Kitchen Outfitter right on the main drag in a bright yellow old home.

They do breakfast/brunch and do it well. It was Vegetable Eggs Benny for Sheila and Huevos Rancheros for me. The Huevos included fried corn tortilla tostados, refried black beans, 2 eggs sunny side, tomato salsa, cilantro, fresh fruit & smashbrowns. I’ve not been a fan of smashbrowns but these were amazing. Best ever. This was a really wonderful dish made even better with a dollop of their in house made hot sauce. Add to all that the coffee was good too. Thinking of brunch..try this joint. You will not be disappointed. 

https://heartwoodfood.com/

Another night, another dinner. Well we did eat at home yesterday because Sheila’s daughter and husband came to stay and brought a big pot of delicious Chilli. Tonight it was FLOATHOUSE PATIO & GRILL, another funky Ucluelet restaurant, this one on a float right in the boat basin.

FLOATHOUSE is charmingly rustic with both inside and outside (covered) seating. No reservations are offered here so we were told there could be a 40 minute wait. With our good luck we were seated outside in about 20 minutes. Service was prompt! The wine list is brief. 2 reds, 2 whites by the glass which worked perfectly for us. Right beside the patio are fish boats lining the nearby dock. Very west coast. 

The menu is great. Lots of seafood although they are known for ribs. Sheila chose the Ribs & Caesar Salad. Fish Tacos for me. Oh, what a surprise! Colleen liked the Cod & Chips and Erick picked the Blackened Rock Fish & Slaw. We were all pleased with our choices.

Good food, good service and a charming West Coast ambience. As it cooled propane heaters were fired up to take off the chill. Our server, a charming young lady from Edmonton, is a musician on the side and said there is quite a music scene around Ukee and Tofino. She sings & strums guitar under the stage name CAMERON COAST.

Overall, our FLOATHOUSE experience was wonderful. We would go back again! Check out the menu at https://floathousepatioandgrill.ca

Just saying…