Finally, last night we made it to TRIO in PARKSVILLE for a wonderful dinner. Our friends,  Mike & Alice, from the Victoria area were visiting and wanted to relieve me from domestic culinary chores so we made a reservation. 

TRIO is a relatively new joint repurposed from former Pacific Brimm coffee shop. The owners of Trio also operate Craig Street Pizza and Cafe Floresta. The remodel of this space is very nicely done. I would call it classy bistro. The serving staff are delightful. Friendly, fun and efficient. Amy & Kim really made the evening. 

Now for the food. Sheila and I shared a Caesar salad, the best ever, exclaimed Sheila who really knows Caesar’s. Two of us chose Scallops as a main course and were thrilled we did. Four large perfectly seared Scallops in a wonderful sauce. Perfect. Mike chose Spaghetti Vongole loaded with baby clams. Sheila chose the Chicken and Fig Penne which was delicious. I know because I had a large taste. 

A Sticky Toffee Pudding with 4 spoons was dessert and it too was very tasty. 

By the way we really enjoyed a bottle of Poplar Grove Pinot Gris. Crisp and flavourful. A good choice! Thinking of dinner? You must try TRIO. They know how to do it and you won’t be disappointed. 

 Check out Trio on Facebook. 

TRIO is Located at 123 Craig Street in PARKSVILLE. Be sure and make a reservation at 250-586-1995 because they are busy and only open for dinner Thursday thru Sunday. 

Great food, great service, great atmosphere. Try it, you must. 

Just saying…

I don’t usually report on the sane restaurant but Sheila read the last blog on Montana’s and just had to experience their BBQ. So off we went on Saturday for a late lunch. 

At 2PM it was busy and we actually had a short wait Until seated at a high table. Our server was a sweet young lady dressed in jeans and a Black Montana’s T-shirt as were all the staff.  Our drinks arrived promptly and we ordered quite a variety. Burnt Ends, Appetizer sized Ribs and Caesar salad For Sheila, BBQ Chicken Fajita for me. 

Here is the scoop. The Ribs, according to one who knows, were fabulous. Almost as good as Victoria’s late,  famous,  Cherry Bank Hotel. That’s high praise. Not that I can make the comparison since my Victoria upbringing somehow omitted the Cherry Bank. 

The Caesar Salad also received a rave review. The best restaurant Caesar in ages. 

The Burnt Ends were OK but not as good as those at the Rusted Rake in Nanoose. 

My Fajita was quite substantial with a generous portion a tender BBQ Chicken, served with grilled onions, red and green peppers and  flour tortillas. Also shredded lettuce, chopped tomato and grated cheese. Oh, and sour cream, salsa & guacamole. All good but more than I could finish. Oh course I did get a taste of the rubs, salad and Burnt ends too. 

Sheila’s first visit to Montanas. Would she go back? Absolutely! Next time maybe Mac & Cheese.

Montanas is definitely with a visit. There are nearly 100 locations in Canada so you should be close to one wherever you live. 

Just saying…