We keep hearing about EXTREME EATZ, the outfit that began as a food truck in 2016 and now runs the restaurant at Arrowsmith Golf Club, the former LEFTY’s location and the original Extreme EATZ in Parksville and the Village Eatery(Formerly Baileys )in Qualicum Beach. We not been to any of them but yesterday hit their newest endeavour, THE SHACK TAPHOUSE at Eagle Crest Golf Course.
The Shack has taken over the old golf course location and includes a spacious pub atmosphere inside complete with a big stone fireplace and a long bar. Outside is a huge patio overlooking the course.
The Shack was busy on a sunny Friday but service was good. Sheila chose the Seafood Chowder. Loaded with a variety of seafood including large shrimp. I got a taste. Delicious. Really rich. Cod Tacos were my choice. 3 tacos, deep fried cod. Delicious. I especially liked the pickled red onion on top. These folks definitely know how to make and serve food.
Several orders of Fish & Chips passed by and the fish portions were huge. Probably a good choice if you love Fish & Chips.
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We really like The Shack, even though it was a bit noisy. But then most pubs are.
Looking for an inviting patio on which to enjoy some good food? The Shack Taphouse might be the spot for you. It’s at 444 Country Club Dr, Qualicum Beach.
If you’ve never dined at the Genoa Bay Café, you really should. We first discovered it a couple of years ago when we brought friends from Texas, and they absolutely loved the experience. It was definitely time for another visit, so we included it as the lunch stop on our Cowichan Valley winery tour last week. We’re certainly glad we did.
Genoa Bay is a picturesque little marina tucked around the corner from Cowichan Bay by water. By road, it’s just a 12-minute drive from Maple Bay along a charming, winding country road. At the end of the drive you’ll find a small collection of homes, the marina, and the café.
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Knowing it would be a beautiful sunny day, we reserved a table on the waterfront deck. The cafe provides warm, welcoming service, and their staff are friendly, attentive, and a lot of fun.
Sheila and I came with one thing in mind—the Salt Spring Island mussels. Served in a fragrant Thai green curry broth, they’re simply outstanding, and they certainly didn’t disappoint. Our friends chose the Fish & Chips and the Seafood Chowder, and both were equally impressed with their meals.
The outdoor deck extends over the water, making it the perfect place to relax while watching pleasure boats glide into the marina. After lunch, we always enjoy a leisurely stroll along the docks, admiring the visiting yachts. There’s also a small marina shop offering snacks, nautical gifts, and souvenirs.
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Genoa Bay Café may be a little off the beaten path, but it’s well worth the drive. Great food, beautiful surroundings, and genuinely friendly service make it a destination we’ll happily return to. If it were a little closer to home, we’d be regulars.
It had been a couple of years since we last toured the wineries of the Cowichan Valley, so last week with our friends Richard and Carolyn we climbed aboard the Acura and we headed south.
Our first stop was Averill Creek Vineyard, just outside Duncan. The winery has a lovely tasting room and an even more inviting garden patio. We’d sampled their wines on previous visits, so this time we headed straight for the patio, where the ladies enjoyed a glass of Pinot Gris. None for me, of course—someone had to be the designated driver!
Averill Creek is always worth a visit. Their expansive vineyard climbs the hillside behind the winery, and the vines were absolutely loaded with grapes. The tasting room is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and if you’re feeling peckish, they offer a selection of snacks to enjoy on the patio with a chilled glass of wine.
With lunchtime approaching, we took a delightful country road that wound its way across the valley before ending about 25 minutes later at Genoa Bay. More about lunch there in a moment.
Our next stop was Merridale Cidery & Distillery in Cobble Hill. This is a wonderful destination, with beautiful grounds, an excellent restaurant, and a well-stocked gift shop. Merridale is best known for its ciders, but it also produces Cowichan Gin, Vodka, and Brandy, all available for purchase in the shop.
The restaurant menu looked excellent and would make Merridale a fine choice for lunch.
Looking for something a little different? Merridale’s Orchard Picnic is a delightful experience. Begin with a cider tasting to select your favourite bottle, then settle into the orchard with a blanket and a fully prepared picnic featuring a shared charcuterie spread. It sounds like a wonderful way to spend a summer afternoon.
And there’s more—you can even spend the night in one of their yurts!
If you’re touring the Cowichan Valley, Merridale is definitely worth adding to your itinerary.
Just four minutes down the road is Unsworth Vineyards, an absolute must-visit. The winery was founded by local residents Tim and Colleen Turyk, who built it into one of Vancouver Island’s premier wineries, producing a long list of award-winning wines. As retirement approached, they sold the business in 2020 to the Jackson family of Kendall-Jackson Wines, the renowned Sonoma, California winery.
Since then, significant investments have been made in both the winemaking facilities and the spectacular new tasting room. It is truly impressive.
Unfortunately, the restaurant—which we’ve thoroughly enjoyed on previous visits—is currently closed for renovations. Although we didn’t do a tasting this time, we couldn’t resist taking home a bottle of their excellent Pinot Gris.
Our final stop before heading home was Blue Grouse Estate Winery, located just north of Duncan. It’s another impressive property with a beautiful winery and tasting room. We skipped the tasting on this visit but have enjoyed it in the past.
Interestingly, Blue Grouse was also acquired by the Jackson family in 2022. Clearly, one of California’s most respected wine families sees tremendous potential in the wines of the Cowichan Valley. That level of investment bodes very well for the future of Vancouver Island’s wine industry.
If you haven’t toured the wineries of the Cowichan Valley, you’re missing one of Vancouver Island’s real gems. We only visited four this time, and there are several more waiting to be explored.
If you enjoy good wine, beautiful scenery, and relaxing country drives, put the Cowichan Valley on your list.
MURPH..Just Saying. 