It was a beautiful morning for a drive, so we headed north to the Black Creek area, just beyond Courtenay. Our first destination was Beaufort Vineyard & Estate Winery, once owned by Canadian filmmaker James Cameron of Titanic fame. Located just off Highway 19A, we followed a quiet country road through the gates to the tasting room, which overlooks the expansive vineyard with a spectacular backdrop of the Beaufort Mountains.Alas, the tasting room was closed—no tasting and no buying. Another visit, perhaps.

There are two other wineries nearby: Coastal Black Estate Winery, which specializes in berry wines, and 40 Knots Vineyard & Estate Winery, which we’ve visited before. We decided to skip both and instead stopped at Shorewolf Farm Bakery for another supply of their outstanding sourdough bread. Owner and baker Jill Lamberts greeted us like old friends. We left with three loaves of bread and a couple of Lemon Lavender cookies—unique and absolutely delicious.

From there we continued on, taking a quick drive through Campbell River before heading to Salmon Point for lunch at Mattone Italian Kitchen. This restaurant had been enthusiastically recommended by a friend, so expectations were high.

Mattone sits beside a small marina and a large RV resort. We were surprised by the size of the restaurant. It’s spacious inside, with a large patio overlooking the water. We were shown to a patio table where the views were every bit as impressive as the food would prove to be. Before us stretched Discovery Passage, Cape Mudge, Texada Island, and the distant silhouettes of Cortes, Hernando, and Savary Islands. Nearby sits Mitlenatch Island, a protected seabird sanctuary, while the ever-changing currents create a fascinating spectacle as waters from Johnstone Strait meet those flowing through the Strait of Georgia. Yachts and sport-fishing boats provided plenty of entertainment as they cruised by.

Mattone has embraced technology with a unique ordering system. Diners can simply scan the QR code at their table, order and pay using their phone, and the food is delivered to them. Call me old-fashioned, but I still prefer talking to a real person, so I ordered at the counter. I suppose it’s an efficient way to reduce staffing requirements.

“A Margherita pizza and a Caesar salad to share, please.”

A glass of Prosecco and a Pinot Grigio arrived almost immediately, followed shortly by our lunch. The thin-crust Margherita pizza was loaded with cheese and topped with grape tomatoes, fresh Arugula, bocconcini, and a generous slice of prosciutto on every piece. It was, without question, the best Margherita pizza we’ve ever had—and we’ve sampled more than a few over the years. The Caesar salad was equally impressive, topped with crisp shards of prosciutto that added the perfect finishing touch.

The setting is spectacular. The food is outstanding. The staff are friendly and welcoming. Yes, it’s a little pricey, but well worth it. If you find yourself in the Campbell River area, Mattone Italian Kitchen deserves a spot on your itinerary.

You can browse the menu and read about owner-chef Ryan Gark, a local talent with extensive culinary experience, on their website: https://www.mattoneitaliankitchen.com.

Mattone is open daily for lunch and dinner.

Just saying..