On the days coming up to our Remembrance Day I always think about our visits to the War Cemetery’s in France, Belgium, Holland and Italy. We have visited many of them. Susan & I toured Normandy in 1998. Youngest son Jackson and I toured Normandy, Belgium, and a bit of Holland in 2005. Susan and I visited Italian sites in 2012 and 2014. Having read a lot of the history of World War ll, I have found the need to see these places where so many young Canadians are buried.

Canadian troops landed on Juno Beach in Normandy on June 6, 1944 and fought heroically all the way to Germany. Canadian troops landed in Italy in 1943 and helped drive the Gorman army out if Italy.

Not far from Juno Beach where Canadians landed on D-Day is the Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery where 2,044 Canadian boys are buried. It’s a beautifully solemn place that we have visited twice. As one walks through the cemetery it’s unnerving to see the ages of these soldiers. 18-30 mostly.

We stayed in 1998 at the Chateau Audrieu about 25 k south of Juno Beach. It’s a wonderful hotel now but in the summer of 1944 it was a German Army Headquarters. The enemy had captured a number of Canadians who were murdered while POWS by Lt. Kurt Meyer. 63 were murdered at the Chateau, most of them members of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. The plaque in in the village of Audrieu .

Chateau Audreiu

Further south is the Bretteville-Sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery where 2782 Canadian boys, who fought the battle for Caen, are lying. Son Jackson and I visited here

Further south past Falaise is the small village of St. Lambert Sur Dives close to the famous Coridor of Death where 250,000 German troops tried to escape from the Allies. 100,000 made it but 250,000 were killed or captured. They had tried to move their equipment, much of it pulled by horses through a narrow single lane road with high thick hedgerows on either side. Canadian and Polish artillery and tanks decimated them.

 

In St Lambert stands a monument to Major David Currie who led the Calgary Horse Regiment, a tank unit, in the battle. He was honoured by the French people of the area. Later he became Sergeant at Arms in the House of Commons for many years. It is quite a proud moment to come over a hill in France and see the large Canadian flag flying here.

Also in Normandy, of course, is the large American Cemetery above Omaha Beach which is the resting place of over 9000 American fallen. If you are in Normandy it is a must see place. Quite overwhelming.

If you have not visited Normandy you might want to add it to your Bucket List. The beaches, the cemetery’s, the museums are wonderful to see.

Before a visit to Normandy you might want to read

Just saying…

 

Well we finally made it to the West Coast Food House in Qualicum Bay thanks to our friends Dave & Sharon. They wanted to meet us to talk about their recent trip to Italy and we we ready to share stories. So the Food House was the meeting place.

Our friends had lunched there before and were enthusiastic about the place. It’s run by the same girls who dish out great tacos at the Taco Shack on the beach. Their Tacos are outstanding so we were keen to see what else they could do. The Food House is quite casual with a big bar area housing at least three big flat screens.

We sat in a second room beside a little but cosy fireplace. A very pleasant young lady brought menus, took our drink orders and by the time she delivered them we had all decided on the SEAFOOD HOT POT.

We were not disappointed with this very tasty dish. Sort of a cioppino with Scallops, Prawns, Clams and Mussels in a delicious broth. Two slices of toast were included. It was all really yummy and we would go back for another round anytime.

The menu is limited with a focus on seafood. Saturday’s special was a Prawn Burger which sounded inviting.

If you want to include lunch in a drive up 19A you will enjoy the West Coast Fish House.

Not sure what their hours are so call ahead at 778-424-4465.

Just saying…

 

Since today was such a beautiful fall day we decided a drive up 19A to Courtenay might be a plan. Good plan too. Almost no traffic and wonderful fall colours all along the way. Mostly bright yellow and amber with a bit of red from time to time. Good time to go since another good wind will take down most of the leaves.

Arriving in Courtenay at 1:30 and feeling a bit peckish we decided to try something new. Our good friend Mary had recommended a joint called BISQUE. It is in a nondescript strip on 14th and from the street looks about as inviting as an auto parts store. But inside it was quite charming. All expense had been spared on the decorating but there was some interesting art on the walls.

However, the menu has some good sounding offerings. Of course, my favourite girl ordered Crab Cakes that were very good served with home cut excellent fries. I was at Bisque so I ordered, what else, seafood bisque. Very good accompanied with garlic toast and two deep fried wontons stuffed with shrimp and ginger. They were the best. All in all a pretty good late lunch. They also had an array of daily specials and our server said their pastas are worth considering.

It’s worth a visit if you want a change from a pub lunch. Check this up their menu here:
http://www.bisquerestaurant.ca/lunchmenu.htm

Just saying…

Not long ago our coffee gang tried the Taste Cafe in the Beach Club retail complex at 173 Island Highway West. It is a great location with a view of the beach and ocean and the patio would be perfect in the summer months.

Y

They have a good selection of Tea and Coffee along with pastries. However, I  don’t think it will satisfy an early morning caffeine fix since they don’t open till 9 on weekdays and 10 on Saturday. Also they are closed on Sunday and Monday and Holidays too. Definitely not Starbucks hours!

We sat inside and while I don’t like to sound negative the place is kind of cold. Not warm and inviting at all. The chairs are truly uncomfortable metal things. Don’t plan on parking here with your iPad or laptop. You won’t be comfortable.

Having said that, the coffee was good and the cake I had was delicious. If you are craving a coffee between 9 and 4, give it a try. But I’m not going back until the sun is shining in their patio in June.

Just saying…

 

 

On Friday I met some pals for lunch at the BLACK GOOSE on Resort Drive in Parksville. It was not the first visit but the first lunch there in a long time. The former McClure house is a funky old building, quite charming with lots of classic wood paneling. It seems like a pub and acts like a pub but it’s not a pub. It’s a restaurant masquerading as a pub.

The menu is loaded with items that you would expect to find in an English Pub. Fish & Chips, meat pies, bangers and mash etc. They also feature a good range of beer. My choice for lunch was a Steak & Mushroom Pie, a small one, which was delicious. To wash it down I enjoyed an Erdinger no alcohol beer probably the best one yet. On other visits I have enjoyed the Fish & Chips and the Hamburger. All good. You can perouse the menu here:

http://www.blackgooseinn.com/menu-at-the-black-goose-inn/

In true English Pub style you place your order at the bar and the food is delivered to your table.
In the summer a large outdoor area is available too. Lots of parking in front.

The Black Goose is not my favourite pub but it is pretty darn good. If you have not been you really should try it out.

Just saying…

We commented on FRANJIEJO’S Bakery Cafe on their opening day in July but on a Costco run to Comox today we decided to revisit Steven & Carol and have lunch. Glad we did.

Who would think to put a slice of crispy pear in a sandwich? Carol, of course. Prosciutto, Brie, carmelized Onions, a slice of pear and some spinach in between two slices of her own Fig -Walnut Bread. Are you kidding me? This Sandwich was fabulous and only $8.75.  The bread was amazingly flavourful and worked so well with the other ingredients. If you wish, add a soup or salad or both

As expected, we engaged in lively repartee with Steven. When I suggested to him the wine list was somewhat wanting, ie., non existent, he said by the new year they may have a liquor licence. A chilled glass of Pinot Gris from a Vancouver Island winery would go well with many if their menu items. We look forward to it.

If you are in Courtenay/Comox and looking for an interesting lunch give Frankiejo’s a try. You will like this little joint. Here are today’s specials:

You can find them at 501 4th Street in downtown Courtenay. They are on Facebook too. Open Monday through Friday.

 

Just saying…

Despite its fabulous location right on Qualicum Beach, the Beach House Restaurant is, once again, closed and out of business. Too bad the owners couldnt make a go of it. Restaurants are a tough business.

Just saying…

 

 

 

 

An old colleague visiting from Ontario invited us to join him for lunch in Cowichan Bay last week. So we met him at the COW CAFE WEST COAST GRILL located at the south end of the village in the Oceanside Suites Hotel.

We were pleasantly surprised with the place. The cafe overlooks Cowichan Bay through very large windows so you can see the marinas and the boats anchored in the bay as well as a bit of Saltspring Island.

The menu looked really good and all our choices were excellent. Our friend decided on Halibut & Chips.  I chose the Fish Tacos that were delicious while my favourite girl enjoyed some great looking Chicken Tenders. Their fries were hand cut in house and amongst the best I’ve had all summer.

The service was excellent too and our server was a charming young lady who grew up right on Cowichan Bay.

If you are in the area, the Cow Cafe is a good choice if you are looking for lunch.

Check out the menu here: http://cowcafe.ca/menu/

 

Just saying…

For 3 or 4 years we have been driving by RISO in Lantzville, usually heading for the Lantzville Pub. Each time I think, we must try RISO. Friends Mike & Lorna raved about it and said we must go. So today, finding myself in an uncooking mood, we decide on a late lunch at RISO.

Not knowing how busy they were we made an advance reservation for a table on the patio. It was going to be 27C today so outside dining was the right choice. We arrived at 1:15 and were seated on the large and rather funky patio. It was perfect. After perusing the menu, we saw Brunch items. Too late for brunch. Why NO!

Eggs Benedict with salad. Full order for me and half order for my favourite girl. She ordered a glass of Kettle Valley Pinot Gris while I ordered my first Bloody Caesar of the year. Where have they been?

The Eggs Benny were exceptional, perfectly cooked with the brightest yellow free range eggs served on in house made toast. The Hollandaise was especially tasty and our server shared a secret with us. They put a little grapefruit in the sauce. Oh my!

 

The Pinot Gris was a beautiful rose colour so after finishing the Benny’s we decided to each have a glass and enjoy the patio for a while. Delicious.

RISO is also a Bakery so lots of great looking breads and deserts are offered. The menu includes a roster of pizza, two of which passed by out table. They looked wonderful. They have soups,  sandwiches, salads and daily specials.

Here is the fall schedule.

 

Heading to or from Nanaimo, consider a stop at this really delightful spot right on the main drag in Lantzville. We will be back.

https://risofoods.wordpress.com/about/

Just saying…

Who doesn’t like good Fish & Chips? Not us, that is for sure. On Vancouver Island there are many excellent places to enjoy this perennial favourite. Most pubs have good Fish & Chips. Even the White Spot does an excellent rendition. There is Bare Bones in Port Alberni, Red Fish Blue Fish in Victoria, and the Rock Cod Cafe in Cowichan Bay. All worthy of a visit.

However, last night was FISH and CHIP night at the EAGLECREST GOLF Club in Qualicum Beach. Some neighbours organized a table for eight at the golf course. TALON’S, the clubhouse dining room is fairly modest, definitely not Capilano or Oak Bay, but the food was good, served promptly at very reasonable prices.

Two piece Cod & Chips for $14. One piece Halibut $16. I enjoyed the Cod while my favourite girl ordered the Halibut. The piece of Halibut was really large so, of course, I was able to help out with it too. The coleslaw was excellent and a generous serving. The Tartar sauce was ok, but I’ve had much better. Chips were excellent and plentiful too.

Eaglecrest Golf Course is open to the public so if you are in the Qualicum Beach area and have a Fish & Chip craving, check it out. Friday nights are Fish and Chip nights. Talon’s has other special nights too. Wings on Wednesday, Prawns on Thursday, Schnitzel on Saturday.

Here is the full menu: http://www.eaglecrestgolfclub.ca/golf/emailer2020/img/eaglecrestgolfclub/2017_Talon’s_menu.pdf.

There is also a very nice patio overlooking the course waiting for you.

Just saying…