For reasons unknown I have been bypassing TAN’S KITCHEN on 19A in Parksville since it opened Two or more years ago. Not sure why but since the parking lot is almost always  full I thought I’d give it a try. Glad I did.

Tan’s Kitchen is Chinese, North American Chinese I would say, but surprisingly good. Not as good as my all time favourite, Red CHILI in North Vancouver or Pink Pearl in Vancouver but as good as Capilano Heights, where we went for many years when we lived in North Vancouver. It’s certainly at least as good the venerable Ming’s in Victoria where I have dined many times.
The owners formerly owned a Chinese Restaurant in Port Alberni for 16 years before moving to Parksville and opening TAN’S. So they should know what they are doing and they do.

This restaurant is quite large and quite nice featuring both tables and booths. The decor is classic Chinese with paper lanterns, fans and other oriental decor items.

Open for lunch and dinner Tan’s features a large Buffett. I don’t fancy buffets so when I visited a very sweet young Chinese server brought me a menu. Very extensive as you expect in a Chinese restaurant. They have a number of Combo plates which are perfect when dining alone. I chose the Prawns, Sweet & Sour Chicken Balls and Chow Mein. The latter was delicious! The Prawns were in batter and deep fried, typical fare in most Chinese places but very tasty. The Sweet & Sour Chicken Balls were really good and I loved the flavour of the sauce. The serving was very generous too. $12.95 for it all. Paired it with a Tsingtao Beer.
The service was friendly and very efficient and the food was nicely presented and piping hot.

I took a good look at the Buffet on on the way out and my server suggested I try the buffet next time. “It’s very popular, you should try” she proclaimed proudly.  Sorry, I’m not doing the Buffet. However, there are quite a number of Szechuan items on the menu that might be worth trying for those of us who like 🌶 Spicy. They claim no MSG added too!

Tan’s also do Take Out, of course, plus free delivery within 4 kilometres. I’m thinking our gang of refugees from the mainland may choose Tan’s for our next at home event.  Perhaps the Dinner for ten at $128.  Not bad.

Free WiFi is available. Perfect if you can use your iPad and handle chop sticks concurrently.

Tan’s is at 332 Island Highway West in Parksville. Reservations and Delivery 250-586-8828. Open Tuesday through Sunday.

If you have not tried Tan’s and if you like Chinese Food, and who doesn’t, drop in and try it out.  I certainly plan to return. I think my favourite girl will like it too!

Just saying…

Seriously, Port Alberni is pretty much devoid of charm. In my view this Mill town just not inviting. However, if you must go, or if you have taken visitors to Cathedral Grove, you might want to drive a few more miles since there are some eateries worth considering!  Or, perhaps you are a bit peckish returning from Long Beach. Here are a few suggestions.

We have enjoyed BARE BONES Fish & Chips. It’s on the main road if you are heading to Tofino and you will find it in an old church. They cook your fish to order, deep fried in regular batter, Panko batter, or grilled. Cod, Halibut and Salmon are all offered. We tried the traditional Halibut and it was delicious. We were there in the summer so chose the patio which is a bit noisy since it’s on the main drag but still pleasant. Inside, an open kitchen overlooks eating area some of which includes old church pews for seating. We loved it! If you fancy Fish, try Bare Bones

One spot we have not tried yet is the J & L DRIVE IN, an old style joint with car hops. A throw back to the 60’s, it’s actually been in business for more than 40 years. Burgers, Milkshakes, Fries & Onion Rings are the old faithfuls. My Hot Rod friend Paul has taken his 64 Chevy to a Friday Night Hot Rod soirée here and his report is that the Burgers are excellent. And he knows burgers. Planning on a touch of nostalgia here this summer.

A few miles past Port Alberni on the Tofino road is DRINKWATERS. This is a beautiful restaurant/bar, very tastefully decorated and featuring two large decks overlooking Sproat Lake. We found the food and service really good on our two stops here. The menu is not huge but there is something good for everyone. Featured are a range of Appetizers to share, including Moules Frittes, Nachos, Fish Tacos or the Charcuterie & Cheese board for two. Choose one of these, paired with a glass of vino and enjoy the deck,  the lake view, and the Beaver Dam in front. They also have seven upscale hotel rooms if you want to stay over. Open Friday to Sunday right now but more when summer arrives. Check on hours before you go.

http://www.sproatlakelanding.com
One more stop you may want to consider, especially if you like Schnitzel, is LITTLE BAVARIA, not far from the Quay. Serving up Bavarian food since 1966, they offer 9 different schnitzels. The Chef, Ava, has been producing schnitzels here since 1983. We have not yet been but I’ve heard very positive reports. Trip Adviser reviews are almost all Excellent ratings and include comments from ‘Wonderful German’ to ‘Authentically Awesome’. Looks like a winner. Open Monday to Friday for lunch and every night for dinner.

http://www.littlebavariarestaurant.com

A drive down to the Port Alberni Quay is always worthwhile and there are some eateries there too. The nearby CLAM BUCKET looks worth a try. Haven’t tried it but you might want to.

http://www.clambucket.ca

Port Alberni, not really picturesque but some really good places to eat.
Just saying…

Here is an adventure you should seriously consider if you are in the Parksville/ Qualicum Beach area.  Visit the Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park and take a subterranean tour. It is certainly worth the time and expense.

Apparently there are about a thousand caves on Vancouver Island but the most accessible are the Horne Lake Caves. About a year ago my good friend Tim and I headed to the Horne Lake Caves. We took a guided one hour tour of the main cave with two other couples and an excellent and knowledgeable guide. It was truly a fabulous experience. If you can’t walk uphill, climb over rocks and up and down ladders, watch a video. Caving is not for you. If you are claustrophobic, don’t even think about it! But if you are reasonably agile and fit you can do it.

You need good footwear. No Flip Flops or Crocs. It’s cool and damp underground, about 45F, 8C, so long sleeves and long pants is a good plan. The longer the tour, the more you will want to wear. Be sure and take your camera.

We began by walking up a long winding trail to the cave entrance. It was the most strenuous part of the tour. At the cave entrance we descended on a steep ladder into the cave then hiked some distance into the cave. Climbing over and around rocks, sometimes crouching where the ceiling is low, we saw stalagmites and stalagtites and many other interesting formations. The guide explained the history and the geology of everything we encountered. All quite fascinating.

We were all wearing helmets with headlamps, but at one point we all turned out our lights. Nothing could be darker than standing in an unlit cave. Literally, you could not see your fingers in front of your face. Black, period.

The main cave tour is $27 per person but there are several longer and pricier and more challenging experiences. All the tours and prices can be found on their website. There are some really good videos on the website too. Reservations are necessary. You can book by phone or online.

Home

Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park is just 30 kilometres north west of Qualicum Beach. Take the Horne Lake turn off Highway 19.  Check it out.
Just saying…

Wandering off the Island Highway always seems a good idea to me. Slower, prettier, and frequently some interesting points of interest or restaurants offering up deliciousness. Just south of Duncan is the village of Cowichan Bay. If you have not visited lately it is absolutely worthy of a visit.

Basically Cow Bay (as the locals call it) is a one street town with all the businesses on the water side of the road. Behind the various shops are a string of marinas making it a popular overnight spot for boaters. We have done just that and availed ourselves of the fuel dock too. Our last ever fill up of two of four tanks was only $960. Yikes.

Food is a definite feature in Cowichan Bay so you will want to arrive when you are hungry. Whether it is fine dining at the MASTHEAD, Fish & Chips at the ROCK COD CAFE or a pub lunch at the COW BAY PUB, you will find something edible to satisfy your taste buds here.

TRUE GRAIN BREAD is a must visit as they turn out wonderful baked goods and you’ll want to take some home. Nearby is HILARY’S CHEESE COMPANY where you can enjoy a local cheese and wine tasting! That sounds nearly perfect. Or you may sit down and order one of their outstanding quiches. We can recommend them.

There are a couple of coffee joints too if you are craving that no fat latte. Drop into GET PHIL’D UP.  Maybe you arrive on a sunny afternoon and ice cream is your desire. Try THE ORIGINAL UDDER GUYS ICE CREAM. They make their own every day right in Cowichan Bay.

Now that you are fed and watered pay a visit to the Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre. It’s is a really well done Museum in a building that hangs out over the bay. Included is a collection of vintage outboard motors. The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday from 9-4. I expect they have longer openings during the summer.

Before departing take a stroll down the Cowichan Bay Fisheman’s Dock. Great views of the bay and good boat watching too.

So, get off the main roads and enjoy some of the small town delights.

Just saying…

Residents of and visitors to Vancouver Island often drive the island highway without exploring some of the towns and attractions that are off the highway. Returning home from Victoria we often take to the side roads and cruise through Mill Bay, Cowichan Bay, Maple Bay, Crofton, and Saltair picking up the main road in Ladysmith. The trip is slower but far more interesting. Winding roads, and usually very little traffic makes for a driver’s delight.

One out of the way places you could, no should, consider is Genoa Bay. As you drive through Duncan, Turn at Trunk Road and head East ( There is a Chevron on one corner a PetroCan on the other). Follow the signs to Maple Bay. Then turn right on the Genoa Bay Road and at the end of the road you are at the Bay. It’s about 10 kilometres.

Why would you want to go there? Firstly, it’s a pretty drive. Secondly, you may want to dine at the excellent GENOA BAY CAFE. Overlooking the Bay and Marina, this cafe caters to boaters and landlubbers alike. It’s cozy inside and in good weather the large deck is very inviting. Open for lunch and dinner, the food is delicious. The emphasis is on locally sourced ingredients.

If you are lunching you may like the Brandied Garlic Escargot as an appetizer or the Manila Clams in White wine or the Famous Calamari. Halibut & Chips is a great choice for a big appetite or maybe an Angus Beef Burger. For dinner consider the Seafood Jambalaya or the Whiskey Walnut Apricot Stuffed Pork Loin. Finish with a Traditional Creme Brûlée. I have never met one I didn’t like. .

Consider arriving on Friday or Saturday for the Prime Rib dinner but be sure and make a reservation. Be sure you call ahead to see if they are open. Right now dinner only on Wednesday & Thursday. Lunch & Dinner on Friday through Sunday. Their hours expand during the boating season. You can peruse the complete menu here.

http://www.genoabaycafe.com

Before or after you dine, stroll down the docks. Check out the Marina Store. You might run into Will or Ben Kiedaisch, the owners, two of the friendliest guys anywhere. Take a look at the visiting yachts and you can dream about owning one. Or if you did own one you can admire them, smugly knowing you are not paying for the fuel, moorage and maintenance.
Genoa Bay is charming, friendly, and a wonderful place for lunch or dinner. Well worth the drive❗

Just saying…

One of the great drives on Vancouver Island is a road trip to Port Renfrew on the West Coast. From the Oceanside area where we are it is 179 kilometres and will take you 3 hours. Take the Island Highway to Duncan and make a right turn at #18, the Cowichan Valley Highway. Continue through Lake Cowichan to Mesachie Lake and then turn left on the Pacific Marine Road. This road is a logging road, now fully paved. It is windy and twisty, a drivers delight. There are still some single lane bridges and on week days you will encounter logging trucks which seem to favour the middle of road, adding to the excitement.   There is no centre line, by the way.

The scenery is spectacular through one of the great logging areas of the province. You will see old growth, new reforested growth and clear cuts too.

There is not much in Port Renfrew as the full time population is only 140 or so. But there are a few resorts if you choose to stay over. Big Fish Lodge or Wild Renfrew Seaside Cottages look interesting. If you are stopping for lunch check out the eateries on Trip Advisor before you go. There are 5 spots for lunch but I’d likely choose the Pub.

On our last two trips on this route we took a picnic and enjoyed a beach near Jordan River watching Surfers whilst sipping on a chilled bottle of Rosé.

The best option would be to continue to Point No Point, 58 kilometres further down the coast, just south of Jordan River. It is wonderful spot overlooking Juan De Fuca Strait and the Olympic Mountains in Washington State. You might want to overnight here or at least stop for lunch.The rooms look charming and cosy. The menu looks inviting. We spend a romantic afternoon there years ago when I was courting my favourite girl. I think we need to go back and stay over.

http://www.pointnopointresort.com

Why not make it a round trip through Victoria. You can do it in one long day if you are a driving nut like me but a sleepover in Port Renfrew, Point no Point, Sooke, or Victoria is probably more prudent. On Day two you could visit the KINSOL Trestle or a couple of wineries on the way home.

Just saying…

 

 

 

 

Just when I was running out of eateries on which to report, my friend Tim suggested I meet him for lunch in Nanaimo at CARLOS O’BRYANS Pub today. I’m glad he did because this pub is right on the water overlooking a marina and sitting beside Stones Boatyard. So there is lots to see.

CARLOS O’BRYANS is a chain with pubs in several BC cities. A sister chain, Kelly O’Bryans is a neighbourhood restaurant in some other locations.  I had not heard of them before.  Based in Kelowna, the the boss man is Reg Henry.

The Nanaimo property is a Pub and a nice one, too. Formerly it was known as Muddy Waters, a joint I never frequented, but it has been completely redone. It has a cosy interior with a big brick fireplace, a big bar, mostly high tables and a great Maritime view. At least 12 big flat screens were on without sound so it could be a goto place for sports fans. In warm weather there is a big deck hanging over the water. I will be trying it out this summer for sure.

The menu is very much Pub food. PACHOS are the featured appetizer. Lattice style fries with a variety of toppings. From burgers to seafood to Prime Rib, the menu is pretty inviting. We opted for the special today, Prime Rib, rice and bean Burrito. Mine arrived with a Caesar salad, Tim’s with lattice fries. Very tasty indeed.

Of course there is a wide range of beer available.

If you are in Nanaimo and looking for a pub lunch or dinner, CARLOS O’BRYANS could be the place for you. I liked it and will be back.

It is located at 1724 Stewart Street just east of the Departure Bay Ferry Terminal. Lots of free parking too.

https://www.kobcob.com

Just saying…

 

 

With the Spring Weather finally improving, one begins to think of driving destinations on Vancouver Island. Interesting destinations are plentiful up and down the island and future blogs will elaborate on ones we have visited. But let’s start the season with a visit to the KINSOL TRESTLE.

Train buffs may already know about the KINSOL Trestle but I had not heard of it until moving back to the island. Located near Shawnigan Lake, the Trestle is now a regional Park. Started in 1911 but not finished until 1920 the KINSOL is a fine example of the engineering and construction of wood beam trestles. It is 614 feet long and 145 feet above the Koksilah River. Although abandoned and vandalized over the years, the Trestle has been fully restored and is now a spectacular sight. The tracks have been removed and you stroll across the entire span. It is a pleasant 1.2 kilometre walk from the parking lot to the trestle. Picnic tables are available too, if you are in a picnic mood.

If you are not into lunchtime self sufficiency, then you may want to dine at the Merridale Cidery or at Unsworth Vinyards, both in nearby Cobble Hill. Check their websites to make sure they are open for lunch. We suggest you go on a weekday when it is less busy.

http://www.unsworthvineyards.com
https://www.merridale.ca

If you are into walking or hiking, consider a hike along the Cowichan Valley Trail which extends from the trestle. https://www.cvrd.bc.ca/121/Cowichan-Valley-Trail

To get to the KINSOL Trestle drive south past Duncan on Highway 1 and turn west on the Cobble Hill/Shawnigan Lake road into Shawnigan Lake. Turn right on Renfrew Road and continue to Glen Eagles Road. Turn right and you will find the parking lot.

From Parksville/Qualicum Beach it’s a 90 minute drive each way. Make a day of the drive. Enjoy some history and perhaps some wine tasting too.

If you want to see a Trestle but don’t want to drive far, turn on to Drew Road off of 19A between Parksville and Qualicum Beach, drive up to the tracks and park.  Walk south by the tracks about 100 yards and you are at the French Creek Trestle, the longest on the Island. Quite spectacular.

For more info go to https://www.cvrd.bc.ca/1379/Kinsol-Trestle

Just saying…

Prior to moving to the island we were spoiled with the wide selection of fine Chinese Restaurants in the lower mainland. Our go to place in North Vancouver is RED CHILLI Szechuan Restaurant at 741 Lonsdale. If you are in Vancouver you must try it. Choose the Ginger Beef, Singapore Noodles and Prawns in Black Bean Sauce with peanuts. You will not be disappointed.

On the Island, alas, the choices are few and far between. Tan’s in Parksville apparently has a good Buffett but we have not tried it. Not crazy about buffets. We have heard negative reports on China Kitchen so will give it a pass.

However, on two occasions we have enjoyed, with a large group of friends, take out from the NEW CANTON RESTAURANT in Qualicum Beach. This week the take out included about 10 different items and the food was enthusiastically attacked by the gang. We all thought it was pretty good and would most certainly order from the New Canton again. None of us have dined in the joint so I will make an attempt to do so and report back.

There are several Chinese places in Nanaimo and Ping Hui, the lady at The Winery, told me that Shanghai City is quite good. From two other sources I have heard that DA TANG in Beban Plaza on Bowen Road is very good. It’s Szechuan so it’s spicy. It is well rated on Trip Advisor. I’m going to give it a try. Will it compare to my beloved RED CHILLI? We will see.

If any readers have good things to report on Chinese Food, please let me know by email.

Just saying…

Since moving to Paradise, aka Vancouver Island, we have developed a fondness for pubs, particularly for lunch. There are many fine establishments including Comox’s Black Fin, Qualicum’s Shady Rest, the Rocking Horse in Nanoose, the Lantzville Pub, Spinnaker’s and the Penny Farthing in Victoria, and many more. All unique, all good, all serving great beers and generally good, reasonably priced food.

However there is one pub that, in our opinion, is a step above. In Cedar, south of Nanaimo is our favourite, the CROW AND GATE PUB! Opened in 1972, this great spot was build by a refugee from Sussex, England,  Jack Nash, and it was the first neighbourhood pub in BC.

Constructed in traditional British style with great attention to detail, including Pegged beam & plaster, exposed beams, massive stonework open fireplaces, heavy wood trestle tables. Low ceilings. A real British watering hole.

In the traditional way, you must order both drink and food at the bar. The food is then delivered to your table and it is not just good…it is excellent. My favourite girl always has the Crab Cakes which she proclaims amongst the best anywhere. And she knows crab cakes. I almost always order the Beef Dip. Both are served with fresh crisp salads with a very tasty dressing. Need the dressing recipe? I have it. Not too hungry? Ask for a half order and they are happy to comply.

These are the Crab Cakes.

No deep fryer here, so if you are looking for Fish & Chips, you are in the wrong place.
Here is just some of the other pub fare.

Pan fried oysters
Bratwurst Pub plate
Steak and Mushroom or a Steak & Kidney Pie ( made in house)
Scotch egg pub plate
Stilton & Leek quiche
Ploughmans plate.
Clam chowder
Curried Mac & Cheese

Like Irish Stew? They serve it all day on Friday. Roast Beef? Every Wednesday and Saturday night. We have had it. It is excellent and generous in size.

Libations? The CROW & GATE PUB has a wide range of beers and ales and a wine selection too. Not a drinker? Have a pot of tea in a pot with a knitted tea cozy.

In the summer, this pub has, not a patio, but a fabulous outdoor garden area with picnic tables. It is simply a charming place to enjoy lunch in the sun.

The CROW & GATE PUB is a very popular destination pub so it is always really busy. My recommendation to avoid waiting is to Arrive before 11:45 or after 2:00. Weekends are even busier. Why? Because it is just possibly the best pub on the Island.

If you have not already been, you MUST go. It is just south of Cedar on the road to Yellow Point.

Good thing the CROW & GATE PUB is a 50 minute drive from home, otherwise I would be lunching there several times a week!
Check out their web site at http://crowandgate.ca

Just saying…