Bob Winkler

The best carnitas I ever had was in the old town square in Santa Fe NM last week. Went back for seconds, I did.

I take those 'long skinny thingies' and hang them in my little chief smoker for about 8 hours with a mixture of apple and alder chips. I also fill a rack of 'long skinny thingies' laid sideways and basted with a thin coat of oyster sauce and smoke them at the same time. Most of the fat comes out and the smoky and less sweet flavour is wonderful.

and in Nanaimo the Blue Ginger has good sushi but is not cheap.

Well I turned around and I said oh, oh oh Well I turned around and I said oh, oh oh Well I turned around and I said ho, ho And the northern lights commenced to glow And she said, with a tear in her eye Watch out where the huskies go, and don’t you eat that yellow snow Watch out where the huskies go, and don’t you eat that yellow snow DON’T EAT THE YELLOW SNOW Frank Zappa (approx 1969)

If life hands you limes, break out the tequila!!!!

There are not many restaurants in this part of the world where casual attire is not acceptable. We tend to be pretty laid back.

My wife and I had lunch at Amrikko's in Nanaimo the other day, it was very very good. recommended if you like (East) Indian food. Amrikko's is down in Departure Bay, right across from the beach.

Also in Courtenay is Tita's, which has excellent and surprisingly authentic Mexican. Havent tried that one, where is it?

Tigh-na-mara has great Sunday brunches. So does the Longwood Station in Nanaimo.

Kalvas Seafood (on the main drag) is always good. So is Captain Jims. If you are going a bit north (Courtenay) then I would strongly recommend the Thai Kitchen if you like Thai food. I have had Thai food in many parts of North America and it is one of the best.

There is a pub in Victoria BC Canada that has a very good seafood club (or clubhouse) sandwich. You would never know it to read the contents. Most of them look really good, but the fourth entry is "Crap" which does give me pause