tofino

Hotels - Swanky - Inn on the Anasazi - good location to plaza and restaurants Rancho de San Juan - located about a 40 minute drive northwest of Santa Fe (near Ojo Caliente). I still think this is one of the nicest properties anywhere in the southwest - if you are looking for beautiful rooms, without the hustle and bustle of Santa Fe - go here! Casa Chimenas (Taos) - outstanding property just outside of town!! Not as swanky - Inn on the Alameda - great standby Grant Corner Inn - small B&B, great location! The Fechin Inn (Taos) - good value, chain hotel - walk to town. Restaurants: Geronimos - the perennial favorite Cowgirl Hall of Fame - local fare and local color (trust me) Cafe Pasquals - good anytime, but a dynamite breakfast Trading Post Cafe (Taos) - wow, enough said! El Paragua (Espanola) - great nachos, taco plates - takeout spot next door does killer breakfast burritos - oh yeah - great sopapillas! Tons more stuff available - talk to the locals when you arrive to get the latest recommendations!!

yes... the good ones become a concierge at least that is/was the case of those with the "gift of the gab" like our Chris/Tofino Nice to hear from you Chris ← Hey Bob, Happy New Year to you!! SOBO opens next week, can't wait - you would have liked all our storms in the last week - 800mm of rain!! Chris

Labour pool is limited generally, but our night serving team is very experienced, and I believe we have 4-5 sommeliers on staff. Evening servers don't leave here as frequently as other positions due to a busy winter crowd (we still run about 70% occupancy throughout the winter), and because of menu pricing and wine selection average check pricing is about $85-90pp. Always need room service, private bar staff (because of the experience level of our evening staff, most day staff have been evening staff at other decent restaurants around BC). Otherwise its the usual, young staff that feel Tofino is perfect until they tire of the lack of fast food (thank god none here), lack of malls and decide to head back to their version of 'civilization'. Being a 40 something guy, I don't need or even think of those things, but it is something to consider for young staff thinking of heading this way.. As for managers, just about everyone on our senior management team has come through the Front Office team (very highly trained), including Chef Concierge, Concierge, Front Office Manager, Accountant, Group Services, Human Resources, Spa Manager, Restaurant Manager, Director of Operations - you see what I mean - this is definitely a property that promotes from within whenever able. Chris

Awesome info Chris ... you be my hook-up in Tofino! You've saved me some of that Note Bene you snapped up from me, right?? Are you finding the improved Canuck buck is hurting business at all? Arne ← High end business is a little off, but the phones are ringing off the hook! As for the Nota Bene it didn't survive the Christmas purge - haha - all tasted fantastic by the way!! Numbers at the Inn looking good through spring and summer - let the floodgates open!! Chris

Bacchus for a client friendly would be perfect. As a side when I dined at Chambar on Monday night, even though they were only serving DOV menus, and the website says they are sold out, the bartender said they are much quieter on the DOV night because typical walk in traffic wasn't happenng because the word out there was that they were sold out, when actually they still have a lot of room left, most evenings.

Monthly trip into Vancouver got to finally do Chambar on Monday night. From start to finish it was excellent, sat at the bar to outstanding service from the bartender - had the DOV choices of Belgian Endive salad to start, Lamb Tagine for main (not enough places do tagine at all, needless to say do it really well -but this was outstanding!), then the belgian waffle for dessert - for $25 it was excellent value all around. Front of the house being looked after by ex-Lumiere staff - it shows - very well run property - already planning to go back on my next trip. Chris

OK just the facts: January was wet and a lot of the restaurants were closed, but hey what the hell, February is right around the corner and everyone is back in business - woo-ha. Oh, yeah Paul Mitchell, not too many news reports about the rain in Tofino - haha - 800 mm and we brush it off like its nothing. As we say no such thing as bad weather just bad clothes. Who is open as of now: Shelter - 7 days a week - still doing a great job - dinner only Schooner - 7 days a week - breakfast, lunch and dinner - new lounge opened on right side of room as you enter - nice side option for casual dining Raincoast Cafe - 7 days a week - new this week Tapa Tuesdays from 7:30pm onwards with live entertainment - regular dining on Tuesdays up til 6:30pm only. Starting Sunday brunch as of the end of January. Long Beach Lodge - 7 days a week Pointe Restaurant - 7 days a week - breakfast lunch and dinner Blue Heron/Weigh West Pub - 7 days a week The Loft - 7 days a week - 3 meals a day The Fin Eatery - takeout fish and chip joint in the Beaches parking lot Big Daddys Fish Fry - daily Cafe Vincente - soups, sandwiches and great coffee Coffee Pod - daily The CommonLoaf - daily Feb 1st additions (or right around there): SOBO - thank god - I am down a few fish tacos on my quota Breakers - reopening for good takeout deli food. March 1st (or right around there) Cafe Pamplona - my personal fav - great setting, great food Tough City Sushi - yeah Crazy Rons place, still a lot of fun with very good sushi still rumours of a couple of potential new spots for the spring, I will keep all advised as the scenery changes - have a great day!! Until next time...... Chris

All true on the purge - got confirmation from someone who was part of the group let go - no notice - very sudden - too bad!

Slow Food is alive and well in Western Canada with one of the fastest growing groups in the world being part of the Vancouver Island Convivium, with its members including some of the top restauranteurs on the Island. With Peter Zambri of Zambri's and Sinclair Philips of the Sooke Harbour House both being actively involved we have many scheduled dinners, discussions and get togethers. This is an outstanding group that I have been a member of for 2 years now, and it is worth joining just for the books that arrive quarterly, that for people who enjoy egullet and are 'foodies' they will get huge benefits from the books. Hurry fast and join Slow! haha!

Biased agreement with Merlin on the Pointe Restaurant in Tofino - haha- otherwise I would recommend for casual Spinnakers Brew Pub in Victoria (just far enough away from downtown to avoid the crush, yet great views over the inner harbour with outstanding pub food - with all breads etc baked on site). In Vancouver, C comes to mind without a doubt, and even the Boathouse (?) in Horseshoe Bay has great views of the harbour with the ferries coming in. Otherwise, any restaurant with decent food within view of the water is a blessed thing whether that be the ocean, river or lake. Seasons Greetings to all from the wild west coast - may you and your families have a safe and peaceful holiday season.

Not really tapas, but appetizers and entrees standard style - just lots of neat tastes - they do have several spreads etc that could be a perfect compliment to several other appetizers as well - getting hungry!!

OK, got the real deal!! The restaurant is called 'Restaurant 62' and is located at 106-2001 McCallum Rd. off exit 90 in Abbotsford. Run don't walk to get there, the atmosphere is beautiful, food exquisite, and while the service is a little green, the owners are constantly doing extensive wine training with them and have nowhere to go but up. Don't let the exterior scare you, owner Eric Ferris has created a stunning setting in the middle of an unassuming office building. Definitely do the ginger spring rolls served with a spicy sauce -mmmmm!! Phone number is 604-855-3545 ask for Eric or Heidi and tell them the Big W sent ya!

Thanks so far for all the recommendations - can't wait for the trip next weekend!!

Any suggestions for Nelson would be great as well, we have a couple of open days for stops on the way there and on the way back - thanks for the help!

Will be visiting the East Kootenays between December 7th and 13th (spending a couple of nights in Lake Louise at The Post) but looking for any recommendations in the Golden, Radium Hot Springs area - fine dining or kickback casual - we like everything, don't go to chain restaurants, but otherwise like good food, prepared and served well - HELP???

Not positive but think I heard Deep Cove Chalet is up for sale???

Hey Paul, Feenies on West Broadway - still a classy way to have lunch without the higher prices of Lumiere. Rangoli - Vij's new lunch spot, ate there the Anthony Bourdain weekend and loved it. Picnic - for more of a casual spot for the group to hang out - excellent food. Memphis Blues BBQ (or something like that) - super casual, decent and affordable beers and wines Maurya on west broadway - not sure about lunch, but great Indian food. I still think Feenies is the way to go - yummm, fancy hamburgers and poutine......

If you decide to head out this way for your honeymoon, whether staying at the Wick or not, please feel free to send me an email with any questions you may have with respect to lodging, dining or activities - I would be glad to help! Until next time....... Chris concierge@wickinn.com

Once again, super delinquent with a reply! Yes the evening at Hamilton Street Grill was fabulous. It was great to be able to finally meet everyone, and being out here in middle of nowhere to interact with like minded foodies. The Nota Bene is safely stored away, thank you to all for not over bidding on me, my hands were cramping up from writing so much - haha! To Neil and the gang, my heartfelt congratulations to you and your staff (say hello to Jayelle), definitely a memory that will last a long time. To all of my fellow egulleters, thanks for a beautiful evening - it felt like going to a big house party with a group of friends! My wife Shari-Lynn had a great time - thankyou, thankyou, thankyou!!! Until next time......... Chris

Speaking on the north central section (Mad River Valley - Waitsfield/Warren) Pitcher Inn - previously mentioned in this line - a great Relais & Chateaux property - say hello to Ari who heads up the dining room Big World Pub - doesn't look like much from the outside - but boy can they cook inside - try the 'dog bones' American Flatbread - yummm - enough said! The Spotted Cow - small upscale diner The Den - great locals spot - killer burgers - say hello to John and Bobby - two brothers who own the spot The Common Man - after the Pitcher Inn - the next upscale spot in the area The Millcroft Inn - on hwy 17 - outstanding food with Indian twists - always good - nice wine list a couple of other spots - not sure of recent reviews but when we lived there they were on the favorites list. Marys - mentioned earlier at Baldwin Creek - fabulous Marsala Salsa in Waterbury - some of the hottest vindaloo ever - so good with a Vermont microbrew. Thrush Tavern in Montpelier - good burgers and soups wow - now I am hungry and living over 3000 miles from Vermont, but really needing a Vermont fix - envy all of you living so close!!

Will be here pretty much right through, let me know once you get into town, and we can try to get together for some drinks! Chris

The spot to go is Trilogy, which unfortunately has closed until later this fall. They are reknowned in this area for their fresh seafood, and house smoked salmons. The West Coast Fish Market on Campbell (this is the one I think you are speaking of) is very good, and all products should be very fresh. Otherwise you might want to check out the local CO-OP who have as of late been carrying more local fresh seafood. Otherwise, it will have to be through the local restaurants for the best of the fresh. Have a great time!!

No, but say hello to Rick and Kiera if you end up going on Friday - great spot!

Mixed bag here - was in Vancouver last week for a meeting and in 24 hours I packed in the following Monday Lunch - Wild Rice - very quiet at 12:30pm, good service, had the Bison plate - which with a couple of nice cold beers was fabulous - first time in, would go back for sure! Monday Dinner(?) - kind of a travelling dinner that night, starting at a smal reception at Aqua Riva - fabulous service and food - again first time but a definite return is in order. We headed from here to the 1st anniversary party at Feenies - great fun, good food (love those mini burgers!) and for a small town boy - a very eye-opening experience. Tuesday Lunch - Rodneys Oyster House in Yaletown - again first time, first guy in for an early lunch - guys behind the bar were amazing - moules done in a black bean sauce, and frites - but had to start with some Pickle Point Oysters - one of my new favorites for casual hangout spot!! Tuesday afternoon - home to Tofino - diet! - haha!

Couple of friends of mine have opened a new place, I believe in Abbottsford called Six Two (6'2") not sure which they are using. Anyone had a chance to try this place yet??