Just came back from time in BC (I live in Seattle and the exchange rate is VERY favorable right now) and had 3 excellent meals. Sooke Harbour House is about 20 miles outside of Victoria set along Stait of Juan de Fuca. You look out at the Olympic Mountains in Washington state. They grow many of their own veggies and have contracted with local, small farmers in the area. The food they serve is wonderful and the atmosphere is comfortable. Unfortunately I can't remember most of the menu but I had a wonderful, warming but not heavy soup made with Chanterelles, a gentle wild mushroom that is in season at this time of year. I followed that with a Venison dish that was perfectly cooked and perfectly seasoned. I asked for suggestions for wine as I was dining alone and was given a great white to go with the soup and generous tastes of a couple before making my choice of a red for the venison. So all in all, the food was top notch, the atmosphere comfortable and interesting (lots of art work but not pretentious at all) and the service friendly, helpful and not at all intimidating. (PS the bill, including wine,an Irish Coffee and tip was about $50 US ($77 Canadian) After hiking in East Sooke Regional Park (should not be missed by anyone going to that area) I took the ferry to Salt Spring Island, one of the Gulf Islands. My dinner reservation there was for Hastings House which, rightfully so, has a top notch reputation. First of all, the setting is superb. Just above the town of Ganges, at the head of a harbor, you feel like you are in your own special private place. Their garden is lovely - food and flowers. They serve cocktails in front of the fire before seating you for dinner. (Reservations are a must, even mid week, off season). The meal is a 5 course Price Fixe meal with choice only of entree. (they ask about allergies etc when you call for reservations) The starter was Seared local Scallops with pepper salsa and tomato coulis. Although the flavor was good, I was chilled and would have preferred a hot dish to start. Luckily the next course was soup - Roasted Pheasant Broth with Winter Veggies and was tasty, light yet warming at the same time. The salad course had their own Bibb Lettuce with their own Pears and English Stilton. Great combo. For an entree, I had Ahi Tuna with Chanterelle Mushroom Risotto topped with Celery Root "Hay" - small pieces deep fried. The celery by itself was kind of boring, but put some of each together and it was heaven. The final course was Raspberry Mouse with Orange Cointreau Creme Anglais and Almond Tuile. Even though I am NOT a raspberry mouse affectionado, it was goo. I had 3 glasses of wine (I was staying within walking distance thank goodness) and the bill came to about $75 US with tip. The dinner without wine or tip is $65 Canadian or $42 US. My third meal was lunch in Victoria at Herald Street Cafe. Have been going there for many years and have always been happy. I ordered what I thought was a simple sandwich - boy was I surprised. It was a piece of french bread (one piece so open faced) topped with grilled zuccini, red pepper and eggplant, and wonderfully flavored lamb. Came with mashed potatoes, carmelized onions and fancy pretty potato chips. The price of the sandwich without tip was $11.50 Canadian or $7.50 US and was a huge meal. Mary Ayres Seattle
British Columbia, Canada