ExploreVancouverIsland | VanFoodies.com

Posts Tagged ‘ExploreVancouverIsland’

[Travel] Cuckoo Trattoria & Pizzeria, Coombs BC

Posted in Bread, Italian, Joyce, Lunch, Pasta, Pizza, Restaurants, Travel, Vancouver Island, tagged Coombs, Country Market, Cuckoo Italian Restaurant, ExploreBC, ExploreVancouverIsland, Goats on the Roof, Hats, Pasta, Pizza, Spaghetti Carbonara, Travel, Vancouver Island on August 31, 2017| Leave a Comment »

If you are asking for suggestions around Mid Vancouver Island, almost everyone would tell you about this little town named Coombs. According to Wikipedia, the town of Coombs has a population of 1,300+ but they welcome thousands and thousands of visitors every year. So what’s there?

The biggest draw is definitely the Old Country Market, better known as the Goats on the Roof Market. Namely, there are living goats on the roof! We were lucky to see a few of them grazing and chilling on the roof.

Inside, it’s a giant grocery store/market. A lot of local and imported food products, as well as a deli/food counter. I have picked up some candied smoked salmon jerky there and they were very good. And best find at the market? Mr. found a Panama Hat that fits his gigantic head, and I scored a $5 Sun Hat!

Mr. and I with our new hats

While we were there, we had lunch at the Cuckoo Trattoria Italian Restaurant next door. It has a good selection of pasta and pizza dishes. (more…)

Read Full Post »

[Travel] Gabriel’s Cafe, Nanaimo BC

Posted in Breakfast, Brunch, Burger, Cafe, Casual, Eat Local, Joyce, Lunch, Nanaimo, Restaurants, Sandwiches, Sustainable, Travel, Vancouver Island, West Coast, tagged Breakfast, Brunch, Explore Vancouver Island, ExploreBC, ExploreVancouverIsland, Gabriel's Cafe, Lunch, Nanaimo, Pancakes, salmon burger, Vancouver Island, Wrap on August 23, 2017| Leave a Comment »

For those of you who follow me on social media, you would know that we took a trip to Vancouver Island. It was a pretty epic trip — travelled from Nanaimo to Port Hardy and San Josef Bay in the northwest corner, and everywhere in between — 2,300km in 9 days.

First stop, Nanaimo. It was brunch time when we arrived in Nanaimo. Downtown Nanaimo has no shortage of brunch options, and Gabriel’s Cafe caught my eyes. Gabriel’s is about eat local, farm to table.

Food

Ordering wasn’t an easy task for me, because I was just recovering from a bad stomach flu. I had to pick something light so I avoided pulled pork, braised beef, or anything rich and heavy. I opted for the Breakfast #11 — Coconut Milk Pancakes with Roasted Apples, Seasonal Fruit and Yogurt. I thought coconut milk pancakes wouldn’t be too heavy and there would be a good dose of fruit on the plate. Haha the portion size was not for the faint of heart. (more…)