Day 11 Western Adventure

Day 11

With the air only slightly beginning to cool, we walked to Wharf Street in search of Red Fish Blue Fish. The line-up from the cargo container in front told us we had found it – an outdoor restaurant with seating at benches facing the waterfront, serving fresh sustainable seafood (Chef was on Canada’’s Top Chef). We got in line and began chatting with the couple in front of us – comparing travel stories. Good timing -shortly after we arrived, the line was cut-off as they prepared to close for the evening.


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Todd and I both ordered the Halibut and Chips…delicious!  While the coleslaw could have been creamier and the tartar sauce had too much dill for my palate, the fish and chips did not disappoint. The halibut was fried in a light crispy tempura batter and the fries were done just the way we like them – crispy, well-done.  Todd also tried their Spicy Pacific Fish Tacone, a piece of white fish with pea shoots, lemon pickled onions and slaw wrapped in a tortilla shell ….. This is a must try eatery!

After breakfast this morning, we planned on packing up, then going for a leisurely walk before checking out. As Todd was packing up his camera gear, he realized the memory card to his Leica was missing. Without getting too panicked, we looked for it EVERYWHERE while continuing to pack.  Coming to the realization that it was going to either show up somewhere really bizarre or be gone for good, Todd began taking luggage out to the truck. I checked the blue bin in the room and upon his return, I remarked that the only place we hadn’t looked was the garbage………GUESS WHAT?!…. Todd must have set it on the paper plate we had meat and cheese on the afternoon before, piled the plates together, then one of us (probably me, as I like to keep things clean) threw the plates in the garbage.

Time for only a short walk along the harbour……, then did a leisurely drive along the coast around the city…some very expensive, gorgeous houses built along the coastal area with amazing view of ocean and mountains…..

 

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On our way to the B&B in Duncan, we stopped at two wineries. First tasting stop was Enrico’s Winery. We sampled the flight of 5 wines and purchased the Pinot Grigio and the Cabernet Foch, both good everyday wines. The owners of this winery are absentee owners – they reside on the island of Hawaii by Kono (nice!!)

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Next stop was Glenterra where the owner took us through tastings of the 4 wines he still had available. The passion for owning the vineyard and producing wine on the Island of Vancouver was evident as he chatted about his experiences over the years at this organic winery, both good and bad…, at the mercy of the weather. Glenterra also has a café with a limited menu of quality food using local ingredients, so we had lunch…it was DELICOUS! We split the Mediterranean Vegetable Strudel (roasted peppers, eggplant, zucchini, sun-dried tomatoes, red onion, feta, and rosemary wrapped in phyllo with maple balsamic reduction), Cubana Sandwich (pork tenderloin, avocado, crispy prosciutto, and garlic aioli served with a coleslaw), and the Dark Chocolate Quinoa Cake.

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One thing we have noticed eating out here  – wine prices are not ridiculously inflated on menus as in ON (same cost as purchasing at the winery/store, or slightly more – so different from the 2 ½ times more we pay when eating out in ON….).


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After such a filling lunch, we stopped at the supermarket in Duncan to pick up some food for a light dinner at the B&B (B&B is outside the city amid many trees – a Northern ON cottage-like setting). We are in a self-sufficient apartment with full kitchen, laundry machines, dining area, living room, bedroom (queen bed…..was getting used to the king……)..….Very relaxing… !

Day 10 Western Adventure

Day 10

The choice for dinner last night was an excellent one ! We headed out of the main downtown area onto a side street in the antique district where we found Sen Zushi. Todd booked a reservation on Open Table after I did some research about the place on TA. We had a great time there….

When we entered and mentioned the reservation, we were warmly greeted and promptly seated in the front area of the restaurant. The décor is rustic Japanese. There is a bar in front of the sushi/sashimi work station and numerous tables that run the length of the restaurant. It was obvious many regulars frequent here, by the greetings to the owner working at the sushi/sashimi bar. Every time someone was leaving the restaurant, the owner and his wife thanked the patrons for visiting.

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We didn’t feel rushed at any time and took our time ordering various items while people-watching and enjoying the energy at Sen Zushi. We started with Miso Soup – a perfect mix of salt and pungent flavours and an order of Edamame Beans which had only a hint of salt (nice change from other places where we have had these overly salty). Next we ordered the Maguro Sashimi (melt-in-your-mouth buttery texture) and Yakitori (perfectly cooked chicken on a skewer with a delicious teriyaki glaze). Then we ordered Goma-Miso Udon to share (Sanuki Udon noodles with chunks of tender white-meat chicken and daikon in a creamy sesame sauce served warm). And, to wrap up the meal, we decided on an order of Yam Tempura for our dessert (lightly fried, perfectly cooked with a side of soya for dipping). This meal at Sen Zushi was the best Japanese food we have had in years and highly recommend it if visiting the Victoria area….

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We took the truck and drove north about 30 minutes to Butchart Gardens this morning (55 acres of garden begun in the early 1900s to cover up a quarry area; comprised of a Japanese Garden, Italian Garden, Rose Garden, Sunken Garden, and so much more…). The gardens are intensely populated by a number of different plants – a huge undertaking to create, a huge undertaking to maintain…

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After exploring the grounds, we headed back towards Victoria and found the State & Church Winery. We were just in time for the raptor show. The Raptors, based out of Duncan, have paired up with Stone & Church to put on shows to the public and protect the vineyards. We were given info and firsthand  introductions to a Barn Owl, a Great-Horned Owl, a Peregrine Falcon, a couple of Ferruginous Hawks, and another hawk that neither Todd and I can recall.

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Once the Raptor demonstration was complete, it was time for some wine tastings and purchasing (a couple of Cabernet  Blanc Rosés and two 2009 Meritage bottles). Then we went for lunch at the restaurant on site. We ordered the Cabernet Blanc Rosé to go with our Watermelon and Feta Salad and our Vegetarian Pizza (eggplant, cherry tomatoes with basil and mozzarella and parmesan cheeses – yummy). Nice flavours and just the right amount for a late lunch.

The remainder of the afternoon comprised of relaxing on our balcony, opening some wine, and continuing the blog. If the weather remains nice (and by the way, weather here each day has exceeded the forecast; today was sunny and a high of 26°), we will be eating outside at Red Fish Blue Fish tonight.