Tafelmusik

My wife, a friend and I went to see Tafelmusik last night at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, an old church building with amazing acoustics and penance building seats, as part of the Early Music Society of the Islands 2012-2013 season. The name is German for "dinner music" and they are a Canadian chamber orchestra specializing in Baroque and Chamber music. See a performance on CBC here. They performed their Galileo project, celebrating the  400th anniversary of the unveiling of his first telescope. I very much enjoy their performances (I've seen three) because they perform like someone breathes...effortlessly. It is always a joy to hear and see them play.

If they are coming to or nearby where you live, I highly recommend them.

Veneto Tapa Lounge

Prior to going to a concert, my wife, a friend and I went to Veneto Tapa Lounge; an old favorite. The lounge is on the main floor of the Hotel Rialto and is modern yet classically so. Someone dress in fashions from the 1910's and 20's would feel at home with the art deco inspired ambiance.

My wife and I shared an order of crispy tempura vegetables which had a nice dipping sauce. The tempura fried capers were a little salty. Then I had a Pork trio of:
-Spanish rubbed pincho ribs with caramelized honey, dijon, ancho chili glaze and spicy slaw;
-crisp pancetta carbonara with linguine, fresh chive and smoked gruyere; and
-pan roasted pork tenderloin wrapped in serrano ham and stuffed with fresh basil, feta and roasted garlic.

My wife had the duck trio of:
-caramelized sweet onion and barbecue duck quesadilla;
-linguini pasta with duck ragout and fresh grated parmesa; and
-duck confit rillette crepe with blackberry compote and garlic herb chevre.

We each liked our dishes. This time around the overall taste was a little salty but that's what I get for eating the pork! I'll try the mixed grill next time.

The drive back from Tofino

 The drive to and from Tofino is not for the faint of heart nor for beginner drivers. People have been injured or died on this route. I have also found that with difficulty comes great rewards.

 An example of the rocky outcrops that lie on one side and the steep dropoff on the other. Its important to obey the posted speed limit!

 This morning we had wonderful moisture caressing the mountainside.

 Yes, that's snow. It is November in Canada.

 Port Alberni's pulp mill.

 Nearing Cathedral Grove.

 I tried to take shots of the pumpkins as we passed them. Every year after Halloween, locals put their pumpkins out on the road from near Cathedral Grove to Port Alberni. Some great works of temporary art on some.

 Leaving the grove.

Now the bad drive is past. Hope you enjoyed this little travelogue on Tofino...there and back again.

Tofino - Chesterman's Beach

Here is the entrance to Chesterman's Beach from near our B&B, the Sauna House.

Some Lovecraft-like seaweed.

 This is the view from the lobby of the Wikaninnish Inn. The little building in the foreground is one of their outdoor spa treatment areas.

 There's lots of interesting starfish around the rocks when the tide goes out. Bring proper footwear!

 A view of the Wickaninnish from the beach.

 Some interesting sea life.

 The rocks are just covered in mussels and starfish and seaweed. Very cool.

 Showing that young and old, fit and infirm can enjoy Tofino beaches.

 Interesting patterns in the sand made by the tide.

Starting a bonfire on the beach.

Tofino - The Pointe Restaurant

 Once in a while we like to treat ourselves to supper at the Pointe restaurant at the Wikaninnish Inn. Its located within walking distance from where we were staying, the Sauna House. Just bring one of the flashlights in your room or your own.

After walking down their impressive covered entryway, you can relax near this fireplace. In the daylight, the view outside is awe inspiring with the crashing waves upon the rocks.

Here is a view inside.
My wife and I both went for the four course menu with additions and my wife ordered the wine pairing; I just tasted out of her glass. It started with fresh bread of your choice and a little amuse bouche (little tasting). It was a little ravioli with truffle oil and herbed pesto underneath. Then the appetizer of Oceanwise albacore tuna tartare with ginger, togarashi and pickled shitake. Then came the organic beet salad with caraway croûtons, smoked salmon and horseradish. As an extra my wife ordered the beef carpaccio and crab truffle with sweet corn and I ordered the seared Quebec foie gras on deep fried Calvados ice cream and quince. Then a palette cleanser of lemon sorbet. The main was next, Moroccan spiced lamb sirloin with squash, black lentil crisp and coriander. For dessert it was 80% dark chocolate mousse with coffee hints and walnuts.

Sound good? No it wasn't. It was divine! A definite gastronomic delight and a pleasant three hours.

Tofino - Sobo

Another Restaurant my wife and I like to go to is Sobo. It is located in "downtown" Tofino and is very near the Common Loaf Bakery (another good place to eat).
The atmosphere is nice and relaxed with excellent and unique local art on the walls and some hanging from the ceiling.
I had their seasonal soup of squash and cheese, then the "killer fish taco" and finally the shitake tofu rice pocket. My wife had the wild fish chowder and a goat cheese and beet salad.
We've never had suppers here but we always come for lunch. Thier desserts are awesome as well. While waiting to go, I couldn't resist buying a dark chocolate and caramel square.

Tofino - Shelter Restaurant

My wife and I have eaten at Shelter pretty much every time we come to Tofino. The atmosphere is busy yet intimate, food is fantastic and wine list is good.
They only take reservations for a percentage of the restaurant so If you arrive late then be prepared to wait for a bit. There is also places to eat at or near the bar area and there is plenty of counter at the bar.

I had the West Coast Cioppino, which is a red wine tomato broth with halibut, lingcod, mussels, clams, pacific shrimp, and a grilled baguette on the side. It was delicious and a great feed of tastes of the sea. I had a local beer from the Tofino brewing company, whose name I cannot remember; It was the darkest they had.

Tofino - Long Beach

There are many beaches between Tofino and Uclulet. Here is a nice image of some, at the bottom of the page. If you want to see a live webcam of Longbeach, head here. One of the beaches my wife and I like to go to is Long beach.

 

A simple shelter.

 A huge pile of seaweed, modeled by my wife.

 Dogs love it here.

 An artsy shot.

 Yes, those are surfers doing their thing in November.

 Lucky we had waterproof boots!

 A shot of my wife taking a shot.

 More surfers.

 Another artsy shot.

 And another, with a different kind of seaweed.

 There are many streams that come from further inland and feed onto the beach.

 Its amazing the rocky yet lush greenery near the tumultuous seaside.

 This stream has a high iron content.

 Tiny greenery growing into the sand.

Tofino - Sauna House B&B

The Sauna House bed and breakfast at Chesterman's beach in Tofino is one of the places my wife and I like to stay at. Their prices are the most reasonable in the Tofino area. The other is Pacific Sands but I'll leave that for the next time we stay there.

There are three rooms, of which we've stayed at the birdhouse loft (pictured above) and the sauna house itself. Yes, the sauna house does have a sauna, you just have to let the proprietress know ahead of time when you want your sauna. The accommodations have a kitchenette and is located close to the Pointe restaurant, Chesterman's beach and Tofino.

The breakfast is wonderful. Its served around 830am by a little know on the door. If no answer, its set outside your door. The basket is warmed by hot rocks underneath and is accompanied by a fruit bowl.

Here is a picture of the entrance to Chesterman's beach.

So think about staying at the Sauna House for excellent and inexpensive accommodations in Tofino.