“FieldTrips” is either a day trip or a few days where I visit food areas of interest which may include farm visits, producers, wineries, restaurants and/or other places that people can visit. This is about offering Vancouver Foodster readers a chance to get out of town and take a “Field Trip” for the day or a few days to explore, learn, taste and experience.
Field Trip to Galiano Island
Leaving Vancouver, driving Highway 99 South and then Highway 17 West to take BC Ferries over to the island from Tsawwassen, sailing on the (50 minutes) ferry to Galiano Island. There is a lot to do once on board the ferry. As we took the only non-stop ferry of the day, it is best to make a reservation far in advance if you need to make your way to the island on a specific the day you are planning to travel. During the summer season they offer more ferries, see the BC Ferries schedule for details. Enjoyed a beautiful fall weekend getaway to Galiano Island, along with time walking and exploring the area.
Arrived to the beautiful Bodega Cove which was home for the next few days. Situated on Galiano Island, The Cove is for independent travellers looking for a unique Gulf Island Experience. The 5 iconic Panabode cedar cabins were constructed in 1969 and painstakingly restored to make them into something entirely new and memorable. We stayed in their one-bedroom cabin, they also offer more spacious two bedroom cabins for those wanting to take more people with them.
Our cabin was a beauty, featuring a queen sized deluxe bed, deep free standing soaker tub, shower, fully equipped kitchen, free standing wood fireplace and a cedar outside deck.
As I had been wanting to visit notable Pilgrimme Restaurant for quite sometime, I made a reservation weeks in advance to make sure we could dine here during our visit. Enjoyed an incredible dinner where it is all about local Galiano Island farms to table, supporting the farmers on the island and their chefs who use those ingredients in their standout dishes
Although they offer a tasting menu, I chose to order a-ala-carte, each of the dishes was as interesting and delicious as the next.
(1) Panisse with pickled vegetables and aioli
(2) Grilled @CableBayFarm peppers with pickled green tomato, raw milk nostrala
(3) Delicate squash – snack
(4) Fermented Potato & Heritage Grain bread with amazing burnt onion butter
(5) Humback shrimp with an amazing flavourful shrimp shell veloute, leek and @zaklanheritagefarm spinach
(6) Albacore Tuna with green tomato, fermented cream, Galiano herbs
(7) Sutil Mountain carrot, urchin butter, salmon roe, kelp – incredible dish
(8) Spring wheat tart filled with fruits of the island fresh sand dehydrated — snack
(9) Dark Chocolate and bay laurel custard, sea salt, caramel, shortbread
(10) Blue Barley Porridge with stewed bell house plum, kernel and crisps
The restaurant is open seasonally on weekends over the fall and winter months, with more availability in the summer, make sure to contact them in advance if you wish to go.
Sitting at waters edge on the bench overlooking the water and islands to the west was a serene feeling, on a beautiful sunny Saturday.
One of the locals told us about a special market happening that day, which we decided to visit at the community hall where we picked up some island grown apples and carrots.
For lunch we drove to Sturdies Bay and visited Bowline Cafe, a recent newcomer restaurant on the island that featured great coffee, sandwiches, soups and baked goods. They even offered free wifi which is always a welcome perk for travellers.
I had a delicious Grilled Cheese with Carrot Coconut Soup, along with a slice of Pumpkin pie and an Iced Americano.
After lunch we visited Bodega Ridge which owns Bodega Cove and is located nearby. From there we drove around the island and spent time walking and exploring the areas including Grey Point Trail, Retreat Cove, and Montague Harbour.
For dinner we drove bake to Sturdies Bay to check out Babes in the Woods which offered up a selection of pizzas, tacos and more. We ordered the Peanut satay pizza and the Bbq Chicken Pizza to share.
On Sunday morning we made our way down to Sturdies Bay stopping along the way at beautiful Retreat Cove, from there it was about 15 minuts to the ferry line-up and then re-visited Bowline Café for a light breakfast, I had the Sourdough toast with nut butter and. Jam, a Morning glory muffin and we shared some of their popular Galiano Fig Bars.
It was a nice few days visiting the Galiano Island before heading back to Vancouver.
Stay tuned for my next Field Trip outside of Vancouver.
By: Richard Wolak
Disclosure: Bodega Cove provided us with complimentary accommodation. BC Ferries provided the ferry transportation.