Comox Valley Eats

If you didn’t know,  I was born in the Comox Valley.   A small place (compared to Vancouver) that is rich with ocean views and mountains. If you search this town online, you will find  it’s a place for young families and retirees.  Who is to blame them, the real estate is afforable and the outdoors is a playground of paradise.

The culinary scene in the Comox Valley has consistently surprised me. There are hardly any chain restaurants or group;  simply people with a passion for sharing food.   This weekend I managed to squeeze in a couple restaurants (plus a spa treatment).

I started off, naturally, with a burger after my hydropath at the new restaurant, Aqua Bistro & Wine Bar which links with the also new Ocean 7 Restaurant at the Kingfisher Oceanside Resort and Spa.  With a new Executive Chef, Nyle Petherbridge,  I decided to give it a try.

Here’s a look at their Bistro Burger; ground chuck, smoked cheddar, honey cured bacon aioli, stoned ground mustard on a brioche bun.  YUM

The burger was juicy, messy, and absolutely DELISH! I’ll be doing a full write up but check out their menu here in the meantime.  As a note – Ocean 7 is a more formal setting while Aqua Bistro & Wine Bar offers  casual, well, bistro food.

 

Bistro Burger $19

Both restaurants overlook the ocean

Only having time for one more dinner between visiting friends, family, and neighbours (yes, I cooked for them too), I head to a favorite of mine –  Locals Restaurant

As you can probably guess by their name, Locals Restaurant focuses on produce grown locally and provides local, environmentally  sustainable food.  Locals ensures they put the names of all their local suppliers on their menu so you know EXACTLY where you food is coming from.

We started with The Heart of Romaine Caesar Salad with Crispy romaine lettuce served with oven roasted garlic, capers, Natural Pastures Parmadammer cheese, and homemade creamy Caesar dressing

Heart of Romaine Caesar Salad $15

I had the Vancouver Island Chicken with hickory smoked paprika crusted chicken breast with fresh thyme, caramelized onion, potato pave, wilted kale, parmesan cream and black currant purée.

 

Vancouver Island Chicken $30

Texan always orders my second choice so I can try both items (yes, Southern charm is a true thing).  If you don’t know Texan, well, he’s my boyfriend (from Texas obviously) who patiently waits as I order everything off the menu and try to eat it all.

Below is the Gunter Brother Braised Beef – Comox Valley slow cooked beef cheek simmered in a rich red wine served with Prontissima Pasta fresh egg noodles, tomato and olive tapenade sauce, prosciutto chip and parmesan crisp

Gunter Brother Braised Beef $31

Check out locals menu for Brunch, Lunch and Dinner here

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