Vancouver Island Reviews and Information

Recently I decided to hit up one of my FAVORITE pubs on Vancouver Island (especially in the spring/summer) The Crow & Gate . The Crow & Gate is as authentically English as you'll find on the island. Interestingly enough, the Crow & Gate was the first neighborhood pub in British Columbia, built on 10 acres in Cedar in 1972 by Jack Nash of Sussex, England. As soon as you enter the pub you'll notice English ambiance and atmosphere. You order at the till and can keep a tab or pay up front. The lunch menu boasts the well known cheddar and stilton ploughman (ploughman's are cold meals/snacks usually served as sandwiches with cheese, cooked ham, pickles etc), steak and kidney pie, and my personal favourite, the pan-fried oysters! The lunch menu runs through the dinner menu too, which changes daily. Wednesday's and Saturday's are the roast beef and york shire pudding specials. On this particular Saturday I decided to try to Crab Caesar salad. I usuall

The sun is shining and the garden's are in full swing! Even if you don't have your own garden there is ample opportunity on our lovely island to purchase locally grown produce and many of the farmer's markets around the island. North Saanich Farm Market – North Saanich June 4 to October 29 + Spring Market on May 14 Saturdays 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. At St. John’s United Church (10990 West Saanich Road) across from Deep Cove School – park at the church Telephone: 250-655-3378 | Email: info@northsaanichfarmmarket.ca Website: Sidney Summer Market – Sidney June 2 to August 25 Thursdays 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. On Beacon Avenue in Sidney (closed to traffic) Telephone: 250-655-6433 | Email: office@sidneybusiness.ca Peninsula Country Market – Central Saanich June 4 to October 8 Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. At the Saanich Fairground (1528 Stelly’s Crossroad), across from Stelly’s Secondary School, near Brentwood Bay Telephone: 250-216-0521 Website: Moss Street Market (20th year!)