Today's post about Pacific NW Holidays goes a bit north of Seattle - to Vancouver Island. Robyn from Simply Fresh Dinners joins us today with her take on a luxurious holiday tradition! I think you're going to really enjoy this one, and may even find yourself planning your next vacation there before you're done. I have to warn you though, you will leave this post hungry for a delicious, gourmet, locally grown Pacific NW meal for sure! Read on...
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There is a mystical place on the west coast of Vancouver
Island that embodies nature’s most spectacular landscapes and creatures, the
unique artistry of local craftsmen, and the blissful pleasures of home grown
organic food. This place is Sooke Harbour House and every year during the
Christmas holidays my friends and family visit their restaurant for a meal that
can only be described as out of this world.
This romantic
getaway has 28 oceanfront rooms and is nestled into the banks of the Pacific
Ocean with beautiful views of the Olympic Mountains in Washington State.
I`ve stayed overnight a couple times even though my home is just 30
minutes away. It`s just that irresistible!
The
property is on two and a half acres and beautifully landscaped. The rooms
are true to west coast design and the furniture is made by local
craftsman. I`m particularly fond of the chairs in the restaurant and
after my first visit here, I inquired about the designer and was told he lived
just down the road. His name is Rusty Sage and I went to visit him
and was so impressed with his work that I commissioned him to do my
kitchen table and chairs and staircases in my home that I was renovating at the
time. The ones in my kitchen are almost identical to the ones below.
Whether
you`re curled up watching winter storms or hoping to catch a pod of killer
whales swimming by, these rooms are so cozy and romantic. I love the variety
of woods they have used. Everything is hand crafted.
The inn
has a beautiful art gallery and they actively promote local artists from
Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. There is a very large and diverse
community of artists in the area from sculptors and painters to jewellers and
wood craftsmen and stone masons. You can also find the art
throughout the inn, in the rooms, the restaurants and even in the gardens.
If
you`re a foodie, this is the place to be. Most of the produce is
grown right on the property and their seafood is local and fresh.
If you live in the PNW, it is worth a visit just for the food
alone.
The owner, Sinclair Philip, is the
Canadian representative to Slow Food in Italy and some years ago was a Slow
Food Vancouver Island Convivum leader. His commitment to offering the best in
freshness, flavour and creativity is evident in the pictures below.
Sooke Harbour House
Salad - Wild & cultivated herbs, lettuces, flowers and blossoms from their
certified organic garden.
Early Winter Salad
Robyn has been kind enough to post this recipe today! Click here to find out more!
Crispy Sidney Lemon
Sole, lemon thyme & stoneground mustard spaetzle, basil & argula
pistou, savoy cabbage, grilled zucchini & baby turnips, spot prawn &
roasted tomato cream, shrimp red pepper salsa
Roasted Berkshire
Pork Tenderloin, phyllo wrapped potato & caramelized onion terrine, kale
with pancetta, green beans & baby carrots, rhubarb & sundried apricot
chutney, rosemary & red wine bordelaise sauce.
Parsnip, Turnip
& Borage Soup with smoked Albacore Tuna loin & leek oil.
(caption)
Chocolate torte,
rainier cherry compote, white chocolate basil ice cream.
The best
way to walk off all that delicious food is to take a stroll along their
beachfront. There are also kayaks available and if you are staying
overnight there are plenty of whale watching and fishing charters
available. I am passionate about the killer whale population around
Vancouver Island and Puget Sound and there plenty of opportunities to
view them here. There are also grey whales, humpback and a few years ago
a rare blue whale was spotted along this coast. If you are a bird
watcher, there are plenty of bald eagles, golden eagles and blue heron.
Thank
you, Barbara, for the opportunity to share one of my favourite places and
Christmas traditions with you and your readers. No matter where you
are, the Pacific Northwest is always in your heart and it was a pleasure to
revist such warm memories.
Photography
All
other pictures are the property of Sooke Harbour House
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I warned you this was going to be irresistable. :)
I'm not sure what drew me in the most - the food, the inn or the whale sighting!
Thank you Robyn for such an incredible tour of a place where anyone would be lucky to celebrate a holiday!
