Only have one night in Nanaimo and wonder if anyone has a suggestion for a simple, fun place to eat in the downtown area. We're staying at Coast Bastion, but plan to walk along the waterfront so perhaps something along there. Not looking for fine dining here.
Also saw an ad for Columbia Bakery on Bowen and Northfield. Is this worth a special trip on our way out en route to Tofino? Love good breads and rolls, so wondered if this may be a special place.

Have a look @ the online version of eat magazine the islands foodie paper
http://www.eatmagazine.ca/

Thanks, Sam, but I didn't see anything for Nanaimo. Any other ideas?

I can't claim any personal experience, but Ann Hardy's "Where to Eat in Canada", (which is a pretty reliable guide) lists two--Glow, and The Wesley Street. Glow has two stars, which is a high rating (only about 50 restaurants in the guide have it) and the guide states "Glow is probably our most important find of this year or last."

Perhaps someone can comment on either of these two.

Gina's is a fun Mexican restaurant with good food. It is healthy Mexican, as opposed to heavy Mexican. We've eaten there a couple of times and really liked it. It is unique. You can walk there from the Coast Bastion. It is up a hill a few blocks in from the waterfront.

Here's a little article about it:

http://vancouverisland.kulshan.com/B...xican_Cafe.htm

I ate @ Gina's once-it was <i><b>awful</b></i>-bad almost beyond belief and the food had nothing in common with Mexico.:-&lt;

The old Station Pub, on Skinner Street, just a few blocks from the Coast. An upscale pub, good food, good atmosphere, I'd go back.

We found Gina's more of a fusion of northwest cuisine and Mexican, which is one of the reasons we liked it. We found it lighter and healthier than what we think of as typical Mexican cuisine. What didn't you like about it, Sam?

There's a small fish & chips place down along the piers, really good especially if it's a nice night as it's open-air. Friday nights Acme on Commercial St. has half price food. Believe it or not it's a ribs and sushi joint and both the ribs and sushi are excellent, fun, noisy atmosphere. It's busy so get there early. I've heard great things about Gina's.

Sorry Sam, but I have to agree....Ginas has gone downhill
Around the corner from your hotel are a few great places.
Modern Cafe, about a block away on Commercial St.
Basque ,on Wallace (has live Jaz on Fri and Sat nites.)
and Tanias, around the corner too, on 75 Front Street and they have live entertainment five nights a week.
All have good food and reasonable prices and a fun atmosphere.

wait a minute.......the original post was in 2007!!!!
I am sure they have come and gone since then.

lol...noticed the date after I posted. Might be useful information for someone anyway.