Sooke/Tofino Trip Report "D"
 

Yes, she's finally finished! <BR> <BR>Here's a list of restaurants we'd recommend: <BR> <BR>"The Schooner" in Tofino - delicious chowder, tuna burger, grilled shrimp <BR> <BR>"The Crab Bar" in Tofino - Amazing steamed Dungeness crabs - if there's two of you order them sequentially 10-15 minutes apart so each arrives hot. <BR> <BR>"Raincoast" in Tofino - ambitious local cuisine (it works most of the time) by a young chef <BR> <BR>"The Kingfisher" in Ucluelet - a young Swedish chef making the most of local ingredients <BR> <BR>"Matterson House" in Ucluelet - great Huevos Rancheros/Brunch <BR> <BR>If you haven't already gathered - it rained the whole time we were there - but it IS a rainforest and we didn't let it stop us (the Wick offers full rain gear in every room - and you can order rubber boots from housekeeping - which believe me we used). <BR> <BR>The highlight of our trip was a private guided naturalist hike in a park in Ucluelet. I found the guide via the Wick and he was terrific. Bill is a retired botanist from the Pacific Rim National Park. We took a 3 hour hike with him through the rainforest and it made our holiday! We could have done the same walk - but he brought a richness and mass of information that made it incredibly interesting. His three hour hike was $150CDN - I would recommend it highly. If you would like his e-mail address please send me a note. <BR> <BR>If you're Canadian (which we are) the Island is an incredible vacation spot that's often overlooked. If you're American - the holiday we took offers unparalleled beauty at unbelievably low prices - given the strength of your dollar. <BR> <BR>Happy to answer any questions! <BR> <BR>

Elizabeth, thanks for taking the time to do a great trip report! SHH is special, isn't it...I truly think their rooms are among the most comfortable I've ever stayed in (and I've stayed in some nice places). How cool that the chef did a special dinner for you! My meal there last year was amazing...and to top it off with a soak in my private hot tub...ahhhh. <BR> <BR>Tofino is my favorite spot in the NW. Everytime I read about it or plan someone's trip there, I get cravings to go back yet again...If you do make it back sometime, try to have dinner (or stay) at the Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, a floating lodge about a 20 minute boat ride from Tofino. They have a great chef and to eat big-city caliber food in that middle of nowhere wilderness setting is amazing.

Sheri - thanks for the great suggestion. Actually I think we're going to go back next March for the Whale Festival so will definitely check out your suggestion. <BR> <BR>One thing that impressed us was the quality of the cuisine in the area - an unexpected bonus! <BR> <BR>Thanks again. <BR> <BR>Elizabeth

many people,including myself,believe that Crab is best eaten cold.

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