We were looking for something special to celebrate our first anniversary – and we found a hidden treasure. Tucked in beside the marina in Ladysmith is a beautiful inn, and the restaurant that serves the mariners and landlubbers alike is easily the best I’ve eaten at this year.
We sat at a cozy table overlooking the sailboats and the harbor, and were immediately welcomed by the new owners, Robert and Sandy. A very well priced menu offered seafood, pastas, steaks and more. We opened the evening with a bottle of Italian wine to toast our wedded bliss, and then tucked into mussels in curry sauce that were perfectly spice – a little Pernod to soften the heat of the curry, they were divine.
We followed the mussels with chicken breast and gnocchi for Mark, while I had a tender steak, medium rare. I hesitate to call the potatoes with my dish ‘fries’ – because they were so astoundingly delicious compared to the usual fast food fare – but they were stacked log-cabin style and a wonderful companion to the steak.
Our main dishes were priced less than $20 each, and the value and flavour packed in to our dinner was exceptional. We topped off a lovely evening celebration with a decadent mousse cake and chatted with the owner – who shared his secret of the fabulous mussels. You’ll have to ask him yourself though – I like to think I can hold one little secret to recreate for future dinner guests at my house.
We wandered the back way home – you can find dirt roads that connect the inn to Yellow Point- but I strongly recommend you have your GPS with you. It’s out of the way, but well worth the trip.