Halibut, Shrimp and Crab Cakes and Roast Chicken Salad at SoBo
OK, what happened here? It seems I (likely in a sleep and food-induced stupor) saved last night’s post instead of actually publishing it. It’s nice having each day blur into the next, and to not really be expected to keep on top of things, but it means I generally don’t. Keep on top of things, that is. But I do have tanned feet with flip-flop lines, and am adapting nicely to island time; when we went into town (past a tree that was born in 1202) to the municipal building to pay something or other yesterday, it was refreshing to find it closed for lunch. I am spending my days without a cel phone or even much contact with clocks, save for the cast iron sun dial in the neighbour’s yard, that is as accurate as we need to be.
The week hasn’t been completely devoid of stresses, but some are good ones: I’ve been invited to take part in a very cool new project, something that I can’t share with anyone yet but puts me in the company of some of my very favourite food bloggers. Ones I’ve always aspired to be like if/when I grow up. I’ve been thrust into a group with the cool kids, and I’m half-expecting an email to the effect of “we’re sorry, we thought you were someone else”. So nerves coupled with contracts and phone calls from lawyers in LA have not really been in keeping with my goal of rest and relaxation, but I’m not complaining. W, who appears to have a raging case of three year old boy PMS, has not exactly been facilitating this goal either, particularly this afternoon when I had to half carry, half coax 55 pounds of wet, sandy, runny-nosed boy up and down 500+ stairs that wound through the rainforest from the beach back to the car. Who needs pilates or jazzercise? (Note to self: do more pilates. For real this time.)
But I did manage a nap yesterday. It was by far the most delicious thing I’ve had all week. And these past two days I’ve had some pretty delicious things.
My Mom was here for a week before we arrived. She told me the day I got here that she had what she considered to be the best meal of her life a few days before, at SoBo, and had already been back for seconds. It was a halibut dinner with mashed potatoes, roasted veg and some sort of memorable sauce… sounded fine, but I was far from convinced. So we went for dinner. (After my nap – my most heavenly day yet.) Both my Mom and Dad ordered the fish, so I couldn’t really, could I? I mean honestly, we can’t all have the same thing. So I ordered the special – a torn bread and roast chicken salad with pine nuts, Parmesan and goji berries, a smattering of baby spinach, champagne vinaigrette and an inky balsamic reduction. Fantastic would be an understatement.
When it was long gone they brought my appetizer – a shrimp and crab cake shaped sort of like a burger, and about the size of one, with slices of avocado and whole rock shrimp and piles of crab meat. It was good, but paled in comparison to the halibut. Honestly, this dinner was perfection on a plate; crispy-edged just-caught halibut over perfectly mashed potatoes, with roasted asparagus, red, purple and orange carrots and beets and wilted greens. But the sauce. I cannot adequately express the sauce, a deep, intense, burnt orange sauce that was at once familiar and elusive; when I asked what it was again, I was told it was fresh carrot juice and orange (not much, mind you), cooked down and then enriched with butter and cream. It was neither creamy nor buttery, but rich, complex and brilliantly intense. Just look at the colour of it! An orange-carrot sauce would never ever sell me, but this was pure genius. And it went perfectly with everything, from the fish to the greens.
For dessert, I had to have another butter tart. But I asked if I could photograph their strawberry-rhubarb pie; it was just too beautiful.
One Year Ago: Curried Shrimp Fried Rice
April 30 2009 11:45 pm | eating out
JuneyB on 01 May 2009 at 12:36 am #
Oh boy, you sure got our attention on this one! Looks incredible. Good luck in your new venture & for heaven’s sake, have another nap. You make busy people seem lazy.
Kate on 01 May 2009 at 3:17 am #
I agree with JuneyB. You do make busy people see, lazy!! And now, yet another project in the wings. wOw! I’d rest up while you can
Manon from Ontario on 01 May 2009 at 4:29 am #
Hmmmm love the pie looks great, and the top crust doesn’t even touch the bottom part…cool, I will do that next time.
I’m soooo happy to hear that you took a nap, youpie, hourra, that’s what vacationing is all about Julie. When you work you give your 200% so it’s normal that you also give your 200% when you are on vacation.
Us crazy busy people tend to NOT let ourselves relax, at times, glad to here you are getting the hang of this.
MFO
Cheryl on 01 May 2009 at 5:22 am #
You deserve everything you’ve got right now – new ventures, good food, and naps. Okay, maybe not the three year old PMS! No one deserves that.
Barb on 01 May 2009 at 6:09 am #
Ooooooo Mmmmmmm. Do they do take out?
Erica B. on 01 May 2009 at 6:12 am #
Ok I is it wrong to want to plan a whole vacation around a restaurant? Seriously Tofino sounds wonderful…beaches, rainforest…SoBo…
I hope you’re getting some rest and having fun despite W’s mood.
LisaMer on 01 May 2009 at 7:02 am #
According to all the Moms I know, 3.5 is a challenging age. Not really looking forward to that (N turns 3 this month).
@Erica B – get thee to Tofino! It’s amazing. We went on our honeymoon (7 years ago) and have wanted to go back ever since.
Linda on 01 May 2009 at 7:15 am #
Happy May 1. Thanks for the lovely pictures
Pat on 01 May 2009 at 7:28 am #
Your photos and description of these meals made my day…I can just hear the ocean, feel the humidity of the rainforest and taste that sweet, syrupy butter tart. I’m blocking out the 3 year old’s PMS – I have two teenagers to deal with. My favourite saying about parenting…”this too shall pass.”
Diana on 01 May 2009 at 8:27 am #
Oh, I have loved reading your blog from Tofino this week, but the halibut has me drooling as I sit here. I am ready to hop on a plane right now and order this dish. Congrats on your new project, you deserve it, and enjoy your naps, you deserve them too!
Fiona on 01 May 2009 at 9:05 am #
That halibut looks soooo goooood. And the pie IS beautiful!
Now I want to go to Tofino more than ever. I’ve always wanted to, and just haven’t gotten there yet.
Congratulations on the super-secret new project! You’re totally one of the cool kids. No question.
Sue (London, ON) on 01 May 2009 at 9:07 am #
I love living vicariously through you Julie – exotic location, amazing food, a secret new project that sounds very exciting, AND A NAP!!! WOW. Good for you!
Vivian on 01 May 2009 at 9:15 am #
Wow! Such eats, Julie. SoBO is surely a place I need to visit. I think you’ve just helped me make the decision of where to celebrate this year’s significant birthday. Many years ago I enjoyed a fog-bound morning walk on Long Beach, sun breaking through fitfully, writing poetry in the sand and having it washed away by sucessive waves. All the time hearing the gulls and disembodied voices through the swirling mists. Ahh…one of my lifetime’s precious moments.
robyn on 01 May 2009 at 10:08 am #
LOOK AT THAT PIE!! Heaven!
Give W a big smooch for me.
Carolyn on 01 May 2009 at 11:02 am #
The meal sounds amazing! My mouth is still watering from your description of the butter tarts from the other day. Were you able to get the recipe?
Congrats on your new secret project!
rea on 01 May 2009 at 11:56 am #
secret food agent Julie. hmm.
Donna on 01 May 2009 at 1:33 pm #
Tofino sounds wonderful. I have good memories of the great beach – even though it poured rain.
Best wishes on the new venture.
Katharine on 01 May 2009 at 3:03 pm #
Fabulous, Sweetie! I’m saying everything with a lisp today! I dream of vacationing in Tofino! So beautiful out there! (Not that I’ve been there, but I’ve seen pics…..) Can’t wait to hear more about your secret project. I think I might know what this one is about.
Anita on 01 May 2009 at 5:30 pm #
Oh Sobo! I’m drooling thinking about it, can’t wait to go back there – sounds as delicious as I remember it…
Good to here that you are having a relaxing as well as exciting vacation. Too bad about W – maybe he just misses Dad?!
Enjoy the rest of your stay!
Natalie (Michigan) on 02 May 2009 at 12:56 pm #
remember us when you are famous
jenn (in niagara) on 02 May 2009 at 1:29 pm #
wow that pie does look gorgeous! and the halibut! what a dinner you guys had! so jealous to be by the ocean!
and you sure are mysterious! cant wait to find out what you are up to!