Fresh Crab and Brown & Wild Rice & Barley Salad with Chickpeas
For any of you who may be sick of all the gushing over Tofino already, I apologize in advance. I’ll try to ballast my swooning with some recipes here and there. I’m already dreaming some up.
Yesterday afternoon we rolled into Tofino just in time for fresh crab to come in. We steamed it along with some corn, and ate the rest of a curried brown and wild rice and barley salad with chickpeas I brought along as well. I’m sorry I’m a day behind, but we been on the road for two days and having just arrived and unpacked, I opted to head to the beach rather than sit down at the computer.
We have our drive-to-Tofino itinerary down just as pat as anything – leave early (this time we were ready by 5:30, but had a flat tire before we even left our block), coffee in Golden, a quick break to throw rocks in the river under the bridge in Revelstoke (this time we ate salami and cheese sandwiches and leftover quinoa, black bean and mango salad that I tossed in with a half container of baby spinach, just to use it up).
Then ice cream and a visit with the baby holsteins at D Dutchmen Dairy in Sicamous. In order to satisfy my seemingly insatiable ice cream addiction, you know. (I had butter maple.)
This time, we decided to stop overnight in Chilliwack. (Of all the times I’ve driven through and from Vancouver, and even lived there for a few years, I don’t think I’ve ever actually been into Chilliwack. The boys thought the name was hilarious.) First, we stopped at Bridal Falls:
Then found a hotel that would welcome Lou and needed to find some dinner. Mr Mikes was across the street. For years we joked about Mr Mikes as we drove past billboards advertising it. They have a Mikeburger on the menu. This month, for their 50th anniversary, $1 from every burger goes to charity (the Chilliwack location chose their local childrens’ hospital). We saw it as a sign and went for Mikeburgers. During dinner, as the boys happily coloured their special placemats and drank Shirley Temples (I didn’t think they did such things anymore, but was happy they did, and felt very much like a Real Mom in that booth) the owner came over and proudly told us that their location was in the lead for funds raised, and that the winning location would have their donation matched.
They were delicious burgers, served quickly on chunks of crusty French bread instead of buns, with the option of yam fries. The servers were wonderfully friendly, in the way that makes you notice how just nice – but not in an over-the-top way – they are. It was reasonably priced, good food, great service, and we all left full and happy.
July 24 2010 01:04 am | leftovers
Dahlia on 24 Jul 2010 at 6:33 am #
I miss the road trips of my childhood! I hope your boys will think back on these trips with fondness when they are older…
Christina on 24 Jul 2010 at 6:56 am #
Bring on the Tofino gushing Julie!! I live vicariously through you and love every minute of it! The Chilliwack burgers look delicious (I’m on a total burger kick right now)! The fresh crab dinner looks to die for! ENJOY you’re time! Can’t wait for your next post!
Amber on 24 Jul 2010 at 8:32 am #
Aren’t the falls beautiful? I was just there yesterday. If you have time on your way back home, you should take the boys through Othello tunnels in Hope, they would love it. Have fun in Tofino, I think Wickanninish beach is one of my favorite places ever.
Ann on 24 Jul 2010 at 9:05 am #
Feel free to gush about Tofino Julie!! Like Christina, I enjoy visiting Tofino via you and your family.
I love the quinoa, mango, and black bean salad – I made it right after you posted the recipe the first time. Great idea to add spinach to it.
Looking forward to hearing about more Tofino adventures . . .
Erin M on 24 Jul 2010 at 12:39 pm #
Yum on the salad. I make many variations of that same thing. I lived in Chilliwack(hilarious name
) as a child, best corn ever, we use to pick up a dozen for a dollar at roadside stands. I love Tofino, the weather has been amazing so hope you enjoy yourselves 
. I live between Courtenay and Port Alberni right now and try to make a good number of trips out to Tofino each summer.
Natalie B on 24 Jul 2010 at 1:45 pm #
who could be sick of Tofino? (maybe someone who hasn’t been there?) I live in Victoria and my mom and I are taking a girls trip there the weekend after next… SO looking forward to the hikes, the GREAT food, and checking out the new (and only) yarn shop
Erica B. on 24 Jul 2010 at 5:40 pm #
Sounds like a fantastic trip Julie! Totally livin’ vicariously here – just spent the day paying too much for corn dogs, mini donuts and corn on the cob at Westerner Days. The kids had a blast though!
Dana on 25 Jul 2010 at 3:03 pm #
Thanks for the itinerary! We’re going to be heading to Tofino this Friday and have kids too. Great ideas to keep everybody sane.
Cheryl on 28 Jul 2010 at 2:58 pm #
I sighed as we drove my D Dutchman’s yesterday, dreaming of your maple butter ice cream. This was not the day to stop, alas.