The Cowichan Valley • Nanaimo • Gulf Islands • Comox Buzz

If you haven’t been to the new marina at Mill Bay, now’s the time to take in a weekend of fun at Barge On In as it kicks off The Savour Cowichan Festival Sept 23 – Oct 3rd. Sample local brews, wine, and of course many delectable bites prepared by local chefs from the Cowichan Valley area, all laid out on a floating barge attached to the wharf. For 10 whole days 40 artisan food and beverage producers host 60 reasons to sample local fare in a variety of ways. Visit savourcowichan.com for individual event details.

Cow Bay water-side is home to the new Crowe & Appel Restaurant, Cafe, Deli and Grocer which took over Cowichan Bay Seafoods‘ old location. Every product and dish is made from locally sourced ingredients, and features tons of fresh seafood as well. Oh and, their liquor license has arrived so you can enjoy a local beverage with that Ciopino or Cedar Planked Salmon! croweandappel.ca

Every year Salt Spring Island is home to their world renowned Apple Festival. Can you believe farmers here grow 450 organic varietals of the forbidden fruit with an apple history dating back to1860?! Sunday October 2nd is the day to make the discovery yours by sampling the different flavours and colors on display at the community center. Then find your way to a local apple farm to purchase some of your favorites for that fragrant, perfectly tart apple pie. saltspringapplefestival.org

Everyone probably remembers long time Nanaimo fixture The Thirsty Camel, located in the heart of downtown. Sadly owner IIan Goldenblatte closed it’s doors this past May. Now it’s the new home of Nana Sushi. It’s a pretty typical sushi place decor-wise but the sushi shines bright, clean and fresh as it should do. Pop in on your lunch break and try something from their extensive menu, while you make new memories from old ones. 14 Victoria Cresent, Nanaimo.

Should you find yourself heading to Coastal Black Winery in Black Creek to attend Flavour Gourmet Picnic on September 18th (This stellar event is put on by North Island College and part of the proceeds go to the North Vancouver Island Chefs Association. Bring your appetite and then some!), leave some room in your trip (and stomach) to stop in the Comox Valley for some new experiences. Stop first in Cumberland and have an amazing burrito at newcomer Biblio Taco on main street. If you like a bit of heat in your life, try all of the three hot sauces, each with their own distinct flavour, then proceed down the street to Cumberland Brewery (where bar fights and bikers used to roll in, strollers and mountain bikes do now) and put out the fire with some exceptional suds and a new menu created by in-house chef Kita Navo formerly of Gourmet Girls Catering. If you feel like some thin crust pizza with your brew, cross the side street to the old Panda Gardens for some at Riders Pizza’s new location. cumberlandbrewing.com, riderspizza.com

At Anderson and Cliff Street Comox you’ll find a brand new bakery and coffee shop called Anthony’s Copper Kettle Bakery Cafe. At this point in time no one knows much about it’s origins, but who can resist a fresh baked product with their morning coffee anyway? In Courtenay on Cliff street is the tiny -in-size-big-in-flavour Soup Pot at their new location. Be sure to stop in for some scratch made soups and sandwiches to take along for the ride. . Since you can’t possibly leave town without a visit to Mad Chef for some of their famous bacon wrapped Mad Mac & Cheese, or their Stuffed Alligator Pears, stock up, or eat up before you move on. The new owners are doing a bang up job of keeping the old favorites new and improved. madchefcafe.net, thesouppotcourtenay.com

– By Kirsten Tyler