An authentic Pub for lunch in Beautiful British Columbia…
The ecstasy (and agony) of my job is getting paid to eat. For me, food is a multi-layered exploration. It’s cerebral and sensuous, intimate and all about community at the same time. While flavors swirl across my tongue, my imagination waxes poetic…
Last month I flew to Nanaimo for a weekend completely devoted to gastronomical delights. Ask 
anyone who knows me and they’ll tell you I was hell to live with for weeks afterward. I commandeered every conversation with comparisons and analogies to something I’d eaten while traveling.
Next week I’m taking you – and Restaurantica – back to Nanaimo with me. To whet your appetite, enjoy this taste spotting at the Crow & Gate Pub. Don’t let the off-the-beaten path location of this pub put you off. A short drive is all it takes to find an unexpectedly interesting menu of beer-friendly dishes.
Trust me, it’s worth the drive.
The menu changes daily and is updated on a chalkboard. Place your order at the bar, find a seat and they’ll bring your lunch to you.
Locals hang their mugs above the bar. Talk about a welcome each time you come for a meal.
Cheddar Ploughman’s Lunch : You might think wings and beer are the best compliment to your Guinness, but after the ploughman’s lunch you’ll change your tune. A fresh baguette with jelly, well-aged cheddar, small garden salad and a scoop of potato salad, pickles and pickled onions and grapes.
Crab Caesar Salad : This salad was bigger than the person eating it. Seriously.
Crab Cakes : My friends ordered this platter to share. Each crab cake was the size of melon and the baguette, salad, scoop of potato salad and dip was more than enough for a hearty lunch. The Guinness helped fill up the corners the bread missed.
Steak and Kidney Pie : Talk about authentic British pub fare. Enjoy this meal for lunch and you can skip dinner.