GOODS: Ucluelet’s Black Rock Oceanfront Resort Joins The Growing Scout Community
May 16, 2012
We’ve invited Ucluelet’s stunning Black Rock Oceanfront Resort to join our curated GOODS section as a recommended boutique retreat. They’re now proud members of Scout, and as such we will be posting their news in addition to hosting a page for them on our awesome list of independent goodnesses. We’d like to take this chance to thank them for their support of Scout, and for making BC a much more comfortable place to live.
ALL THE LOCAL “GOODS”
Black Rock Oceanfront Resort
May 1, 2012
Details
596 Marine Drive, Box 310 | Ucluelet, BC | V0R 3A0
Telephone | 250-726-4800 | 1-877-762-5011
Web: www.blackrockresort.com | Facebook | Twitter
Gallery
The People
Adele Larkin- General Manager: alarkin@blackrockresort.com
Andrew Loiselle- Restaurant Manager: aloislelle@blackrockresort.com
Louise Pickles- Executive Chef: lpickles@blackrockresort.com
Danielle Stothers: Sales & Marketing Manager: dstothers@blackrockresort.com
About Black Rock Oceanfront Resort
Escape to the natural tranquility, beauty, and comfort of Black Rock Oceanfront Resort – an extraordinary retreat on Vancouver Island’s rugged west coast. Our magnificent oceanfront resort in Ucluelet, British Columbia, combines contemporary comfort and quality service with the organic energy of the Canada’s western frontier for an enchanting vacation experience.
Featuring Fetch Restaurant and Float Lounge both boasting oceanfront views and artisan inspired West Coast Cuisine. Black Rock Oceanfront Resort offers phenomenal culinary experiences at its ocean side restaurant, patio and lounge. Discover the essence of Vancouver Island’s West Coast as you savor fresh cuisine, Pacific Coast wines and spectacular ocean views. Watch the waves crash endlessly as the sun sets over the pacific ocean, maybe catch a glimpse of a whale on the horizon or hear eagles soaring and smell specially crafted cuisine that delights all the senses. Our menus are carefully designed using locally sourced Vancouver Island seasonal ingredients. Our passion and enduring West Coast spirit results in ever changing menus that will inspire your senses.
Designed with a deep respect for the land and sea, Black Rock’s innovative architecture – of rock, water, glass, steel, and wood – enhances and contrasts the Wild Pacific landscape. Expansive spaces, natural light and breathtaking seaward vistas create a passionate connection to the freedom and serenity of the Vancouver Island’s magical coast and experience true excellence with spectacular accommodations and awe-inspiring views. Black Rock Resort is one of the most stunning destinations on Canada’s wild Pacific coast.
FIELD TRIP #593: Staying In Cozy Beach Beehives At Tofino’s Awesome Ocean Village
April 25, 2012
by Andrew Morrison | My family spends a lot of time every year in Tofino, and we’ve slept in just about every resort and hotel the small town has to offer when we’re not camping in the Westfalia or crashing at friends’ houses. We have our favourites – the Wick, Pacific Sands, Long Beach Lodge – but until recently, there was one place that had always gnawed at our curiosity that we’d never gotten to, and it was Ocean Village.
The sprawl of bee-hive shaped cabins on the southern end of Mackenzie Beach has always beckoned. Our regular beachfront campsites at Bella Pacifica (#7 through #12) are toward the northern end of the beach, so we’ve walked past the simple-looking cottages countless times while combing up and down the sands looking for sand dollars (more likely on Cox Bay) and glass fishing floats (little baubles of beauty that have been pushed westwards by currents from Japan). The structures look like a colony of romantic idylls from the outside, little self-contained retreats promising the kind of nostalgic, West Coast coziness that comes with firelight and wine-soaked games of scrabble. It was where we landed on our most recent trip up, and it was awesome.
The beachfront cabins can sleep a maximum of 6 people (available in one and two bedrooms), and they’re equipped with shower, tub, kitchen, gas fireplace, and big windows that look directly into the ocean sunsets. There’s free wireless, too, though its pulse might prove frustratingly weak to those looking to download movies (there’s no TV) or upload a hundred high-res photos to Flickr. Lucky for us, we were up to eat, relax, and work offline on a cookbook, so the only angst the netlessness caused us – we couldn’t stream Canucks games – was not a big deal (in heart-shattering retrospect). As for kids (if you got ‘em), what more could they want than a couple kms of beachfront to browse, dark rainforest to explore, and stern lectures on what to do when you see a bear, cougar or wolf?
Of course it rained the whole time we were there (such as it often does), but the sounds of the big drops pattering on the weird roof and the crash of the violent surf outside made it all seem fine (the property’s 50 ft. indoor heated saltwater pool and jacuzzi helped, too). And rain be damned, because just up the forested road is the little gravelled mall with its surf/skate shop, chocolatier, The Tofitian (for good coffee), grocery store and Wildside for fresh fish, good poutine and killer burgers. Truly, unless you want to visit another beach, grab a beer at Shelter, rip the skatepark, get some chow at SOBO or Spotted Bear in town, or are afraid of getting a little wet, there’s little reason to use a car.
It might not offer the same level of luxuriousness of The Wick or the space of a villa at Pacific Sands, but Ocean Village is an altogether different place to stay. You look after yourself instead of being looked after, and when it’s time to leave, you really don’t want to. So if you’re headed across the Strait to surf or scarf thereabouts this Spring/Summer, put it high on your list. It’s cheaper than most, and the return – as you can see from many of the shots below – is more than fair. To learn more about the town and what is has to offer, visit Tourism Tofino.
RELATED: Fifteen Really Awesome Things To Do And Love When Heading Over To Tofino In Winter
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MORE FIELD TRIPS
GOODS: The Pointe At The Wick In Tofino Hosting La Quercia, La Régalade, And More
March 19, 2012
The Pointe Restaurant at the Wickaninnish Inn is located in beautiful Tofino, BC | 800-333-4604 | www.wickinn.com
The GOODS from The Pointe At The Wickaninnish Inn
Tofino, BC | The Pointe at The Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino will play host to a number of special suppers this Spring and Summer. Chef Alain Raye of La Régalade will be up to cook in April; Wickaninnish alumni Andrew Springett will be on hand in May, as will La Quercia chef Lucais Syme; and June will see a special pairing supper with Quail’s Gate Winery. Get all the details after the jump… Read more
GOODS: Chef Joel Aubie Of Tofino’s “Shelter” Getting Ready For Top Chef Canada Combat
February 13, 2012
Shelter is located at 601 Campbell Street in beautiful Tofino, BC | 250-725-3353 | www.shelterrestaurant.com
The GOODS from Shelter
Tofino, BC | Shelter Restaurant’s chef, Joel Aubie, will be competing on Top Chef Canada Season 2 and all of Tofino is anticipating the March 12th start date of the series.
Joel will be in Vancouver on February 16th representing Shelter and the Tofino Ucluelet Culinary Guild (TUCG). He will be working along side Nicholas Nutting (Wickaninnish Inn) and Bobby Lax (Community Food Coordinator for TUCG) at “A Taste of Tofino”, where they will introducing guests to the coastal ingredients and producers that make eating on nature’s edge such an inspiring and pleasurable experience. Learn more about the restaurant after the jump… Read more
Fifteen Really Awesome Things To Do And Love When Heading Over To Tofino In Winter
December 1, 2011
Our ideal home away from home? Probably Tofino on Vancouver Island. The population is just under 2,000. Wikipedia says its 1650, but they don’t count the legion of drifters from Quebec living in the forest warmed by burned longboards and boiled lichen. We camp where we can, crash at a friend’s house or, if the stars align, stay at a swell beach resort. It’s a fascinating town all year round, and though it shows really well in summer, there’s much going for its Clayoquot and Pacific surrounds during the winter. It all just looks better when cold, wet, grey, green, quiet and ancient, and there’s still so much to do and see, starting with: Read more
Smoke Break #898: How To Propose To Your Girlfriend Like A Total Boss (Seen In Tofino)
November 21, 2011
We bumped into this set up on Long beach yesterday. Word around Tofino is that a local cook named Peter (Shelter) and his buddy Ricky (SOBO) spent some 15-20 hours building the thing. Note that some of the logs are over 15 feet high, the Y is a single piece, and the loops in the R’s are made out of bull kelp. At the base of each letter were candles, and in front of the whole was a table set with dinner on white linen. Because it’s inset from the beach backing up against the forest, you would nerver notice it until you were behind it reading the letters from the table. The girl, named Rosalyn, said yes. Bonus: it was her birthday. Good times.
TAKE ANOTHER SMOKE BREAK
The Pointe Restaurant at the Wickaninnish Inn
November 13, 2011
Details
The Pointe Restaurant at the Wickaninnish Inn
PO 250 Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0
Telephone: 800-333-4604
Web: www.wickinn.com | Facebook | Twitter
Gallery
The People
Charles McDiarmid, Managing Director
Nicholas Nutting, Chef de Cuisine
Matt Wilson, Pastry Chef
Warren Barr, Sous Chef
Jamie Wilson, Sous Chef
Daniel Vogel, Pointe Restaurant Manager
Andre McGillivray, Maitre D’ and Pointe Restaurant Supervisor
About The Pointe Restaurant
Wickaninnish Inn, a Relais & Châteaux property since 1997, overlooks the Pacific Ocean from a rocky point on Vancouver Island’s rugged west coast, near the eclectic town of Tofino and Pacific Rim National Park. Two contemporary cedar buildings, set against a backdrop of ancient rainforest, boast an extensive local art collection (complemented by the neighbouring wood carving shed), and all rooms and suites offer ocean or beach views, gas fireplace, soaker tub and individual balcony. Uncompromising service, including a Clefs d’Or Concierge team, is a standard. The sole resort on Chesterman Beach, Tofino’s longest at 2.5km/1.5mi, the Inn is home to naturally-inspired treatments at its intimate Ancient Cedars Spa and refined West Coast cuisine at award-winning The Pointe Restaurant.
Surveying the panoramic vistas from the westernmost point of Tofino’s idyllic Chesterman Beach, The Pointe Restaurant’s inspired West Coast cuisine and attentive service come gift-wrapped with 240 degree views of the Pacific Ocean, surrounding islands and wildlife. Much of the fresh seafood is fished from the very waters overlooked by The Pointe, and a longstanding focus on locally sourced, high quality ingredients is evident. Dinner is offered on a seasonal à la carte menu, but for the best of the best, try Chef de Cuisine Nick Nutting’s weekly tasting menu. Daily brunch is a true treat and a favourite with local Tofitians. Out of the ordinary desserts reflect an innovative Pastry program where most everything – from bread to butter to scrumptious chocolate croissants are house made.
An extensive wine list, recognized yearly by Wine Spectator magazine, showcases BC’s finest selections with a broad range of international bottlings. Over 100 Scotch Whiskies and a creative cocktail menu can be savoured in the comfortable On the Rocks Lounge.
A true taste of Rustic Elegance On Nature’s Edge – and the West Coast’s best views – are on the menu at Wickaninnish Inn and The Pointe Restaurant.
Reviews/Accolades
Member, Tofino Ucluelet Culinary Guild
Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, Best Resort Dining
Wine Spectator, Best of Award of Excellence (July 2011)
Travel + Leisure Magazine, T+L World’s Best Awards, #1 in Canada 91.67
Andrew Harper’s Reader’s Survey, #7 International Hideaway out of 1,000 Inns (October 2011)
Sunday Times Travel (London Times), 100 Best Hotels in the World, #1 in North America (October 2011)
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Who Should Win An Awesome Trip To Tofino For The Clayoquot Oyster Festival?
November 7, 2011
Thank you to all who sent in their photos for a chance to win a trip for two to Tofino’s annual Clayoquot Oyster Festival. We asked our readers to submit two photos each to the Scout Flickr Pool: one of BC’s coastline and another of something delicious. The deadline for submissions was noon today, and we’ve accordingly selected 5 finalists. Please click the following links to view and help select the winner (the page with the most Facebook “likes” by noon on Friday, November 11th). Good luck to all…
FINALISTS
Kris Krug | KatieVancouver | CoffeeFoodies | StephCardwell | Mike Babiarz
FYI, the package – valued at roughly $1000 and arranged with the aid of our friends at Tourism Tofino – includes two nights of luxurious accommodation at the Pacific Sands Beach Resort (Nov. 18-19), two tickets to the Mermaid’s Ball, two tickets to the Oyster Fest Gala, two tickets to the Remote Passages Oyster Farm Tour, and an Oyster Trio for two at the award-winning SOBO restaurant.
“Clayoquot Oyster Festival” Photo Contest Finalist #1: Kris Krug
November 3, 2011
If you like these two shots, demonstrate as much by clicking the Facebook “like” button below. The Scout Flickr Pool contributor with the most “likes” at noon on Friday, November 11th will be declared the winner of our Clayoquot Oyster Festival giveaway contest.
OTHER FINALISTS
KatieVancouver | CoffeeFoodies | StephCardwell | Mike Babiarz
