Edible Vancouver Island March/April 2024

A date for every desire Four curated dates in Parksville Qualicum Beach according to your personality types

art gallery and learning centre showcasing vibrant island talent. Another great stop is Salish Sea Market, a year-round West Coast market that shares the talents of over 195 local artists with their collection of art and gifts. After an afternoon spent wandering museums and art collections, complete your date with a classy dinner. For an incomparable evening view over the ocean as the sun dips lower in the sky, Nanoose Bay Cafe is a perfect choice. They use many locally sourced ingredients in their family-run location known for its exceptional dining experience. Qualicum Beach Cafe is a great option as well, especially if your date falls on a Saturday, when they have live music entertainment to complement their West Coast/Italian cuisine. FREE-SPIRIT DATES One of our favourite date ideas involves two of life’s most quintessential things–shopping and eating. Combine the two by shopping local markets for the perfect ingredients for an afternoon picnic. If your date falls on a Saturday, the Qualicum Beach Farmers’ Market is the perfect place to start your date. They’re open year round from 8:30am to noon and have all the fixings for every type of picnic–whether it’s charcuterie style, filled with pastries or make-your-own-sandwich. You can even pick up some flowers for your sweetheart while you’re there. Then, since you’re already in Qualicum Beach, head to the shore–where you’ll find four kilometers of breathtaking sandy beaches. If you came prepared with a blanket for the grass or the beach, great; but if not, spread out your local feast on one of the many picnic tables overlooking the water. In Errington, you’ll also find a Saturday morning farmers’ market that runs May to September. Buy a tote bag there to carry your spoils in–from produce, meat and cheese, and delightful dessert options like chocolate, cookies and pies. Another unique experience would be to shop for your picnic items at the Coombs Old Country Market (open seasonally). Be a little daring when you wander the store and try out some imported goods new to both of you, and then grab a couple of freshly made donuts at Billy G’s Doughnut Shop. There are lots of tables and places around to enjoy the bustling ambiance and, of course, your picnic. FAMILY-FRIENDLY DATES Whether it’s a father-daughter date, a mother-son excursion or the whole family just needs to spend some quality time together outside the home, make your family date a memorable one by

When it comes to dating, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Some couples prefer a classic dinner, while others like walks on the beach or casual strolls through town. Whatever flavour of date works for you and your partner, you can make it happen in Parksville Qualicum Beach. To help you plan your perfect date, we’ve broken down a few ideas based on your preferences–do you love the outdoors? Do you like learning? Do you go with the flow? Do you have kids with you? Check out these awesome pre-planned date ideas according to what suits you! ADVENTURE-SEEKER DATES Get your adrenaline pumping! Horne Lake Caves is the perfect place to adventure with your date in a safe but exciting way. They offer a variety of cave exploration packages, from more relaxed cave experiences to action-packed adventures that include rappelling deep underground. Another fun option is to book a whale watching boat tour with Ocean Ecoventures. They offer both half day and full-day whale and wildlife watching adventures in a vessel with no more than 12 guests, offering an intimate, informative and unforgettable outdoor experience. Finally, for a less dramatic but still outdoor-centric option, choose one of many beautiful hikes in the region. For a short walking option, Englishman River Falls offers a 1.3km out-and-back walk with beautiful views both above and below the cascading waterfalls. Nothing says romance quite like chasing waterfalls together. In our opinion, one of the best ways to conclude an outdoor experience is by kicking back with a pint at a local brewery. Because you also need to replenish the calories burned on your hike, make sure it’s a brewery that also has a hearty menu. At Mount Arrowsmith Brewing Company you get the best of both worlds with local craft beer and delicious pizza. If you’re in the mood for a menu with varied other options while not compromising on delicious craft beer, Fern + Cedar Brewing Company is also a must try. For a very unique island experience, Rusted Rake in Nanoose Bay is a great option–they make their beer directly from the barley they grow on their own little seaside farm, truly allowing you to experience the terroir of the region. CULTURE-CENTRED DATES If your idea of a great date involves getting to intimately know a region, then this is your date. To understand the history of the area and learn the stories of people and events that shaped the region, check out the Parksville Museum or the Qualicum Beach Museum. Not far from the latter is The Old School House Arts Centre, a public

12 MAR/APR 2024 EDIBLE VANCOUVER ISLAND