– by Lara Gladych –
This is the second in a six-part series of profiles on some of the Saanich Peninsula’s wonderful restaurants and pubs.
If you haven’t yet eaten at Canoe Cove Joe’s, then this patio season is the perfect time to take a drive out to Canoe Cove Marina for a bite to eat. Celebrating their first anniversary on June 1st, Joe and Cheryl Bourdeau look forward to a new year and greeting new and familiar faces alike.
After closing one weekday afternoon, Joe and I talk about what’s new in the six months since we last spoke. Mostly, they just feel more at home with the restaurant, he says. “We’re feeling really good. We’re excited for this year we know what we’re going to do.” They’ve noticeably continued to work on the interior décor, adding many “canoe” inspired pieces to round out the theme. Cheryl has been hard at work on the patio, adding coordinating flowers to add charm and warmth. They’ve also been working on the menu. Calamari will be Joe’s next addition, in the form of a calamari Caesar salad.
There’s a new house wine. I sample a glass of Prospect Winery’s Birch Canoe, a pinot blanc that’s perfect for the warm spring day on which I visit. I see the grin on Joe’s face acknowledging, again, the canoe.
The wine is a nice lead up to what I order: the Wild Coho Salmon Burger. The Kennebec fries are a must, I’m told as the Kennebec potato retains its white colour and firmness when cooked. Other new favourites on the menu are the Mediterranean chicken burger and Mediterranean salad. Cheryl came up with the burger, with includes a smear of tzatziki. The salad is a combination of spring mix, cucumbers, artichokes, feta, cranberries and walnuts, and to go with it, Joe makes a balsamic vinaigrette dressing with a touch of honey.
While the crab cakes continue to be a hit with customers, the crab cake benny included, Joe wants to keep his focus on the burgers. In his mind’s eye, he’s modeling his own restaurant after his favourite burger joint on the mainland.
There may be a change-up at the bar where I sit in the near future. Joe is contemplating shifting his taps to the front from the side, so that he can serve beer and call it “his spot” when he’s not cooking. He plans also to add two new, local microbrews to his existing lineup.
My burger arrives, and being the carb-junkie that I am, I immediately take note of the perfect brioche bun, from Sidney Bakery. It’s the icing on the cake to what appears to be a fabulous burger. This is an inch-thick filet of salmon, and not one that disappears inside the bun. It’s moist and flavourful, and not overly complicated by too many toppings – just fresh and simple. I love it!
Joe gets full credit for telling me to order the fries. They truly are some of the best I’ve ever tasted, and I would consider coming back for a basket of these golden goodies on their own with a pint.
As I eat, I take in the new wall hangings and some of the other pieces that Cheryl has brought in for decoration. The restaurant is really coming in to its own, and I really like the “canoe” theme they’re working with. It has a rustic yet contemporary feel all at once, which is a departure from where the restaurant was a year ago when Joe and Cheryl took over.
Back on subject of burgers, Joe says their burgers are doing well with customers. It’s not just the beef burgers, but the salmon, chicken, oyster and veggie burgers too. The beef burgers are still handmade by Joe, and are his own recipe.
Joe and I have become friends after these two visits of mine. We say goodbye, and I know I’ll see him again before too long. I look forward to this coming year for them. Pop by yourself and take a look.
Canoe Cove Joe’s is located at Canoe Cove Marina, 2300 Canoe Cove Rd. Call 250.656.5557. They are open daily from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
