It’s hard to blame tourists and the occasional celebrity for invading Deep Cove – especially in the summer, when our village really shines.
We too are easily swayed into visiting stunningly beautiful locales, based on social media snaps.
With the Cove destined to be popular like Positano or French Polynesia, we should take advantage of the spoils in our backyard this summer.
Our secret is already out. If Deep Cove suits Barney Stinson, a.k.a. actor Neil Patrick Harris, who boasted to his 6.1 million Instagram followers about kayaking here with his family in June, his legion of fans will also appreciate his good taste.
To recreate Harris’ leisurely Sunday afternoon kayak, head towards Jug Island at the north end of Belcarra Regional Park and have a picnic on the nice little beach there. If you don’t own a kayak – doesn’t everyone in the Cove? – be sure to make a reservation with Deep Cove Kayak Centre, as they tend to get busy in the summer.
Then there’s the ultimate paddling experience, offered by Deep Cove Kayak: an evening tour around the Cove under a full moon as it floods Indian Arm with its silvery glow. If you’re lucky, you might get to experience the magical bio-luminescence show.
Also in June, Arms Reach Bistro was awarded one of the top 100 Best Outdoor Dining Restaurants in Canada, by OpenTable. Dining al fresco on the Arms Reach patio overlooking the water shimmering in the evening sun takes your breath away and puts life into perspective.
We asked Arms Reach general manager Alanna Neumann what makes their patio so popular.
“Obviously the view is spectacular rain or shine,” she says. “It’s also very close to all the outdoor activities such as the hike and kayaking. As well we do allow people to bring their dogs with them to the patio. We do have blankies for people to snuggle up in if they stay past sundown.”
We’ve accepted the fact the Curry Butter Chicken is not coming back to Arms Reach – despite the online petition.
Thankfully, chef Erick Kauko was kind enough to share the recipe on the restaurant’s Facebook page last fall. Arms Reach, however, has plenty of tasty dishes to help you get over the CBC.
A new customer favourite is N’duja Spinners pasta, featuring Humboldt squid, spicy N’duja sausage and noodles made from scratch up the street at Arms Reach’s sister restaurant InGrain Pastificio.
On the lighter side this summer, try the golden beet root salad with avocado and green goddess dressing.
“Very fresh tasting and the colours on this dish are so vibrant and beautiful,” explains Neumann of the beet salad.
And what pairs better with patio weather than a light, fruity glass of rosé? You’re in luck because Arms Reach is celebrating the summer-inspired wine with some inventive rose drink features.
“We have a rosé sangria with beets and berries and rosé tasting flights that we will changing up all summer. We love wine!” says Neumann.
The Seymour area’s dining scene has evolved recently to include Buddha-Full, an established juice bar serving deliciously deceiving vegan, gluten-free and raw food in Northwoods Village. It took a whole week for a group of construction workers to realize the field-roasted sausage in Buddha-Full’s Tuscan wraps wasn’t real meat.
The vibe for the Maplewood Buddha-Full location is drawn from Blueberry Café, a laidback club in Nashville that’s famous for its intimate acoustic music and community involvement. Buddha-
Full co-owner Kyla Rawlins sings with Canadian country music trio, The Heels.
Belly up to the whimsical wooden swings at the bar and sip a Buddha-Licious smoothie or dive into a colourful Buddha Bowl. Business is already booming at Buddha-Full, popular with the area’s active set. Order online at buddha-full.ca to skip the line and get a smoothie in your hands faster.
A hidden foodie gem in the heart of Maplewood’s industrial area is Mama’s Italian Café. Mama’s proprietors, Giancarlo and Enza Ungarini, prepare their menu of Italian standards such as meatball sandwiches and lasagna from scratch every day. Overheard at Mama’s: “It’s nice to find a local place like this with good food.” Mangia tutti!
The nearby Nut Tree Café this spring launched five nutrient packed, vegan cheese spreads made with nuts and seeds – along with VeganTella, an organic take on addicting Nutella with only three grams of sugar.
The Crab Shop has been a Dollarton Highway fixture since the 1960s, with many locals pulling over on their way home to pick up the catch of the day. As of this spring, you can now pair the
The Crab Shop’s hot food items, including their famous fish and chips and new menu item deep-fried oysters, with a can of craft beer or a cooler.
“Yes, we are fully licensed,” says Jade Gregori, daughter of longtime Crab Shop owner and Seymour resident Marcel Gregori.
The smell of sweet cinnamon buns has been wafting through the heart of the Cove since Covert café opened its white French doors on Gallant Avenue last summer. The cafe’s fresh, airy interior, with its blue and white colour scheme, is nautical inspired and has proved to be a natural fit in the Cove.
Savour Italian sandwiches and Covert’s homemade baked goods – scrumptious mini cinnamon buns are owner Paul MacKenzie’s secret family recipe – on the outdoor patio primely positioned at Gallant’s east end and boasting views of the water.
Bluhouse cafe’s tropical inspired Aloha crepes – created with made-in-house mango coconut butter, banana and raw cacao – suit the warmer weather. Or try the vibrant teal and tropical Blu Lagoon smoothie bowl on for size.
A couple doors down at European style Cafe Orso, staff take great pride in their coffee creations and it shows. Baristas swirl an adorable bear paw print design into the coffee, a nod to the Orso name which translates to bear in Italian. How fitting, given our burly neighbours in the Seymour area.
Orso also serves Deep Cove Craft beer on tap, for those thirsty hikers and locals alike, many of whom also lean towards the café’s tasty avocado toast.
Speaking of Deep Cove Craft, the small batch distillery has concocted a refreshing rosemary and olive gin influenced by the flavours of the Mediterranean. Inside the tasting lounge try the Cerise Royale, made from Deep Cove Craft black cherry-infused vodka.
For spicy twist at the brewery, try their new Queso Fundito Dip with fresh Mexican cheese, jalapenos, chorizo, pickled onion, pico de gallo and tortilla chips for dipping.
Pair it with a Picnic IPA, “fermented with approximately a bajillion pounds of apricots,” promises the brewery.
While already enjoying the scenery at Cates Park this summer, you can indulge in a good old-fashioned burger, fries and shake from Wally’s Burgers.
The burgers are made to order and served with fresh hand-cut fries. Bacon and cheese can be added if you’re feeling indulgent.
The milkshakes, crafted from Island Farms ice cream, are hand scooped and available in 15 mouth-watering flavours.
No worries if you’re on a plant-based diet, Wally’s serves up veggie burgers, plus, the gravy for the café’s poutine is vegetable based. Wally’s is open seven days a week from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., weather permitting.
Quarry Rock is so crazy busy in the summer, so maybe instead stretch your legs on a serene Mount Seymour trail.
Unravel the mystery of Mystery Lake: find a secluded spot along the shore to sit and eat lunch, followed by quick dip in the lake.
A perfect Cove summer date night involves gelato and mini golf at Takaya Golf Centre. Once you’ve got the swing of things, move up to the top deck at Takaya and drive a bucket of golf balls.
When summer winds down, head to Panorama Park on Aug. 27 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Deep Cove Daze.
Our local community festival features entertainment on the waterfront mainstage, a midway with rides for kids, food trucks, beer gardens and an artisan alley.
Highlights include the Deep Cove Music Idol Contest and cardboard kayak race.
This summer, take time to celebrate and savour the things that makes us proud to call the Cove home.
