It is a truism among seasoned travellers in North America that if you find yourself in an unfamiliar town and want a decent meal, find the local golf course
Whether it's due to the demands of course members and regulars, or that many clubhouses serve as venues for banquets and special events, I don't know, but it almost always holds.
In British Columbia, we are blessed with some of the finest golf courses and the freshest produce in the country, so it's not surprising that we have some excellent kitchens and dining options at our nearby golf facilities.
NORTHLANDS BAR AND GRILL
Northlands Golf Course, 3400 Anne Macdonald Way, North Vancouver, B.C.
Snuggled into the rainforest at the base of Mount Seymour, the Northlands Bar and Grill is a great place to dine with families and out of town guests, and to show off the North Shore at its best. There's an abundance of natural light and the views are gorgeous. With a few minutes travel, you feel like you're in the middle of nowhere.
Since Keith Wintink returned a few years back to take the helm of the dining room and kitchen, food quality has gone up and prices have remained sensible. A lot of thought goes into their meal preparation and it shows in everything from the salads to the main courses.
They have also added vegetarian and gluten-free options to accommodate those with food issues. There are currently weekday dinner specials including fish tacos with mango salsa on Tuesdays for $10 and all sandwiches, burgers, and wraps on Thursdays also at $10. The specials top out at $20.95 on Friday with an eight-ounce cut of AAA prime rib with Yorkshire pudding, mashed potatoes and fresh seasonal vegetables.
If you've just finished your workday or round of golf, their large patio is an ideal spot to let the world work its way out of your system on a sunny afternoon. I have made a note to take advantage of it more often this year. It's North Vancouver casual at its most relaxing.
Starting June, there will be a barbecue on the patio every Saturday and on the statutory holiday each month, the mighty Northlands' buffet breakfast returns. Reservations for those are a must if you want to avoid disappointment.
Reservations: 604-990-3722
SEA TO SKY GRILL
Furry Creek Golf and Country Club, 150 Country Club Road, Furry Creek, B.C.
The recent vistas opened by the redevelopment of Highway 99 between Horseshoe Bay and Squamish have turned the Sea to Sky highway into one of western North America's most scenic touring routes. The Sea to Sky Grill at the Furry Creek Golf and Country Club is a destination worthy of the drive.
Where Furry Creek has always excelled is in providing a private club level of service for the average recreational golfer. The same philosophy is applied to the kitchen and dining room.
Head chef Cameron Hunter is unstinting in sourcing the best ingredients possible for every dish. While the emphasis is on perfectly prepared classic comfort food, everything is made in-house, even the bacon and the ice cream. A great example are the perogies: made on site, fried to crispness then topped with sour cream, onions, and house-cured, double smoked bacon, all for $11.50. Your Ukrainian grandmother couldn't match the preparation or the price.
There are a selection of thin-crust, handmade pizzas, chicken pot pie, made from scratch, and a macaroni and smoked cheddar, baked with chorizo, corn, and caramelized onions. The priciest item is the Beef Caserece at $21: beef tenderloin with spinach, mushrooms, grape tomatoes and shallots, tossed in a truffle white wine cream sauce.
For special occasions like Easter and Mother's Day, the Sea to Sky Grill hosts a Grand Buffet for brunch. There is an omelette bar, a ham carvery, pancakes, house-smoked bacon, Crème Brule, salads and more. At $29.95 for adults and $14.95 for children over three, it's a bargain.
They may have a few seats left for Mother's Day on May 9, but calling to reserve is the way to find out.
Reservations, toll free: 1-888-922-9462
THE CLUBHOUSE RESTAURANT
Squamish Valley Golf Club, 2458 Mamquam Rd., Squamish, B.C.
Highway improvements have put Squamish firmly in the "day trip destination" category for golfers and non-golfers alike, and the Squamish Valley Golf Club is a great place to unwind, shake the road out of your legs, and meet the locals.
Views of glaciers and mountains from the patio and dining room are just some of the reasons Squamish made the New York Times' "50 places to visit in 2015" list recently.
Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, portions are generous and prices reasonable. Sandwiches start at $9 for the BLT and the Shrimp Salad Croissant and max out at $13 for the Jambalaya, sausage, chicken, prawns, and peppers sautéed in a zesty tomato sauce and served over whole grain rice.
Adventurous entrees include Bourbon Chicken featuring chicken breast smothered in house-made barbecue sauce topped with sautéed red peppers and onions and Havarti cheese, and a Naan bread pizza with onion flat bread topped with curry sauce, cheddar, mozzarella, chick peas, red peppers, onions, and cilantro.
There are menu specials starting on Wednesday with half-price appetizers, a seniors lunch special Thursday, an all-you-can-eat pasta buffet Friday nights and All Day Breakfast on Sunday.
This kitchen has won many local awards from readers of our sister publication, the Squamish Chief, including Best Pasta, and Best Place for a Wedding Reception. The clubhouse was also named by Bride Canada Magazine as one of "seven great wedding venues in Greater Vancouver."
This Mother's Day, they have two sittings for brunch, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Call to see if they have space available. A drive to Squamish followed by a nice brunch would make the day of most moms I know.
Reservations, toll free: 1-888-349-3688
BURNABY MOUNTAIN CLUBHOUSE AND LOUNGE
Burnaby Mountain Golf Course, 7600 Halifax St., Burnaby, B.C.
Two years ago, the City of Burnaby resumed control of the dining facilities at Burnaby Mountain and have invested significantly in rebuilding and modernizing the restaurant, banquet facilities, and bistro.
The result is three casually stylish dining areas for during and after your round and for special group occasions. On the east side of the clubhouse, the bright new bistro, opening Friday, May 15, promises to be a relaxing destination for a snack and a beverage. It will also serve as the sandwich shop and snack bar after you complete your front nine, and will be open to non-golfers as well.
The main restaurant is sleek and modern with a cosy atmosphere and views of the course and surrounding forest. Gone are the old carpets and furnishings. It's an ideal spot for an intimate meal for two or a gathering of friends.
Most meals are in the $14-$15 range and the menu's most expensive selection, the Seafood Linguine at $21.95, includes prawn, scallop, and lobster in a lemon cream sauce. Sounds like it's more than worth the price of admission.
A new summer menu is also in the works that includes grilled mahi-mahi, edamame and sweet corn salad, a lobster salad sandwich, Saltspring mussels and fries, and a selection of plates for sharing: a Surf and Turf platter featuring ribeye steak, pesto prawn kebab, calamari, and Saltspring mussels, and a Barbecue Platter featuring a half-roasted chicken and rack of baby back ribs. Both come with sides and sound perfect for a post round snack.
Grand opening ceremonies are Friday May 15, and it promises to be a lot of fun. There will be live music and a chance to sample new menu items. Call for information.
Reservations: 604-297-4883
