Bullock Lake Farm + Kitchen + Farmstand

360 Upper Ganges Road
Salt Spring Island, BC V8K 1R7
Hours: Friday + Saturday: 10am - 8pm
(Brunch+Sandwiches until 3; wood-fired pizza starting at 4:30)
Sunday: 10am - 3pm (Brunch+Sandwiches all day)
https://www.bullocklakefarm.com

Is there a better comfort food than pizza? I think many of us will agree that there’s nothing quite as satisfying than a hot pie fresh out of the oven to kick off your weekend. Bullock Lake Farm really ups the concept with a gorgeous outdoor wood oven and dining al fresco at rustic picnic tables. 

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If you weren’t already lured in by the delectable pizzas, the idyllic surroundings should do the trick. Bullock Lake Farm is a pastoral paradise for not just adults, but for dogs and kids, too. You can choose your picnic spot accordingly, whether it’s a quiet pond view, a table by the bocce ball pitch, or even a sheltered spot in the barn. 

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The “Kitchen” part is located in a converted shipping container, with the pizza oven sitting adjacent to it. The menu is ever-changing, and written on a roll of butcher block paper hanging on the wall. After contemplating the daily specials, you can order your meal at there.

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And the pizzas? They are things of beauty- both crispy and chewy, dressed up perfectly with toppings plucked from the gardens on the farm. There’s usually some kind of salad and appetizer as well. During the hot summer months, I recommend trying one of their refreshing fruit “shrubs” to cool down with. And happily the Bullock Lake Farm team has also started offering a brunch menu for the early hours of the day. 

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If you’d like to take home some of the awesome snacks harvested on the farm, there’s a little farmstand corner dedicated to fruits, veggies, and the like. 

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Finally, there’s usually floral arrangements for purchase that will make any fan of flowers swoon. I also recommend making a trip to their U-Pick sunflower field that’s in bloom around the end of September/early October. 

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Vesuvius Cafe

735 Vesuvius Bay Rd
250-537-1515
Hours: Monday - Sunday
8am - 5pm
https://www.facebook.com/vesuviusstoreandcafe/

Just a few minutes from the Vesuvius ferry terminal, the quaint Vesuvius Cafe stands in a yellow and blue house just next to the road. Sure to pique your interest by its sheer adorability, it’s a great destination for an easy bike ride or the perfect spot for midday snack if you’re spending the day at Vesuvius Bay Beach. 

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Don’t overlook its hot drink menu, either. Natsuko, the Cafe’s owner, makes perfect lattes and cappuccinos. But it’s her homemade Chai Latte with honey that really takes the cake as the best comfort drink around - the sweetness coupled with the ginger’s kick will warm you through and through. Bring your own mug to get 5% off! 

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And one of the most exciting developments is that of a weekend tapas menu, thanks to the talents of a new chef (formerly of the renowned restaurant “Le Crocodile” in Vancouver, BC, no less.) Small plates like Poached Fig Summer Squash Skewers that are stuffed with Cambozola and Blue cheese comes out looking like art, and have a fantastic riot of flavors to match. Plus, there’s gluten-free and vegan options for those of you that need it.

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Happily, if you’re smitten with any of the ciders you’ve tasted in your flight there are full bottles for sale in the tasting room that can be taken home. Vancouver residents can find them in certain shops as well.

So pick a warm afternoon and grab a table outside looking at the apple trees and the rolling hills below. You might even catch a glimpse of quail or deer wandering around. It’s that kind of place.

The Lowdown: Cider tasting room with tapas 

Photos & words by Stephania Jean
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That alone would be something, but this little bakery nestled within The Duthie Gallery near Ganges was a constant during the wild weather that battered our island this winter. Even when the power went out, the bakers still worked by candlelight and provided a delicious port in a storm for weary locals and travelers alike.

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​ And it’s still a happy haven for good eats with a caffeine fix, since Francis bread stocks the local Mt. Maxwell Coffee. (If you’re visiting, make sure you give them a try before your ship sails. Because where else but Salt Spring can you find coffee roasted to music in a yurt?)
If tea is more your jam, they carry Namasthé, along with unusual vegan latte mixes from Blume, like the golden mylk turmeric version among others.

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​Looking for more substantial nosh? On any given day there’s delectable tartines, like pumpkin, kale, and carrots with goat cheese. The produce is sourced locally from places like Bullock Lake Farm, in case you were wondering. And there’s a good amount of chairs and tables inside to roost on, as well as benches outside to soak up our island sunshine.

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It's also easy to pick up local herbs, flowers, and produce from Bullock Lake Farm here. 

It’s an immediate dive into the tall green pines, alder, and arbutus. The trails starts off easily, with a gentle meandering path towards Baker. But once you get close towards the end and Baker Drive, it gets a little steep with a stair-like climb up to the top. The view is a lovely one, though.

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There’s an equally steep descent to the stairs that leave you on Baker. Cross the road (carefully, friends!) and take a right,  heading towards the dirt “parking lot” and the stairs down to the shore. Beaches on Salt Spring each have their own unique character, and this is no exception. On good days, Baker is a safari of sorts. Careful hunters will spot purple starfish when the tide is out, seals bobbing up and down, and crabs scuttling in a sort of crustacean rush hour. As Baker turns into Quarry Drive Beach, you might spot the resident Bald Eagle family that lives in the trees that border it. But mostly it’s a solitary walk, punctuated by some happy off-leash pups with their owners.

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Once you’ve reached the stairs on Quarry Drive beach, it’s time to go up and complete the loop. If you get weary, there are a few benches off of the trails to rest, or take in the magnificent views.

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Notes: There are no trash cans, so please pack out your garbage responsibly. Dogs are allowed off leash if they are under control and do not disturb the wildlife, other hikers, or neighboring livestock. For more information, head over to the CRD’s website.

The Lowdown: An idyllic and easy hike along the sea in Vesuvius. 

Photos & Words by Stephania Jean 

Salty Pear describes itself as a “DIY” sauna, which means that you must build your own fire. On our visits, they’d left lighters and newspapers to facilitate that process. (Note to City Folk: you might want to read up on fire-building technique as prep, perhaps). Drinking water is not provided, so be sure to bring your own. Ditto for towels and other necessities. But they do have a garden hose and a tiny  patio to sit on and unwind pre- or post session.
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Once inside, the little barrel holds 4 people comfortably. The main attraction is the stunning bubble window with its own little floating seat. The sound of rain hitting it with the green foliage swimming outdoors is a quiet treat. You’ll have an hour to soak it all in, plus 15 minutes before and after the session for prep and clean-up. ​

​The lowdown: DIY Sauna at The Salty Pear, $20 a session

Photos & words by Stephania Jean