One of the things Cathryn and I were most looking forward to while visiting the Sunshine Coast in British Columbia was the seafood. Having sampled our share on the east coast a few years ago, we wanted to see how the west coast fared. After a short ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay in North Vancouver to Landale, we drove directly to Gibsons to kill some time while we waited to check into our Airbnb.

We took a quick look at the Persephone and Molly’s from the old Beachcomber TV series days and strolled out onto the pier. Our thirst for craft beer and hunger for fresh seafood cut our walk short. We headed to the closest and most scenic patio on the pier, Gramma’s Pub. The place was a bit weathered but we were distracted by the beautiful harbor view.

The menu covered all the bases and we each found a likeable local brew to toast our first stop on the Sunshine Coast. Things took a quick turn when Cathryn announced it was our first time in Gibson’s Landing, and she asked what was the best local fare. The waitress was greeted with two blank stares when she started describing their nachos and potato skins.

With my mouth still agape, I asked about the seafood on the menu. She said they were out of almost all their seafood – quite an unbelievable statement to me since we’d just seen a guy down on the dock selling fresh fish and prawns. Cathryn prayed that the calamari was local (I knew better) and I ordered the seafood chowder. The squid was the previously frozen stuff I expected, but my chowder was pretty damn good – creamy, the way I like it, with a variety of seafood. My only complaint was the tails on the shrimp and mussels still in the shell, I had to stick my fingers in the hot chowder to de-shell.

My next bowl of chowder was at the Black Fish Pub, in Gibsons, where we met some friends for lunch. It was a clam chowder that was loaded with clams and spices but not quite creamy enough for me. They had lots of other seafood on their menu and Cathryn had a niece piece of sockeye salmon. The craft beer was excellent too.

My third bowl of chowder was consumed at the Lighthouse Pub in Sechelt. We had just been to the beach and seeing mussel shells scattered all along the water’s edge, steered our stomachs to the restaurant. We were not disappointed by the fabulous waterfront view, local craft beer, and seafood. Cathryn had a bowl of mussels in a creamy garlic and onion sauce and and did the seafood chowder. Bowl number three was the tastiest yet, but the small bits of seafood were well hidden by the larger chunks of potatoes.

Stealing some mussels from my wife’s plate added to my creamy chowder treat which was lip-smacking good when I used my garlic toast to soak up every last drop.

We’re off to Nanaimo next and I’m sure the chowder wasr will continue. We already know what will be for dessert.