Crow and Gate English Pub
Crow and Gate English Pub
2313 Yellow Point Road, Nanaimo, British Columbia V9X 1W5, Canada
The Jolda Gallery and Gardens
3140 De Courcy Drive, Cedar BC
https://ted-jolda-glass.myshopify.com/
Sometimes this Girl About Town has to get out of town!
That’s exactly what I did last week when my bestie and I took a little day trip up to a charming English pub nestled amongst a picturesque garden in a country setting about 100 km north of Victoria.
This isn’t just any old run-of-the-mill tavern good people, this place is simply NOT to be missed. The service is excellent, the food is delicious and no matter when you visit, whether inside the cozy pub on a cold and rainy evening, or in the middle of a beautiful summer day amongst the picturesque garden, the experience can’t be beat.
Top quality English-style pub fare is on offer with things like burgers, bangers and mash, pub plates, steak and mushroom and chicken pot pie, clam chowder, and caesar salad. My friend and I split a scotch egg for an appetizer (delish!) then for lunch my friend had the steak and mushroom pot pie, which was very tasty, while I enjoyed a beautiful Caesar salad with shrimp (so yummy). For a delicious dessert we split the strawberry and blackberry pie, oh my!
Accessibility
An absolute highlight for me is how accessible things are. The pub itself is a little bit crowded at its busier times, but staff are happy to accommodate however they can. If sitting in the garden, you must go back around to the front of the restaurant to access the bathrooms.
The washroom is roomy and the doors are wide. The accessible entrance at the front has a slight bump going over the threshold. There is plenty of parking in their gravel field parking lot. No minors are permitted at the pub, even in the garden.
Verdict
The Crow and Gate is legendary and has a loyal following among those know who are lucky enough to know about it. It is a magical little gem that once discovered, will quickly become one of your all-time favourites!
CLICK THROUGH BELOW FOR A SLIDESHOW OF THEIR BEAUTIFUL GARDENS!
After we had our lunch we continued on our way and stopped in at
The Jolda Gallery and Gardens
to visit my friend and talented artist, Ted Jolda. Ted is a glass blower and an exceptionally skilled one at that. His studio is lovely and rustic. It’s located in a charming country setting with a rambling garden, which my little scooter was able to negotiate but would be a challenge for most mobility devices.
One of Ted’s ornaments, the Golden Pear, was featured on Oprah‘s list of her favourite things a few years back. Let’s just say I can see why it made it on the list. It’s beyond beautiful.
The studio is full of his fantastic creations and well worth a visit if you are searching for a unique gift or treat for yourself (even better!)
What a fantastic way to spend a summer day!