50p
We Are What We Eat
“One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating.” - Pavarotti
Both a basic need and expression of cultural heritage, a meal shared between friends or family is part of the very nature of humanity. Here at Brentwood, the cafeteria is a haven for cuisine but sometimes Brentonians are drawn by necessity or occasion away from Crooks Hall to the wider world of food. Whether the beginning of a Brentwood romantic relationship, a catch-up reunion with family not seen since last break, or an evening out for hard-working staff, the Cowichan Valley features a great variety in culinary options.
If fine dining is your goal, Amusé Bistro in Shawnigan Lake leads the field. Owned by Chef Brad Boisvert, Amusé provides a quiet and intimate ambience for the most romantic of dates or the most special of family dinners. Guided by the philosophy that ‘simple is elegant’ and the Slow Food Movement, Boisvert combines regional flavors with artistically simple plating, using only ingredients from the Gulf Island region. All of Boisvert’s dishes incorporate elements from the restaurant’s own garden and everything is delicately made from scratch. Abundant in both simplicity and elegance, this restaurant is only a 10 minute drive from Brentwood at the top of the Shawnigan-Mill Bay Road, and celebrates the very best of the local area’s natural splendor. With personal and caring service from Maitre d’ Leah Bellerive to complement the food, a night at Amusé is a time to remember.
For a different ambience but equally magical dining experience, head to the Masthead Restaurant in Cowichan Bay. Slightly farther from Brentwood, this restaurant’s fine-dining ambience is not to be missed. Featuring fresh seafood (local Dungeness crab is literally caught to order) a must-try dish at this restaurant is their signature Caesar salad. Made from scratch table-side by your server, this appetizer is an example of the care and attention that goes into the food here. With reflected and refracted candelight beautifully accenting the cuisine after dark, the Masthead is an extra-special experience on Saturday nights when the food is accompanied and complemented by gentle live jazz on bass and piano.
For slightly more casual dining with excellent attention to flavour, head to Steeples Restaurant in Shawnigan Lake. A ten minute drive from Brentwood, Steeples is a converted United church and fuses regional influences in its unique cuisine. Open for lunch and dinner throughout the week, this “near-religious” dining experience is a pleasure for all and is frequently a destination of choice for Brentwood families.
For more traditional fare, head to Catrina’s Grill in the Mill Bay Shopping Center, only minutes’ walk from the Brentwood gates. With hamburgers, quesadillas, and excellent soups as well as desserts, Catrina’s is a quick and casual treat.
A little further afield is the village’s very own fish and chippery, Mill Bay Fish’n’Chips. Situated on the crest of Highway 1, the restaurant is a brisk 10 minute walk uphill from Brentwood, a suitable distance for maintaining a healthy balance to the batter and cholesterol naturally part of this meal. Providing a variety of choices beyond those traditionally offered for fish and chips, this restaurant is best for diners unhampered by decision-making paralysis.
Also on Highway 1, but more comfortably accessed by a 3 minute drive, is Baytown Restaurant. Another quick and casual establishment, Baytown features daily soup specials and hearty North American cuisine. With especially tasty pancakes and omelettes, Baytown is a great place for a quick lunch or scrumptious breakfast.
On Sundays, the best brunch in the valley is at the Arbutus Ridge Golf Course’s Satellite Grille. With culinary elements from numerous nationalities, options abound for any diner. The buffet’s excellence is also reflected in the golf course’s spectacular views. Only 10 minutes by car from Brentwood, this restaurant features made-to-order omelettes and waffles to delight any morning palate. Whether with family or friends, Arbutus’s brunch is a treat for all.
In terms of coffee and beverages, Mill Bay boasts three diverse coffee shops. Rusticana’s Café, just outside the school gates, is a local favourite for Brentonians and features a variety of coffees as well as other drinks and snacks. Rusty’s is also popular in warmer weather for its delicious ice cream and the shop is a popular place to sit and chat with friends or more-than-friends. More coffee is available, along with London Fogs and cookies at Bru-Go’s Coffee in the Mill Bay Shopping Center. A short walk from Brentwood, Bru-Go’s boasts a warm and relaxed ambience to suit their drinks, which are available to stay or to go. Further from Brentwood on Highway 1, Serious Coffee adds its voice to the warm beverage scene in the area. Offering food and baking to complement its beverages, Serious is a perfect place to chat with a visiting parent or good friend.
Whether searching for a romantic candle-lit dinner or catch-up meal with family, the Cowichan Valley has everything culinary to offer. However, wherever you go, be sure you choose a dining experience to suit the mood of your special occasion. Grade 12 student Sean H (pictured above) recently made this mistake on a first date with Assistant Head Prefect Indre S. Dressed in his sharpest suit and tie, he set the mood with a candle and fine white tablecloth and added the element of friends (Paiton B and Sydney L) to lessen the tension, but Sean had the misfortune to choose McDonalds as the location for their first date, which may prove to be a fatal flaw in his courtship of this high-flying young woman. “It was pretty awkward” says Indré of the experience at the fast-food joint. “She’s so hot” blurted Sean. There is clearly a difference of perspective between the two. But will there be a second date? Only time will tell…
Both a basic need and expression of cultural heritage, a meal shared between friends or family is part of the very nature of humanity. Here at Brentwood, the cafeteria is a haven for cuisine but sometimes Brentonians are drawn by necessity or occasion away from Crooks Hall to the wider world of food. Whether the beginning of a Brentwood romantic relationship, a catch-up reunion with family not seen since last break, or an evening out for hard-working staff, the Cowichan Valley features a great variety in culinary options.
If fine dining is your goal, Amusé Bistro in Shawnigan Lake leads the field. Owned by Chef Brad Boisvert, Amusé provides a quiet and intimate ambience for the most romantic of dates or the most special of family dinners. Guided by the philosophy that ‘simple is elegant’ and the Slow Food Movement, Boisvert combines regional flavors with artistically simple plating, using only ingredients from the Gulf Island region. All of Boisvert’s dishes incorporate elements from the restaurant’s own garden and everything is delicately made from scratch. Abundant in both simplicity and elegance, this restaurant is only a 10 minute drive from Brentwood at the top of the Shawnigan-Mill Bay Road, and celebrates the very best of the local area’s natural splendor. With personal and caring service from Maitre d’ Leah Bellerive to complement the food, a night at Amusé is a time to remember.
For a different ambience but equally magical dining experience, head to the Masthead Restaurant in Cowichan Bay. Slightly farther from Brentwood, this restaurant’s fine-dining ambience is not to be missed. Featuring fresh seafood (local Dungeness crab is literally caught to order) a must-try dish at this restaurant is their signature Caesar salad. Made from scratch table-side by your server, this appetizer is an example of the care and attention that goes into the food here. With reflected and refracted candelight beautifully accenting the cuisine after dark, the Masthead is an extra-special experience on Saturday nights when the food is accompanied and complemented by gentle live jazz on bass and piano.
For slightly more casual dining with excellent attention to flavour, head to Steeples Restaurant in Shawnigan Lake. A ten minute drive from Brentwood, Steeples is a converted United church and fuses regional influences in its unique cuisine. Open for lunch and dinner throughout the week, this “near-religious” dining experience is a pleasure for all and is frequently a destination of choice for Brentwood families.
For more traditional fare, head to Catrina’s Grill in the Mill Bay Shopping Center, only minutes’ walk from the Brentwood gates. With hamburgers, quesadillas, and excellent soups as well as desserts, Catrina’s is a quick and casual treat.
A little further afield is the village’s very own fish and chippery, Mill Bay Fish’n’Chips. Situated on the crest of Highway 1, the restaurant is a brisk 10 minute walk uphill from Brentwood, a suitable distance for maintaining a healthy balance to the batter and cholesterol naturally part of this meal. Providing a variety of choices beyond those traditionally offered for fish and chips, this restaurant is best for diners unhampered by decision-making paralysis.
Also on Highway 1, but more comfortably accessed by a 3 minute drive, is Baytown Restaurant. Another quick and casual establishment, Baytown features daily soup specials and hearty North American cuisine. With especially tasty pancakes and omelettes, Baytown is a great place for a quick lunch or scrumptious breakfast.
On Sundays, the best brunch in the valley is at the Arbutus Ridge Golf Course’s Satellite Grille. With culinary elements from numerous nationalities, options abound for any diner. The buffet’s excellence is also reflected in the golf course’s spectacular views. Only 10 minutes by car from Brentwood, this restaurant features made-to-order omelettes and waffles to delight any morning palate. Whether with family or friends, Arbutus’s brunch is a treat for all.
In terms of coffee and beverages, Mill Bay boasts three diverse coffee shops. Rusticana’s Café, just outside the school gates, is a local favourite for Brentonians and features a variety of coffees as well as other drinks and snacks. Rusty’s is also popular in warmer weather for its delicious ice cream and the shop is a popular place to sit and chat with friends or more-than-friends. More coffee is available, along with London Fogs and cookies at Bru-Go’s Coffee in the Mill Bay Shopping Center. A short walk from Brentwood, Bru-Go’s boasts a warm and relaxed ambience to suit their drinks, which are available to stay or to go. Further from Brentwood on Highway 1, Serious Coffee adds its voice to the warm beverage scene in the area. Offering food and baking to complement its beverages, Serious is a perfect place to chat with a visiting parent or good friend.
Whether searching for a romantic candle-lit dinner or catch-up meal with family, the Cowichan Valley has everything culinary to offer. However, wherever you go, be sure you choose a dining experience to suit the mood of your special occasion. Grade 12 student Sean H (pictured above) recently made this mistake on a first date with Assistant Head Prefect Indre S. Dressed in his sharpest suit and tie, he set the mood with a candle and fine white tablecloth and added the element of friends (Paiton B and Sydney L) to lessen the tension, but Sean had the misfortune to choose McDonalds as the location for their first date, which may prove to be a fatal flaw in his courtship of this high-flying young woman. “It was pretty awkward” says Indré of the experience at the fast-food joint. “She’s so hot” blurted Sean. There is clearly a difference of perspective between the two. But will there be a second date? Only time will tell…
100p
75p
