| The casual elegance with which Sinclair and | | | | perfect together. |
| Frederique Philip conduct business at the Sooke | | | | Louie walked us through an amazing trip through |
| Harbour House sets the Inn apart from every | | | | the vineyards of Vancouver Island and the |
| other in the area. The ability to make guests feel | | | | Okanagan, pairing wines that perhaps we might |
| pampered yet free to do as they wish is really | | | | have been skeptical about until we tasted them |
| unsurpassed. | | | | with each sumptuous course. From Blue Grouse |
| So, what's the skinny - since really that's what | | | | Vineyards to Kettle Valley and back to |
| most readers are looking for! An elegant and | | | | Venturi-Schulze, our palates were teased, |
| luxurious accommodation with wonderful down | | | | pampered and treated to a masterpiece of |
| comforters, fireplaces waiting for but a match, | | | | tastes. As Sinclair Philip sat down with us, bringing |
| deep soaker tubs on the patio to relax your | | | | out a wonderful bottle of Marechal Foch from |
| weary work-week muscles, a view that only the | | | | Starling Lane Vineyards, the conversation |
| seagulls in flight overhead can beat, and oversize | | | | mesmerized us and made us feel as if we were |
| showers complete with warm mists. | | | | at the dinner table at home with old friends - |
| When you call to book your room, your dinner | | | | reminiscing, chatting, laughing and enjoying. What a |
| reservations are secured, every possible food | | | | memorable evening. The cod was buttery-soft |
| allergy or aversion, is covered, and your spa | | | | and tasted as if the boat had just tied up at the |
| treatment is readied. When you arrive, you are | | | | Sooke dock. The lamb was tender, perfectly |
| personally taken to your room where fresh white | | | | cooked, and bathed with a port reduction that |
| chocolate and cranberry cookies greet you on the | | | | was second to none. The presentation was eye |
| counter, beside the port wine poured in a small | | | | catching, spirit lifting, and played with every one |
| decanter waiting to take you into a world away | | | | of our senses. |
| from what you know. | | | | As the four facets of our rhubarb variations for |
| Our stay began with the usual Friday afternoon | | | | dessert came out with a little Sauternes from |
| traffic leaving Victoria - slow drivers, careful | | | | France, a feeling of satisfaction overcame us. The |
| drivers, and, of course, the ever-present annoying | | | | cheeses from Hilary's in the Cowichan Valley, |
| driver. All of them combined made for an arrival | | | | along with the selection from Moonstruck on Salt |
| four minutes after our scheduled hot stone | | | | Spring, were the final cap on a decadent evening |
| massages. Not to worry - the front desk happily | | | | of wonderful eating and wine. We were happy, |
| did an express check-in and escorted us to our | | | | tantalized, pleasantly full and amazed by the meal |
| open, airy, high-ceilinged oasis. The luxurious robes | | | | we had just taken in. And, as Louie and Sinclair bid |
| were awaiting and shedding our clothes was less | | | | us good night, we felt like we were just heading |
| than a difficult task. We donned the ubiquitous | | | | up to the guest room to open our suitcases and |
| slippers and trundled down to the Potlach room. | | | | to enjoy the wonderful hospitality. |
| We were greeted by soothing spa sounds, a | | | | Back in our room, we realized we had promised |
| refreshing glass of water from a hand-painted | | | | Sinclair that we would fill our outdoor deep soaker |
| bottle, and our two wonderful masseuses. Never | | | | tub and sit in the cool evening air, drinking in the |
| having had a hot stone massage - I knew not | | | | sounds and sights of an ocean paradise. We filled |
| what bliss was to follow. One and a half hours | | | | in our breakfast order for the morning and hung |
| passed as if they were fifteen minutes. My | | | | the request on our door - dreaming already of |
| masseuse whispered occasionally in my ear to | | | | the treats that awaited us. This we did easily, as |
| ask if the pressure was OK - I think all I could do | | | | we sipped port, threw our clothes to the floor, |
| was moan with pleasure and continue to "endure" | | | | and enjoyed what could only be termed a perfect |
| the passing time. We were all too sorry to finish | | | | evening. |
| our treatments - but alas, it meant that dinner lay | | | | As the light streamed through the curtains in the |
| ahead.... | | | | morning, a soft knock came at the door. We |
| We managed to sneak up to our room to sip a | | | | opened it to a very polite and bright "Good |
| glass of the port on the deck. We listened to the | | | | morning!" Our breakfast was brought in and placed |
| waves lap up on the shore beneath us. | | | | on the table in the living room. Hot coffee - strong |
| Afterwards, we showered all the oil off of our | | | | and addictive-smelling, fresh croissants - crunchy |
| bodies and readied for the fabulous feast that | | | | on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside. |
| awaited us. | | | | French toast, bathed in fruits and syrup with fresh |
| As we sauntered into the dining room, we found | | | | squeezed orange juice. Scones, muffins, yogurt - |
| ourselves a quiet seat in the bustling room - one | | | | the list was endless and that home made family |
| facing the roaring fireplace. We were embarking | | | | feeling returned. |
| upon the seven course culinary "Gastronomic | | | | As we lazed on the couch contemplating the rain |
| Adventure" with wine pairings, as Louie, our | | | | and the tide pulling out we relaxed, read, talked, |
| sharp-looking sommelier/waiter/fountain of | | | | listened to classical music and we enjoyed. One |
| knowledge, detailed to us. We started with a | | | | can only enjoy in such a setting with these people |
| fabulous white that paired beautifully with our | | | | around you - with this food in your stomach. |
| carrot soup with grand fir oil, roasted bacon, and | | | | As we set out to check out Botanical Beach and |
| apples. Warm on a cool evening, it inspired the | | | | the surrounding areas of Sooke, we could only |
| overwhelming feeling of being at home but | | | | think about when we would return. Who of our |
| treated like royalty all at the same time. We | | | | friends would enjoy coming, having their wedding |
| continued on with a flaky, tender fillet of | | | | here. Who would enjoy the wine, feeling the |
| tamari-glazed sablefish in a unique gooseneck | | | | company of the friends here. |
| barnacle broth with wild rice, snap peas, and chive | | | | Our only regret is not touring the wine cellar - |
| oil - absolutely wonderful. Next arrived a poached, | | | | world renowned and Wine Spectator accoladed. |
| spiced pork-stuffed chicken leg with cranberry | | | | But, alas - what a wonderful reason to go back to |
| compote, cauliflower puree, pickled beet white | | | | our friends at the Sooke Harbour House. What a |
| bean salad, and toasted walnuts. The sweet and | | | | perfect getaway! |
| sour with the nutty taste of the walnuts were | | | | |