Post by Retrovision on Dec 14, 2006 6:20:49 GMT -8
( From: www.vancourier.com/issues06/123106/dining.html )
Cheap eats: All aboard for the Pacific Buffet
Pacific Buffet
B.C. Ferries
info:www.bcferries.com
Reviewed by Michael Kissinger
Having grown up in the wilds of Nanaimo and with friends and family scattered up and down Vancouver Island, I've developed an intimate knowledge of the B.C. Ferries system. The yearly fuel tax increase, the lineups to the cafeteria and the questionably named "sunshine breakfast." But for some reason, I've never experienced the posh comforts of the Pacific Buffet-until this weekend.
Exclusive to the Spirit-class ferries running between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay in Victoria, the Pacific Buffet offers passengers the chance to dine to their hearts' content in a spacious lounge with a great view, away from the lumpen masses, arcade noise and constant "no playing on the escalators" warnings over the PA system. The catch is that diners have to shell out a bit more cash than if they were eating from the White Spot-dominated cafeteria menu. But membership does have its privileges. Namely, an all-you-can-eat buffet with salad bar, dessert bar and a safe but adequate selection of main courses with nary a deep-fried morsel of shame in sight.
For the 11 a.m. ferry run to Victoria, the Pacific Buffet shifts from its breakfast to brunch menu, which I suppose explains the "dim sum" and poached wild salmon alongside breakfast stalwarts like sausage, eggs, corned beef hash and pastries.
Seated by ferry staff at a window-side seat overlooking the ship's stern, I felt a strange sense of calm and elation not normally associated with the cattle drive of weekend ferry travel. Maybe it was Raffi's rendition of "Jingle Bells" that did it-or the distinct lack of sugar-fuelled school children. Not only that, but unlike a lot of buffets I've eaten at (read: Foody Goody), no one looked like they were strapping on the feed bag or appeared the least bit stoned.
With a bottomless coffee and glass of cranberry cocktail (no fruit juices, for some reason), I leisurely leafed through Vancouver Magazine's Power 50 issue half expecting to find myself in it. Alas, it was not to be, and I moseyed over to the buffet. I say "mosey" since it implies comfort and casualness as opposed to waddle, which implies weight issues, shuffle (shame) and lurch (creepy desperation). And the Pacific Buffet is all about comfort and casualness. And cheese cake. Over the years, one of the few bright spots of B.C. Ferries' dining has always been its ever-shrinking slices of cheesecake. Say what you will about the clam chowder, French fries and gravy, and new health conscious wraps, but B.C. Ferries cheesecake has always been dependable, which is a lot more than you can say about some of the fleet's vessels. I'm talking to you, Queen of Surrey.
On Sunday night I returned to Vancouver and partook in the buffet's dinner menu. At first I worried that my serene dining experience would be pummeled by the presence of the Ridge Meadows Rustlers hockey team jostling for position in the roast beef lineup. Thankfully it was the only time I noticed them and their matching leather-sleeved jackets.
To the buffet's credit, its chefs try their best to include a smattering of West Coast cuisine like poached sockeye and steamed mussels as well as ethnic food such as chicken vindaloo that could have used more spice, and pub-friendly fare like chicken wings, barbecued pulled pork, potatoes and pasta.
Food wise, the Pacific Buffet isn't overly adventurous, but it does offer considerably more variety and quality than the boats' noisy cafeterias. The other attraction is the room itself. Quieter, calmer, more open, less crowded and you can stay the entire hour-and-a half trip. And that second serving of cheesecake isn't bad either.
The damage done: breakfast buffet $16.70 (including taxes), dinner buffet $19.88, totaling a cool $36.58.
published on 12/13/2006
©Copyright by Vancouver Courier, a division of CanWest MediaWorks Publications Inc.
Cheap eats: All aboard for the Pacific Buffet
Pacific Buffet
B.C. Ferries
info:www.bcferries.com
Reviewed by Michael Kissinger
Having grown up in the wilds of Nanaimo and with friends and family scattered up and down Vancouver Island, I've developed an intimate knowledge of the B.C. Ferries system. The yearly fuel tax increase, the lineups to the cafeteria and the questionably named "sunshine breakfast." But for some reason, I've never experienced the posh comforts of the Pacific Buffet-until this weekend.
Exclusive to the Spirit-class ferries running between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay in Victoria, the Pacific Buffet offers passengers the chance to dine to their hearts' content in a spacious lounge with a great view, away from the lumpen masses, arcade noise and constant "no playing on the escalators" warnings over the PA system. The catch is that diners have to shell out a bit more cash than if they were eating from the White Spot-dominated cafeteria menu. But membership does have its privileges. Namely, an all-you-can-eat buffet with salad bar, dessert bar and a safe but adequate selection of main courses with nary a deep-fried morsel of shame in sight.
For the 11 a.m. ferry run to Victoria, the Pacific Buffet shifts from its breakfast to brunch menu, which I suppose explains the "dim sum" and poached wild salmon alongside breakfast stalwarts like sausage, eggs, corned beef hash and pastries.
Seated by ferry staff at a window-side seat overlooking the ship's stern, I felt a strange sense of calm and elation not normally associated with the cattle drive of weekend ferry travel. Maybe it was Raffi's rendition of "Jingle Bells" that did it-or the distinct lack of sugar-fuelled school children. Not only that, but unlike a lot of buffets I've eaten at (read: Foody Goody), no one looked like they were strapping on the feed bag or appeared the least bit stoned.
With a bottomless coffee and glass of cranberry cocktail (no fruit juices, for some reason), I leisurely leafed through Vancouver Magazine's Power 50 issue half expecting to find myself in it. Alas, it was not to be, and I moseyed over to the buffet. I say "mosey" since it implies comfort and casualness as opposed to waddle, which implies weight issues, shuffle (shame) and lurch (creepy desperation). And the Pacific Buffet is all about comfort and casualness. And cheese cake. Over the years, one of the few bright spots of B.C. Ferries' dining has always been its ever-shrinking slices of cheesecake. Say what you will about the clam chowder, French fries and gravy, and new health conscious wraps, but B.C. Ferries cheesecake has always been dependable, which is a lot more than you can say about some of the fleet's vessels. I'm talking to you, Queen of Surrey.
On Sunday night I returned to Vancouver and partook in the buffet's dinner menu. At first I worried that my serene dining experience would be pummeled by the presence of the Ridge Meadows Rustlers hockey team jostling for position in the roast beef lineup. Thankfully it was the only time I noticed them and their matching leather-sleeved jackets.
To the buffet's credit, its chefs try their best to include a smattering of West Coast cuisine like poached sockeye and steamed mussels as well as ethnic food such as chicken vindaloo that could have used more spice, and pub-friendly fare like chicken wings, barbecued pulled pork, potatoes and pasta.
Food wise, the Pacific Buffet isn't overly adventurous, but it does offer considerably more variety and quality than the boats' noisy cafeterias. The other attraction is the room itself. Quieter, calmer, more open, less crowded and you can stay the entire hour-and-a half trip. And that second serving of cheesecake isn't bad either.
The damage done: breakfast buffet $16.70 (including taxes), dinner buffet $19.88, totaling a cool $36.58.
published on 12/13/2006
©Copyright by Vancouver Courier, a division of CanWest MediaWorks Publications Inc.
