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After rave reviews from friends of ours we recently decided to give Cocoa West a try - As true chocolate connoisseurs we were not disappointed.
The Suite:
We decided to go for the whole "bed and chocolate" experience. It was truely the most relaxing, intimate and perfect staycation for couples. The room was decorated with rich colours, warm lighting, stone shower and the most comfortable bed one could ask for. The first evening we immediately felt the pressure of our busy lives disappear. It is located in a very artsy unique square - you do not feel like you are in British Columbia.
The Chocolate:
The Bed and Chocolate package is definitely the way to go. We received a box of seasonal truffles that were selected by the Maitre Chocolatier. They were definitely the best that we have had - the reason I am even writing about Cocoa West. We are not too concerned about organic chocolates normally, but you could actually taste the difference between these and the mass produced chocolates that you normally encounter in Vancouver. But, I must say that the hot chocolate and mocha was like nothing we've tasted. I can't even describe it - it is a must try. Apparently you can purchase it in stores in Vancouver, so if you can't make it to Bowen you should try it in store.
The People and Facility:
Upon arrival we were treated like a king and queen. The younger staff members were very sweet and helpful. The actual chocolate shop was not swank nor prestigious. It was cozy and the only way to describe it would be antiquey. Brown dark woods with glass cases to hole the assortment of truffles.
We both agreed that we want to come back. Hopefully this review helps.
We were on Bowen last weekend and had the pleasure of dining at Blue Eyed Marys. The food is innovative without being strange and was very tasty! Being served by the owner was a real treat. Stephen answered all of my "foodie" wife's questions very patiently. He is very knowledgeable about his craft. He is also very funny. I couldn't help notice that every time he left our table we were laughing. Everyone else in the room seemed to be having the same experience.The food was hearty and delicious. We will be back! The good news is they are moving to the North Shore. Some locals at a nearby table told us they are very sad about that.
Has dinner last night as we had made a day trip to the Island to find both local pubs closed. Gave this place a try and glad we did. $25 price fix menu was a great deal (although not many selections, and it was the only option available). I understand as I'm sure they are quiet this time of year, but only two appetizers and two desserts to choose from was a little sparse.
Nice little wine list, reasonably priced. We started with a glass of Blue Mountain Brut, followed by a half litre of Noble Ridge Meritage. Manager (owner?) looked after us well, no complaints. Squash Soup for me was delicious, her Salad was also simple but very nice. Both had a great Chicken Entree with a nice Indian Sauce, it was either this, Squid or some kind of Veggie Pie. We ordered one of each Dessert, but were brought the same item, we didn't send it back as we were in a bit of a hurry for the ferry, and it was tasty.
The atmosphere is nice, nothing over the top fancy, but comfortable. My only small complaint was that the music was not very loud (although very nice) and we had to strain to hear it over the other manager (or owners wife?) quite loudly chatting with the cooks oblivious to the glares from us and a few other diners in the place. Not interested in hearing about your life, sorry.
Would definately repeat, but when there is a full menu in play next time.
My wife and I just came back from BEMs. We came to Bowen for our anniversary, and we couldn't of picked a more perfect place to dine. We got the booth in the corner by the kitchen, so we had privacy as well as the luxury of smelling all the aromas. The service was great, and the staff were very friendly. My wife and I ordered a soup starter that was like liquid heaven, came with homemade bread that was on par with my grandmothers. The wine selection was fair, featuring all local BC wines, and our server (I have a suspicion he was the owner) knew a lot about each of them. My wife ordered bison flank steak with homemade gnocchi. The gnocchi melted in your mouth, and the bison was cooked perfectly-nice and tender. I ordered the roast chicken with homemade tortilla strips. The chicken was so juicy and flavourful! It took first place, knocking out the chicken we ate in Cuba. Lastly, we ordered a sticky toffee pudding with chai ice cream. It was the best dessert I've ever eaten. Our bill was a hundred bucks even, which is a fair price for the quality of food. All local and fresh! We will definitely be returning :) A night and a meal to remember.
My family & I went to Bowen Island for the day on a beautiful sunny October day (10/16/2010) and decided to go to this joint for lunch. We were the first customers of the day, which was a little surprising, as it was 11:50AM. Sat outside and ordered coffees to start. Coffees arrived 5 mins. later and were lukewarm and basically colored water. Called over the waitress to return them and she seemed surprised (?).
Waitressing 101: make sure the coffee is hot.
Ordered fish & chips and two clubhouse sandwiches. Substituted the fries for the soup of the day (cream of yam and $4 extra!), which was a mistake. The soup was delivered- surprise, surprise- barely lukewarm. Returned the soup to the waitress, who again seemed surprised (?).
Waitressing 101: make sure the soup is hot.
Warmed up soup delivered about 5 mins. later (customer next to us did the same) but it wasn't worth the wait. It was excessively thick and bland. Fish & chips were fine, but overpriced ($16 for cod!). Clubhouse sandwiches had dried-out onion and tomato slices.
All in all, a big disappointment and we'll never go back. Overpriced and barely edible food.
Two thumbs down.
I would not drive to Bowen just for this restaurant. It is mediocre. There are only four restaurants on the island, this being the most pretentious. I would say Tuscany far exceeds BEM's however, if you are visiting and want to have a nice glass of wine in an uptight atmosphere, then it's great for all the british customers who fling in here. Just joking, but mostly are tourists...there are a few regulars who don't cook often. The pub is great and relaxing and is just two doors down and the prices are better.
It's all in the eyes of the beholder I suppose.
It certainly hasn't the reputation to get my business.
Well, I submitted this place so there will be some repitition.Blue eyed marys is a great little restaurant on Bowen Island. I've been there about 8 times over the last ten years. They've been serving local seasonal food since long before it became trendy. Every time I go the owner greets me like a freind, he even remembers where we sat last time. His wife is the Chef. The food is really excellent and the entire experience is unpretentious.
I can't recommend this place highly enough. I't the only reason we go to Bowen any more.
Good solid honest food, happy staff and decent prices.
The fish and chips were great, excellent fresh fish and crisp batter.
But my favourite is the burger - tender and juicy.
Everytime I'm there - admittedly usually saturdays after a hike - the place is packed, often a live band and a great atmosphere.
From my experience there are 2 pubs on Bowen Island. Doc Morgan's and The Pub. Doc's is right by the water, has a great big patio, gets most of the tourists, and is generally over priced and not great.
The Bowen Island pub is just up the hill, about an 5 minute walk from the Marina. Smallish outdoor patio (about 7 tables) and a real local feel inside. This is the place that the locals eat and drink at. It is your true home town/small town pub and many people in the place are regulars.
They have about 6 beers on tap.
I had the fish and chips, which was fine, but not great. I like a thick beer batter on my fish, where this was quite a light batter. The chips though, were very very good.
My wife's burger was excellent (mushrooms and brie), tasted flame grilled. Good size.
Food came out fast and fresh.
If you are looking for fine dinning, or a trendy place to be, this is not for you. If you want good food, at good prices, and a bit of local flavour, you should enjoy. It is worth the walk up the hill.
In the past, I have had similar experiences as another reviewer of this restaurant. Slow service, long wait times for food and inconsistent and often poor food quality. Not so this month: Wait time was normal, service was excellent and the food was all around good. If this keeps up, it may be worth visiting more often.
The first time we knew of Doc's was last August 2006. There was a line-up and we decided to go elsewhere. We had to ask why there was a line since only half of the restaurant was full. They didn't have enough servers.
We were there again a few weeks ago. There were probably 6 tables occupied so we decided to go in. It took about 15 minutes before a server even came to take our orders. And then it took another 45-50 minutes for the food to arrive. It took so long that my daughter, with whom I am supposed to share my chicken tenders and fries with, fell asleep hungry. Aside from the chicken tenders, we ordered fish and ships. How complicated can that be? The fish was overcooked and tough. The fries weren't even hot.
I will never go back to Doc's and I wouldn't recommend it. I'd rather go to the hotdog stand outside.
