Vancouver, Whistler & Vancouver Island - Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest - page 813

Gabriel's Café INTERNATIONAL$
(183 Commercial St; mains $6-9; 8am-7pm Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm Sat & Sun; ) This perfectly
located downtown hole-in-the-wall is like a static food truck. Chat with the man himself
behind the counter, then tuck into made-from-scratch treats like pulled-pork breakfast
wraps or the ever-popular Thai green chili coconut curry rice bowl. Vegetarians are also
well looked after - try the black-bean burger. There's not much room to sit in this sunny
little nook and it's best to arrive off-peak to avoid line-ups.
2 Chefs Affair WEST COAST$$$
( www.twochefsaffair.com ; 123b Commercial St; mains $8-15; 8am-4:30pm Mon-Fri, to 3pm Sat &
Sun; ) Focused on great comfort food with a fresh, made-from-scratch approach, this
highly welcoming locals' haunt in the heart of downtown is a great spot for breakfast (go
the French toast route). But lunch is arguably even more enticing: ask for the 'menage a
trois' and you won't be disappointed - it comes with crab fishcake, candied salmon and
garlic prawns.
Penny's Palapa MEXICAN$$$
( www.pennyspalapa.com ; 10 Wharf St, Dock H; mains $8-16; 11am-8:30pm May-Sep; ) This
tiny, flower-and-flag-decked floating hut and patio in the harbor is a lovely spot for an al-
fresco meal among the jostling boats. An inventive, well-priced menu of Mexican de-
lights includes seasonal seafood specials - the signature halibut tacos are recommended -
plus some good vegetarian options. Arrive early: the dining area fills rapidly on balmy
summer evenings. Drinks- wise, it's all about the margaritas.
Drinking & Entertainment
Longwood Brewpub BREWPUB
( www.longwoodbrewpub.com ; 5775 Turner Rd; 11am-midnight) Incongruously located in a
strip mall, this handsome stone and gabled resto-pub combines a surprisingly good menu
with lip-smacking own-brewed beers. Try for a deck table and decide between recom-
mended mains like Cajun chicken quesadilla or halibut and prawn wraps - vegetarians
should order the roast-vegetable lasagna. For beer, hit the four-glass tasting flight.
Dinghy Dock Pub PUB
( www.dinghydockpub.com ; 8 Pirates Lane; mains $12-17; 11:30am-11pm) Accessed via a mini-
ferry hop, this lively but old-school pub and restaurant combo floating offshore from
Protection Island is a salty local legend and a unique place to knock back a few malty