VICTORIA AND VANCOUVER ISLAND - British Columbia: Including the Alaska Highway - page 223

place where you can load up hearty servings of fries with various toppings, and even try a
deep-fried chocolate bar.
M Extraordinary Organics (77 Skinner St., 250/591-6078, 5pm-9pm Tues.-Thurs.,
5pm-10pm Fri.-Sat., $14-24) is a welcoming yet classy space that many visitors miss, yet
is just a couple of blocks from the bustle of Commercial Street. As the name suggested,
a great deal of effort goes into sourcing organic, local produce, such as the Caesar salad,
which comes smothered with dressing made in-house and a side of toasted seaweed. Other
interesting combos are the pan-fried calamari starter topped with mint and scallions, and,
for a main, Thai curry served with over-sized prawns. Even the coffee and teas are organic
in origin. Highly recommended.
Dinghy Dock Marine Pub (Protection Island, 250/753-2373, 11am-11pm daily, later on
weekends, $11-29) offers a unique dining experience; the floating restaurant is moored at
nearby Protection Island. Well known for great food and plenty of seagoing atmosphere, the
pub also hosts live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights from May to September.
To get to the restaurant, take a ferry from Nanaimo Boat Basin. Ferries depart hourly
9:10am-11:10pm; for ferry information, call 250/753-8244.
Nanaimo Visitor Centre is at the north entrance to town.