It’s the annual Nanaimo Marine Festival and Championship Bathtub Races today and this weekend. The Bathtub Days street fair looks like it is in full swing downtown on Commercial Street. I gave it a looksy.

We are having some extraordinary weather in Nanaimo for the past few weeks. This is completely unlike some of my past visits, where the weather has always been grey and rainy. I even packed two rain coats with me for this extended stint in Nanaimo. No need apparently, as the weather has been warm and sunny everyday...so far.
Tonight,I’m here at Extraordinary Organics Restaurant.

Good morning Nanaimo. I feel like noshing on a diner breakfast this morning and Tina's Diner fit the descriptor. Tina’s is located on Commercial Street in Nanaimo’s downtown core. As you can see it is right beside Gabriel’s Café. Click here to read about my pork wrap and curry bowl at Gabriel’s.

The weather has been pretty agreeable out here in Nanaimo. It’s sunny, with a cool breeze. I’m taking a little stroll today to check out my temporary ‘hood. I find myself at Jakeob’s Ice Cream Parlour.

The Pink Panther on the sign initially caught my eye. I’m not sure how the Pink Panther links with Jakeob’s Ice Cream Parlour? I convince myself that I can definitely use a scoop on this sun drenched afternoon.

I’m by myself for a few minutes when I enter. It’s dark in here. I scan the ice cream cooler on the left and the four tables topped with red and white checkered cloths. Are they even open?

I’m here in Nanaimo on special assignment. I love referring to it as “special assignment” as it makes my work sound way more Fox Mulder-ish. I know I’ll have my nose to the grindstone for most of my time on Vancouver Island, but I hope to share out some eateries while I’m here.

Have you been gorging on berries like I have lately? For the past couple of weeks all I’ve been eating are blueberries and raspberries. I even took a pint of blueberries with me on the ferry for snacking. My tasks, appointments and meetings are expected to eat up all of my day in Nanaimo, so I grab a quick bite beforehand.

Quick coffee and snack grab at Bocca, which is located in Nanaimo’s Old City Quarter.
Bocca is busy. I sit through three waves of line-ups before I decide to get in the queue for my coffee today.

Large Coffee ($2.50)

Here I am in Nanaimo, again. I really didn’t want to make another ferry trip out so soon, but it is what it is. I discover a new little eatery while I am here, so that’s worth it, no? After I finish with my tasks a few doors down, I happen to walk up the street and I notice this new restaurant where a Thai restaurant used to be. It was one of those, “Hey, this was never here before” moments.

Is it just me or has the The Old Country Market become a huge tourist trap over the years? I use to come here about once a month to shop for specialty products and to pick up my Maldon Salt. I thought I’d grab some flakey sodium today, but when I spy their newly inflated prices on the 8.5 ounce box, I take a pass. It’s still a fun place to browse and their pies are still some of the best I’ve encountered.