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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 BCBUSINESS 75 BCBUSINESS.CA handmade checkered ceramics, vintage glass- ware and funky jewellery). We grab a burger and spicy mango margarita at Shed—gotta keep this party going. 4:00 p.m.: Beach Talk It's check-in time at the Wickaninnish Inn, our chalet-style digs for the weekend. The Wick is right on the point between Chesterman and Mackenzie beaches, so it's seriously ocean- front—there are views of evergreens, sandy shores and crashing waves aplenty. It's tough to compete with that kind of beauty, but the hotel's interior comes close: managing director Charles McDiarmid takes us on a tour, point- ing out the western red cedar beams hand- chipped by master carver Henry Nolla. He tells us that the late Nolla often liked to carve naked, giving his work area the nickname "Henry's End"—because it was the end of the property, and because passersby might get a glimpse of his "end." Views, indeed. 6:15 p.m.: Scenic Eats We dress up (or, look as good as two people running on three and a half hours of sleep can look)—and walk from our room to the Wick's Pointe Restaurant. The circular dining area is perched right on the edge of the point, and during storm season the onslaught of waves sometimes reaches all the way under the res- taurant. At least, that's what we're told—it's been an annoyingly gorgeous day. We order the "Natural Pastures" buffalo mozzarella (which I affectionately nickname "bread salad" because of the toasty chunks of grilled focaccia), confit halibut (light and tasty, a good companion to the bread salad) and strawberry and pistachio cheesecake (made with goat's cheese, crazy decadent). We watch the sunset and vow to slow down a bit. Tomorrow, we'll relax. Sunday 9:00 a.m.: Fired Up Okay, not quite a sleep-in—but I learn that Roar restaurant is within walking distance and figure every millennial in Tofino will probably try to eat Sunday brunch there. I'm not wrong. Roar opened in 2021 inside Tofino's new Hotel Zed, and it has that kitschy-cool mid-century vibe that the Zed hotels are known for (a sunken living room, rotary phones, vintage furnishings, you get it). Our breakfast—a smoked salmon benny and a cast-iron pan with sizzling eggs, sausage, baked beans and chunky potatoes— is cooked over a wood-fired stove, and it's delicious. Getting in early was worth it; by the time we leave, the restaurant is packed with thirtysomethings in Patagonia Synchilla. 11:00 a.m.: Absolutely Nothing This would have been the perfect time to stare out our Wick Inn window at a symphony of rain, wind and waves. But we're cursed with what locals confirm is some of the best October weather, ever. Instead, we watch families walk the sand, surfers wipe out and couples sun- bathe. It's no storm, but we're not complaining. 3:00 p.m.: Beer Me After a very difficult day of eating and lying down, it's time for a beer. Tofino Brewing is the obvious choice. We grab the Wonders of Nature kettle sour (unseasonably warm weather calls for a summer-y beer) and chill on the covered patio. Next to us, a spotted dog begs for a snack from the Toki Doki food truck. He is unsuccessful, and wanders away okonomiyaki-less. 7:00 p.m.: Playing Chicken We have reservations at Jeju for dinner—the little eatery opened in late 2021 and is Tofino's only Korean spot. We take our server's advice and get the Korean fried chicken. It's perfectly Strolls of Chesterman Beach are basically mandated on any Tofino trip, and on drizzly days the Rebel rain jacket from Lululemon ($248) offers the raingear sweet spot of both style and function. A fully waterproof exterior pairs with a sweat-wicking liner and a breathable back vent to prevent the dreaded wetter-on-the-inside-than-out experience that plagues so much water repellant gear. lululemon.com A Jacket for Stormy Days crunchy, topped with a killer gochujang sauce and served with diced pickled radishes that add a nice freshness to the plate. Another win for Alyssa and Chris. 9:00 p.m.: Moonwatching Okay, so we didn't stormwatch. But a night walk on the beach reveals a crisp full moon, a few sparkly stars and a gentle fog settling over the ocean. It's not quite the dramatic nature experience we were going for—but who needs more drama? R A I N B OW R OA D Th is is th e fac e of a g a l w h o is full of e g g s b e n ny a n d th rill e d th at h e r c l ow n - like o ut fit m atc h e s H ote l Ze d 's c o l o u r ful ex te ri o r. G A L L E RY G OA L S Th e R oy H e n r y V i c ke rs G a ll e r y is p ac ke d w ith th e I n d i g e n o u s a r tist 's o ri g in a l wo rk (p lu s a r t p rints , w h i c h a re a lit tl e m o re fin a n c i a lly ac c e s s ib l e). D O T H E WAV E It 's h a rd n ot to s p e n d a ll d in n e r l o o k in g o ut th e w in d ow at th e W i c k 's Po inte R e stau ra nt , n o m at te r h ow h a n d s o m e yo u r d ate is .