Consider yourself officially invited down to the Rock Salt Restaurant & Cafe this Sunday, June 16th to partake in the 2nd annual Father’s Day FREE photo shoot with Billie Woods.   Last year was such a great success that Billie is coming back for a re-take!   All you need to do is; bring your Dad, your best smile & visit the restaurant between 11am – 2pm.

We will also be serving up an extra special brunch starting at 9am & ending at 3pm.  There is no need to make reservations, we will be happy to get you seated when you arrive!

Happy Father’s Day to all you amazing Dad’s out there.

“I am not ashamed to say that no man I ever met was my father’s equal, and I never loved any other man as much.” – Hedy Lamarr

Nicoise Salad $9
smoked albacore, boiled egg
nicoise olives, baby lettuce

Prawn and Halibut Cheek Cakes $12
nettle aioli, fennel slaw

Herb Poached Lingcod $20
baby red potato, asparagus, rainbow carrots
fresh herb broth

 Milk Braised Pork Shoulder $20
goat cheese gnudi, grilled romaine, crispy sage

O’Clare’s Raw Organic Chocolate $2.5
chai spices, tahini, cocoa nibs and gogi berries

]]> http://www.rocksaltrestaurant.com/recipes/gettin-fresh-for-friday-menu-may-31st/feed/ 0 http://www.rocksaltrestaurant.com/recipes/love-your-mother-menu/ http://www.rocksaltrestaurant.com/recipes/love-your-mother-menu/#comments Sat, 11 May 2013 19:10:22 +0000 Rock Salt Restaurant http://www.rocksaltrestaurant.com/?p=2197

Happy Mother’s Day Cheers!

Kir Royale & Mimosas

Omelette $12
Made with farm fresh eggs and served with home fries, toast, plus our house made salsa & berry sauce
your choice of classic: ham & cheese veggie: spinach, feta cheese, tomato and mushroom

Rock Salt Breakfast $11
Bacon, farm fresh eggs, toast, home fries house made salsa & berry sauce

Crab and Asparagus Salad $14
hand pulled Dungeness crab, asparagus red grapes, butterleaf lettuce gribiche vinaigrette

Eggs Benedict $11
Served on an English muffin hollandaise sauce & served with home fries
Your choice of:
Traditional: black forest ham
Veggie: roasted tomato and basil
Blackstone: roasted tomato and bacon
Wild: cold smoked sockeye salmon
Porky: bbq pulled pork

Chef Matt Rissling
presents the fresh menu
May 3

Pan Fried Calamari
$9
preserved lemon, Castelvetrano olives
Italian parsley salad

Grilled Oyster Mushrooms
$9
fresh spinach, grilled bread boiled egg
warm bacon vinaigrette

Pan Roasted Halibut Cheeks
$22
creamy polenta, mei qing choy caponata
brown butter

Cider Braised Pork Shoulder
$20
crushed baby red potatoes, broccolini
rhubarb agro dolce

Rock Salt Restaurant & Cafe is hoping to get you into the great outdoors of Salt Spring this spring with our” find it & win” scavenger hunt!

We have hidden Rock Salt gift cards in special spots around the island and hope that you will go looking for them.  Throughout spring we will release hints on our facebook page as to the whereabouts of the cards.  They will be stashed on hiking trails & lookout spots  such as Mt. Maxwell, Mt. Erskine, Reginald Hill and Ruckle Park.  Most of the cards will be redeemable for a $15 credit at the restaurant but there are a couple out there for $25.

When you find a card, you simply bring it to the cafe & it will be loaded with the dollar amount which you can then use in the cafe or the restaurant.  It’s win – win!  You go hiking,  get fresh air and feel great, find a prize and once you work up your appetite, you can have all your cravings filled at Rock Salt.

Fresh Friday Menu

Chef Matt Rissling

Warm Spinach Salad $9
grilled oyster mushroom, soft egg
pancetta crisp

Steelhead Tartar $9
gaufrette potato, mustard pearls
creme fraiche

Grilled Ahi Tuna $22
truffled carrot puree, baby bok choy
buttermilk onion ring, pinot gastrique

Del Vecchio Pasta Fresca $20
chicken confit, arugula, cream
Grana Padano, garlic ‘pain de mie’

Goat’s Cheese Croquettes $9

roasted asparagus, sauce maltaise

Smoked Albacore Tuna $9

malted local barley salad

preserved lemon

Grilled Lois Lake Steelhead $20

potato and nettle puree

brassica shoots

lemon and caper butter

Chicken Confit $20

crispy leg and thigh, roasted wild mushrooms

baby frisee salad, red wine gastrique

Grab & Go – Deli & Bakery

As we are the cafe & restaurant adjacent to the Fulford Ferry Terminal in The Village at Fulford Harbour we see many people in a big hurry!   We want you to have awesome, quality food while enjoying the sunshine & fresh breezes of your ferry trip.  When you walk in the door the line may look a little daunting, but we are experts at moving quickly.   We are serving up hot organic coffees and teas,  a great selection of cold drinks from our cooler and then the food…..mmmm.

We have an in house bakery that delivers fresh, warm goodies every day!  The selection includes choices such as croissants, muffins, cinnamon buns, cheese sticks, savory sticks, banana bread, phyllo rolls, energy balls, brownies, homemade apple pie, chocolate mousse & more!  We are certain that you will find your favorite treat.

The deli grab and go includes a selection of salads, buns, paninis & sandwiches with choices such as nicoise tuna, fresh roast beef with horse radish mayo, good ole ham & cheese or tempt yourself with something a little more complex like chicken & brie with cranberry chutney that gets all melty on the grill.   A wide selection of wraps & burrito’s are also available, filled with house made dressings & quality ingredients.

If you have a couple of extra minutes there is time to order fresh cut french fries to compliment your deli selection, or a Rock Salt Caesar salad to go!  We can also whip you up a breakfast bun that will satisfy the most weary of travelers   How can you go wrong with a soft, grilled potato bun topped with mayo, bacon, tomato, melted cheese & egg?  The answer is, you can’t.

Looking forward to seeing you in the line up!

One Day Cycling Trip on Salt Spring Island to Saturday Market in the Park

Bring a bathing suit, towel and change of clothes so you can swim in our beautiful local lakes along the way!

It is approximately 15km from Ganges to Fulford and approximately 1 hour to travel by bike – without stops at a leisurely pace.

7:00am Travel to Salt Spring via BC Ferries from the Swartz Bay ( near Victoria) to Fulford Harbour (on Salt Spring Island) .

The Saturday Market is best enjoyed in the morning so try to catch the earliest ferry possible.  However, if you aren’t a morning person the 9am or 11am sailings are also options. Confirm schedules and fares at BC Ferries before you leave.

When you load the ferry park your bike at the bow of the ship (that’s the front for you land lovers).  This will ensure you unload first and that you have the best possible view on the way there.  Stand-by for the blast of the ship’s horn, despite the Captain’s warning it will startle you every time.  While on the ferry enjoy the wind in your face and the great view as you travel into Fulford Harbour.  When you see the red walls of Rock Salt Restaurant & Cafe looming on shore you’re almost there.

7:40am Arrive in Fulford Harbour.

Rock Salt Restaurant & Cafe will be on your right hand side almost immediately after you peddle off the boat. Stop in for a decadent breakfast (eggs bennie on a house made yam scone) or grab a latte and a baked treat from our cafe. We also have South Salt Spring maps and activity guides so grab one for your trip.

Warning Salt Spring isn’t flat.  As you head out of Fulford Village a big hill will immediately get your leg muscles warmed up.

8:00am Start peddling up Fulford Ganges Road (the one leading directly out of the ferry terminal).

This road intersects the island and connects Fulford Harbour to the main village of Ganges.  The road winds slightly to the left as you go up hill.  When you reach the summit (about 3 minutes) you will see a fork with Fulford Ganges winding to the left towards to end of the Bay & Beaver Point Road heading to the right.  Beaver Point Road leads to Ruckle Provincial Park.

Turn right onto Beaver Point Road.

Avoid the traffic & take the scenic route.  As you head up the hill on Beaver Point Road, you will pass an old orchard & Dancing Bear Studio (very cool hemp clothing) on your left hand side.  In approximately 12 minutes you will see a small lake on your right with a beach access area blocked off with cement road barricades. This is a very popular family swimming hole called Stowell Lake.  In the summer it’s a busy place so watch for dashing kids.  If it’s hot jump off your bike, bypass the families on the shore and swim out to the dock in the middle of the lake for a beautiful south end view.

Travel along Beaver Point Road until you see Stewart Road (15 -20 minutes) and turn left.  Stewart dead ends at Beaver Point road so you will only see it on your left.

You will know when to turn left when you see the sign for “Studio 28″, then you will climb a big hill on Stewart.  You will pass the sign for Solace Organic Spa but keep on going.  When you reach the summitt (10-20 minutes) stop to enjoy the view and then roll down hill until Stewart dead ends at Cusheon Lake Road.  If you seek some shelter you will see a funky little bus shelter on your right.

As you travel watch for ‘honour stands’.   These are farm stands where you can purchase goods ranging from eggs, vegetables, flowers to cookies by depositing money in an honour box.

Turn right at Cusheon Lake Road and travel until it dead ends at Beddis Road (3-5 minutes).

Follow Beddis Road until it dead ends at Fulford-Ganges Road (10-15 minutes).

This is a very nice section of your ride.  Rolling hills will take you past Laughing Apple Farm, a big beautiful barn and a section of road that is totally shaded by trees.

Turn right onto Fulford Ganges and cruise down ‘the Ganges Hill’ into the main village.

In the summer parked cars will line the hill on both sides as you get closer to down.  Proceed with caution. When you enter town you will see Embe Bakery on your right and Island Escapes on your left.  Just past Island Escapades there will be a gas station on your left.  Just past the gas station is Centennial Park – home of the Salt Spring Saturday Market.

Credit for above photo:  John Cameron

8:30am-1:00pm Find a good spot to lock up your bike and start exploring our Saturday Market & the village of Ganges.

The market takes place every Saturday from April to October, rain or shine. It’s a weekly event enjoyed by locals and visitors in equal measure.  The products for sale are as varied, eclectic and exceptional as the people selling them.  Fine jewelry, soap, pottery, woven scarves, clothing, woodworking, floor art, felt hats and organic bedding jostle for space with pickles, artisan cheese, chocolate, wood fired bread, pot stickers and fruitsicles.  There will be also be musicians and of course interesting island characters. Take your time, fill your senses and strike up conversation with some of the local vendors. Take a rest on the cool grass in the park and listen the sounds of Saturday on Salt Spring.  Then get up again and explore the galleries, shops and cafes in Ganges.

1:00opm – 4:00pm Travel back to Fulford Harbour taking time to enjoy the sites along the way.

Head south back out of town up Fulford-Ganges Road.

You guessed it – you must ride up Ganges Hill to exit town.  Just rest assured that what goes up must come down. You can stay on this main road for the entire return trip to Fulford Harbour.

Just before you enter the beautiful Fulford Valley you will see Salt Spring Vineyard on your right.  Stop and sample some wine and enjoy a rest on their beautiful picnic grounds.  My favorite is their Blackberry Port made from local blackberries of course.  Two driveways past Salt Spring Vineyards on your right is the Gary Oaks Winery certainly worth another stop.

After you exit the wineries coast down ‘Lee’s Hill’ (the steepest hill on the island to ride up).  At the bottom of the hill the main road winds to your left and you will see a dirt road jetting strait ahead.  Ride down this very beautiful road into Burgoyne Bay Provincial Park.  When the road ends you will see a government dock.  Sit and enjoy the view from the base of Mt. Maxwell and Maple Bay.  There is an easy and scenic hiking trail -access just to left as you near the government dock.  Follow it along the ocean’s edge to a beach at the head of the bay.

Once back on the tarmac you will only have about 15 minutes of riding time to remaining through the Fulford Valley.

4:00pm Arrive back in Fulford Village just at the 3:50 ferry departs and you will have the village all to yourself.  Explore the one of kind shops including Stuff & Nonsense and Knotty Threads and then join us at 5pm at Rock Salt Restaurant & Cafe for Mexican night specials or the best burger in BC (maybe the world).

Get back on the ferry at 5:50 or sit back, relax and soak in the beauty & flavours of your day until the last sailing of the day at 7:50.

Garlic and Goat Cheese $9
roasted garlic bulb, local goat’s cheese
avocado, fresh mango, cranberry and crostini

Baby Gem and Cucumber Salad $9
sweet pickled cucumbers
parmesan beignet

Seafood Vol-au-Vent $20
local fish and shellfish, champagne cream
organic arugula

Rosemary Braised Chicken $20
bacon, shiitake and zucchini ragout
preserved lemon couscous