The casual elegance with which Sinclair and Frederique Philip at Sooke Harbor House Inn makes activity from each other in the area. The ability to make guests feel pampered yet free to do what they want is really unsurpassed.
Yes, it's the skinny – since really that is what the majority of readers are looking for! An elegant and luxurious accommodation, with beautiful blankets, fireplaces, but wait for a game, deep bath tubs on the patio to relax your tiredmuscle work week, a concept that only the seagulls in the air overhead can beat, and oversize showers complete with steam heat.
When you call to book your room, your dinner reservations are secure, allergies or reluctance, is covered and the thermal treatment is prepared. When you arrive, you are personally taken in the room, where white chocolate cranberry cookies fresh and greeting at the counter, next to the port wine is poured into a jar waiting for youIn a world removed from what you know.
Our guide began with the usual Friday afternoon traffic leaving Victoria – slow drivers, careful drivers, and of course, the inevitable annoying drivers. Together for an arrival four minutes after our scheduled hot stone massage. Do not worry – your desktop, fortunately, a quick check-in and accompany us to the open, airy, high ceilings oasis. The luxury clothes and waiting to load shedding our clothes have been less of a hardtask. We wore slippers omnipresent, and pushes into the room Potlach.
We took the soothing sounds spa, a glass of water from a bottle hand-painted, welcomed, and our two beautiful masseuses. Never seen a hot stone massage – I did not know what salvation is to follow. An hour and a half passed as if they have fifteen minutes. My masseuse occasionally whisper in my ear to ask if the pressure was OK – I think I could do was moan with pleasure and continue to "hold"Time passed. We were all too unfortunate to end our treatments – but, unfortunately, this meant that dinner in front ….
We managed to sneak up to our room to drink a glass of port on the bridge. Listen to the waves lap the shore below us. So we understand all the oil in your body and ready for the big feast that awaited us.
As we walked into the dining room, we are in a quiet place in the room occupied – one in front of a crackling fireplace. We wereignore the seven-course culinary "Food Adventures" on wine styles, like Louie, our sommelier aspect Sharp / waiter / fountain of knowledge, closer to us. We started with a white beautiful than beautiful with our members carrot soup with large pine oil, bacon and grilled apples. Warm in a chilly evening, the overwhelming feeling inspired home, but treated like royalty, all at the same time. We continue with a flaky, tender fillet of Sablefish tamari in a glasssingle flexible hot soup with wild rice, peas and chive oil – absolutely wonderful. Then came a hard-boiled, pork seasoned chicken stuffed with stewed cranberries, cauliflower puree of apples, pickled beets and salad of white beans and roasted nuts. The sweet and bitter and the sweet taste of walnuts were perfect together.
Louie walked us through an incredible journey through the vineyards of Vancouver Island and the Okanagan, pairing wines that we could be skeptical untilwe thought that taste delicious with every course. Blue Grouse Vineyards Kettle Valley and back to the Venturi-Schulze, our bodies have been ridiculed, pampered and treated to a masterpiece of taste. As Sinclair Philip sat down with us, bring a nice bottle of Marechal Foch from Starling Lane Vineyards, and the conversation mesmerized us and made us feel like we were on the table at home with old friends – remember, talk, laugh and have fun. What a night to remember. Cod werebuttery-soft and tasted as if the boat was stopped only at the pier Sooke. The lamb was tender, perfectly cooked, and surrounded by a door that was second to none. The presentation is impressive, the lifting of the spirit, and met each of our senses.
If the four aspects of our variety of rhubarb dessert to come out with a little 'Sauternes from France, a feeling of satisfaction that we won. Cheese Hilary Cowichan Valley, with the choice ofMoonstruck on Salt Spring, was the final step in a decadent evening with delicious food and wine. We were happy, excited, full of pleasant surprises, and the meal we have just taken and Louie Sinclair and the offering of a good night, we felt like we were just coming up to the guest room to open our suitcases and enjoy the wonderful hospitality.
Back in our room, we discovered that we had promised that we Sinclair without a deep bath Soaker complement and sit in the cool evening air, drinking waterthe sounds and sights of an ocean paradise. We filled our breakfast this morning and hung on request to us – the dream is the surprise that awaited us. We've made it easier as we sipped port, threw our clothes on the floor, and enjoy what can only be called a perfect evening.
When the light shone through the curtains in the morning, a soft blow to the door. We opened to a very polite and bright "Hello!" Our breakfast was brought at the local andon the parlor table. Hot coffee – strong and compelling a croissant fragrant, fresh – crispy outside, soft and chewy inside. French toast, fruit in syrup and pour over freshly squeezed orange juice. Scones, muffins, yogurt – the list is endless, and that the family home, the feeling back.
As we lazed on the bank is considering the rain and the tide goes out, we relaxed, read, talk, listen to classical music and we enjoyed. One can only enjoy such aentity with the people around you – the food in the stomach.
When we sat down to check the Botanical Beach and the surrounding areas of Sooke, we can only think of when we would return. Who of our friends would come, and when you get married here. That could benefit the wine, he feels the company of friends here.
Our only regret is not visiting the winery – and the world renowned Wine Spectator honors. But, alas – what a wonderful reason to come back to our friendsHarbor House in Sooke. What a perfect start!