The rugged west coast of Vancouver Island has just gotten a little bit more savoury with the recent opening of Wolf in the Fog. Inspired by the people, the place, and the product, Wolf in the Fog’s menus focus on fresh, wild food and pay homage to Tofino’s fishermen and foragers – taking the ocean-to-table and forest-to-fork concept to a whole other level.
Chef Nick Nutting has provided the expertise in transforming Tofino’s finest fresh produce into simple and uncomplicated dishes served in a laidback and casual setting. Nature clearly provides the bounty.
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The restaurant’s stunning 14-ft fir communal table makes it easy to share platters; nosh on their Spanish Picnic featuring fresh cod, octopus, mussels, romesco sauce, tomato salad and focaccia. Feeling ravenous after an afternoon kayak along the coast? Satisfy your hunger with plates like the vegetarian Green Soul dish of seasonal vegetables, or try the seasonal, locally caught salmon with basmati rice salad, ramps and house-made cedar jelly.
If your appetite is on the tamer side, Wolf’s got plenty of tasty looking small plates that will definitely satisfy cravings. Think: Bamfield seaweed salad with daikon, wild rice and shitake mushrooms, or charred Humboldt squid with Vietnamese slaw.
The backdrop of this stunning new 150-seat spot affords an expansive ocean view. Get cozy and pull up a stool at their long bar (perfect after a day trying your hand at a surf session), or head to The Den for deli-fresh sandwiches, hand-made artisan breads, and pastries. Whether you opt for a quick bite or a leisurely meal, everything is skillfully crafted with respect for Tofino’s fresh ingredients.
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Chef Nick Nutting leads his culinary pack with creativity and confidence, having spent his early days as an apprentice to Chef Michael Noble at Calgary’s renowned Catch, and learning the nuts and bolts of classical French cooking at Garcon in Montreal before manning the kitchen at The Wickaninnish Inn’s Pointe Restaurant in Tofino.
The Wolf in the Fog’s beer, wine and cocktail programs are impressive and pay homage to many top-notch BC-based producers.
It’s worth noting that efforts to stay as locally-sourced as possible have been echoed through their commitment to use ingredients such as native berries (for cocktails), while brew taps feature a custom selection of craft beers from Tofino Brewing Co. and other local breweries.
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Artisan design touches abound, from custom carved wooden beer tap handles to bespoke metalwork, and were all created by local craftsmen in the Tofino area.
Be sure to check out larger art pieces throughout the restaurant that reflect the dramatic spirit of Tofino, crafted from driftwood by Guthrie Gloag to create a wolf. And what would a Tofino-based establishment be without a nod to surfing? Enter the broken surfboard sculpture by local artist Tammy Shymko and a charcoal wave drawing by renowned New York artist Robert Longo.
For more info on Wolf in the Fog visit them online and be sure to factor in a visit when on the Island this summer.
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Will you be checking out Wolf in the Fog on your next visit to Tofino? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @ViewTheVibe.