Man, oh man. I just got back from two weeks in France where we spent one week sightseeing in Paris, and the second week beach hopping in the French Mediterranean and then winding our way up through Provence.

I had heard for years about french food - the intricacies, the giant salads couples lingered over in sidewalk brasseries - and was fairly licking my lips to try it out when we departed in late June. I was travelling with my partner, Diane, who was 'conferencing' the first week, and my 8 year old daughter, Haley.

Lo and behold, the salads all seemed to be head lettuce and cheap tomatoes roughly chopped, with rounds of stinky high-fat chevre and slices of salty proscuitto, or mounds of everyday tuna, or great hunks of country ham. Omelets were loaded with high-fat, high-salt items, and crepes were sugary and while delicious, rather formulaic. We did get off the beaten path a few nights for some truly memorable meals, but even those brought big discs of foie gras when a teaspoon would suffice! Salads were uniformly green and with predictable ingredients. Salads with fruit, interesting meats, light cheeses were as hard to find as straight streets in Paris.

When I got home I fairly kissed the ground of the Sunshine Coast. Broccoli salad with halved grapes and red onion, yum. Butter lettuce with avacadoes, strawberries, walnuts and sprouts, divine. Watermelon, feta, mint & cilantro salad, wickedly good. Grilled meat that melted in your mouth. Roasted pattypan squash. Fresh BC berry oat crumble.

Is your mouth watering yet? Good!

Hie yourselves away to Gibsons in the next few days for a culinary adventure the likes of which are hard to find in the 3 mile radius we have here.

New to the Coast is Feastro, the wheeled purple wonder currently operating out of the Home Hardware lot in Gibsons next to the Gibsons Cinema. People are raving about this new take-out joint. The food is creative, original and uses local ingredients whenever possible, with almost everything else coming from within 100 miles. It's affordable - $5-$10 (cash only please). Seafood tacos, fresh watermelon lemonade, bonzai prawns, snapper fish & pomme frites, halibut chowder... and specials that change daily, like the divine 5 Spice Duck salad with balsamic reduction and Henry Reed greens with BC raspberries & blueberries. OMG is all I can say.

Another personal favorite is Wild Bistro, down the hill on Hwy 101 from North Road. Now fully licensed and serving dinner, this bodacious little bakery of artisan-like breads has grown to serve a varied lunch and dinner menu in a funky cafe/bistro setting. Smoothies, shakes, and exceptionally good espressos round things out - and The Wild is a huge supporter of local artists with open mic nights, poetry jams, and booked musical performers. They are also awesome at themed events such as the annual Cinco de Maya party, held in May. I will drive all the way out there for the wholegrain breads, and if they ever make the chocolate chili bread or the walnut & blue cheese, expect to feel my elbows at the counter! Their full menu is posted on their actively updated and interesting web site (not a bad accomplishment for two people working horrendous bakery to late night hours!).

For a great seaside experience with a busy coastal ambience that feels like it's right out of history, Smitty's Oyster House can't be beat. I've never cared for raw oysters until I had them at Smitty's; owner Stafford Lumley hails from the Rodney's Oyster Bar in Yaletown, and the man knows his oysters! My favorites are the big & briny Pacifica's and the small and delicate Kusshi variety, though they are all delicious. Just a dab of freshly grated horseradish and a squeeze of lemon, and you've got heaven on the half-shell. Of course they do cooked seafood, chowders (the cream one is fantastic), shellfish, and chicken & beef entrees for the non-seafood eaters in your party - crazy but true - and the inspired creme brulees are worth getting a talking to from the doctor! Chai latte creme brulee is my favorite. Great wine list and interesting beers too. Note: a new BBQ menu is online and dang it, now I've got to make yet another trip to Gibsons.

I've only been once to 'the pink house' in Lower Gibsons - Marcia's Tapas and Piano Bar - but it did NOT disappoint. One of the best designed small spaces for food on the Coast in my book (some may think low budget but I love that the money goes on the food and entertainment!), with unique table settings, a piano lounge, and a bar that the locals belly up to in the midst of the wow-level meals swooping out of the kitchen. A great, eclectic combination, not unlike Marcia herself!

With an extensive wine list and an interesting European approach, Haus Uropa is the odd one on the block in Gibsons, but well-established and beloved by afficianados of the excellent wine list, local ingredient sourcing, and old world setting. This is a great destination for boaters too, just across from the Gibsons Marina. There's good salads here, but the strength is in the unrepentant savory offerings of veal or pork sausage, pork ribs braised in beer & honey, peppercorn New York steaks and the charming Potato Gnocchi in Gorgonzola Sauce for those confident they can retain their sweethearts with the pungent qualities of this dish!

Down in Bonniebrook and worth every bit of the drive is the historic Bonniebrook Oceanfront Inn and Chasters Restaurant. You'll want to bring a camera for the food presentation - subtle flavors, complexity, artistry and a view that can't be beat, often with live music. Ask about their price fixe menu items and dine & room combinations. You just might want to dance the night away, wander along the beach or go for a sunset swim, and lounge late in one of the beautiful rooms before dawdling home.

Pack Ratt Louie's in Sunnycrest Mall has a HUGE menu that is as diverse as it is big. Thai pasta, crunchy sushi rolls, awesome wings, pizza, mini-burgers, killer salads and huge support for local performers make this a great stop. They serve a big breakfast at a low price too. My only caveat here is that the portions are as big as the menu, so ask about half orders, get an appy and entree to share with another person, or plan on taking some home. Great place for kids to eat.

Anyone know of a good second job that pays in restaurant gift certificates?