August 2025.

The name translates as “the barge” and the restaurant is on the upper floor of what was I think previously a gas and provisions float for boats. It’s open for dinner Thursday through Monday I believe only seasonally, and if you make a reservation you have to take the five-course special. They don’t do corkage, and same-day calls or walk-ins may be accommodated and can order à la carte. The chef appears to have worked in the city at La Quercia whose cuisine we have at times enjoyed (at times not so much)

We made a reservation for four and arrived on time, finding our way out through the marina to the facility. It was a very warm summer evening and the atmosphere going in was classy and exciting: lots of big boats around, plenty of cheery conversation, an interesting long upstairs room full of apparently happy people.

We were set at a four-seat table overlooking the inlet. Sunshine graced the two of us on the window in spite of a drawn blind. It was warm!  A pleasant lady inquired about drinks and we each had a cocktail. Questions about what was for dinner (so we could match the wine etc.) received a response suggesting “Don’t worry, it’s EVERYTHING”.

And in a way it was. I kick myself for not taking photographs because I’m describing things incompletely, and of course there’s no online menu because they change all the time…

Four or five items arrived simultaneously as first course. I remember deep-fried mussels, a plate of small coarse bread slices with two tasty vegetable items, a plate of beautifully soft thin-sliced compound meat and coarser sausage, and a couple of other things I don’t recall. Everything was nicely presented and delicious with variable flavours, and it disappeared quickly.

Next (or it may have been with the above) large figs roasted with prosciutto and a savoury second stuffing. Again flavours clearly present, very satisfying. Next came two separate pastas, first ravioli with a dry meat content, tiny half-bite pieces which were just nicely al dente, and then a mini macaroni served in a delicious veal (I think) reduction with meat. This one was just undercooked I thought, but particularly tasty.

The main was lamb done three ways with accompanying vegetables, about five two-bite items around an oblong plate. A small tenderloin was rare, a longer-cooked meat item soft, and the vegetables nicely collected with contrasting colours. Dessert was a crème anglaise with two accompaniments. Simple but tasty.

The cadence of service was close to perfect, but our main server was a loquacious guy who gave the impression of being a manager maybe a bit unaccustomed to waiting on tables. I’m fussy about service and could have done with a little less farraginous bits of information and a presence verging on intrusive and a bit patronizing.

Wine was the least expensive bottle on the short list and a very satisfying I think older Italian nebbiolo that could have passed for a light Barolo. At $98 a definite bargain in this setting where one of the three Borolos would have set a real aficionado back $625.

We paid just over $200 each with a 20% tip. I guess the cocktails were a bit more expensive than we expected…

Overall? Too much food, and no choice, but definitely high-class bistro quality. I really think they should offer à la carte as an option for people who reserve. This classy floating Italian dining room is a nice addition to the Coast if a wee bit remote from Roberts Creek and certainly Gibsons. We would go back if we could finagle a less elaborate and less expensive dinner some time.

Food 9.1 service 7.8 ambience 9.3 value 7.8 peace and quiet 8.6.