Powell River, located 170 kilometers from Vancouver, is the central city of the Upper Sunshine Coast, surrounded by green mountains and the blue sea. As the saying goes: "Rely on the mountains to eat from the mountains, rely on the sea to eat from the sea." Therefore, for food lovers, this place is a paradise of mountain delicacies and seafood!
Another appealing aspect of Powell River is its history. The Old Town Site, located on the northern waterfront of the town, is the only place in Western Canada designated as a national historic site, home to what was once the largest paper mill in the world and Canada's oldest Patricia Theatre.
Attracted by Powell's food and history, I set off from Richmond, Vancouver last Christmas holiday, braving a snowstorm, driving for nearly 4 hours and covering almost two hundred kilometers, then transferring twice on ferries. After a challenging journey, I finally arrived in Powell City at midnight on December 22, staying at the historic Rodmay Hotel, which was built in 1911 and booked in advance during the summer.
Undeterred by the heavy snow upon arriving in Powell, I was rewarded with unexpected surprises! The next day, after the snow, the sky cleared, and the high-latitude sun rose almost from the south, its dazzling rays shining on the fresh snow, resembling a bride's wedding dress, crystal clear and bright. Surrounded by my joyful imagination, I went with the flow, driving across the endless snowfields, unfolding all my romantic imaginings of this city.
Rationality allows me to realize that I am part of the world, which can develop into a part of my spirit, but it never grants me the gift of free imagination. So, that morning, from the moment I opened my eyes, I did not stop letting my spirit soar. Eight thousand miles of clouds and moon, now recalling my stay in Powell City, the most profound memory is my romantic feelings and the love for food here that perfectly aligns with my imagination.
Traveling, eating, drinking, and having fun, the word "eat" comes first. I remember that breakfast was at a café called Edie Rae's Cafe, adorned with photos of the female owner, where I had an English breakfast.
That morning, there were only three tables occupied in the café, and each guest was seriously reading the text on the back of the menu. I used Google Translate to understand the text, which turned out to be the love story of the owner, Edie.
The beautiful owner, Edie, suffers from cancer, yet remains optimistic, working and living joyfully even after having one lung and one kidney removed. Because of love, Edie and her handsome French husband still warmly support each other, continuing to write their culinary story that has lasted over 60 years. It is said that guests who have seen their story and cried are those who have truly loved someone in their lives.
Lunch was at an Indian-style restaurant, where the rich aroma of curry accompanied by sacred sounds made the meal a visual art experience. The colorful decor of the restaurant was perfect for taking photos. The staple food for Indians usually consists of flatbreads and rice served together, with the order being: eat the bread first, then the rice. The rice is made from BASMATI rice, which is long and fragrant. It is said that its aroma is determined by the Indian climate, or perhaps it belongs to the same variety as the world-famous Thai jasmine rice. The baked flatbread was also fragrant, soft yet chewy, and finally, the owner served me a cup of spiced Indian tea, MASALA, which was rich, sweet, and smooth, full of the flavor of Bollywood love movies.
Dinner was reserved at a private Greek-style restaurant named Granada. The decor of this restaurant is filled with the owners' nostalgia for their Greek homeland. The main wall of the restaurant features a large oil painting of the blue sea and white houses of the Mediterranean. The lamb rice and Greek salad at Granada are uniquely flavorful. When I settled the bill, it was nearly 10 PM, and I realized that the cashier was the owner and his wife, who repeatedly said to me: "Thank you, welcome for coming!"
Seeing this elderly couple still working so late filled me with respect. Perhaps it is their hard work and warmth that have allowed their restaurant to thrive in Powell River for nearly 50 years.
The food during the Powell Christmas holiday is filled with the taste of love.
Edie Rae's Cafe and Granada restaurant are both family-run establishments that have persisted for decades because of love. Edie and her French husband have created a restaurant with both English and French characteristics. Despite Edie's struggles with illness, the love story of this devoted couple, who remain inseparable, is passed down through every menu. Under the midnight starry sky, the owners of Granada restaurant have walked through fifty years together, cooking through the years and keeping the flame of love alive, which also moves me.
I recorded videos of these two restaurants, with the soundtrack being the love song "Fifty Years Later" by online singer Hai Lai A Mu:
The best luck in this life is meeting you
Just when you love me too
I love you as well
I hope that fifty years later
You will still be by my side
By then, we will have all turned gray
But I still want to hear you call me "girl"
Gently holding your hand
Quietly leaning on your chest
Isn't this scene called everlasting companionship?
One day, I don't know which Christmas it will be when there are no longer these two couples in the world, but I believe that these two restaurants will still open their warm arms on Christmas, continuing to welcome both strangers and familiar faces. Christmas is a Christian holiday, and the Apocalyptic Christianity is a religion based on love; the more one loves, the more one exists; the more one exists, the more one loves. Here, love and time are equally long-lasting, and love and food are equally unforgettable...