pilgrimme Restaurant, Galiano Island, British Columbia

Every Gulf Island has it’s own food voice.  Galiano is no different but lately the tune has been enhanced by the team of Chef Jesse McCleery with Melanie Witt. The pair work side by side as a team in the kitchen and about two years ago started a side project “Charmer Pizza”.

In 2017 Globe and Mail Columnist Alex Gill wrote, “…there really isn’t any other chef in the province who has given himself over so completely to the Pacific Northwest. His menu is an adventurous microcosm of the region. And for passionate foodies, it is certainly worth the trip.” 

Located in a forest setting near Montague Harbour on Galiano Island the menu is inspired by the surroundings, celebrating the best of the Gulf Islands and British Columbia.

The majority of the ingredients Jesse uses are from farms located on Galiano Island, he also is able to harvest from local fruit trees and forage from the forest (evergreen huckleberries at right) and the sea (reindeer lichen at left).

The blind tasting only menu is ingredient driven, and has a strong focus on vegetables and Canadian grains; all of which are paired with 100% BC wines and craft beer.

It’s an amazingly creative taste of the island.  There’s a bread made with fermented potato & heritage grain and served with leek ash and poppy butter; a Persian star garlic panisse with pickled Galiano vegetables and aioli; leek ash & poppy butter; celeriac, sprouted grains, gribiche radish and tarragon (at right); Galiano greens and cucumber with tangy Tiger Blue cheese and maple walnuts; Canadian grown grains are teamed with legumes, beetroot, kefir cream, & sunflower (at right).

A recent addition is the stone wood oven at Pilgrimme nestled in the back wooded area. Charmer Pizza uses all organic BC grains in a 48 hr wild ferment sourdough, with the same ethos as Pilgrimme, working with local farms and purveyors and small craft BC and Canadian cheese makers. Pilgrimme continues to offer the tasting menu while Charmer opens for pop ups and special events as well serves a “bread course” for the Pilgrimme tasting menu. Clever, imaginative and ever changing, it’s not to be missed.

Contact pilgrimme at the number below to reserve a Food Day Canada table.

Contactez pilgrimme directement, au numéro ci-dessous, afin de faire votre Journée des terroirs réservation.

T: 250-539-5392

pilgrimme
2806 Montague Rd.,
Galiano Island, BC V0N 1P0