I grew up next door to Nanaimo, British Columbia.
Nanaimo, of the bar. The tri-level bar consisting of a coconut/almond basement, custard main floor and chocolate penthouse.
We actually did consume Nanaimo Bars from time to time. I recall my mom making them, and of course there was the famous “Nanaimo Bar Incident” of the early nineties, when my cute kid brother Jacob tested how many he could down at a Christmas party when nobody was looking. Turns out, he downed a good dozen. Then he upped them.
We still tease Jacob about Nanaimo Bars.
As for Nanaimo itself, well, it was nowhere near as delicious as its eponymous bar. I thought it was a campus full of malls with a ferry terminal.
Turns out Nanaimo had a hidden heritage downtown strip. Sadly, it was populated by pawn shops and drunks by the time I discovered it in my teens. It felt like that place that unsuspecting suburbanites accidently stumble into, only to have their pearls and wallets stolen before they’re left for dead. In the rain. Nanaimo or Gotham City? Same difference.
But downtown Nanaimo has changed soooo much in the past decade. I never thought I’d catch myself singing its praises, but I really do feel the need to shout from the rooftoops: “Nanaimo LIVES AGAIN!!!!!!!!!” The once-barren downtown is buzzing with local boutiques, cafés and restaurants, which is what I’m always looking for when I travel. I dare say it even has personality.
So, back to the Nanaimo Bars.
A few years ago, Nanaimo Tourism champion Chelsea Barr (who tweets as @nanaimobarr, how convenient is that?!) noticed that some local businesses were putting their own spin on the old classic. She figured: why not make a list, so people can venture from place to place sampling Nanaimo’s favourite treat? The Nanaimo Bar Trail was born.
I’ve been meaning to lace up my hiking boots and venture onto this trail for some time. And since I was home for the holidays (and everyone knows you don’t get enough rich treats during the holidays), I thought I’d give it a go. Here are a few that I tried:
Peanut Butter Nanaimo Bar from Bocca Café.
Nanaimo Bar cheesecake from Minnoz Restaurant. Isn’t it presented beautifully? The two pieces make it just perfect for sharing. Chef Andrew, who came over to say “hello” when he heard that a weirdo blogger was ordering cheesecake at 11am, created and makes this himself.
Side note: great view of Nanaimo’s iconic bastion from Minnoz!
Mon Petit Choux makes a gluten-free Nanaimo Bar with a french influence. The custard layer is much lighter, fluffier and a tad less sweet than the traditional treat.
Nanaimo Bar petit fours at 2 Chefs Affair. In warmer months, they also make a Nanaimo bar ice cream sandwich.
Nanaimo Bar Martini and Nanaimo Bar Latté at Modern Café.
Now, please understand that we’ve barely ventured past the trailhead of the Nanaimo Bar trail. You can also find:
- deep fried Nanaimo Bars
- Nanaimo Bar ice cream
- Nanaimo Bar cupcakes
- Nanaimo Bar sundaes
- Nanaimo Bar fudge
- Vegan Nanaimo Bars
- Nanaimo Bar shooters
Click here for a great PDF Chelsea made – a Nanaimo Bar trail map.
If this blog has given you an acute Nanaimo Bar craving, you can tide yourself over by whipping up the following recipe at home. It was the winner of a 1985 contest to determine the BEST Nanaimo bar:
Bottom layer
- ½ cup unsalted butter (European style cultured)
- ¼ cup sugar
- 5 tbsp. cocoa
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 ¼ cups graham wafer crumbs
- ½ c. finely chopped almonds
- 1 cup coconut
Melt first three ingredients in top of a double boiler. Add egg and stir to cook and thicken. Remove from heat. Stir in crumbs, coconut and nuts. Press firmly into an non-greased 8″ x 8″ pan.
Middle layer
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 2 Tbsp. and 2 Tsp. cream
- 2 Tbsp. vanilla custard powder
- 2 cups icing sugar
Cream butter, cream, custard powder and icing sugar together well. Beat until light. Spread over bottom layer.
Top layer
- 4 squares semi-sweet chocolate (1 oz. each)
- 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
Melt chocolate and butter over low heat. Cool. When cool, but still liquid, pour over second layer and chill in refrigerator.
I’ve got another fun Nanaimo blog coming up tomorrow, so be sure to come back for a visit.
Visit Tourism Nanaimo’s website by clicking here.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey!!! I must have just missed you. Nanaimo, formerly known as the “Hub City” is now the “Harbour City” i believe. I have always had a soft spot for downtown Nanaimo even when it was rough and tumble and best know for it’s infamous beer parlors and the local Hells Angels chapter (they are still there but no longer wear their colours in public). My grandmother owned two restaurants on Commercial St. Both long gone. The Islander Cafe was located where the Convention Centre is now and the Terminal Cafe ( no reflection on the food) was just down the street across from the Queens Hotel. My favorites??? Mon Petit Choux serves an excellent lunch and their almond croissants, though excellent, come in a close second to the almond croissants at Murchies in Victoria – which are divine. Had a great lunch at 2 Chefs Affair and I often join my old buds for a morning coffee at the Bocca – they serve a yummy breakfast bagel. Serious Coffee, an Island chain that I wish would go nation wide and come to Kingston. Way better then Timmys or Starbucks. Wrapping up (no pun intended) .. The Thirsty Camel serves excellent middle eastern food and it’s cheap. It has a 90% rating on Urban Spoon. It’s on Victoria Crescent just across from the old Eatons building . Last recommendation on my list has nothing to do with food… Check out “Impeccable Jewelry” just a couple doors up from the Modern Cafe. The company is owned by Brad, a former high tech mogul, who decided to change gears. The jewelry is stunning — designed by his wife and manufactured in Bali … with stones that i did not know existed … my wife lost it…
Love this post!! I discovered your blog not long ago while Googling for a decent borscht recipe, which I have flagged for a cold day in the not so distant future. I’m a Nanaimo girl (now transplanted to Victoria) and spent my late teens and early twenties working in the downtown Nanaimo core at a few local spots…mainly Filthy McNasty’s Cafe, which a lot of folks remember, and a lot of other folks don’t realize was the predecessor to Acme Food Co.
I blog now as well, and just recently posted our family’s Nanaimo Bar recipe which I only bring out at Christmas time. One of these days I will hit that Nanaimo Bar trail as I’ve spent many an hour drooling over it via Twitter.
Oddly enough, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Nanaimo Bar recipe that included almonds…is that your twist? We’ve always worked with walnuts…and occassionally in a pinch, pecans.
Cheers!
You have inspired me to revisit my take on the Nanaimo Bar! Love the photo of Downtown Nanaimo. Next time you’re in town, stop by Gabriel’s Cafe. (It’s in your D’town pic on the right.) Good breakfast & lunchtime fare, great vegetarian selections. Must confess, I was such a fan of his pulled pork sandwich. I grew up in BBQ country in the US (KC & Memphis) and I adored his version. I’m back in the US and I think about that sandwich to this day.
Long live Nanaimo!
Thank you very much for posting a recipe – I’m never satisfied by the one I currently use. Cheers.
What’s in a Nanaimo Bar? Hookers and bikers, mostly.