Vivien I.
Yelp
What happens when you have a couple of hours to spare before your ferry ride back to the mainland? Look up must-eat places in Nanaimo, which was how I found Gabriel's Cafe.
We parked in the nearby library parking lot and made the one minute walk across the street. We had hit the lunch rush hour, but we were told there were still spots available, albeit at the long communal table. Basic premise of this hip cafe spot: order with the cashier, receive a flag number, find an empty spot, and people watch until your order arrives.
I saw the Malaysian Peanut Sauce Rice Bowl and felt a craving for rice and peanut sauce that I didn't realize I had. My jaw nearly hit the floor when my order came: for the price I paid and for this type of establishment, the portion was huge. It was one of the rare times I could not finish my meal, and had to leave half the rice behind. I chose the organic tofu option paired with brown rice. It felt like a healthy hearty meal and only half the bowl was loaded with peanut sauce, so in essence I could stick to the parts of the bown that weren't overloaded with peanut sauce. (Or if you like your rice soaked in peanut sauce, you can give the rice bowl a good stir).
Overall, Gabriel's looks like one of those hipster restaurants. A mixture of individual table seating with one long communal table. Where you order ahead of time and then find a spot to sit (though someone does keep an eye on capacity, and informs patrons if the restaurant is full and suggests they get their order to go). The tables are arranged in a snug and tight manner, but it seems to lend more charm to the place, and I did strike up a few brief conversations with the patrons beside me, which (according to the sign) is the restaurant's intent. The food is your delicious farm to table goodness, and a worthy spot to visit if you find yourself in Nanaimo.