Chef Piccolo Lyytikainen is Finnish and earned his toque the hard way, at the feet of the masters in the fine dining rooms of Helsinki, peeling vegetables until he got it right. Times have changed and now Piccolo exacts his revenge on the many fine apprentices sent his way from his old mentors in Finland. The menu is decidedly European but you can't live on the west coast without picking up a thing or two from the many different cultures that call B.C. home. The freshest ingredients prepared to order, an extensive international wine list featuring island wines and friendly professional service. That's what House Piccolo is all about.

Restaurant House Piccolo is located in the picturesque little village of Ganges on Saltspring Island. House Piccolo is an intimate gourmet restaurant in a wonderful heritage building with only 32 seats in the dining room and another 16 out on the patio, God willing. A tiny kitchen, a big chef and a large wine cellar, as an indulgence, if you are going to eat here you might as well have something interesting to enjoy with your meal.

Getting on to the island can seem daunting to the uninitiated but really it is easier than you might think. BC Ferry Corp. operates full ferry service between Saltspring, Vancouver Island, at Swartz Bay and Crofton, and the mainland from Tsawwassen. The ferry trip in itself is part of the charm and the early bird could catch the car ferry from Swartz Bay, just north of Victoria, arrive at Fulford Harbour on Saltspring 30 minutes later, enjoy a leisurely 20 minute drive through some of the most beautiful countryside on the west coast, enjoy a relaxed dinner, catch the last ferry out and be home in time for the national. But why rush? There are plenty of B&B's and other accommodations on the island to suit every pocketbook.