Signature Dish: Craft Fare’s bacon burner mac and cheese

Craft Fare’s signature dish starts out with five cheeses (cheddar, monterey jack, mozzarella, edam and Parmesan), smoked bacon, a secret spice blend and fresh jalapenos.

It simmers and sizzles in the oven before being removed and topped with another round of cheese blend, panko bread crumbs and chili flakes. It then goes back in the broiler to give it a perfectly crispy finish.

The creamy blend of cheese and crunch from the jalapenos and baked finish all combine for a satisfying homemade style mac and cheese experience.

“It’s one of the more hearty things we serve. It’s a large portion and most people have trouble getting through the whole thing,” Standerwick said.

The bacon burner mac and cheese is one of three baked mac and cheese options on the Craft Fare menu, all of which are cream-based for full flavour.

Craft Fare’s menu was carefully designed to be a hit with all ages, not just adults looking for an inviting place to meet up for beers.

Pub-style appetizers, sandwiches and soups round out the island-sourced menu, complimented by a popular five table curbside patio.

The comfort food inspired menu is paired with a selection of B.C. produced craft beers.

“It’s a unique list of 16 taps that rotates all the time, bringing in unique beers from around the province that aren’t really available anywhere else in town. That’s always our goal is to keep the board unique.”

A full list of current craft beers is posted on a chalkboard inside the restaurant.

A wide range of beer flavour profile’s are available, while two types of cider are always on top.

Craft Fare was created after Brett and his wife quizzed friends about what they felt was lacking in Nanaimo’s dining scene.

He’d worked for years in the golf industry and brought his years of experience to create an inviting restaurant to eat and social in. His wife outfitted the eatery with the beach-themed modern decor which draws in customers hungry for a delicious meal and beer.

People living and working in the downtown area are “the heartbeat of this business,” Standerwick said.

He’s looking forward to a bustling downtown core as more people continue moving to the area where several construction projects are underway.

“We want to be part of this revitalization downtown. More people are starting to live and do business in downtown Nanaimo, (we’re) feeling this shift and growth in the city and we want to be a part of that.”

Craft Fare is open Tuesday to Saturday from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. for dine-in and takeout at their Commercial St. location.

More details on the downtown Nanaimo taproom are available here.

Signature Dish is brought to you by Island Savings – A Division of First West Credit Union, learn more at https://www.islandsavings.ca/.

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by NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Signature Dish: Craft Fare’s bacon burner mac and cheese

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