Post-run dinner at Saege

As of this past February, I joined a running team.  It was a pretty good idea, since I eat out quite regularly - that maaayyy be an understatement!  Anyhow, on this particular running session we had to do hill training!  That's right - the very words made me quiver with fear.  

As it turned out though, it was a cinch.  I ran up and down Citadel Hill 18x, and was barely breathless at the finish.  To celebrate my athletic aptitude...I wanted a drink.  A glass of bubbly was the only thing on my mind, and when Mitch suggested that we go to Saege Bistro for dinner, I happily agreed.

Once inside with my sparkling flute in hand, we made some choices for dinner.  With my metabolism running at a feverish pace (yeah right), I decided to share the Appetizer Tasting Plate ($13) with Mitch and order the uber-delicious sounding scallop entree.

The Appetizer Plate was OK; but I wasn't thrilled.  The crab cake was very nice; light and with a crisp breading, but it was almost falling apart when the dish arrived at the table.  The shrimp was cooked well and had a great, bright and spicy flavour.  I let M have the spring roll as I was saving room for my main event.  

Appetizer Tasting Plate 

Chili  Shrimp, Spring Roll & Crab Cake

Glass of bubbly post-run

When the entrees arrived, I was ready to dig in.  My scallop dish ($22) was excellent.  The scallops were anchored in a creamy butternut squash & pumpkin puree that had just the right amount of sweetness.  Always one to appreciate some veg, the addition of spinach and tomato was a great choice, with the ripe red fruit bursting in my mouth.  I moved one of the scallops to the side of my plate and made a decadent discovery; hidden seductively between the squash puree and the incredibly supple scallops was a slab of salty, delicious Oulton's bacon.  I would, 100%, order this dish again.

Seared Digby Scallops

Braised Oulton's Bacon, Butternut Squash & Pumpkin Puree

Grape Tomato & Spinach

Ah, the bacon!

Unfortunately, M wasn't so lucky the first time around.  I've since convinced him to order his steak 'rare' instead of his usual (groan) "rare to med-rare", as he almost always ends up with a medium-well steak.  Minor rant here, as it's happened at 3 different restos in the last month.  Anyhow, when the second attempt at a rare steak arrived, it was a very nice plate. The meat was super flavourful and tender.  I also put away several forkfuls of the earthy wild mushroom risotto - I could have eaten a whole bowl!

Getaway Farms 6 oz. Striploin $22

Wild Mushroom Risotto & Braised Shallot Jus

Since I have a salty tooth and M, a sweet, I could do without when the dessert menu appeared.  But I did have a taste of his for good measure. ;)  I had mixed feelings about the Vanilla Bean Cheesecake ($8).  On one hand, the blueberry compote was lovely and the luscious lemon cream 'to-die-for', but the cheesecake had a very granular texture that I really didn't care for.  I'd think twice before ordering this dessert, but some of the other options sounded pretty decadent, and were a nice change from other resto's old standards.  

Vanilla Bean Cheesecake $8

w/ Blueberry Compote & Lemon Cream

Even with the minor disappointments of this meal; we had an excellent time.  The atmosphere in Saege is comfortable and unpretentious.  It's one of those casual fine dining spots that allows you to have a great meal at a reasonable price point, but still feel like you indulged. I will go back again, and have a couple times since.  It's well worth the visit - especially if it's scallops that you're craving!

jane's to go? I'll take that!

At the end of June, myself and my staff fun day team managed to pull off one of the most adventure-packed staff fun days to date.  Using our  powers of persuasion, we managed to have a day full of excitement capped off with gourmet-good food.

We started off at 9am with a session of laser tag at Alpha Strike.  That shit is sooo much fun!  I have never squealed and giggled so much in my life -- and being able to take down my boss didn't hurt ether!  When we were finished, we boarded an Ambasstours double decker to take us to our next destination: Kartbahn in Bayer's Lake.  We speed around the track for an hour or so and once we had our fill of burnin' rubber,  got back on the bus to pick up lunch - a gourmet brown bag from jane's on the common.

We had preordered the week before from an incredible selection of smoked salmon, roast beef, turkey, ham and cheese and veggie sandwiches.  With these came a drink and two side salads; broccoli with dried cherries, fennel and nuts and a tasty orzo and chickpeas with sundried tomatoes.  To top it all off: a decadently dense gluten free brownie, which I took home and later warmed and topped with vanilla fro-yo and fresh raspberries.  

If you're ever looking for a great quality lunch or need a change from fast food, this is the spot to go.   Fer real, this part was the highlight of my day, and wayyy better than take-out pizza!

Susie's Shortbreads' 2nd Birthday!

This past Saturday, I met up with a childhood friend of mine and her little one for a fun-filled trip to Susie's Shortbreads. Susie's, a local bakeshop that specializes in shortbreads, but has become renowned for their cupcakes, was celebrating its 2nd Birthday!

I remember opening day, 2 years ago, when my bestie and I stopped in to Susie's just after the first annual IncrEDIBLE Picnic at Garrison Grounds. On that particular visit, I tried the light, innocently sweet Strawberry Fields cupcake. Last year, for Susie's 1st Birthday, I ordered the delightful Swiss Alpes cupcake with a creamy chocolate buttercream and a chunk of Toblerone on top.

This year's Birthday, though, was by far the best. In addition to it being a beautiful sunny day, we decided to hang out on the grass, in the shade on Citadel Hill, let the little one run around and savour the sweetness both the cupcakes and the last days of summer. My choice this year was the Better than Butterfinger; a white cake studded with pieces of Crispy Crunch, and topped with a chocolate-peanut butter buttercream.

Better than Butterfinger

For me though, Nico, my friend's two-year old daughter was the best part. As we discussed her upcoming Birthday and my mind turned over the Birthday present possibilities, Nico ran around, squealing with delight, holding her mushed up, grass and dirt covered cupcake... With icing all over her dress, face and hands, I realized that life just doesn't get any sweeter than this.

little Nico :)

Deli Green Bakery

Ah, the baked good. They really are a weakness of mine. I love picking up a muffin, croissant, turnover, ect. at any bakery, but in a pinch, I rely on the spectacular baked goods from Deli Green. Deli Green sells their wares in a variety of coffee shops in the city, but they also deliver fresh goods every day to Atlantic News on the corner of Queen & Morris. And since AN is my go-to convenience store, so are Deli Green's my go-to baked goods.

I wrote a very enthusiastic post about their Morning Glory muffins last year. Today's yummy choice, however was the apple cinnamon roll. I stood at the counter trying to make my decision and all I could smell was cinnamon, sweet and spicy at the same time. The roll was a combo of flaky pasty on the outside, and gooey softness within. Little chunks of apple and currants helped to keep it moist and an icing sugar glaze on the top added a touch of sweetness.

A perfect perk to my weekday morning...

Well- 'tis the season for baked goods. I've had my share already, and I feel like the Pillsbury dough boy, but the show must go on!

Case in point- my amazing croissant from Local Source Catering. I didn't purchase this beauty from Local Source itself, but snatched it off one of the catering trays at an event in our office!

A crisp, flaky pastry enclosed a moist interior that packed a double chocolaty punch. The first layer housed a mound of dark chocolate, while the second was subtle - creamy and rich in the form of chocolate creme patissiere, a delicious custard.

Normally, I don't eat leftover meeting food at work. But when the catering is Local Source, I make an exception. I've tried loads of baked goods in this city, but nothing beats their pain au chocolat!