karin, Author at Small Barrels Magazine

The Diplomat Steakhouse – Regina, Saskatchewan

April 5, 2022 By karin Leave a Comment

Wonderfully traditional steakhouse elegance

An elegant downtown Regina tradition going back over 40 years, The Diplomat Steakhouse was welcoming, comfortable, and delicious. Featuring Prime Aged Steaks (aged in-house), the expected steakhouse accompaniments, and much more – you’re in for an enjoyable evening.

The steak menu is comprehensive, and that’s what brought us here, but the offerings go beyond steak. Numerous chicken dishes, pastas, and a large seafood selection are also available. There’s something for everyone, with plenty of Greek-cuisine inspired deliciousness.

We began dinner by melting into our cozy plush red velvet booth and ordered very traditional cocktails – a Caesar and a Manhattan.

For a starter, and continuing with old school steakhouse tradition, we shared a shrimp cocktail. The shrimp was pleasingly plump and icy cold, with a balanced and tangy cocktail sauce – just as you’d hope.

Caesar salad followed. Portions were generous without being overwhelming large. And this is as good of a spot as any to mention the impeccable service. The pacing of courses was perfect, and our server possessed the best blend of polite, friendly, and unobtrusive that we could hope for. That paired with the warm, familial welcome from the gracious host right upon our entrance made for a most comfortable evening.

We found the large wine list to be very reasonably priced. We chose a big, bold shiraz, Mollydooker Carnival of Love (2014), one of our favourites. Beautifully decanted, it dressed up our table and was the ideal pairing with our steaks.

Molly Dooker's Carnival of Love — Molly Dooker’s Carnival of Love

I myself ordered the 8oz. Filet Mignon (not pictured). For him – a 19oz. Rib Steak grilled to perfection. Both steaks were absolutely excellent. The Triple AAA Angus beef was rich and flavourful, benefitting from the aging done in-house. The medium rare preparation was exactly right. Fresh bread and garlic butter, soup or salad, choice of potato or rice and vegetables rounded out the meal.

I must mention the unique decor. Besides the sumptuous materials and dark colours that give the restaurant a very traditional feeling, there are of course the oil portraits. On every corner, you’ll find ornately framed paintings of Canadian Prime Ministers and other dignitaries. It’s unique – it works! – and adds to the enduring charm of this historic restaurant.

You’ll also note the jam-packed wall of signed celebrity photos near the entrance. Clearly The Diplomat is a beloved and much-recommended destination. And now, Small Barrels recommends it to you!

Gallery of Canadian Prime Minister oil portraits

Visit www.the diplomat steakhouse.com or call 306-359-3366 for more information or to make reservations.

Afternoon Tea at Chateau Lake Louise

February 24, 2022 By karin Leave a Comment

Afternoon Tea is the embodiment of refinement. Enjoying this tradition while overlooking breathtaking Lake Louise is an experience to cherish.

If you are planning a stay at the renowned Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, do consider indulging in Afternoon Tea. The elegant meal is served between 12pm and 3pm in the Fairview Restaurant with stunning views of the hotel grounds, Lake Louise and Victoria Glacier.

According to the hotel website, reservations are ‘strongly recommended’. We think you should go a step further and make them a must. The restaurant is open not only for tea, but for mid-afternoon appetizers, beverages and lunch, meaning that tea tables are limited. Advance reservations also allowed us to have dietary restrictions noted and beautifully accommodated.

Our meal began with a curated tea menu featuring fine black, green, oolong, and herbal teas, all beautifully described. We chose the Imperial Breakfast Tea as well as the intriguing Madame Butterfly Green Tea. The latter was aptly characterized as tasting of “smooth and ethereal jasmine” and so lovely that I purchased a box afterward from the hotel shop.

The menu consisted of a traditional assortment of fresh scones with clotted cream, lemon curd and jams, and heavenly finger sandwiches, pastries and sweets. A few welcome, creative interpretations were woven in, such as a scrumptious jalapeño and cheddar scone, an avocado dip with prawn and rice cracker, and a rich and creamy salted caramel Pot de Creme.

Champagne and bubbly add-ons were also available, as well as a selection of items designed for children’s tastes.

Of course, presentation is part of the charm of Afternoon Tea. The tea itself was served in lovely blue and white china, and the finger food showcased on three-tiered stands. We each received our own special stand of treats, and as mentioned above, accommodations were beautifully made for dietary restrictions.

It’s hard to find fault with spending an afternoon overlooking an alpine lake while enjoying tea, elegant sandwiches and sweets.

Do be aware, though, that while the offerings appear dainty, it really is quite a bit of food. We recommend that you make your lunch and dinner plans with this in mind.

Reservations for Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise can be made online or by calling 403 522 1601.

A Thanksgiving Feast – Elegant Takeout from Peasant Pantry

October 28, 2020 By karin Leave a Comment

A small but memorable Thanksgiving celebration

This October, Winnipeg’s Peasant Cookery did a beautiful job with their special takeout Canadian Thanksgiving dinner. Truly, it was just as special as homemade. This beautifully prepared multi-item feast would be a great option to order any year. But with celebrations on a (much) smaller scale in 2020, being able to enjoy a meal just as sumptuous as if the whole family had brought their favourites to share was good for the spirit. Well done, Chef Melissa and the Peasant Panty/Peasant Cookery team!

Sides and main prepped and ready for the oven

Pre-ordered dinners were available for delivery or pickup throughout the Thanksgiving weekend with quantities tailored to the number of guests, from 2 to 6 people. We pre-ordered online on Thursday, and arranged pick up for Saturday afternoon – a quick and easy process. The more-than-complete Thanksgiving Dinner package included turkey, gravy and more sides than I have ever seen at one holiday sitting! Everything was made from scratch with a cornucopia of fresh, local ingredients.

Generous portions, quality ingredients (not pictured: housemade cranberry sauce)

The meal included sliced Manitoba Grade A turkey (white and dark meat), a sherry pan jus, a beet salad with arugula, puffed wild rice and seed blend and caramelized honey vinaigrette and goat cheese mousse (outstanding!), maple ginger bourbon glazed yams, buttermilk mashed potatoes, honey dill roasted heirloom carrots, sweet and sour meatballs, house-made cranberry sauce, and a scrumptious bread dressing with artisan bread, sage and brown butter, carrot, celery onion and garlic. Special mention must be made about the perfectly spiced pumpkin pie with in-house roasted local pumpkins and a delectable vanilla chantilly cream.

Peasant Beet Salad with beets, puffed wild rice, seeds, caramelized honey vinaigrette and goat mousse

Besides the pie, our very favourite items were the beet salad and maple ginger bourbon glazed yams. Chef Melissa has such a flair when it comes to using warming autumnal spices – those yams were out of this world! Everything was delectable and portions were generous.

Perfect pumpkin pie made with local in-house roasted pumpkins

All items were chilled, pre-cooked and packaged separately with reheating instructions. Within about an hour of oven time, we were sitting down to give thanks over a gourmet meal – and more treats than we would have prepared for just for two.

Takeout items packaged and labeled with reheating instructions

There was an option to add a wine from Peasant Pantry’s selection, a further convenience to round out the meal. We decided to go with something from our own cellar, Kelley Fox’s 2015 Maresh Vineyard Pinot Noir. Such an elegant wine to smell and taste and see with its ripe red fruit colour – a great pairing with a Thanksgiving Feast!

Quantities and prices were based on number of guests; for two, this very complete dinner was $65 ($125 for 4 and $180 for 6). For the obvious quality and care in preparation, generous portions, and the easy convenience of this special dinner package, we found the prices to be extremely reasonable.

We had special motivation this year to seek out a takeout option. But we would certainly do it again. The food and the experience was simply that good. Thank you Peasant Pantry for helping to provide a Happy Thanksgiving!

Peasant Cookery’s “Peasant Pantry” is located at 283 Bannatyne Avenue in Winnipeg, Manitoba. For more information on their pick up and takeaway options, visit www.peasantpantry.store or call (204) 989-7700.

Wine and Dine at Home with Peasant Cookery – Winnipeg, Canada

May 14, 2020 By karin Leave a Comment

Wine and Dine Charcuterie, Cheeses from Peasant Cookery

Take out has never looked so good! Peasant Cookery, a popular bistro in Winnipeg’s stylish Exchange District, has launched Peasant Pantry – a convenient online store. The ‘Pantry’ store offers some of the essential fresh ingredients that make the restaurant a perennial favourite. There are produce and ‘protein’ packs, as well as spices and seasonings to enhance your home-cooked recipes. There’s also house cured sausages, homemade pickled vegetables, shaved meats, and other food packages that put a classy spin on delivery or takeaway dining.

Pictured above is the Wine and Dine package. Included was a generous selection of in-house cured sausages, pickled green beans and cucumbers, a rich mousse and freshly made pate, a fresh, crusty baguette, and a bottle of absolutely lovely, fruity pinot noir (The Crusher). An assortment of four cheeses rounded out the meal: Iberico, Benedictine Blue, Oka Raclette, and a delectably runny Taleggio. Mustard and preserves were also included.

The items were all individually packaged — convenient for transport and quick transfer to the fridge, or directly to a charcuterie board. (We often get inquiries about the attractive handcrafted board picture above — check out Stinson Studios for a closer look!)

We tend to eat with gusto, and there was more than enough food to make for a satisfying meal for two. At $55 (CDN) with wine included, we found the package to be very reasonably priced. The experience was certainly a bright spot in these strange times – an elegant little escape. Well done, Peasant Cookery and Peasant Pantry!

Peasant Cookery is located at 283 Bannatyne Avenue in Winnipeg, Manitoba. For more information on their pick up and takeaway options, visit www.peasantcookery.ca or call (204) 989-7700.

Victoria and Albert – Five Diamond Disney Dining

March 23, 2020 By karin Leave a Comment

There is a hidden dining gem at Walt Disney World just for adults. Five star dining in a refined, romantic setting. Exquisite tasting menu with ten courses and divine enhancements. Wine pairings. Your own dedicated team of servers with impeccable attention to your needs.

Tucked away in the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Walt Disney World’s flagship hotel, is the exclusive Victoria and Albert’s Restaurant. Of course, you didn’t come to Disney to escape the family fun. But that doesn’t mean you can’t dress up and step away for just a while…

The first thing you need to know is that reservations are essential. Make them as early as possible. Bookings can be made through Disney’s online reservation system. The restaurant will also call you about a week in advance to double check on dietary restrictions, exact spelling of guest names (they personalize a keepsake menu), special occasions. (This would be an incredible venue to celebrate an engagement, honeymoon, anniversary, or romantic birthday.) And unlike most other dining bookies, 72 hours advance notice must be given for cancellations; there is a $75/person no-show fee.

Prices are high at $235 per guest, fitting the five diamond quality of the experience. Optional wine pairings are another $150 each, and enhancements such as the Caviar Tasting and Miyazaki beef are extra.

As you might imagine, there is also a more elevated dress code than most Disney restaurants: jacket required, tie optional for men; cocktail dresses/dresses, elegant pantsuits for ladies (you won’t be seeing Mouse ears here.) The dining room itself is intimate, softly lit, and while we were there also featured a live harpist. Just beautiful.

We enjoyed every moment of this very special experience. With two wonderful servers dedicated to our table, we felt like honoured guests in the best of hands.

I have a number of very serious allergies to contend with which I had informed the restaurant of in advance. All I can say is that the utmost attention was given to every aspect of my meal. Not only were scrumptious modifications and substitutions made, my personalized keepsake menu which all guests received reflected these changes.

Glacier 51 Tooth Fish and Alaskan King Crab

The menu changes daily to take advantage of the freshest and finest ingredients available. There are also a number of optional add ons and enhancements to extend the 10-course tasting experience even further. For instance, we added the International Caviar Tasting ($295) with traditional garnish (pictured above) which was phenomenal.

Honey Lacquered Rohan Duck with Sweet Potatoes

As you can see by scrolling through these pics, in addition to being delicious, each course was a work of art. Really almost too pretty to eat. Attempting to describe the tastes of each course couldn’t possibly do them justice. Instead, I’ve done my best to post the pics in the order in which the dishes were served, hopefully giving you a lovely sweep over what a meal at Victoria and Albert’s looks and feels like. I can say with conviction that for each course, the ingredients were premium, textures just perfect, and the accompaniments, sauces and garnishes always brought out the very best in each dish.

Lamb Loin with Dates, Garbanzo Bean Croquette

Highlights of our particular meal were numerous, but I will not forget the Glacier 51 Tooth Fish and Alaskan King Crab. If you don’t know about this fish, you need to read its story – or rather its lore. Caught in icy waters over 4,000 km away from mainland Australia, this incredible white fish is a rarity, to say the least, offered at the world’s finest restaurants (when possible!). It was delicious, so tender – and somehow rich and clean at the same time. I can’t promise that you’ll be offered Glacier 51 tooth fish on your visit, but I’m confident there will be something rare and special for you on this ever-changing menu.

Another highlight – an add on – was the Miyazaki Japanese wagyu beef. The presentation was amazing, and the melt-in-your-mouth flavours out of this world.

I was quite taken with the cheese course – it wasn’t what I was expecting, but it was excellent: mimolette cheese with a lovely nutty taste served with red apple compote (and just so pretty!).

Mimolette (Cheese Course) — Mimolette – A Surprising Cheese Course

Below is a deceptively simple looking dessert – a Grand Marnier soufflé – but its rich flavours, just the right sweetness and velvety eggy texture blew me away – so good!

You’ll see the lovely wine pairings (optional – though not optional for us!) listed on the menu above with the dish each glass accompanies. It looks like a lot – it is a lot – but we found the pours to be fairly small. It allows you to taste and enjoy everything, and of course there is no rushing at all through this experience anyway. The highlight wine for me was the Jayson Pahlmeyer Bordeaux Blend (Napa 2016). Deep red and super silky, I was ready for it after a few tastes of white – and of course it matched beautiful with the Wagyu beef. And of course, a glass of Sauternes with dessert was magic – in this case, La Fleur D’Or Sauternes.

Last but not least, after several leisurely hours of amazing food and service, ladies are presented with a red rose to take ‘home’…

…makes it hard to believe one was on a rollercoaster a few hours before…

To make reservations or for more information about Walt Disney World’s Victoria and Albet’s Restaurant, go to Disney’s online reservations or call (407) WDW-DVNA (939-3862).