From post: Daughter #2’s Favourite Salads

 

I loved sitting across from the BB-Q and watching the chef grill the meals to order. We enjoyed our conversation with the chef who told us lots about the varying cuisine found across Mexico. 

Earlier this year when the beach club at Playa Sol closed with no plan to reopen, I was sad to see it go and wondered what operator Sergio would do next. Well like a Phoenix, Limón has risen and Sergio looks healthier and happier than ever. It was great to see him in this location, where he can be close to his family and even tuck Max into bed everynight  

We had a really good visit with Sergio. We could see the passion he has for this place as he showed us photos of various menu items. The menu features some classics but also gets inventive featuring things like hibiscus tacos and offering a wide range of vegetarian items.

Limón is located on calle Lizeta just up the hill from the Super Epress in las Gloria.

Kath’s quote: “Appreciation is a wonderful thing; it makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” –Voltaire

D and I had both spent the day visiting our Moms.  I had plans that evening to attend a neighbourhood wine and cheese party.  In between though, D and I met for a quick supper and to watch the first period of the Jets game.

I have enjoyed lunch at The Grove Restaurant and Pub but never dinner.  We positioned ourselves side by side as couples sit in French cafes.  We were not feeling particularly romantic, we just both wanted a good vantage point of the TV screen.   The evening started with a couple of Rock Creek ciders and we had barely begun to quench our thirst when our dinner of appetizers arrived.  We were pleased with the kitchen’s timing.

The chevre and roasted pepper croquettes were milder than I imagined they would be.  I could taste a well blended bechamel but could not detect the sharpness of the goat cheese.  This was not because the pepperiness over powered the goat cheese (because the taste of a pequillo peppers is closer to a bell pepper than a chili pepper, despite their small size).

We really enjoyed the fish bites especially the haddock nuggets coated in panko flakes.  We prefer our salmon a wee bit rare and these were quite well cooked.  Happily, the accompanying curry sauce moistened the morsels for us.

The scallops were absolutely sublime!  Perfectly seared to our liking so that the surface was slightly crunchy but the inside was still almost translucent.  Topping the scallops was candied pork belly, and they were nestled upon caramelized apple & onion purée and a drizzle of lavender port syrup-oh my!

We met another Winnipeg Chef as they were leaving.  The sign of an exceptional restaurant is when other chefs choose to eat there.

Kath’s quote: “Scallops are expensive, so they should be treated with some class. But then, I suppose that every creature that gives his life for our table should be treated with class.”-Jeff Smith

My last night of an almost month long stay in Thompson, I ventured out one more time to pick up more Jets paraphernalia at Giant Tiger.  This was a serious find-NHL labeled Jets sweaters in a zip up or v neck style in classic white or navy blue.  The first time I was there, I bought one for D for $15 and then when everyone back home saw them, I knew that I had to get more.  Upon my return, they were marked down further to $10 and I ended up purchasing four of them to make all the guys in the family happy.

Have you ever seen the Expedia commercials where the guy falls arm pit deep into a snow bank?  Well, this happened to me in my quest to get out shopping.  I was cutting across a field to get to the sidewalk.  The winter’s snow was covered with a thick layer of ice and then more snow.  I could predict where the bank wouldn’t hold me and was hoping that my footing was secure when-wham, I thought that the Expedia gnome was going to have to rescue me.

Needless to say, I decided to take a cab back to the hotel but before I headed out, I decided to have a quick bit of supper first.  I wandered into Nanny’s Diner and was immediately drawn to white board specials describing Newfie Fries and UPTOP Poutine (I would rename the latter-“Over the Top” Pouitne).  As I settled in, I looked at all the photographs of their home province of Newfoundland.  I have always wanted to go as I have a set of friends who have replanted themselves there as well as extended family who are from there.  Some day.

In the mean time, the Pouitne arrived.  When the helpful waitress asked me what I thought, I truthfully said “A fun taste but not something that I would want on a regular basis.”  She replied: “Yes I know what you mean-maybe only once a week.”  But I was thinking “Maybe once in my life time.”

The fries were perfect.  The gravy, not too rich or salty.  I do prefer the authentic cheese curd recipe but the shredded cheese was pleasantly sharp and plentiful.  The “Newfie Stuffing” made for an interesting taste variation and the fried baloney and onions put the dish -over the top.

Nannys Diner serve a really eclectic list of offerings from samosas, wings, and deep-fried pickles to foot-long hot-dogs and homemade burgers.  They only serve fish and chips on Fridays-cod of course.

Kaths quote: “I come from a home where gravy is a beverage.”-Erma Bombeck

Breakfast at Grapes Restaurant was included in my hotel stay at the Burntwood Hotel and so I got to know the cheerful morning staff well in addition to many of the regulars.  The Breakfast choices included in the room cost were:

French Toast

The Breakfast Wrap: scrambled eggs, with bacon, green onion and cheese and a lovely touch when the wrap was put back on the grill after the fixins were added.

The Breakfast Croissant: Ham, Egg and Cheese on a croissant

and the Classic: 2 eggs, hash browns, toast and your choice of ham, sausages or bacon. The latter produced many variations depending upon the style of eggs you ordered and the accompanying meat that was chosen.  My traveling partner like their poached eggs on dry toast.

I enjoyed a variety of other Grapes’ surprizes too.  I say suprizes because when the Grapes’ Winnipeg location sliped into oblivion, there were very few food lovers, sad to see it go.  But this Grapes location is one of Thompson’s hot spots and the food is very good.

One night I got a unexpected visit from my cousin who was on business too.  Her acquaintances had potato skins and chimichangas and both were declared (and looked to be) delicious.

I often enjoyed the buffet lunch: 4 kinds of soup, a little salad bar and a changing hot dish with a variety of sweets for dessert.  In addition, one night, I treated myself to Chicken Fingers and on another to Poutine where hand cut, never frozen fries are smothered in a beefy gravy with real cheese curds.  On my Chicken Finger night, my traveling partner ordered a steak and was quite impressed with the tenderness and flavour.

She was also hooked on the freshly made cilantro salsa that came with nachos chips and one evening we had their apple crisp with ice cream.  It was a veritable loaf of apple crisp with a oatmeal layer on both the bottom and the top.  I had half for breakfast the next morning and it was equally yummy.

I can’t say that I would rather dine at Grapes than be at home, but knowing that there were always people to visit with and good food to consume, certainly made my extended stay in Thompson, more enjoyable.

Kath’s quote: “A man who was fond of wine was offered some grapes at dessert after dinner. ‘Much obliged’, said he, pushing the plate aside; ‘I am not accustomed to take my wine in pills.'” –Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin