Browsing: Restaurant Features

Boston Pizza -Thompson

March20

We were feeling sorry for ourselves.  It was summer in Winnipeg and Thompson was still in the frosty throes of winter.  On this day there had been another ice storm so that roads and sidewalks were treacherous.  But we were not daunted, as we needed a destination to watch The Jets game because it was not being shown at our hotel.  We had both bought Jets sweaters that weekend for our fellas, and we decided to give them a test run.

We arrived at Boston Pizza and it was like being home.  It felt so familiar to us that we relaxed right away.  We had a great vantage for the game.  For some reason the score was caught off from the top of the screen and because we were really enjoying the game, we were the go-to resource when other tables wanted to know the score.

We had heard good things about Bostons wings and were not disappointed. We ordered the oven-roasted, naked ones and then our helpful server suggested a number of sauces including mild, hot, sesame ginger and pineapple mango that I especially enjoyed.  The wings were perfectly trimmed and cooked so that they remained moist and firm.

To round out our dinner, we also chose the Gourmet Mediterranean Masterpiece pizza.  The menu indicated that it would be topped with spinach, fire-roasted portobello mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts and pesto sauce.

Here is what we thought that it would look like.

Here is what it did look like.  There were no portobello mushrooms and no sun-dried tomatoes.  This really bugs me.  But having said this, we each had a bite and the taste was really good even with the exclusions.  It is just not cool to advertise one thing and serve another.

The Jets lost but in truth, we had such a fun-filled evening that we both agreed that the game and the weather, could not dampen our spirits.

Boston Pizza on Urbanspoon

Kath’s quote: “And this is good old Boston, The home of the bean and the cod…”

-John Collins Bossidy

Riverview Restaurant-Thompson

March19

My traveling mate had an upset tummy so I was content to head down to the hotel restaurant to have an evening snack on my own.  I had enjoyed some popcorn while I finished my latest book so I had not been hungry at the dinner hour, but I sure was at 8 o’clock on a Saturday night.  Besides, the rest of the world was together, eating and having some fun.  Just because I was alone, why couldn’t I?  Drat, the restaurant had expectantly closed early for the evening.

I had driven by the Riverview Restaurant many times on my way to and from, the Thompson airport.  Their location perched on the river bank must be gorgeous in the summer, as it cozy and picturesque in winter.  I knew that they had a Chinese menu and I was really craving a feed of stir fried veggies.  I called to place a delivery order and they indicated that I should call their downtown Riverview Express location.  Undeterred and getting really hungry, I consulted their on line menu and placed my order.

I poured myself a glass of wine and was thinking about changing into my jammies, when there was a knock on my hotel room door.  The lovely lady who took my phone order had already arrived with my supper-happy days!

This was the first time that I had ever had Chinese food delivered in those little cardboard containers with the wire handle on top.  Ever since I saw Rorie & Lorelai on the Gilmore Girls, eating right out of the box with chopsticks, I have wanted to do the same.  I did not have any chopsticks, but I felt all witty and thinking very intelligent thoughts, but then when I started talking really fast, I decided to get a plate.

I am really hooked on curried vermicelli noodles ever since my brother-in-law introduced them to me, so that was a must have.  Their House Special noodles were soft and fluffy and were studded with sticks of carrot, slivers of pork, and pink shrimp which still had their tails on.  The curry was mild and appreciated as such, because I had already enjoyed a curry dish that day.  I was tempted, but resisted, adding salt or soya.

For my veggie fix, I chose Tai Dop Woey (which I understand means 8 vegetables).  Now let me see…celery, bok choy, broccoli, cauliflower, pea pods, mushrooms.  I can only remember six.  But I am not going to be a stickler for details because they tasted so fresh and crunchy that my body was thanking me for remembering all the vital food groups.  The sauce that coated them was very light.  Hhmm, the noodles needed some oomph and the veggies needed some more flavour.  Ta da, I ate one layered on top of the other and the combination was perfect.

You see taste is all relative-I was hungry and alone and the pleasure of the food kept me company.

River View Restaurant & Lounge on Urbanspoon

Kath’s quote: “The greatest delight the fields and woods minister is the suggestion of an occult relation between man and the vegetable. ‘I am not alone and unacknowledged.’ They nod to me and I to them.”-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Santa Maria Pizza-Thompson

March17

What constitutes good pizza in your opinion?  Is it the thickness or thinness or the crunchiness of the crust?  Is it a variety of contrasting toppings?  Is is the amount of cheese?  Is a lot of cheese a good thing?

In my world it is variable.  It can be any or all of the criteria above.  It is the same for hamburgers.  Sometimes I get a craving for a Big Mac.  Other times, the desire is for a made from scratch burger with all of the upscale trimmings.

Today I ventured out to find that another of the Thompson restaurants that I had been hearing about was just around the corner.  Well my walk was a titch longer than that but so far everything in this little city is within walking distance of my hotel.  So too, Santa Maria Pizza which was recommended to me on the very first day that I arrived in town.

I arrived at 1 and I guess the lunch crowd had abated because I approached, I was not even sure if the place was open.  Sure enough though, there were two tables inside and another couple of tables arrived while I was there.  As I am finding in Thompson, everyone is served a cup of coffee as soon as you sit down.  In fact in this case, the waitress kept coming over to refill my coffee cup when I was actually drinking water.

When the Meat Only pizza arrived, it was exceptional.  That is to say if your criteria is for easy on the sauce, a veritable stack of meat and tons of stringy cheese.  What I especially liked was the sprinkling of mixed Italian herbs that were sprinkled on top (just the way my Dad used to make our pizza).

I enjoyed the very first piece and then I had to request a take away box.  There was so much protein on the little wedge, that I was quickly satiated.  Lucky for me I love cold pizza perhaps even more than hot.

Oh yea, there was something special abut their Meat Only pizza and that is mushrooms!

Santa Maria Pizza & Spaghetti House   on Urbanspoon

Kaths quote: “There’s a pizza place near where I live that sells only slices. In the back, you can see a guy tossing a triangle in the air.”-Steven Wright

Rembrandts Bistro

March16

In simpler days before TV on demand, movies on demand, on line books, etc. , one primary form of entertainment was going for a drive.  Not a car ride to get anywhere in particular but for the pleasure of the journey.  Since our brood grew up in East Kildonan our destination was often out Henderson Hwy. to Lockport.  Sometimes we would have a play on the grassy area by the St. Andrews locks, sometimes a crunchy foot-long hot dog at Skinners and other times we would slow down by the old St. Andrews Church and imagine all the history that lay sleeping in the graveyard there.

Our Mom still likes going for drives and so when the three sisters informed her that we were going to pick her up for a Sunday brunch treat in Lockport, she was delighted.

The unusual addition of Red River Cereal to a traditional creme brulee starts off every brunch date at Rembrants Bistro.  The nuttiness of the cereal offsets the sweet creaminess of the custard.  I even gobbled up the blueberry garnish, the tastes were so divine.

Corned Beef Hash was spied by both Sister #2 and our Mom and they were very happy with their choice.  I had a little taste and thought that it was a little bit overwhelming, but to each their own.

Sister #3 finds it hard to resist the buttery lemon flavours of hollandaise sauce and so she ordered the Eggs Benedict to savour the taste.  Sister #2 simply ordered a side of hollandaise for her hash-there are no rules when you simply love food.

Omelets are often my brunch choice when done well and Rembrants Bistro does an excellent job especially when Remmis pan roasted potatoes and a little cup of fresh fruit are served alongside to complement the tastes.  The eggs were so stellar, I dont even recall what was stuffed inside.

Our server was absolutely perfect including his insistence to take our photo for us.

Rembrandt's Bistro on Urbanspoon

Kath’s quote: “Mother’s words of wisdom: ‘Answer me! Don’t talk with food in your mouth!'”-Erma Bombeck

The Northern Inn-Thompson

March14

When I knew that I was going to be spending some time in Thompson Manitoba, I asked my twitter followers where I should dine.  Almost immediately, I got a response my cyber-friend Shel, including a photo of her Thompson lunch.  I made a mental note to check out the Northern Inn.  Ive been in the city for a number of days now but typically have lunch with students in the location where I am teaching.  I did not know until today that the Northern Inn is just steps away from where I am staying.  What I wasn’t aware of, was that even though it was a balmy spring day, the wind was whipping around at 55 kms/hr and walking that short distance was an adventure indeed.

I arrived at 12:30 and the place was hopping.  I was able to find a little table though and had a look at the menu.  Ive often wondered what it would feel like dining alone and you know, as soon as I get my nose into a book, the world around me disappears, so in short, it was not awkward at all.

With one look at the menu, I knew that I would order my summer-time favourite of pickerel and chips. When the server automatically inquired if I would like gravy on my fries, I knew that I had come to the right place.  The selection was actually from the dinner section, but my request was very cheerfully accommodated.  Lunch started with a from-scratch bowl of chicken noodle soup.  The broth was hearty and there were real nuggets of chicken floating around with the broad, wide noodles, turnip and plenty of onion (which IMHO makes for a good chicken broth).

When my lunch arrived I was bowled over to see how much food was on my plate.  I know that I had ordered a dinner but since I was only paying $14 for pickerel, I did not expect to be served such a substantial platter.

I passed on the veggies but really enjoyed the garlic toast, fries and mound of vinegary cole slaw.  I intentionally left some on my plate with half of everything else, so that I could enjoy the left over meal for dinner.  Unfortunately the veggies survived the walk back to my hotel but the delicious cole slaw had been scraped into the garbage.  It is almost supper time right now and lucky for me there is a microwave in my room to warm up my supper before I figure out where I am going to watch the Jets game tonight.

Wow-good ole fashioned, home cooking.  Shel was right.

Could not resist taking a photo of my hotel room door-painted the exact colour of my accessories!

Northern Inn & Steak House  on Urbanspoon

Kath’s quote: “It is odd how all men develop the notion, as they grow older, that their mothers were wonderful cooks. I have yet to meet a man who will admit that his mother was a kitchen assassin and nearly poisoned him.”-Robertson Davies

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