Saskatchewan Archives

In Alberta

The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old Paired with Meat and Cheese

December 24, 2018

The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old is a great gift this holiday. It is available at all government-owned liquor stores across Canada for a pretty affordable price of under $100. The price will fluctuate from province to province, but this smooth Scotch is at a great price point that won’t disappoint.

Taste

It has a golden sun colour to it. As you take your first wiff, you can really smell creamy butterscotch with a hint of toffee apple, candied orange, vanilla custard and newly felled oak on the nose. It’s very aromatic!

When you take a few sips, it has hints of honey, wood spices and citrus, balanced with raisins and caramel. As you finish your sip, the Oak lingers, which is warm and sweet at the back of your throat.

We prefer to have it neat so you can really take in the flavours of the The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old. Of course, you can have it on the rocks or alternatively a dram of it to your coffee or tea. The vanilla custard notes go well with crème-brûlée or pumpkin pie at the end of the meal.

Charcuterie Board Pairings

Of course you can’t just have a glass of Scotch without some delicious accompaniment. You can get cheesey with a simple charcuterie board to have a few nibbles before dinner begins.

To accentuate the butterscotch and caramel flavours of The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old, they suggest a young manchego, French sheep’s milk cheese, or any earthy pecorino.

If you can’t find those at your local grocery store, you can go with some light cheeses like a light Brie or light Cheddar. It gives a nice mouthfeel without overpowering the Scotch.

It’s a great way to enjoy the Scotch, have some bites while continuing your conversations with friends and family.

Pasa-Doble: A Classic Coaktail Twist

You can also make cocktails with The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old. This is a take on the classic Old Fashioned with American style, distinct European flair and a clever Canadian twist. It’s perfect for the holidays.

Ingredients:

1 1/3 oz. The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old
1/2 oz. Amontillado Sherry
Pinch of smoked salt
Drizzle of Canadian maple syrup

Instructions:

Add all ingredients and ice to a mixing glass. Stir gently with a bar spoon for 10 seconds.
Strain into an ice-filled Old Fashioned glass.

Final Thoughts

The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old is good on its own and paired with a charcuterie plate, or turned into a cocktail. It’s versatile and at a great price point. Highly recommended!

Website:
https://www.themacallan.com/en

In Saskatoon

Remai Modern Art Gallery in Saskatoon: Review

August 4, 2018

Remai Modern Art Gallery is a newly established museum of modern and contemporary art in Saskatoon. When we were visiting town for a few days, a lot of friends and locals told us we needed to come here to check out the space as well as the Pablo Picasso exhibit.

We got our tickets at the main level and was $12 for general admission.

Four Times Sol LeWitt UpsideDown, Version Point to Point

When you walk in, there are a lot of seating areas and a beautiful installation by Haegue Yang called “Four Times Sol LeWitt UpsideDown, Version Point to Point”. It’s huge and made of Venetian blinds, which is an awesome material to use.

Untitled Curtain 7

This is located on the third floor by Daniel Steegmann Mangrané. It is a curtain made out of aluminum and the shape was quite unique. It looks great, so make sure to walk through it.

Lucky Charms

One of my favourite installations was by Pae White titled “Lucky Charms”. The neon lights are presented in fun shapes and its illuminating the stairwell.

Pablo Picasso

When we were here, Pablo Picasso linocut prints were on display and it gave visitors a glimpse of one of his many passions – bull fighting.

At the age of 70, Picasso began working in the linocut technique, creating posters for bull-fights in Vallauris, France.

Jimmie Durham: At the Center of the Universe

Jimmie Durham has a detailed eye for materials and textures that go into his art pieces. He has an interesting approach to putting pieces together that speak to the complexities of historical narratives and notions of authenticity.

Whether it be an old shirt, pipes, rocks, or a tire, these all the equal weight and he bends them into a way that it gets incorporated into his work.

It’s simple yet complex with a bit of humour in some pieces.

As they say, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure.

Final Thoughts

Those were a few of the exhibits that we saw at Remai Modern Art Gallery in Saskatoon. $12 is not a bad price to pay for entry, but the Art Gallery isn’t as large as I would have expected. It is 11,582-square-metres, so not as big in comparison to the ones in Vancouver and Toronto. On the plus side, there are some good artists and pieces curated as part of their exhibits.

Address:
102 Spadina Crescent E, Saskatoon, SK

Website:
https://remaimodern.org/

In Regina

Regina Rolling Robot Tours: Exploring Historic Sites of Wascana

June 28, 2018

Regina Rolling Robot Tours was highly recommended to us on our trip to Regina. It’s not like everyday we get to ride in style along Wascana Centre on Segways. I’ve been on similar tours around the world and it’s a great way to see the city. For those with mobility issues, it’s actually a really good option as all you need to do is gently lean forward to move straight ahead.

Historic Sites of Wascana Tour

They currently offer 2 tours that last 1.5 hours that are attractive to both locals and tourists – Nature Conservation Tour and Historic Sites of Wascana Tour. As first time visitors to Regina, Historic Sites of Wascana Tour suited us better to learn more about the history of Saskatchewan’s Provincial Government and it’s home in Regina.

This tour would take us to:

Saskatchewan Legislative Building
Pine Island
Albert Street Memorial Bridge
Speaker’s Corner
Wascana Bandstand
Lakeshore Park Kwakiutl Totem Pole
Holodomor Statue

As we were on a private tour with the 2 of from Foodology, Jamine made us feel very comfortable and would make any stops if we were wanting to see something in-particular.

Training

Before we began the tour, Jasmine – the Owner and Tour Guide gave us a crash course on how to operate the Segways. My friend was very nervous at first as it was a completely new experience. Within 10 – 15 minutes, she was able to get a hang of operating it but still wasn’t too comfortable going full speed. Jasmine was very encouraging and help her gain more confidence.

Let’s Go

On the other hand, I just observed the training as this wasn’t my first time on a Segway. I ended up trying the Ninebot, which is more compact than a Segway, but it felt great. Safety is a #1 priority, so using cellphones or cameras while on the devices are prohibited. There are plenty of stops on the tour to grab great photos in and around Wascana Centre.

It was actually really nice to keep the devices away. We just enjoy the natural beauty of Wascana Centre and learned more about Regina’s rich history. Did you know, this entire lake is man made? Neither did we!

We lucked out on the weather when we arrived. Our tour was originally on a day where there were thunderstorms and strong wind, so it was cancelled for safety reasons. Fortunately, we were able to be rebooked for the next day before we headed out of town. It was worth the wait.

Lots of great sights along the way especially by the legislature building and garden.

Wrap Up

As we finished our tour, we were given pouches of bird seeds if we wanted to feed the birds around the area. Overall, it was a really fun tour and I would highly recommend it. Great for beginners and expert level Segway riders.

Website: https://rrrtours.ca/

Looking for more recommendations?

A big thanks to Tourism Regina for helping us make the most out of our trip to Regina. Check out their website to help plan your trip to Regina. There are a plethora of activities to do.

In Pub/Bar

Cathedral Social Hall: Pub Fare in Saskatoon

June 25, 2018

Cathedral Social Hall in Saskatoon serves up elevated Saskatchewan Pub classics. There are 30 beers on tap with a variety of local beers, Canadian beers, and International beers. As its located right in the heart of Downtown Saskatoon, it’s close to all the popular spots along the river. I wanted to try out some Saskatchewan beers all in one spot, have a quick bite and watch the game.

Interior

The big feature inside is their bar with all the beers listen on the wall and all the taps. There are also lots of long tables and a patio to suit small to really large groups. It makes it a perfect venue for

Drinks Menu

Beer Flight

I got a flight with all Saskatchewan beers – Crossmount Apple Cider, Great Western Radler, Great Western Prairie White, and Rebellion Lentil Cream. I went with lighter beers and I am not as keen on hoppy beers.

Salt and Pepper Wings

To pair with beer, what better item to have than salt and pepper wings. It was beautifully fried with a crispy exterior and the right ration of salt and pepper so it isn’t too salty.

Social Salad

If you are looking for something a little more healthy, they have salad. This particular salad comes in 2 sizes and my friend went with the smaller option as we have been eating all day. It has greens, radishes, tomatoes, goat cheese, cucumber, Saskatoon berries, and a vinaigrette.

Dessert in a Jar

Now this is one massive dessert. It has chocolate stout cake, chocolate sauce, bananas, sponge toffee, ice cream, and berries. You’ll definitely want to share this big dessert.

Final Thoughts

Overall, it was a good place for drinks and pub fare that showcases Saskatchewan produce where possible. It’s a good place to watch the game too.

Address:
608 Spadina Crescent E, Saskatoon, SK

Website:
http://www.cathedralsocialhall.com

In Cafe

Living Sky Cafe: Quick Morning Bites

June 23, 2018

Living Sky Cafe is located in Downtown Saskatoon and we came here early in the morning for a quick bite before continuing on our adventure. We chose this spot as it was highly recommended to us, plus very close to our hotel and most places Downtown.

Interior

When you walk deeper in to the cafe, there are a few seat with booth style seating.

Latte

I ordered at latte and it was good as they used local Venn Roastery beans. The latte art could have been improved but other than that, it was what I needed in the morning.

BBQ Pork Buns

I wanted something simple in the morning, so I just grabbed a bun to go with my coffee. It is round and topped with black sesame seeds, the gem of the pork is hiding inside.

The pork bun has delicious and had some much filling. I really enjoyed it as it reminded me of similar pastries I had as a kid.

Yogurt Parfait

My friend ordered a yogurt parfait with granola, berries and yogurt. A good size in the morning but would have been better if it had a bit more granola to balance out the ratio.

Final Thoughts

A good start to the morning without filling up too much. I highly recommend the BBQ pork buns!

Address:
245 3 Ave S, Saskatoon, SK

Website:
http://mwlfoods.ca/index.html

In Brunch

Skye Cafe & Bistro: Brunch in Regina

June 14, 2018

Inside the Saskatchewan Science Centre, you will find Skye Cafe & Bistro serving up fresh, local and seasonal cuisine to their guests. Located right by Wascana Lake, they attract locals and even travellers like me to their approachable menu that is simple and full of flavour. Chef Louise Lu and Chef Milton Rebello created Skye Cafe & Bistro really wanted to treat guests like they were dining in their home.

Interior

The interior is beautiful with the warm light fixtures and the natural light coming in from the windows. It was pretty busy for a Saturday morning so you might want to make a reservation if you’re in a larger group to ensure a seat.

Tea

Steeped loose leaf tea is available in Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Green Sencha, peppermint or Rooibos. A good warm drink in the morning.

Morning Glory Smoothie

This smoothie is made of banana, strawberry, coconut milk and honey. It’s only available on the weekend but it was good and delicious. It has a prominent taste of banana and strawberries so the coconut milk wasn’t strong.

Crab Cake Benedict

The dish has Yukon gold potato hash, poached eggs, citrus hollandaise, house greens, crab cakes and asparagus.

The Weekender

This perfect breakfast dish has 2 eggs cooked sunny side up, potatoes, toast, salad, and your choice of bacon or sausage. I of course went with bacon. It was a well rounded dish and the egg yolks were nice and bright.

Final Thoughts

Brunch at Skye Cafe and Bistro was great. The dishes were well rounded, fresh and delicious. If I’m ever in Regina again, I’ll definitely be back.

Website:
https://skyecafeandbistro.com/

Address:
2903 Powerhouse Dr, Regina, SK

In lunch

Baba’s Homestyle Perogies: Canada’s Drive-Thru Perogy Shop in Saskatoon

June 12, 2018

When I was in Saskatoon, a lot of people recommended we go to Baba’s Homestyle Perogies for some lunch. They are Canada’s only Drive-Thru Perogy Shop, but haven’t heard of anywhere else in the world with such a thing. If you wanted a quick stop for them, you don’t have to get out of the car.

Storefront

We headed to the the other side of the building at the entrance so we could eat our meal inside. The interior isn’t anything interesting, but there are a few tables, a counter to order, and some freezers with items you can purchase.

They sell and produce a lot of perogies each day from this warehouse. They never seem to stop.

Super Combo

The super combo is the best item to order for a little bit of everything. It comes with 2 cabbage rolls, a smokie, and 5 perogies. The perogies are topped with real bacon, sour cream and onions. It was absolutely delicious and is a great price. The perogies were like pillows. Very delicious and I wish I could take them with me.

Address:
720B 51st St E, Saskatoon, SK

Website:
https://babasperogies.com/

In Dessert

Milky Way Ice Cream in Regina

June 10, 2018

Milky Way Ice Cream is a Regina staple for locals even when it is -20c outside. That means no melting ice cream. It’s something I’ve never experienced before. When I visited in early June, the weather was around 20c, so this place was buzzing with people getting cones. There is free parking out front and in the back.

Banana Split

I got a classic banana split because I haven’t had one as a kid. It has a whole banana cut into 2 slices, 3 scoops of vanilla soft serve, chocolate sauce, strawberry sauce, pineapple sauce and whipped cream. All they were missing was the cherry on top. It was pretty big, so it was really hard finishing it all.

Final Thoughts

If you want some nostalgia, you’ll definitely want to come here. They even have twist cones too.

Address:
910 Victoria Ave, Regina, SK

Website:
http://www.milkywayicecream.com/

In Canadian

The Willow on Wascana: 6 Course Tasting Menu in Regina

June 9, 2018

Our first dinner in Regina was at The Willow on Wascana to indulge on their 6 Course Tasting Menu to get a taste of their take on Saskatchewan regional cuisine. Their menu is seasonal, so it does change up. They have been open since 2004. They are Regina’s only restaurant overlooking the lake of Wascana. The patio was closed when we went due to the weather, so we sat inside and still enjoyed the view of the lake from our seats.

6 Course Tasting Menu

The tasting menu is $75 and you can add the wine flight for $35 extra or their premium wine flight for $55. We went with the tasting menu as it was a great way to get a feel for their menu. Plus, sometimes I get indecisive when choosing dishes, so I like to leave it up to the experts.

Amuse Bouche

We started off with the Moroccan chicken drumette with chili oil. I like the subtle amount of chili oil to give it a better depth of flavour. The spices they used were really good too.

Shrimp Taco

This has pickled selva shrimp and tomato salad with avocado lime cream, Coteau Hills feta and cilantro with crispy tortilla crumble. The shrimp was delicate and full of natural sweetness. The dish was like a deconstructed taco and I liked it.

Gnudi

These ricotta parmesan dumplings are tossed in sage brown butter with preserved lemon vinaigrette and micro greens sautéed greens. The parmesan is prevalent and was enjoyed with the brown butter sauce.

Rocaan Chicken

This has Ras el hanout spiced chicken breast on creamy sesame chick pea puree with charred eggplant salsa and mint gremolata. I enjoyed this as the chicken breast was very moist and the spices were tasty.

Petite Mole

This has mole spiced petite tenderloin on fried polenta with Pico de Gallo, sautéed greens and ancho garlic crema. The polenta was a good accompaniment to the tenderloin, but the tenderloin was more on the medium side rather than medium rare.

Cheesecake

This is not your average cheesecake. It has goat cheese lime cheesecake with house made sesame snap, apple miso caramel and candied walnuts. We enjoyed the goat cheese lime cheesecake but the sesame snap was a smidge thick and ended up sticking to our teeth a lot rather than having a good snap.

Drinks

I got the Paloma, which is a tequila based cocktail with grapefruit juice, lime and soda. My friend got a virgin drink and asked for something fruity.

Final Thoughts

This place is a gem in the Summer especially with the views from the Wascana Lake. Dining on the patio would be gorgeous. We were stuffed after all 6 courses, it was actually a good size and gave us a taste on dishes using seasonal Saskatchewan ingredients to create delicious flavours.

Address:
3000 Wascana Dr, Regina, SK

Website:
http://www.willowonwascana.ca/

In Airplane Meals

Air Canada (AC8570): Vancouver (YVR) to Regina (YQR)

June 8, 2018

To get from Vancouver to Regina, we chose to fly with Air Canada for their price and timing to make the most out of our days in Saskatchewan. Our flight was at 8:55am on a Friday and it was a full flight.

Boarding

We waited patiently as we boarded the plane at 8:25am. They checked out boarding passes and looked at our ID. As Canadian Citizens, we showed them our drivers license. If you are from another country, a passport is required. Boarding went smoothly and got to our seats.

The Flight

The 2 hour flight was on their Air Canada Express plane, which was a 2-2 configuration for seats. The overhead compartments are smaller than other flights I’ve been on, so getting my carry on to fit was a bit of a challenge and needed some pushing. Alternatively, you can store your carry on under the seat in front of you. Then you can put your personal bag up top.

The leg room had ample space, but then again, I am 5”3. So, I’m a bit on the shorter size.

Meals

We were offered a complementary beverage, so I went with my usual sparkling water with the full can as I get pretty thirsty. I always ask for the full can.

Entertainment

The entertainment system has some of the latest Cineplex movies, TV shows, games, song and flight information. There are wi-fi options available too.

If you need to charge devices, there is a USB port.

In-Flight

As for timing, the flight arrived and landed on time with minimal turbulence. Everything was as expected.

Final Thoughts

Even though people complain about flying with Air Canada, I’ve never had any issues with them and also the price is very good in comparison.

As we descended upon Regina, our Saskatchewan journey begins for the next 5 days.

In Regina

Exploring Graffiti in Cathedral Village

June 8, 2018

I love seeing tasteful graffiti up on public walls, it’s like an outdoor art gallery that captures the fun and joyfulness of a city. When visiting Regina, we wanted to take a look at Cathedral Village for their cute shops and vibrant graffiti that line the alleys of the neighbourhood.

Where is it?

On 13^th Avenue between Albert Street and Elphinstone Street are alleyways and buildings covered in a multitude of murals created by local artists. There is tons of free public parking in the area to stop and wander around. Most spots were 2 hours maximum.

How much time to spend here?

We spent about 45 minutes in the area walking up and down both sides of the street as well as going down alleyways.

What Can I See?

Once upon a time Cathedral Village wasn’t a vibrant art community. It was riddled with graffiti from gang rivalry. Of course this didn’t look very appealing on businesses, churches, and even homes. The locals took it upon themselves to curb their behaviour by commissioning artists to craft murals. The murals are lovely and you can see many different types of techniques and artistry.

We wandered up and down the street to find the murals hiding between buildings and in alleys. If you blink, you might just miss one. Keep your eyes open as there are quite a few.

From animals to abstract trees, there is something that will catch your attention.

If you’re looking for an Instagrammable mural, you’ll find it here to pose with.

One of my absolute favourites is this brick wall with individually painted bricks that reveal a big image of a laughing person. Very creative.

Final Thoughts

If you love public art, you’ll enjoy wandering around Cathedral Village in Regina especially with the beautiful Summer weather.

Website: http://www.cathedralvillage.org/

In Canadian

Over the Hill Orchards and Winery: Supper in the Orchard

June 7, 2018

Over the Hill Orchards and Winery is hosting their Supper in the Orchard series and are located 30 minutes outside Regina. They have partnered with the Canadian Culinary Federation (CCFCC) Regina and have invited chefs to create a 4 course meal for guests using mainly ingredients from local Saskatchewan farms. If you really want to experience something unique, you’ll want to come here. Most of the proceeds do go back to the CCFCC which sends their junior members to locations across North America for training.

On June 2, the day that we went for Supper in the Orchard, Curtis Toth from The Hotel Saskatchewan, Autograph Collection created us a 4 course meal with an asparagus theme. Along with Sous Chef Brett Stecyk, it was a fun evening to see the meal come together.

The Cost

The supper is $65 or $90 with wine pairing. You can also purchase individual glasses of wine for $6, and non-alcoholic beverages for $3.25. It’s not a bad price since you get a unique meal which you can brag to friends as you show them pictures. I made a reservation a week in advance and they took my credit card information just in case I cancelled. They send you an email confirmation with invoice and a map to get to the orchard.

Arrival

Getting to the orchard was a fun drive, but as you get closer by following your navigation, make sure you follow the signs. If you encounter a very steep hill driving up, you’re in the right direction. Going up can be scary as the view is limited, so just drive slowly.

When we got to the top, we parked and made our way inside. It was windy and cold, so they didn’t have drinks on the patio. Usually if its a nice day, you will see people come early to enjoy the views of the orchard and hills. We got our drinks and made our way to our table and chatted with our tablemates before the meal began.

Asparagus and English Pea Salad

The first dish has charred asparagus, marinated peas, pea puree, sous vide egg , cracked pepper and burnt leek and lemon aioli. It was so damn delicious and a sous vide egg is heavenly. The flavour of the peas and asparagus are so fresh and work well together. This is paired with the Over the Hill Peach Chardonnay as it is an off-dry wine that isn’t as sweet.

Asparagus and Cucumber Gazpacho

The second dish of the evening has the refreshing asparagus and cucumber gazpacho topped with prosciutto smoked parmesan and camelina oil. We slurped it all up and wanted more. Good flavour combinations. This was paired with the Over the Hill gewurztraminer.

Dry aged Striploin

The main dish of the night was delightful. It was sous vide striploin that was seared on the outside. It is served with asparagus gremolata, buttered asparagus, smoked fingerling potatoes, mushroom jam and natural jus. The centre of the striploin was medium rare and showcased the piece of meat. This was paired with the Over the Hill Pinot Noir.

Lemon and Greek Yogurt Cake

You will find zucchini coulis, lemon curd, Over the Hill Sour Cherries, tarragon meringue and pumpkin seeds praline. Who knew zucchini would go well in a dessert. The skilled chefs made it happen. This is paired with the Over the Hill Apricot Riesling.

Tour of the Orchard

As you noticed, each course is paired with their wines from the orchard. They guide you on a short tour of the orchard but as the day we went, the weather was bad, so it was omitted. If you come here on a sunny day, you can see where the fruits grow and hear the process of how it becomes the products that you enjoy.

Final Thoughts

As the night concluded, we settled our bills and enjoyed the sunset as the night ended. I really enjoyed the meal and a visit out to the orchard. It was a unique experience that I would highly recommend if you are in Saskatchewan.

Website:
http://overthehillorchards.ca/