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August 13, 2015

Wild Sage Bistro, Spokane



"Why aren't they bringing the dessert menu?" asked fellow foodie, some what puzzled as we sat back in anticipation of more delights after a really superlative meal.

Well, now, we have to go back a few days to some scheming on my part and some really great service  on the part of Wild Sage. We had always wanted to have a meal here - a place that has "a menu that allows (us) to be creative on a daily basis, and work within the limits of what is in season and available" And isn't that just the best way to eat? eat locally and have ingredients at their best?

And so it was that for fellow foodie's birthday, she made a reservation for dinner. Unbeknownst to her, I had emailed Wild Sage and they were in the know of the birthday celebrations and together planned a birthday dessert!

On the day we arrived, hungry after a day of mountain biking in Riverside State Park, WA, the Bistro was bustling with happy diners. We were shown to our seats by Heather Ann and soon we had cold water for thirsty throats and quickly chose a glass of wine each.



Their famous popovers appeared, light as a cloud, accompanied by lavender butter... mmm! A taste of summer.

light as a cloud Popovers

Mellow with a few sips of wine (we had empty tummies!) we pondered over menu choices... As a nod to healthy dining, we chose Pea Vine Salad - a refreshing combination of English peas, pea vine tendrils, arugula...  topped with a parmesan vinaigrette. Sharing it - (and Wild Sage plated it into two beautiful plates for us) so that we had tummy room for full meal deal. The pea puree was cool and fresh, contrasting well with the peppery arugula and salty parmigiano. Good start it was.

Moving on to the meat of the matter, birthday girl splurged on Filet Mignon - tender, flavourful, melt in your mouth Double "R" signature northwest beef - on a bed of startlingly purple mash and playful crispy leeks on the side. The sauce was so good, we were glad for the mash so that could eat every drop of it.

Filet Mignon

I usually choose things that I don't cook and that Dry Aged Pork Loin Chop was just called my name. It's hard to get a well cooked (not well done) pork chop that is still juicy and doesn't have the texture of cardboard. Now, this Pork Chop was something else! First of all, it was HUGE. I have never eaten such a large chop, and it was well seasoned, juicy, resting on mashed purple potatoes... and topped with crispy pork belly! Oh my!

Dry Aged Pork Loin Chop

What amazing food! And contrary to our usual practice, we didn't swop plates - it was just too good, although we did sample bites of each other's entree. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Sitting back after the plates were cleared away, we are back to the question we started this blog with...  "Why aren't they bringing the dessert menu?" The reason was soon clear, when Heather Ann astutelydeduced which diner was the birthday girl and brought a slice of their "Soon to be Famous Coconut Cream Layer Cake" complete with candle. No singing thankfully! Big Smile from Birthday girl. That cake should really be "Famous" - light, not too sweet, a great ending to a fabulous dinner.

Soon to be Famous Coconut Cream Layer Cake


Thank you Tom (my partner is crime) and Heather Ann and Wild Sage for a truly memorable meal. We'll definitely be back.

June 15, 2015

Where BC travellers ate at, & would recommend - Kelowna

Raudz

Ate here in 2010.  Loved the food, loved the ambience, loved the service.  Recommended this place to many friends and they loved it too.  Decided to come here again 5 years later.  Very happy Raudz has kept up it's high standard of great food & service.


Seared Albacore Tuna

Spring Salmon

Halibut

Crème brûlée

Tip:  If you don't want to wait for a table, have dinner by the bar.

June 8, 2015

Where BC travellers ate/drank at, & would recommend - Ballard, Seattle (Part2)

Here's part 2.


Another place we have visited twice on two separate trips.  Awesome place - great food, extensive drink list and friendly service.  Always crowded - be prepared to sit close to another table.  Highly recommend this place!

Oysters!!!

Grilled sardines

Steak tartare


This place was bustling when we came here for dinner.

Buratta - charred ramps, carrots a la grecque, grilled bread, admiralty sea salt

Grilled asparagus with carrot top gremolata, Italian pine nuts, salt cured egg yolk

Orechetti with rapini, chili, botarga, smokey
   bread crumbs

How about a place (or two) for after dinner drinks?


250 scotches enough for you?

Behold!  The scotches...


Ocho

Came here for drinks after dinner one night because we were to full to have tapas.  Friendly and knowledgeable bartender.












June 7, 2015

Where BC travellers ate at, & would recommend - Ballard, Seattle (Part1)

Decided to start this series of "Where BC travellers ate & would recommend" after friends kept asking us to recommend places to eat in places we have visited.  The first of the many (hopefully) - Ballard in Seattle.

Geo's Cuban & Creole

Came here for lunch.  Decided to order a traditional pan con lechon and pan con lechon just to compare and contrast.  Love the crispy chicharonnes in the traditional.  The meat is really moist and tender.  Yummy all the way.

Traditional pan con lechon

Pan con lechon






Pestle Rock Isan Thai Cuisine

Authentic Thai food - reminded us of our travels in Thailand.  We asked them for "Thai" spiciness and we were not disappointed.

Som Tum - green papaya salad

Kanom Jeen Nam Prik

Tua Pad Kapee - we asked the chef to replace the beans with water spinach



La Isla Cuisine

Eaten here twice on two separate trips.  Comfort food.

Sopa De Lentejas

Empanadilla - Queso

El Camion

Busy place.  The queue to order food was long and by the time the food came, it was easily a 20 minute wait.  But the food is worth the wait.  Staff are friendly.

Gorditas - lengua, tripas & cabeza

Tacos - lengua, tripas & cabeza

Rice & beans