Saturday, March 31, 2012
Thought of the Week: March 31, 2012
“God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?”" ~ William Arthur Ward
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Thought of the Week: March 25, 2012
"There is only one boss. The customer. And he can fire everybody in the company from the chairman on down, simply by spending his money somewhere else." ~ Sam Walton (Founder of Walmart)
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Thought of the Week: March 17, 2012
“There are four ways…in which we have contact with the world. We are evaluated and classified by these four contacts:
· what we say
· how we say it”
~ Dale Carnegie
· what we do
· how we look· what we say
· how we say it”
~ Dale Carnegie
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Dining with David: 529 Wellington
529 Wellington – Winnipeg, MB – March 14, 2012
www.wowhospitality.ca/restaurants/wellington.html
Well, my trip to Winnipeg has been anything but exciting; many travel issues and long hours. Our prospect suggested a nice restaurant for the night and of course, we agreed. After driving toward downtown and coming into a very nice area, we then come upon a castle sitting right on the river. We could not believe this was the restaurant. This massive ‘house’ was built back in 1912 and has been elegantly restored; many rooms converted to private dining rooms with a grand staircase; lots of unique hardwood.
They started us off with a little smoked Atlantic Salmon from Nova Scotia; just right with nice smoke lines and great taste. Being from the South, we had to try their special Onion rings with local sauce; very clear, clean peanut oil makes all the difference with the right batter. They then brought us a sample of a new item, Spinach Mouse with bacon chips; flat, thin bacon chip in a small cup of the lightest, fluffiest vegetable mouse I have ever had (what am I talking about, I have never had any vegetable mouse before). To finish off the starters, they then brought out their local special of smoked Gold Eye; light, oily, very fresh fish with heavy smoke and a great taste.
I started off the meal with one of my favorite salads, Caprese. Nothing but fresh tomato covered with a big chunk of fresh mozzarella, sprinkled with basil and drizzled with balsamic vinegar; excellent. Now, since this is one of the very few places that serves Canadian Prime beef (<1% of all Canadian beef), I knew I had to get their steak. They feed their cows wheat and barley instead of corn like in the States (causing a whiter fat trim rather than a little darker yellow). This was a nice little 8 oz. filet tenderloin with a side of lobster tail. The steak was fabulous (probably the second best steak I have ever had) and was topped with a slight sprinkle of sea salt (great offset). I thoroughly enjoyed this steak as the flavor and smoke was wonderful. The fresh lobster (from Prince Edward Island in the Atlantic) had that great lobster taste and the special heated butter really helped.
This was one wonderful meal in a great facility. We thought about their special dessert but just could not pull the trigger and send it over the top. If ever in Winnipeg, this is the place to go.
Rating: 10
www.wowhospitality.ca/restaurants/wellington.html
Well, my trip to Winnipeg has been anything but exciting; many travel issues and long hours. Our prospect suggested a nice restaurant for the night and of course, we agreed. After driving toward downtown and coming into a very nice area, we then come upon a castle sitting right on the river. We could not believe this was the restaurant. This massive ‘house’ was built back in 1912 and has been elegantly restored; many rooms converted to private dining rooms with a grand staircase; lots of unique hardwood.
They started us off with a little smoked Atlantic Salmon from Nova Scotia; just right with nice smoke lines and great taste. Being from the South, we had to try their special Onion rings with local sauce; very clear, clean peanut oil makes all the difference with the right batter. They then brought us a sample of a new item, Spinach Mouse with bacon chips; flat, thin bacon chip in a small cup of the lightest, fluffiest vegetable mouse I have ever had (what am I talking about, I have never had any vegetable mouse before). To finish off the starters, they then brought out their local special of smoked Gold Eye; light, oily, very fresh fish with heavy smoke and a great taste.
I started off the meal with one of my favorite salads, Caprese. Nothing but fresh tomato covered with a big chunk of fresh mozzarella, sprinkled with basil and drizzled with balsamic vinegar; excellent. Now, since this is one of the very few places that serves Canadian Prime beef (<1% of all Canadian beef), I knew I had to get their steak. They feed their cows wheat and barley instead of corn like in the States (causing a whiter fat trim rather than a little darker yellow). This was a nice little 8 oz. filet tenderloin with a side of lobster tail. The steak was fabulous (probably the second best steak I have ever had) and was topped with a slight sprinkle of sea salt (great offset). I thoroughly enjoyed this steak as the flavor and smoke was wonderful. The fresh lobster (from Prince Edward Island in the Atlantic) had that great lobster taste and the special heated butter really helped.
This was one wonderful meal in a great facility. We thought about their special dessert but just could not pull the trigger and send it over the top. If ever in Winnipeg, this is the place to go.
Rating: 10
Dining with David: Joey Kenaston
Joey Kenaston – Winnipeg, MB – March 13, 2012
www.joeyrestaurants.com
After a long day (travel and presentation), the group decided to just drive and find a restaurant (not really my preference but sometimes it can work). We can upon a nice looking building with a crowd; always a good sign. This is one of the many 'Joey' style restaurants. This is a mid-scale restaurant with a very modern look and feel. We started off with the lettuce wraps; very good but not real spicy. Neat thing was their expanding towelette that grow/expand in water bowl provided to clean your hands.
I then had one of their specials; salmon. This was nice little cut of fish in olive oil with seasonings over the top. Instead of those nasty vegetables, I opted for a bowl of pasta with red sauce; the noodles were the egg based style; just ok. This is not the best salmon I have had but very good and worth it. The frites (fries) were crispy outside and soft on inside; perfect match. Overall a very good meal at a very nice place.
Rating: 9
www.joeyrestaurants.com
After a long day (travel and presentation), the group decided to just drive and find a restaurant (not really my preference but sometimes it can work). We can upon a nice looking building with a crowd; always a good sign. This is one of the many 'Joey' style restaurants. This is a mid-scale restaurant with a very modern look and feel. We started off with the lettuce wraps; very good but not real spicy. Neat thing was their expanding towelette that grow/expand in water bowl provided to clean your hands.
I then had one of their specials; salmon. This was nice little cut of fish in olive oil with seasonings over the top. Instead of those nasty vegetables, I opted for a bowl of pasta with red sauce; the noodles were the egg based style; just ok. This is not the best salmon I have had but very good and worth it. The frites (fries) were crispy outside and soft on inside; perfect match. Overall a very good meal at a very nice place.
Rating: 9
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Thought of the Week: March 11, 2012
“Before I was humiliated I was like a stone that lies in deep mud, and He who is mighty came and in his compassion raised me up and exalted me very high and placed me on the top of the wall.”
~ Saint Patrick
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Thought of the Week: March 3, 2012
“The safest road to Hell is the gradual one--the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.” ~ C. S. Lewis (The Screwtape Letters)
Friday, March 2, 2012
Dining with David: Charlie the Butcher
Charlie the Butcher – Buffalo, NY – March 2, 2012
Now, when most people hear Buffalo, they think (food related) of the famous Buffalo Wings. But the locals think Weck. This is a famous local sandwich with a funky name. I knew I just had to try one for lunch before catching my flight. I figured if I was going to try, go where the locals go.
This place is located behind the airport on a corner. Small building with side doors for entrance/exit; enter on one side and back out the other. There is about 8 bar stools at the counter and maybe another 12 tables in there; that’s it. I ordered their famous Beef on Weck (junior version). This is slow roasted beef sliced right in front of you as you order on a unusual ‘kummelweck’ roll (fresh baked roll covered with salt and slight seasoning) and dipped in beef sauce with some good ole horseradish for kick. The beef was wonderful but the bread just made the sandwich. Slightly dipped in broth and then when you bit in, you get the beef offset by the salt on top of the bun. Not something you see every day and worth the extra 5 min drive from Buffalo airport. If every in town, go get you a Weck.
Rating: 9
Travels with David: Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls – Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada – March 2, 2012
What an experience. Had the chance driving back from Cambridge, ON to Buffalo, NY to stop by the great Niagara Falls (Canadian side). Now, I must say, I don’t see why you would go there on vacation but a brief stop-by is fantastic. The Horseshoe Falls has over 600,00 gallons of water/second; that’s impressive. This thing is over 170 ft. tall and 2600 ft. wide. The American Falls is much shorter and not near as wide; boulders at bottom of falls; still wonderful. Amazing how much water is flowing in the Niagara River from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie. It was a good thing I had my jacket as that water blowing in the air was COLD; no way not to get wet. If you ever have the chance, a must view of God’s impressive work.
Rating: 10
What an experience. Had the chance driving back from Cambridge, ON to Buffalo, NY to stop by the great Niagara Falls (Canadian side). Now, I must say, I don’t see why you would go there on vacation but a brief stop-by is fantastic. The Horseshoe Falls has over 600,00 gallons of water/second; that’s impressive. This thing is over 170 ft. tall and 2600 ft. wide. The American Falls is much shorter and not near as wide; boulders at bottom of falls; still wonderful. Amazing how much water is flowing in the Niagara River from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie. It was a good thing I had my jacket as that water blowing in the air was COLD; no way not to get wet. If you ever have the chance, a must view of God’s impressive work.
Rating: 10
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Dining with David: City Cafe Bakery
City Caf̩ Bakery РKitchener, Ontario РMarch 1, 2012
I was looking for something unusual for my last night in Canada. I had seen this unique place down by the river, converted old gas station, and thought it might be good to try. I was surprised to find that pizza is a specialty for them. City Café is one of those pay-as-you-wish business. Everything is priced to the nearest quarter to make it easy. There is no cashier, just an old transit fare (metal/glass) box for customers to pay what they want (honour system); quite interesting.
When you walk in the door, nothing but a few tables, glass case for desserts, and plenty of bread baskets filled with home-made bread, etc. The limited menu is on black-boards hanging from the ceiling. Most everything is cooked in the huge stone pizza oven located right behind the baskets.
I ordered the regular pepperoni pizza. The crust was kneaded and formed right in front of me and covered in fresh pepperoni with cheese and home-made sauce. It was then slide into the massive oven where the fire was popping the fresh crust. Once I was able to taste it, it was wonderful. The fresh ingredients make a big difference but nothing like that stone pizza oven. Very thin crust with slightly burned ends (just crunchy, not burnt). The pepperoni was thick and fresh and the cheese was a nice offset to the sauce. I can only imagine the taste of their bread loafs, bagels and donuts.
Rating: 9
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