Wanderlust and Words

Food Trucks  Food trucks are coming to Saskatoon, possibly as early as next month. Dan Walker of Weczeria is the first one to announce details of his food truck. It’s called Joy Ride and will serve mostly healthy food, with some vegetarian and vegan options. Follow @Joyrideyxe on Twitter to find out where the food truck is located. They expect to be in the downtown/north end for lunch, 8th Street for dinner, and late nights will be on Broadway. Bon Temps Cajun Café I’ve been reading good reports on social media about the Bon Temps Cajun Café that has just opened at 223 2nd Avenue South. If you’ve been, let me know what you thought. New Microbrewery? I’ve been hearing rumours about a new microbrewery opening soon in Saskatoon. If anyone has more details, please email me . I’d love to spread the word. Vegetarian Options Chipotle is testing a vegetarian menu item . They believe it’s so delicious that it will have crossover appeal. Edmonton’s vegan food truck, Sailin’...

I walked out of a foodie gathering last evening with laughter ringing in my ears. Oh, I’m sure it was intended to be friendly laughter, but all the same, they were mocking me. Vegetarians are not taken seriously in the food community. We are odd, delusional folks who fail to appreciate that meat is the centre of any classy meal. Well, I beg to disagree. Good vegetarian food is creative, flavourful and forward-thinking. Creative I was a terrible cook until I became a vegetarian. The traditional “meat and two vegetables” led to boring meals with no flavour. As a vegetarian, that standard scenario was turned on its head. Every meal was different – would it be a soup or a stew, savoury pancakes or spring rolls? Meal planning was suddenly way more fun. Trips to the farmers’ market became an adventure. What could I make with fennel? Why not try arugula on my pizza? Cookbooks were culinary travel adventures and my spice rack expanded to include flavours from around the world. There w...

Forestry Farm Centennial Fair, May 26 Head on out to the Forestry Farm Park and Zoo from noon to 5 pm on May 26 to celebrate the Farm’s 100th Anniversary. The Centennial Fair will include concessions, wagon rides, old-fashioned games and contests, an artisan marketplace, and demonstrations. Out with the Old, In with the New Souleio is closing, effective May 25 . Fortunately, the beautiful heritage building will house a new culinary business. Chef Dale Mackay , who won the Top Chef Canada competition, is returning to his hometown and opening a restaurant that will emphasize local food. I met Dale last evening. He is planning a 100-seat restaurant with a focus on French bistro-style food. He'll be preparing his own charcuterie and operating a small butcher shop. Dale hopes to open in mid-July. Let’s Start Truckin’  Food trucks should arrive soon in Saskatoon (finally!). Dan Walker of Weczeria is ready to go. His truck will be called Joy Ride and will feature global fusi...

Top of the Hops Winery Dinner, May 25 The Tops of the Hops Winery Dinner on May 25 will feature wines from Bodegas Luzón presented by the winery’s representative, Isidoro Perez de Tudela. I have fond memories of a tour and tasting at Bodegas Luzón in Jumilla, Spain , accompanied by Isidoro Perez, and highly recommend their wine – and hence the dinner! Saskaboom New places and products to check out: Leyda’s , 112 20th Street West (gluten-free, nut-free) – they are hoping to open in mid-June Congress Beer House , 215 2nd Avenue South – opening this coming week – looks like they’ll be offering lots of craft beers on tap – rotating taps to bring in new draught all the time Twig & Squirrel’s Wild Goods is stocking Bogart’s Bay Coffee . Bogart’s Bay roasts their organic coffee by hand on a traditional charcoal-fired roaster they imported from India. They import their coffee beans through a non-profit wholesaler of ethically traded beans. Saskatoon Farmers’ Market The Pr...

Soup & Brownies at City Perks If you’re lucky, you can pick up a one-litre container of soup at City Perks . The Shitake Mushroom Chowder is crammed full of mushroom slices and chunks of potato and carrot – absolutely delicious. I also picked up a container of Tomato Zucchini Soup, and Coralee Abbott told me to serve it with a little feta cheese crumbled on top. P.S. You don’t have to be following a gluten-free diet to enjoy City Perks’ gluten-free brownies. They’re amazing! And Coralee has promised to contact me when there’s a batch with sour cherries and goat cheese. Naked Leaf Tea City Perks is now serving loose leaf teas from Naked Leaf , a Calgary company sourcing small farm, organic teas. Naked Leaf has a large variety of teas, and you can order online. They also have a Tea of the Month Club, and you can customize your tins with labels designed by Calgary artists. Saskatoon Farmers’ Market The Saskatoon Farmers’ Market has extended its operations to the outdoor Ma...

Kaleidoscope Vegetable Gardens Kaleidoscope Vegetable Gardens , who sold the most delectable mini eggplants and Asian greens at the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market last year, are expanding their operations and looking for more garden space. Do contact them if you can be of assistance. They’re a lovely young couple. d’Lish I had lunch at d’Lish by Tish Café last week and it was positively d'lish. The vegetable gumbo was bursting with vegetables and nice and spicy. The roasted vegetable panini, flavoured with basil pesto and cheese, was really flavourful, and Isobel enjoyed her salad. Hops & Tapas, May 9 Head over to the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market at 6 pm on May 9 for the Hops and Tapas Fusion Experience . You’ll enjoy Loki and 1000 Monkeys Paddock Wood beer paired with six different tapas prepared by the Market tenants – Garlic Guru, Riverbend Plantation Café and Wild Cuisine & Catering. Local  When is a food local? The federal government says it must be grown withi...

Fair Trade & Ethical Investment, May 1-2  Jennifer Willems, CEO of La Siembra (makers of Camino chocolate bars), will be speaking in Saskatoon on Fair Trade and Ethical Investment on May 1 and 2: May 1, 7:30 pm, Station 20 West – What is behind the fair trade label? May 2, noon, St. Andrew’s College , University of Saskatchewan – Fair and Ethical Investing Camino is a Canadian brand of fair trade and organic food products, owned by the Ottawa-based La Siembra Co-operative. La Siembra works directly with 23 producer co-ops, supporting more than 39,500 family farmers in 11 countries. Garden Patch  The Saskatoon Food Bank’s Garden Patch is a great initiative, providing fresh vegetables to folks who must use the Food Bank. Why not lend a hand by taking responsibility for looking after a small section, supplying items on their wish list , or turning out on Wednesdays to weed? Journey Bar  Take a look at any display of energy/nutrition bars, and yo...