« Bu » in Montréal http://www.bu-mtl.com/Bar_a_Vins
It’s a wine bar, in the European tradition, on St-Laurent, passed St-Joseph. Slick decor. They serve smart Italian cuisine. But you go to enjoy the wine. We started with a 2007 Viognier from Stags Leap in Napa, a favourite of Cynthia, and quite deserving! With the risotto of the day, I chose a Chardonnay, a 2005 Alto Adige, from Alois Lageder, a winery nested in the “contreforts” of the Italian Alps, which turned out to be spectacular – very fresh and crisp à la Bourgogne, but also rich in flavour, and no trace of oak!
“Treadwell” at Port Dalhousie, in the peninsula of the Niagara http://www.treadwellcuisine.com/
Brunch (a de facto annual event now?) with dear friends Ed and Lorraine; and Laurence who flew in from Portland, Oregon, the night before to spend a couple of days with us in Toronto. Neat place, on the water (a canal - part of the great Welland locks system that links Lake Erie to Lake Ontario). Ate on the patio.
Operated by British-born chef-owner Stephen Treadwell; long-time established in the peninsula, but opened his own restaurant only recently, in 2006. “Farm-to-Table” concept...which I read to mean fresh food from the well-endowed region of Niagara.
Had a superb meal, as brunches go. Truffled cauliflower soup (with lemon-crusted sea scallop)to start with; and to follow, a pan-seared whitefish with scrambled eggs (and buttered spinach and dill boiled potatoes). We had our meal with a couple of bottles of a 2007Sauvignon Blanc from the Peninsula Ridge winery, very “mineral” as it should, a good recommendation from son James who runs the wine side of the business.
After the meal, we pushed to the Falls – Laurence had never seen them!
“The Dining Room at Langdon Hall Country House Hotel & Spa”, in Cambridge, Ontario http://www.langdonhall.ca/dining.htm
On the way back from Stratford... Country estate built a century ago by an American, Langdon, in the American southern style of the day (“Federal Revival” as it is known). Bought from the family and restored as a hotel in the late 1980’s. Surrounded by some 40 acres of land and forest. Magnificent retreat. One of the few “Relais & Châteaux” in Canada.
Dining Room gives on garden and terrace at the back.
Celebrating 13 years of being together (certainly worth 2 glasses of Taittinger Brut to mark the occasion!)
Cynthia had the Langdon Lettuce Soup (Celeriac Brandade, Breakfast Radish, Hudson Bay Caviar, Bronze Fennel) paired with a Vouvray. Her main course was the Everspring Farm Guinea Hen “Poche-Grille” (Ravioli, Braised Leg, Smoked Paprika Marmalade, Baby Leek, Jus Gras) paired with a glass of Corbières
As an appetizer I had the Ice Wine Pickerel “Ceviche” (Foie Gras Parfait, Grape & Walnut Vinaigrette, Salted Orange, Pickled Cape Gooseberries) - remarkable, paired with a glass of rosé, followed by the Olive Oil Poached Black Cod (BBQ Sugar, Fine Beans, Chanterelles, Globe Artichokes Bergamot) with a well-paired glass of Pinot Noir from the Niagara Peninsula.
No deserts, just two (very good) cappuccinos. Quite a delight!
The Chef, Jonathan Gushue, is originally from Newfoundland we’re told, a young man with a rather prestigious pedigree so far (having been the executive chef at the Four Seasons’ Truffles restaurant in Toronto amongst other places). Sommelier Kathleen Moore did the wine pairing for us.
P.S. The sommelier was kind enough to get us the details of the wines we had. Very kind of her.
Good Day,
The wines you had with your meal were the following
* Rose (it might have been a Cabernet Blanc from the peninsula)
2008 Niagara Peninsula, White Cabernet, Daniel Lenko available through the winery it is a blend of Cabernets Sauvignon & Franc
* Vouvray
2006 Vouvray Chateau Gaudrelle Available through Hobbs & CO. wine agency. Made with Chenin Blanc
* Pinot Noir (from Niagara-on-the-lake)
2007 Niagara Peninsula Pinot Noir 20th Anniversary Tawse house blend made for us to celebrate our 20th anniversary. May be available at the winery.
* Corbières
2004 Corbieres Peyriac de Mer From Curries wine agency. 30%Syrah 70% Mouvedre
I am glad you enjoyed the pairings. If you have any other questions please let me know.
Katy Moore
Sommelier & Beverage Manager
