Our Eat Your Way Around the World club trekked to Vibank, Saskatchewan tonight; about a thirty minute drive from Regina. One of our members produced a segment on a local tv show about this restaurant and suggested it to the group.
It's called The Grotto and is owned by a 1/2 Mexican 1/2 Canadian couple. Friday nights are Mexican nights and you have to reserve at least two weeks in advance because the place is so small and everything is fresh and homemade on this fixed menu. The food was spectacular and I want to go back next week.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Customer Service
You know those long anecdotes that people tell about what poor customer service they had and then they usually end with the person getting their way or getting something free? Yes, those are boring.
It's a busy CS time at work right now as people are buying their tickets for next season. We've had some interesting people come in, but some of today's people really made me laugh:
1) DON'T YOU EVER ANSWER THE PHONE, someone should always answer the phone even at night. (the aforementioned person did not leave a return number on their voicemail).
2) WHEN I PLACED MY ORDER ON EASTER MONDAY WITH THE GIRL AT THE DESK SHE SAID IT WOULD WORK THIS WAY...(we weren't open on Easter Monday, turned out he ordered a week before Easter from the same girl he was talking to).
3) SO YOU GET FLOWERS and then don't even put them into a vase (a lady referring to the lone tulips that an office supply place had dropped off for "admin professionals day")
I could go on, but I don't want it to get boring...sigh.
It's a busy CS time at work right now as people are buying their tickets for next season. We've had some interesting people come in, but some of today's people really made me laugh:
1) DON'T YOU EVER ANSWER THE PHONE, someone should always answer the phone even at night. (the aforementioned person did not leave a return number on their voicemail).
2) WHEN I PLACED MY ORDER ON EASTER MONDAY WITH THE GIRL AT THE DESK SHE SAID IT WOULD WORK THIS WAY...(we weren't open on Easter Monday, turned out he ordered a week before Easter from the same girl he was talking to).
3) SO YOU GET FLOWERS and then don't even put them into a vase (a lady referring to the lone tulips that an office supply place had dropped off for "admin professionals day")
I could go on, but I don't want it to get boring...sigh.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Massive TV
One of the first things I noticed when moving back here is that whenever I went to visit someone's house I would notice that they had a huge flat screen tv. Very few of my Toronto aquaintances had bothered to get one, I'm guessing because most of my friends were more interested in spending money on going out to live events than watching movies indoors.
I suddenly learned why this winter. We were stuck inside almost every night because it was so cold and the idea of warming up the car again to go out became overwhelming. This same reasoning led Stephen to buy an xbox after getting his first paycheque.
The problem with having a lovely new xbox and a tiny 24 inch tv is that you can't even read the subtitles or instructions on the games. So, as an early birthday present for Steve, we went out and bought a massive 40 inch tv...just in time for summer.
I suddenly learned why this winter. We were stuck inside almost every night because it was so cold and the idea of warming up the car again to go out became overwhelming. This same reasoning led Stephen to buy an xbox after getting his first paycheque.
The problem with having a lovely new xbox and a tiny 24 inch tv is that you can't even read the subtitles or instructions on the games. So, as an early birthday present for Steve, we went out and bought a massive 40 inch tv...just in time for summer.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Pizza
Yes, one of the greatest topics ever.
Saskatchewan pizza is unique and completely different than pizza in the rest of the world. Residents of SK love pizza, there are more pizza restaurants in Saskatchewan per capita than anywhere else in the country. (I learned this handy little fact over the jumbo-tron at the "Rogers Centre" while watching a Riders-Argos game in Toronto).
Start with a thick, greasy, delicious crust then add a healthy serving of tomato sauce. Generally there is a THICK layer of meat, often thickly sliced ham. On the top is the cheese...ok, on the actual top top is a nice layer of grease.
Stephen first experienced Sask pizza when we attended a University of Regina alumni event in Toronto a few years ago where they "flew in" Western Pizza and Saskatoon berry pie. He could hardly handle the grease and the placement of the toppings vs. cheese. This was made particularly difficult for him because of being so lucky to have been raised amongst authentic Italian cuisine.
Today, some of the guys Stephen was working with brough up the topic of pizza. One of the gentlemen said, "you must REALLY love the pizza here - I've never been able to get pizza like this outside of Saskatchewan." Stephen tried to tell him as respectfully as possible that he doesn't actually love Saskatchewan pizza.
A few weeks ago, Steve made me laugh hysterically by calling to order a pizza and requesting 1/2 the usual amount of cheese and to place the toppings above the cheese. His technique worked and we received a pretty decent pizza. I've become a fan of the Copper Kettle Spinach and Feta over the last few months, but have to admit that I really miss Amatos, Vesuvios, and any number of places on College where you can pick up a nice, thin, delicious slice of pure delight.
Saskatchewan pizza is unique and completely different than pizza in the rest of the world. Residents of SK love pizza, there are more pizza restaurants in Saskatchewan per capita than anywhere else in the country. (I learned this handy little fact over the jumbo-tron at the "Rogers Centre" while watching a Riders-Argos game in Toronto).
Start with a thick, greasy, delicious crust then add a healthy serving of tomato sauce. Generally there is a THICK layer of meat, often thickly sliced ham. On the top is the cheese...ok, on the actual top top is a nice layer of grease.
Stephen first experienced Sask pizza when we attended a University of Regina alumni event in Toronto a few years ago where they "flew in" Western Pizza and Saskatoon berry pie. He could hardly handle the grease and the placement of the toppings vs. cheese. This was made particularly difficult for him because of being so lucky to have been raised amongst authentic Italian cuisine.
Today, some of the guys Stephen was working with brough up the topic of pizza. One of the gentlemen said, "you must REALLY love the pizza here - I've never been able to get pizza like this outside of Saskatchewan." Stephen tried to tell him as respectfully as possible that he doesn't actually love Saskatchewan pizza.
A few weeks ago, Steve made me laugh hysterically by calling to order a pizza and requesting 1/2 the usual amount of cheese and to place the toppings above the cheese. His technique worked and we received a pretty decent pizza. I've become a fan of the Copper Kettle Spinach and Feta over the last few months, but have to admit that I really miss Amatos, Vesuvios, and any number of places on College where you can pick up a nice, thin, delicious slice of pure delight.
Walking
It's suddenly the middle of April and most of the snow is finally gone. I decided that because it was a rather warm, but rainy day yesterday that I would walk to work. It's a nice 20-25 minute stroll through Wascana Park, by the Science Centre, along the Broad Street Bridge, and back into the Wascana Centre to the Conexus Arts Centre.
I have really missed walking home from work since moving here. I used to do the 60 minute almost daily walk from King & University to Queen & Roncesvalles. You never knew what you were going to see. People yelling at each other, great clothes in window displays, an old friend, lightening in the middle of a snowstorm, or maybe you would even experience a rare moment of quiet until a screeching streetcar rolled by.
I have really missed walking home from work since moving here. I used to do the 60 minute almost daily walk from King & University to Queen & Roncesvalles. You never knew what you were going to see. People yelling at each other, great clothes in window displays, an old friend, lightening in the middle of a snowstorm, or maybe you would even experience a rare moment of quiet until a screeching streetcar rolled by.
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