Niagara: Treadwell's Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Disclaimer: I apologize for the photography. During the meal, the shots looked great. Must have been the wine goggles. Now, I can see that as our evening progressed, the photo quality significantly declined.

Dining al fresco by the water was an absolutely perfect way to celebrate our five year anniversary. Even better, Treadwell's Farm-to-Table Cuisine is my favourite restaurant in Canada. I supposed if Rob Feenie was still at Lumiere, it would be a close second but I definitely enjoy Treadwell's more than I ever liked Susur's in Toronto or any other number of restaurants in Ontario's capital! The service is impeccable but friendly. James Treadwell, the sommelier/owner, is young, knowledgeable and one of the Ontario Hostelry Institute's top 30 under 30. The food is fresh, mostly local and carefully prepared without being pretentious! Not unlike so many other evenings, we began with a glass of 13th Street Cuvee 13 Brut. This one was complimentary -- thanks James!

Amuse Bouche: "Strawberry Kool-Aid" - pureed strawberries strained through cheesecloth and topped with fennel pollen

Bread: Fred's Bread with local canola oil and blueberry vinegar (must remember to find and buy this vinegar for home!)

My Menu

Appetizer: Cured Lake Huron Trout with a Rosti Potato, Hard-boiled Quail Eggs and Sauce Gribiche
Glass: 2008 Riesling "Featherstone Vineyard" Twenty Twenty-Seven Cellars

I kid you not, this is now my #1 favourite appetizer of all time. For the past two years, Craftbar's White Anchovy Bruschetta, Soft-Cooked Egg, Braised Leek was at the top of my list but it's been bumped. Treadwell's dish was the perfect blend of textures (soft, crunchy, chewy) and fresh flavours like capers, mustard and gherkins. I'm in love.

Main: Seared Lake Erie Pickerel with Mushroom Duxelles, Smoked Bacon, Chanterelles and Tarragon Foam
Glass: 2007 Pinot Noir "Red Paw Vineyard" Coyotes Run
Dessert: Selection of cheeses with raisin nut bread, homemade quince preserve and homemade truffle honey/honeycomb. Truffle honey is not on the menu, but our story about the cheese guy at Langdon Hall caused Treadwell's to rise the occassion! My favourite cheese was the Tiger Blue from Poplar Grove in British Columbia.

Hubby's Menu

Appetizer: Goat Cheese Ravioli with Local Asparagus, Fried Free Range Egg, Asparagus Veloute
Glass: 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, Nyarai Cellars
Main: 60-day aged Cumbrae Farms Beef Rib-eye with Asparagus, Pomme Frites, Green Peppercorn Sauce
Glass: 2007 Cabernet Franc, Lailey Vineyard
This steak was remarkable. It tasted like a cow (go figure!); unlike some of the meat you find at some large supermarkets. Cumbrae's cattle graze on fresh grass and alfalfa hay and are finished on grains for flavour and marbling. Also, they are patiently aged to allow for tender, flavourful beef.

Dessert: Homemade ice creams...no surprise here! (4 flavours: strawberry-lavender, strawberry-balsamic vinegar gelato, sour cream, honey)
An enormous thank you to Sharon & David and Elaine & Howard + all the girls for treating us to a wonderful anniversary dinner! We had an amazing time and loved every moment. xoxo