Road Tripping: Saskatoon
In keeping with our new hobby of exploring close to home, we ventured beyond the Alberta border toward Saskatoon, a city I love but haven’t properly visited in years. We didn’t realize it was only 6 hours away, and with a route that goes right through Drumheller, we hopped in the car for a long weekend in June. With a population of around a quarter million, it’s neither a small town nor big city – the perfect size for exploring, really. And like most Canadian city-towns it’s currently exploding with good food, new breweries and plenty of good coffee to be discovered.
W’s first discovery: phone books! Thick paper ones that listed everyone in the city. It was such a novelty, he lay on the hotel book reading it half the night.
The next morning, we hit the Night Oven. Love the name, the place, the bread, the pastries, the coffee. Some of the best bread in Canada is baked right here, baked with heritage grains – ed fife wheat, purple wheat, spelt, dark buckwheat, khorasan, einkorn and rye – sourced from Saskatchewan farmers and milled onsite, the loaves then baked in their own homemade wood-fired oven. These guys are hardcore bread artists. Their pastries, on the other hand, are flaky and delicate – that powdered sugar one on the right is filled with cream, as if a croissant and cream puff got together and produced delicious offspring.
The Hollows is one of my new favourite restaurants anywhere. It’s in the Riversdale neighbourhood, one of the oldest areas of Saskatoon, that like so many old inner-city neighbourhoods is seeing some revitalization. The Hollows took over a space that for generations housed a Chinese restaurant called the Golden Dragon – anyone who grew up in Saskatoon recalls eating there with their parents. In the basement, which is damp and low-ceilinged and now full of shelves of preserves, pickles and culinary experiments of all kinds, they found boxes of Golden Dragon plates and even order pads, which they still use. Chef owners Christie Peters and Kyle Michael cure, brine, smoke, butcher and preserve, forage dandelion greens from neighbours’ yards for the tastiest pesto, tan the hides of the animals they butcher, and use the fat to make the soap for their restaurants. (They also own Primal, which is more Italian-inspired and equally fantastic.)
We happened to be there on World Gin Day, and so went out to spend it with Barb and John at Black Fox Distillery, a two year old distillery who had just won best cask gin at the World Gin Awards in London, UK. Such wonderful people, and a gorgeous farm loaded with haskap berries, pumpkins just starting out, and fields of wildflowers. And the sweetest dogs. It’s so nice to get to know the people who grow and make your food. (And gin.)
We headed out to Wanuskewin Heritage Park, a national historic site and generally amazing place above Opimihaw Creek and the South Saskatchewan River, where archaeological finds have pre-dated the Egyptian pyramids. To date, 19 pre-contact archaeological dig sites have been identified in the creek valley bottom and coulee depressions along the valley wall. We went on a medicine tour, a walk during which we explored and learned about indigenous plants and their uses within the early Northern Plains Indigenous communities, saw beaver lodges and loons, and cooked bannock over an open fire.
There are open dig sites and other evidence of archaeological exploration around the grounds, and a cultural/interpretive centre with a theatre, meeting space, further storytelling and cultural artifacts, and a restaurant where they serve local whitefish, bison stew and stacks of smoky grilled bannock with berries and whipped cream.
When I posted on Facebook asking where to eat in Saskatoon, everyone + their dog suggested Odd Couple. Everyone was right.
Owned and operated by Andy Yuen, his wife Rachel and parents Sam and Jane, the ingredients, dishes and cooking techniques are inspired by Cantonese, Vietnamese and Japanese cuisines. Things like thick maple glazed bacon and a crispy-edged fried egg atop a heaping plate of Chinese BBQ pork and jasmine fried rice. Crab Rangoon – crispy dumplings stuffed with shrimp, blue crab and cream cheese. When Andy heard we were visiting from Calgary, he disappeared into the back and reappeared with a platter of mushrooms cooked in the style of ginger beef, which was invented in Calgary – thick slices of portobello mushroom fried in a crispy coating and doused in sweet, sticky, gingery sauce, just like ginger beef. It was divine.
9 Mile Legacy Brewing is right across the street – 20th Street is a good place to be, walkable to downtown and the river and the farmers’ market, with plenty of good places to poke your head into.
I’m not a huge beer fan (Mike drinks for two), so I had a Puddle Jumper Rhubarb Cider from Living Sky Winery. Rhubarb cider. !!!
Then there was Sticks & Stones, the latest from Dale MacKay, Christopher Cho and Nathan Guggenheimer.
Their cocktail program is amazing (truly some of the best I’ve had) and on the menu: ramen, gyoza, Korean fried chicken, steamed buns stuffed with pork belly, prawns and bulgogi, and sushi rolls. It’s brilliant how they incorporate regional ingredients in dishes like bison tataki and the YXE roll, made with local Diefenbaker trout and puffed Saskatchewan wild rice. (And tempura bananas with peanut butter ice cream + strawberry jam for dessert!)
And get this – Cho’s parents came from Cape Verde, an archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa, to visit for a month and teach the kitchen crew how to make kimchi, making enough to set them up for a few months before heading back home.
We hadn’t yet been to the original, Ayden Kitchen & Bar, and so corrected that by going to dinner before the Saskatchewan Rush lacrosse finals (who knew I loved watching lacrosse? it’s like full contact running hockey with way more scoring and super enthusiastic fans, at least in Saskatoon) – our favourite was a plate of perogies with leeks, chives, pearl onions and hen-of-the-woods mushrooms. That’s on the left – to be honest, I can’t recall all the details of the one on the right, but it was beautiful and delicious.
But. Because I’m a sucker for nostalgia and pillows of dough stuffed with potatoes and cheese, perhaps the most exciting part of our trip was meeting the perogy-pinching ladies at Baba’s, where they’ve been making perogies and cabbage rolls by hand for the past 30 years. They’re real perogy pros, right here. The massive sheets of soft dough and expert filling and pinching was impressive.
Baba’s is also where you’ll find the world’s only perogy drive-thru, with enough room for a tractor to pull through for a platter of perogies, sausage, cabbage rolls and the must-have side of creamy mushroom sauce. I feel a little more Canadian for having eaten at Baba’s. They didn’t have any cabbage rolls going on the day of our visit – the woman who made them best was away on vacation – but I asked a million questions and took notes. Theirs were perfect – each roll tightly tucked, with a seemingly paper-thin cabbage leaf exterior. Clearly I need a few decades of practice.
I know there’s more and I’ve missed some things – I see news of openings and closures all the time and try to keep track. I keep notes about people and places I hear about on my phone – I’d love to know your favourite places to add to the list for our next visit.
Saskatoon Berry Barn is also a good place to explore & eat at during the summer months really May to October.
thank you for posting about the wonderful things you found in Saskatchewan. people tend to forget about this beautiful province right next door and all the great things it has to offer – food, nature, attractions and the beautiful prairie sky
This makes me want to jump in my car and drive to Saskatoon this very minute! But then, you wouldn’t be there. Boo. I wish you could run group road trip extravaganzas (if you wanted to!) to the places you find . Then you could come with – kind of like a culinary, cultural and regional tour guide! A bus, people, Julie, great food, interesting booze (rhubarb beer, wowza) – it’s a recipe for fun and joy. Kind of like this blog in real life. Love that you do this and share it with us. THANKS, Julie.
*…oops, rhubarb *cider*
Hello dinnerwithjulie.com admin, Thanks for the great post!
Hello dinnerwithjulie.com owner, Good work!
Hi dinnerwithjulie.com owner, Thanks for the well-structured and well-presented post!
Hi dinnerwithjulie.com administrator, Your posts are always well received by the community.
Hello dinnerwithjulie.com administrator, Your posts are always well-received by the community.
To the dinnerwithjulie.com admin, Your posts are always well-supported by facts and figures.
Hello dinnerwithjulie.com admin, You always provide great resources and references.
Road tripping offers a sense of freedom and adventure, as it allows you to explore new places at your own pace, taking unexpected detours and discovering hidden gems along the way. From scenic drives to small towns with unique attractions, each stop provides an opportunity to create unforgettable memories. For those planning a trip, it’s important to consider various factors, such as ensuring all travel documents are in order. In some cases, securing a pnp national clearance might be beneficial, as it could help smooth out certain legal or administrative aspects, giving you more peace of mind. The open road awaits, and the journey could lead you to incredible experiences if you’re prepared.
wow nice post
The sagacity in this piece is exceptional.
More articles like this would make the blogosphere richer.
order generic zithromax – buy generic floxin over the counter flagyl 200mg price
semaglutide 14 mg us – order periactin 4 mg online cheap order periactin 4mg generic
domperidone pills – order tetracycline 500mg without prescription purchase flexeril
purchase amoxiclav online – https://atbioinfo.com/ buy ampicillin sale
cost esomeprazole 40mg – https://anexamate.com/ order generic esomeprazole 40mg
warfarin price – coumamide.com losartan 50mg canada
purchase meloxicam generic – https://moboxsin.com/ meloxicam 7.5mg brand
buy prednisone 20mg – https://apreplson.com/ order prednisone 20mg pills
erectile dysfunction pills over the counter – fastedtotake ed pills online
purchase amoxicillin without prescription – https://combamoxi.com/ cheap amoxil sale
how to buy diflucan – https://gpdifluca.com/# diflucan medication
cost cenforce 50mg – on this site cenforce over the counter
pregnancy category for tadalafil – buy cialis/canada where to buy liquid cialis
buy zantac 300mg pill – where to buy zantac without a prescription zantac buy online
cialis side effects forum – https://strongtadafl.com/# what does cialis look like
mail order viagra online – order viagra boots cheap viagra for sale uk
I couldn’t turn down commenting. Adequately written! diferencias entre fildena y viagara
I couldn’t turn down commenting. Well written! https://buyfastonl.com/azithromycin.html
This is the type of advise I turn up helpful. https://ursxdol.com/azithromycin-pill-online/
This is the stripe of glad I enjoy reading. https://prohnrg.com/
I am in truth thrilled to gleam at this blog posts which consists of tons of profitable facts, thanks representing providing such data. https://aranitidine.com/fr/sibelium/
I am actually happy to coup d’oeil at this blog posts which consists of tons of useful facts, thanks for providing such data. https://ondactone.com/product/domperidone/
Thanks for sharing. It’s first quality.
order ranitidine online cheap
Thanks for sharing. It’s first quality. http://wightsupport.com/forum/member.php?action=profile&uid=21297
forxiga 10mg cost – click order dapagliflozin online cheap
orlistat pill – on this site orlistat 120mg for sale
I’ll certainly carry back to read more. http://furiouslyeclectic.com/forum/member.php?action=profile&uid=24867
?? ???? ??? ???? ?? ?? ???? ? ???.
69??? ??, ???, ??? ??? ?? ???? ?????.
????? ?? ?? ??? ???? ???.
?? ????? ?? ??? ?? ?? ?? ? ??? ?? ?????.
PC? ??? ???? ????? ?? ? ???.
?? ??? ????? ??? ???? ??? ?? ? ????.
?? ??? https://69intv.com
? ??? ??? ? ?? ??? ??? ? ???.
???? ??? ??? ??? ?????.
More posts like this would make the blogosphere more useful. ou trouver du kamagra
More posts like this would create the online play more useful.
What a great adventure in Saskatoon! I love how you highlighted local gems like Night Oven and The Hollows—it really makes me want to explore these spots myself. For anyone looking to stay updated on regional happenings and law enforcement updates, I found the Arrest Updates Kentucky very useful. It provides detailed insights into Kentucky Arrest Records and keeps you informed with KY Arrest Logs and Latest KY Arrests, which can be handy when researching local developments.
Amazing things here. I’m very glad to peer your article
Thank you for the information in this article. Excellent work!
Perfectly seared steak! Rich, hearty flavors — and honestly, pairing it with a fresh llaollao yogurt after would be the perfect light finish.
Perfectly seared steak! Rich, hearty flavors — and honestly, pairing it with a fresh llaollao yogurt after would be the perfect light finish.
betmgm NY betmgm ME betmgm 200 free bets
Navigate through a plethora of betting opportunities with ease. crown coins casino guarantees no hidden fees and transparent terms. Start betting and start winning!
Sweet Bonanza is the slot everyone’s craving — vibrant, volatile, and victorious! Cascading sweet bonanza symbols symbols lead to multiplier mayhem. Play and prosper!
Charge your chance at casino immortality. buffalo gold collection free play brings Aristocrat’s wilds, free spins, and golden jackpots eternal. Play today!
The casino that doesn’t sleep. 24/7 action. stake plinko Instant everything.
Your winning run starts at DraftKings real money casino Casino. New offer: $5 play unlocks 500 spins + up to $1K first-day lossback. Slots, roulette, blackjack—go!
A travel guide or blog post about road-tripping in Saskatoon, Canada, highlighting attractions, scenic routes, and things to do in the city and surrounding areas. ???
Leky za ferovou cenu – zadne skryte poplatky, zadne triky
generikum cena
Solder together the millions winning strapping on sportsbook fanduel – the #1 natural money casino app in America.
Get your $1000 TEASE IT AGAIN gratuity and modify every make up, hand and rolling into real banknotes rewards.
Fast payouts, whopping jackpots, and non-stop activity – download FanDuel Casino again and start playing like a pro today!
Mostbet ??“ o cassino online que sabe como surpreender e recompensar seus jogadores – https://mostbetpt.pro/ , No Mostbet voc?? recebe 125% de b??nus + 300 free spins para arrasar nos jogos .
Le meilleur de la parapharmacie et des m?©dicaments dans un seul lieu – https://alexipharmaque.eu/ville/magny-cours/ , D?©couvrez le plaisir de faire vos achats sant?© dans une pharmacie agr?©able .
I like pages that keep things simple, and this one did that well. It gave a quick explanation without too much extra noise. That made it easier to share with someone else who was asking the same question. You can see this easy reference if you want a clear summary.
There are many websites about this topic, but not all of them are easy to understand. I found one that explains things clearly without using complicated terms. It helped me get a better idea of what to do next. You can visit this simple resource for more details.
Saskatoon honestly sounds like such an underrated road trip destination! The mix of incredible food, local distilleries, history, and beautiful prairie landscapes makes this whole trip feel so cozy and memorable. And now I really want to visit Night Oven for those pastries alone. https://thevolleyballlegendscodes.com/
Bij PROFESSORNL hanteren we een ethische werkwijze en zullen we nooit verboden stoffen kopen of verkopen. Benzodiazepinen Kopen
Benzodiazepines
Nice post.. Great Information.. I like this post..
I like the practical approach to recipes here, especially the tip about freezing overripe bananas so they can be used later instead of wasted. That same focus on making the most of everyday home maintenance can extend outdoors too, where Copper gutter installation can combine long-term function with a polished look.