MISS MOOX: village

With the official start of summer, comes the official start of soaking up the sun on restaurant patios.

Here are a few of my recommendations in Regina:

Cafe Orange: At the moment, Orange is doing coffee and sweets, but they tell me that a full menu is coming soon. Hopefully by Canada Day. In just two years, this place has gone from a coffee house/kitchenware store; to an all-out coffee house; and now a restaurant. The latest transformation looks to be the best. And the deck out front on Robinson Street (by the 13th Ave. Safeway) is so new you can still smell the sweet scent of new wood. (306) 779-0779 (no website)

Sweet Bakery and Coffee House: An ever-expanding list of baked goods, combined with comfortable surrounds in a heritage building (and a very nice, if small, patio outside) are turning this new Broad Street place near College Avenue into a favourite of many. Recommend an Americano with a Lemon Tart, if you're at a loss. (306) 352-9338 (no website)

La Bodega: the treetop patio at this Cathedral Village favourite is . . . tops, no pun intended. Sip a few drinks or have lunch high above the Albert Street traffic. You won't even notice the cars going by. www.labodegaregina.com / (306) 546-3660

Fireside Bistro: while opinions on Fireside often vary, their patio on the corner of Smith Street and 15th Avenue is second to none. Definitely worth a drink or two and an appetizer on a hot day. (306) 761-2305 (no website)

Beer Bros.: Watch the people go by on downtown's pedestrianized portion of Scarth Street. Beer Bros newly refinished patio is small but full of sunshine. Stop by and sample an exotic beer whose name you can't even pronounce (and that's before you start drinking). www.beerbros.ca / (306) 586-2337

Atlantis: This downtown coffee spot isn't licensed for liquor, but that doesn't keep the crowds away. Open from the early morning until late, and offers free wireless. Oh, and the artwork on the walls is all by local artists. www.atlantiscoffee.com / (306) 565-2213

More to come! Please follow the blog for updates to this list, and new reviews.
Follow me on Twitter: @The_FoodDude

Two things of importance to report today. Actually, make that three.

1.) I am still on a carbohydrate high from all the perogies, rice, noodles, pasta, and dessert consumed during Mosaic this weekend. Hope that everyone indulged just as much as I did at this great annual event that showcases just how diverse our city is.

2.) A few weeks ago I posted a review of The Mercury Cafe. Since that time, a number of people have posted comments about the place. Last week, one reader alleged that the Mercury's burgers were not homemade, contrary to what it says on the Mercury's menu. Here's what she wrote:

Anonymous said...

I was expecting a homemade hamburger when the menu stated all burgers were homemade. To my surprise (and disappointment), I watched the cook take a box of burgers out of the freezer and place them on the grill... there was nothing homemade about them. I will admit they were good burgers for storebought box burgers but definitely not homemade. :(May 26, 2010 9:37 PM

I was a bit shocked by this. I really believed the burger I ate was homemade -- both the look and taste of the burger did not seem like they came from Safeway across the street. Then again, you never really know unless you're in the kitchen standing next to the chef.
Today, I posted two more comments on this topic, presumably from employees at the Mercury. They said:

Anonymous said...

Actually you couldn't be more wrong. The burgers are 100% home made and not store bought - NOR FROZEN. Not sure what you were smoking that day but you were hallucinating. If you are interested in our process of making the burgers talk to the owner next time you are in and he will be happy to show you.June 4, 2010 9:59 AM

Dave said...

Don't post lies. All the burgers are home made!!! Have a look next time you are in.June 5, 2010 6:39 PM

I have to say, I'm willing to give Anonymous and Dave the benefit of the doubt. With that, I think this matter is settled. The Mercury's burgers are homemade. And they're good, too. 3.) The former Cafe Orange on Robinson Street has reinvented itself as Orange Izakaya (izakaya is Japanese for pub). While the doors have reopened, the place is back to serving coffee for the next couple of weeks until the new menu and lounge atmosphere are fully ready. Early reports are good.This from my friend LRadd on Twitter: "Cafe Orange has been majorly sexified -can't wait for the bar to open. For now having a coffee on the patio. If ur in the 'hood stop by."And with that I'm off to enjoy this awesome sunny Sunday. Happy eating.

The Round-up:

• Food - 3 out of 5
• Decor - 3.5 out of 5
• Service - 3 out of 5
• Overall - 9.5 out of 15

________________________________________________

Several months ago a food-loving group was created on Facebook. Its name was the "Cathedral Village Needs a Cheap Breakfast Place", or something like that. It seems that the Village just hadn't been the same since the Quality Tea Room shut down several years back.

I quickly joined the group, as did several hundred other Regina folks (What did we ever do before Facebook groups became the new face of activism, by the way?).
The Facebook fan page continued to grow, many of its members calling for a cheap plate of hash browns and bacon . . . like now.

Well, some wishes do come true.

The Mercury Cafe and Grill opened its doors in April. The place seemed to spring up overnight on the corner of 13th and Robinson streets in a spot that has housed numerous other restaurants.

The Mercury is a diner, no doubt about that. From the bright red vinyl booths to the formica and chrome tables, stepping into The Mercury is like stepping back 50 or 60 years in time. The Mercury is also under the same ownership as Regina's well-loved Novia Cafe, another all-out diner. This is a good thing -- who better to start a new diner than the folks who run one of the city's oldest and best?

I've been to The Mercury twice now, once for breakfast and once for supper. It's hard to find the right word to describe both experiences. It wasn't fantastic, but it wasn't horrible either. Perhaps satisfactory is the right word.

Weekend breakfast bustles and hustles in The Mercury. If you're not there by 11 on a Sunday, you're going to wait in line for awhile. Granted, The Mercury could easily jam a few more tables into the dining room in order to shave some time off the waiting game.

Your choices for breakfast are classic standbys: bacon and eggs; hash browns; pancakes; an omelette. You get the picture. Now, is it cheap? That depends on your definition of cheap. Most items run around the $8-9 mark, plus the cost of coffee and/or juice. I've had cheaper, but I've also had more expensive.

Service can be a little disorganized, but hopefully the servers work that out amongst themselves as the restaurant irons out the operating wrinkles. We had to wait 30 minutes for any food to hit the table at breakfast, almost enough to push us to the breaking point, but not quite. Fortunately, our waitress took good care of us in the meantime.

Now let's talk about supper for a moment. Once again, there are few surprises on the evening menu. Nachos; chicken wings; chicken fingers; burgers; clubhouse sandwiches; and grilled cheese are a few of the choices.

We ordered up a plate of nachos to get things started. With a $10 price tag, we pictured a nice platter of cheesy chips and veggies. We couldn't have been more wrong. A dinner plate with a puny pile of nachos on it was what we got. Even worse: the scarce bits of cheese on the chips were overcooked and rubbery. Epic fail, my friends. Epic fail.

Next up: the burgers. Now this is where the action is at. Tender homemade beef patties are smooshed between fresh buns with all the fixins. I went for the Mushroom Swiss. Big Willie had The Mercury Burger (two patties with fried onions, mushrooms, shaved ham, Swiss and cheddar cheese). All burgers come with a side. We went for the french fries and they were done to perfection.

Big Poppa (my dad) went for the open-faced Hot Turkey Sandwich . . . which came with hot chicken, oddly enough. But he got past that.

All in all, The Mercury offers up decent food in a comfortable room. The motto seems to be: come as you are, eat what you will. Now if they'd only fine-tune the nachos and up the portion size for most of the breakfast menu, we might have a sure-fire winner on our hands.

(no website)

I was fortunate to "tweak" my schedule
to get in one last visit to my beloved Oregon Coast
before the Winter begins to set in.
I live on the east side of the Cascade Mountain Range
and when the snow starts to fly traveling to the coast on mountain roads is risky at best.

Red, White and Blue...How I love these Nautical colors!
Having grown up by the sea I am most at home with sea breezes, salt air and the sound of a seagulls shrill cry.

Ride Like The Wind!

This darling bungalow is just a few blocks from the beach. I had the fun of touring it while I visited this past summer.

Just look at that cheeky little chicken...And, oh, those polka dot mugs!

Big Tall Fish tales are allowed at this cozy beach bungalow!

"By The Sea"
A Bodacious Beach Babe...
A Classic "Woody" Sporting a Shiny Surfboard...
and
A glass jar full of Sandy Sea Shells.

One of our family's favorite past times...
While on vacation we have sat up until wee hours of the morning playing table games.

Neskowin, Oregon is a tiny village by the sea.
The first homestead was created in 1876.

Just one more glimpse before I head home.

I always sleep so well at the coast. The clean, fresh air is invigorating and it readies me for a good night's rest. The sound of the surf in the late night hours is soothing...bringing sweet sleep.
I always feel refreshed after spending time at the beach.

Thank you for taking one last trip with me,my dear blogging friends. There will always be next summer... Blessings,Carolynn xoxo "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;and, through the rivers,they shall not overcome you..."Isaiah 43:2 Linking To Little Red Housewww.dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.comThe Shop Around The Cornerwww.alittleshoparoundthecorner.blogspot.comEtsy Cottage Stylewww.etsycottagestyle.blogspot.comCozy Little Housewww.cozylittlehouse.comLavender Garden Cottagewww.lavendergardencottage.blogspot.comRednesdaywww.suelovescherries.blogspot.comHave A Daily Cup of Mrs Olsonwww.haveadailycupofmrsolson.blogspot.comBrambleberry Cottagewww.brambleberrycottage.blogspot.comNo Minimalist Herewww.nominimalisthere.blogspot.comThe French Hutchwww.thefrenchhutch.comThe Charm of Homewww.thecharmofhome.blogspot.com French Country Cottagewww.frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.comCommon Groundwww.debras-vintagecommonground.blogspot.comRooted In Thymewww.rootedinthyme.blogspot.com

Welcome to "A Cottage Tour". Last weekend my sister and I had the fun of touring two charming beach cottages in the tiny village of Neskowin, Oregon.This little town is situated on the Oregon Coastbordering the beautiful blue Pacific Ocean.

The Kitchen is the Heart of the Home... so I thought it best to begin your tour in thiswarm and inviting room.

Our lovely cottage host, Janet, had baked up a batch of homemade chocolate chip cookies for her guests to nibble on. Everything about this charming kitchen says, "Pull up a chair and sit for a while!"

Do you see the bright red cherries on that wonderful plate?

Past and Perfect
Kitchen

Nothing says "Cottage" like the color RED!
(Which just happens to be my favorite color!)

I loved the vintage touches that greeted meas I strolled from room to room.

Every room was full of colorful surprises...whimsy and wonderful antiques.

It has been a pleasure sharing Janet's Cozy Kitchen with you.
Be sure and pop in again...
I have more cottage touches to share in the coming days...

Blessings, my sweet friends!
Carolynn xoxo

"When love and skill
work together,
expect a masterpiece."
John Ruskin

I just love Sue's REDNESDAYS at www.suelovescherries.blogspot.com
I hope you'll stop on over to say hello!

I posted on "Feathered Nest Friday" at www.frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com
I just know you will enjoy visiting this lovely blog!

I posted on "A Cottage Garden Party" at www.fishtailcottage.blogspot.com
Please pop over when you have a minute to explore this lovely blog!

What a wonderful weekend! I was blessed to spend time at the beach with family. We had a special time dipping our toesies in the cold Pacific, searching for seashells, and just relaxing to the sounds of the surf.

I love visits to Neskowin, Oregon. It is a tiny village filled with nautical charm, petite cottages and brightly colored gardens. It is the perfect setting for peaceful strolls and lots of picture taking.

I love Hydrangeas...and, on the coast they bloom in so many colors.
They thrive in the sandy soil along the Oregon Coast.

What would summer be without a bit of Red, White and Blue?

It won't be long and the blackberries will be ready!
Blackberry Pies, Cobbler, Scones...
Delicious!!!

Walks along the waters edge...Paradise!

So many huge blooms...and, oh...the pinks!

I hope you'll join me for my next post... My sister and I were able to tour two of the cutest beach cottages.I was graciously allowed to take pictures to share with all of you.Stay tuned for my next post...
Blessings,Carolynn xoxo
"As high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him..."Psalm 103:11

I hope you will stop by Amanda's lovely blog. She is hosting a beautiful giveaway. www.craftyinthemed.blogspot.com

Today is "Share Your Cup" on Jann's beautiful blog. "Have A Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson" I hope you will stop by to visit her at www.jannolson.blogspot.com

How I have missed you, my dear blogging family and friends! I've been away at the coast. I hope you enjoy some of the lovely cottages that dot the landscape in the tiny village of Neskowin. It is snugly nestled on the beautiful Pacific Ocean along the coast of Oregon.

"HOME AGAIN...HOME AGAIN...HOME to THE SEA"

Scenes from where I grew up as a child...It's always so wonderful returning to the area where I spent most of my childhood. I love visiting special places that take me back to my early days in Oregon.

***Sweet Ocean Breezes...Ahhh!
***Seagulls flying overhead
***Strolling along the waters edge
***Salt Water Taffy
***Searching for Seashells
***Sea Lions basking in the sun
***Seaweed washed ashore

It's good to be home, again...Back to the other side of the mountains where the snow is still glistening on high and lofty peaks.

My darling friends...I have some visiting to do...and, oh, how I look forward to popping in to see what you have all been up to!

Blessings and hugs,
Carolynn xoxo