Saskatchewanderer

‘You’ve gotta go to Crave!’ That’s what everyone said when I mentioned that I wasn’t from Regina. Having now had the chance to visit, I totally agree! On Wednesday morning I was lucky enough to have a private tour with Craig Perrault, the Managing Partner at Crave Kitchen and Wine Bar. He showed me around the six different rooms that make up Crave. My favourite was the Liquid Lounge nestled near the back. The Lounge holds about 25 people and is the perfect place to hold birthdays, stagettes,or cocktail parties. Crave is no stranger to celebrations, having hosted many high profile after parties, not only during Saskatchewan Fashion Week last weekend, but also the Universal Music Group Juno Awards after party this spring. Its great downtown location and excellent reputation for high-class dinning make it a popular place!

Did I mention the food? Absolutely mouth-watering! Craig specially selected three menu items for me to taste. The first was the charcuterie and cheese slab which included meats such as smoked Chorizo and Lonza. The meats were served along with three sharp cheeses: aged Spanish Manchego, orange washrinded Alpine Gold, and (my favourite) Italian Pecorrino Tartufo. I am a sucker for cheese and cured meats, so this plank, sided with freshly baked focaccia and baguette bread, was a heavenly combination!

Next I sampled the Prawn Cocktail and the Caprese Salad. The presentation of these dishes was nothing less than a work of art. Believe me- it tasted as great as it looked! The cocktail had a deliciously sweet yet tangy taste that went well with the mildly spicy seasoning on the prawns. The salad was a combination of juicy mozzarella cheese and fresh Saskatchewan-grown tomatoes. What a fantastic meal! 

Of course, the perfect meal had to be served with the perfect drink: vodka and tonic. But this was no ordinary vodka-tonic. This Kettle One Vodka had been infused with lemon grass, which added a whole other dimension to the drink. It was coupled with the organic grain-based Fentiman’s Tonic Water to create a unique and zesty flavour.

What a delight! The classy atmosphere, delicious food, and refreshing beverage made for a wonderful dining experience!  One thing is for certain – you’ve gotta go to Crave!