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The Michael Stadtlander dinner was very good. The ballroom at the Waterloo Inn was packed and the menu was excellent (conveniently posted by Cathy):

• Amuse: Harriston farms Rabbit Confit with Wellesley apple butter jam. Served with icewine from the Icehouse.
• Soiled Reputation sun choked bisque with crispy sun choked chips.
• Fresh port Stanley pickerel on beetroot risotto with chive oil drizzle. Served with a riesling.
• Palette cleanser: Trius Carbernet Sauvignon and carrot ice shooter.
• Braised Berkeshire pork belly, slow roasted Cumbae Farms beef tenderloin and short ribs with Reif Cabernet Merlot demi. Served with Jackson Triggs Meritage.
• Soiled Reputation baby leaves, Baco Noir wine vinaigrette, Flax seed crisp topped with Niagara gold cheese and Mario Pingue prosciutto.
• Wild flower honey and Harmony Dairy double cream brie cheesecake with maple poached apple chips and spiced plum compote from our courtyard. Served with Inniskillin Vidal ice wine.

Each course had a pretty unadulterated taste that let the “fresh” shine through. I especially liked the soup and the rabbit, and the main short ribs were beautifully tender.

Big complaint on the wine serving though–most of the time, they served the wine about halfway through the course it was meant to complement. This was particularly onerous for the finish, since the brie knocked you on your butt with first taste and no wine. With the wine? It was splendid. But most people weren’t willing to take the second bite so they missed out.

Also big complaint: boors. As in Chamber of Commerce types who seem to think that a real-live world-renowned chef telling them about his projects and approach to cooking is infinitely less interesting than their conversations about their latest round of golf, or whatever. At times, we couldn’t hear what he was saying even though he was standing 2 tables away. I was embarrassed that he would think K-W has no manners.

It was also quite amusing to go through the “opening ceremony”, which I’ll assume is normal for the Chamber. We had to make a toast to the Queen (really? I changed it to a toast to all queens, cuz I really like them, except if they’re too diva-ish), and then we had to stand at attention while they played the cheesiest video version of “Oh, Canada” that I’ve heard in a while, followed by a blessing on the Chamber and the Waterloo Inn.

However, Michael did announce that his new restaurant, Haisai, will offer dim sum — I smell a road trip!

This entry was posted on Saturday, May 9th, 2009 at 7:27 am and is filed under Entertainment, Places. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.