(Did you know??? ELTW is a finalist in the “Best New Blog” category at the Foodbuzz Food Blogger Awards. Click here to vote for me!)
In the same article I read about the Black Walnut Manor, En Route also recommended some places to eat in and around Vineland. There were some “big names” there but I was intrigued by the writeup of “About Thyme” – I liked that it was smaller, that it had a Bring Your Own Bottle policy and their emphasis on fresh, local products (the crème brûlée sounded pretty tempting too!).
We headed out there in the chilly night (a 1.6 km walk – no taxis in Vineland! and we didn’t want Neil to be driving since obviously wine would be consumed!) arriving at a very unassuming storefront – looked more like a dry cleaners or something. Once inside, the décor is slick and chrome, the walls painted in a buttery yellow tone. We ordered some beers to start as we perused the $29 prix fixe menu (though we had already chosen our dishes online!):
Neil wanted this glass so badly:
but they wouldn’t even sell it to us 🙁
For starters, Neil chose:
Grilled vegetable salad with goat cheese crostini
and I chose the soup of the day:
Curried sweet potato with swirls of cream… Mmmm!
For mains, Neil was excited to see this on the menu:
Duck two ways – confit leg and duck breast with roasted fingerling potatoes and brandy-red peppercorn jus
and I couldn’t resist the rather Thanksgiving-y look of this:
1/2 cornish hen with roasted fingerling potatoes and natural pan juices
We drank this (picked up at the winery earlier in the day):
Perfect with duck and cornish hen.
For desserts, of course we chose:
Vanilla crème brûlee
and, since it was the season:
Pumpkin cheesecake. OMG – this was out of this world. Creamy and not too pumpkin-y… I am not a huge fan of the pumpkin pie in general – it’s too rich – but this was heavenly! The sourness of the cream cheese cut the rich pumpkin perfectly.
Enjoyed with:
Canadian “port” from Stoney Ridge Estate Winery. The description according to the website:
This delectable Port-style wine was created from Cabernet Franc (85%) and Baco Noir (15%) grapes grown on Kew Vineyard in Beamsville. It was fortified with distilled grape spirits then aged in oak barrels for softness and complexity. Aromas of dried fig, raisins and coffee lead to warm rich flavours of spiced molasses and toffee that dance on the palate. Enjoy with rich dried fruit desserts and sharp blue cheeses.
Most definitely not a port but a great accompaniment for any dessert. We liked it so much that we bought (ahem) a few bottles the next day!
An espresso on the house capped off a wonderful Thanksgiving meal (thankfully not cooked by me!) as we waited for our waitress to cash out – she had offered to drive us back to the B&B since there were no taxis and it was now extremely chilly. Gotta love the friendliness of small towns! Would we go back? Absolutely? Recommend it to others? Of course!
About Thyme Bistro
3457 King Street
Vineland, Ontario
905-562-3457
The glass reminded me of Liz… 😉
The soup looks divine! And congratulations on the FoodBuzz nominations!
BYOB + lots of duck + creme brulee AND cheesecake = one VERY Happy Thanksgiving dinner! Looks wonderful!
That's a lot to eat….looks so delicious.
Yum. And you can't beat a waitress who doubles as a taxi service. How nice was that? Not something that's going to happen in my neck of the woods, certainly. Funny you think of pumpkin pie as too rich — I always feel that I'm being virtuous when I order it, since calorie count is pretty low and it seems like I'm eating my vegetables.
Everything looks so delicious, especially the duck two ways!
I can't believe they wouldn't sell you the glass! Did you try saying, "But I licked it, so it must be mine now"?
oh that pumpkin cheesecake really does look amazing!
Not a blog person, but looks great and I think Mardi's the best.
Neil – (sigh) we should have offered them more $$$
Chef Ryan – it was. And thanks!
High/Low – I KNOW!
Mary – we didn't eat lunch – does that make it better?
Kablooey – Oh I am not disputing the virtues of the pie, just I think it TASTES rich. You keep righto n eating it!
Fresh Local – Neil loved the duck!
Chickenless – gee – we didn't think of that!!! Next time….
Simply Life – it might have inspired me to make my own
Anonymous – this literally made me laugh out loud!!!!
Wow, what a feast! That cornish hen looks so succulent.
If you want to get that pint glass http://www.niagarasbestbeer.com/store.htm
My husband collects them so we have them from all over the world — they are our high class glasses!
Happy belated Thanksgiving!
Cooking Canuk – it was pretty good. I am suspecting butter under the skin as the reason!
whineaux – thanks – we were right near the store on our way to Vineland but didn't know of the lovely glasses. Sounds like your husband would get on famously with Neil….
You guys did it up right–this looks like a feast. The pumpkin cheesecake looks amazing (one of my favorite desserts).
Duck 2 ways and the pumpkin cheesecake wins!
Megan – yes, I am quite inspired by the cheesecake!
Penny – can't beat that combo, huh?
Everything looks mouthwatering! What a wonderful resturuant.
lots of great dishes, everything looks wonderful
Mardi –
I grew up in Niagara. Next time you're heading that way, let me know and I'll send you my best recommendations.
I think my favourite spot is Treadwell's because you can try loads of local wine and the food is the best.
-MenuManiac
Meun Maniac – oh I didn't know! Definitely next time I am headed that way I will get your recommendations! Neil actually grew up in Niagara on the Lake but he wasn't so much into the wine and food as an adolescent….