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baker_kittyI have more pictures that I can post. Soon - maybe later tonight? For now, the last of the blog writing I did while in St. John's (or in the airplane coming home).
The other two free days we spent outside, darn it. I say it this way because both days started out foggy and rainy and windy and thoroughly unpleasant. Our original plan had included a hike up the East Coast Trail, but the weather just DID NOT cooperate. *sigh* So, Friday we went up Signal Hill. It's a steep 20 minute walk from the edge of downtown to where they have the tattoo (military reenactment) at the interpretive center. Very nice walk - good views, and interesting architecture. Since winds were gusting to 80 (90?) kph, we stopped in the interpretive center to find out which trails to avoid. One in particular is narrow and runs along the cliffside. The rest are safe, though, even in those winds! :) So up we walked, to the Battery. Halfway there, we stopped to take pictures of us leaning into the wind (you literally could not stand up straight) and watched the fog roll in. By the time we got to Cabot Tower, you couldn't see past about three meters. Got some awesome fog pictures (including one of a sign that said something about "and if you think this view is spectacular…" *lol*) but decided at that point to abandon the hike. We could have happily dealt with fog OR wind, but both together were just getting depressing. Have I mentioned it was 80-ish kph winds? Found some awesome Christmas presents in the gift shop, though, for S&S's kids. *g*
We were debating going back there on Saturday (our last day in Newfoundland) because the weather was much clearer, but decided instead to go the the Memorial Botanical garden. So glad we did. It was windy and wet and miserable right up until about 11 am, then it cleared up and was sunny and warm and pleasant walking weather. :) I talked about that in detail here.
After we got back to the hotel, we decided to go out for a really *nice* supper. Dress up so we don't look like tourists, and have a good last night. We went to Merlo's Press and Bean. The place appealed both because of the specific items on the menu, and because of the fact that they had set-price menus for everything from $25/person to $50/person. I like prix-fixe menus. :)
Quick note about the decor: for the nerds among you, the artwork on the wall next to us looked so typical of the Chozo artifacts in Metroid Prime. We were impressed. *g* And we geeked out over it. *g*
I took my last chance in Newfoundland to have steamed mussels. Over the trip I've had two bowls of steamed mussels (and when they serve you a bowl, they mean a giant bowl of DOOM!!!) and steamed mussels as garnishes on three or four other dishes (like the seafood chowder). Normally, I'm okay with steamed mussels… most of the time… but I tend not to order them. Now, I understand that I LOVE!!!!! steamed mussels, but they have to be absolutely fresh, like you get them in St. John's. (same deal with scallops and shrimp, as I discovered in Vancouver :) The beauty of mussels is that they're always SeaChoice green - best option. :) Sustainably harvested and all that. :) So I enjoyed my mussels, and Rob enjoyed his Thai shrimp.
Main course: Rob got the seafood medley pasta with white wine cream sauce. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I would have, but the sauce had bell peppers, and for me those typically ruin any dish they're in. I got pan fried cod with scrunchions (Newfie take on pork rinds). Classic Newfie food - the Newfie we met on the plane said they were not only typical but absolutely fantastic.
Given my experience last trip (10 years ago) at Ches's - the most famous fish and chips place in St. John's and also the locals' absolute favourite place to go - and this experience, I must admit I don't like typical Newfie food. :( Too salty, too greasy. :( I am very sad. My cod at the Press and Bean was cooked to absolute perfection - creamy and flaky and not the slightest bit fishy - but I still didn't enjoy it. :( The garlic whipped potatoes, on the other hand… *drooooool* And the green beans pan-fried in pecan-infused oil… *sigh of remembered contentment*
Dessert: for Rob, decadent, wonderful, delicious chocolate cheesecake. For me, a baklava that I swear tasted like apples! Once I got past the non-standard taste, though, Oh. My. *drooooooooool* It came hot with ice cream. It vanished in record time. SO GOOD!!!!!
We rolled home. Walked (about half an hour, mostly uphill) to settle the food. Were still utterly, utterly stuffed when we arrived at the hotel. But what a perfect ending…
In the end, the only foods I really wanted to try and didn't: fish cakes and cod tongues. But I ate seafood at almost every lunch and supper. :) No regrets.
Overall, the trip was so worth it. So glad we came.
The other two free days we spent outside, darn it. I say it this way because both days started out foggy and rainy and windy and thoroughly unpleasant. Our original plan had included a hike up the East Coast Trail, but the weather just DID NOT cooperate. *sigh* So, Friday we went up Signal Hill. It's a steep 20 minute walk from the edge of downtown to where they have the tattoo (military reenactment) at the interpretive center. Very nice walk - good views, and interesting architecture. Since winds were gusting to 80 (90?) kph, we stopped in the interpretive center to find out which trails to avoid. One in particular is narrow and runs along the cliffside. The rest are safe, though, even in those winds! :) So up we walked, to the Battery. Halfway there, we stopped to take pictures of us leaning into the wind (you literally could not stand up straight) and watched the fog roll in. By the time we got to Cabot Tower, you couldn't see past about three meters. Got some awesome fog pictures (including one of a sign that said something about "and if you think this view is spectacular…" *lol*) but decided at that point to abandon the hike. We could have happily dealt with fog OR wind, but both together were just getting depressing. Have I mentioned it was 80-ish kph winds? Found some awesome Christmas presents in the gift shop, though, for S&S's kids. *g*
We were debating going back there on Saturday (our last day in Newfoundland) because the weather was much clearer, but decided instead to go the the Memorial Botanical garden. So glad we did. It was windy and wet and miserable right up until about 11 am, then it cleared up and was sunny and warm and pleasant walking weather. :) I talked about that in detail here.
After we got back to the hotel, we decided to go out for a really *nice* supper. Dress up so we don't look like tourists, and have a good last night. We went to Merlo's Press and Bean. The place appealed both because of the specific items on the menu, and because of the fact that they had set-price menus for everything from $25/person to $50/person. I like prix-fixe menus. :)
Quick note about the decor: for the nerds among you, the artwork on the wall next to us looked so typical of the Chozo artifacts in Metroid Prime. We were impressed. *g* And we geeked out over it. *g*
I took my last chance in Newfoundland to have steamed mussels. Over the trip I've had two bowls of steamed mussels (and when they serve you a bowl, they mean a giant bowl of DOOM!!!) and steamed mussels as garnishes on three or four other dishes (like the seafood chowder). Normally, I'm okay with steamed mussels… most of the time… but I tend not to order them. Now, I understand that I LOVE!!!!! steamed mussels, but they have to be absolutely fresh, like you get them in St. John's. (same deal with scallops and shrimp, as I discovered in Vancouver :) The beauty of mussels is that they're always SeaChoice green - best option. :) Sustainably harvested and all that. :) So I enjoyed my mussels, and Rob enjoyed his Thai shrimp.
Main course: Rob got the seafood medley pasta with white wine cream sauce. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I would have, but the sauce had bell peppers, and for me those typically ruin any dish they're in. I got pan fried cod with scrunchions (Newfie take on pork rinds). Classic Newfie food - the Newfie we met on the plane said they were not only typical but absolutely fantastic.
Given my experience last trip (10 years ago) at Ches's - the most famous fish and chips place in St. John's and also the locals' absolute favourite place to go - and this experience, I must admit I don't like typical Newfie food. :( Too salty, too greasy. :( I am very sad. My cod at the Press and Bean was cooked to absolute perfection - creamy and flaky and not the slightest bit fishy - but I still didn't enjoy it. :( The garlic whipped potatoes, on the other hand… *drooooool* And the green beans pan-fried in pecan-infused oil… *sigh of remembered contentment*
Dessert: for Rob, decadent, wonderful, delicious chocolate cheesecake. For me, a baklava that I swear tasted like apples! Once I got past the non-standard taste, though, Oh. My. *drooooooooool* It came hot with ice cream. It vanished in record time. SO GOOD!!!!!
We rolled home. Walked (about half an hour, mostly uphill) to settle the food. Were still utterly, utterly stuffed when we arrived at the hotel. But what a perfect ending…
In the end, the only foods I really wanted to try and didn't: fish cakes and cod tongues. But I ate seafood at almost every lunch and supper. :) No regrets.
Overall, the trip was so worth it. So glad we came.
