Wednesday 11 January 2012

Eating Out: Star Conservatory

We're no Marshall and Lily, but my hubby and I sure do enjoy brunch! Our favourite place to go is the Star Conservatory Restaurant in Assiniboine Park. We loving going to the Conservatory in winter because of the heat and humidity. It can take the chill right out of your bones. And the restaurant puts on an amazing spread for their Sunday Brunch. We went there last Sunday afternoon...
Round 1 - Breakfast





They have a lovely selections of loose leaf teas. I chose "Creamed Earl Grey" this day. On the plate, starting at noon, going clockwise... Sicilian Eggs Benedict, sausage, potatoes, Mediterranean breakfast casserole, a mini banana nut muffin and fresh fruit. I don't know where they found those amazing strawberries at this time of year. The melons and pineapple was also perfectly ripe!

Round 2 - Lunch
Next I tried, Greek salad, chickpea salad, scalloped potatoes, chicken pot pie and coconut shrimp. The coconut shrimp is my favourite thing there! I have no idea why I only took one.
Round 3 - Dessert

And finally, left to right this time, double chocolate cakette (aka cake pop), dark chocolate and custard cake, banana cream tart, pecan square and hot blueberry cobbler. I really didn't like the cakette; I found it to be grainy and overly sweet. The banana cream tart made up for it. Delicious!

We were there at 12:30 so it was starting to clear out but if you want to eat there before noon, it is best to make a reservation. Oh, and it's not cheap. $20 a person, I think. But a lovely treat every once and a while!

I know this isn't a reason one should have for liking a restaurant, but one of my favourite parts of the experience of eating here is the view:
Squirrel in tree
Squirrel on ground
Squirrel in bird feeder
My husband took that last shot with his new telephoto lens. I may have to borrow that from him sometimes. Although it was a little awkward to pull that thing out at the table. Awkward, but awesome!

EDIT January 23 2012: This restaurant is now closed. :( From the Assiniboine Park website: "The Star Conservatory Restaurant will be closing permanently on Sunday, January 22 at 5:00pm. All events booked through the venue will be fulfilled. Enquiries related to current bookings can be forwarded to the Star Conservatory Restaurant (204-897-7827) or the Assiniboine Park Conservatory Events Office (204-927-6060)." This makes me sad. I love this place! How awesome would it be to open a new place here... My dream!

8 comments:

  1. Eggs benedict were my favorite. *sigh* It all looks very tasty... and squirrels are cute. I used to spend a lot of time watching them at the University of Florida. They were everywhere.
    My old roommate use to name every one he saw. It was a fun game.

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    1. Ooo... I bet Florida has different kinds of squirrels that Manitoba. Grey and Fox are common here.

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    2. Eastern Gray Squirrel- they're the cutest in America.
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_gray_squirrel

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  2. I am hoping to one day get a great shot of a black squirrel, as creepy as they look.

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    1. Yeah, we tried when we were in Stanley park in Vancouver and those are quick little buggers! One almost ate out of my hand but all I had was cheese. No nuts. :P

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  3. I'm going to have to take Heidi out to check out that buffet - it looks very good!

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    1. I'm sure she'll love it. You both will! They have a slightly different selection each week. Always tasty.

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  4. Thanks for the recommendation. We both thought it was great! Especially enjoyed the eggs benedict and mexican lasagna.

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