We headed northwest from the Finger Lakes to Niagara Falls (Ontario) which does not have many quality dining spots, so we chose ESCABECHE (http://vintage-hotels.com/princeofwales/dining.htm)
at the grand Victorian-style Prince of Wales Hotel just 25 minutes north in quaint Niagara-on-the-Lake. We were tired again from a long day, but readied ourselves for a treat.
I ordered the novel sounding starter of BACON & EGGS which was quite fatty Wild Boar Bacon, a soft poached Duck Egg that came lukewarm (we were told it was supposed to be that wasy), beet powder, toasted Pain au Lait and BeetRoot
ketchup. It was a good try, but not quite right. Will did much better with the refreshing and tasty Great Lakes White Fish Ceviche with Pickled Radishes and Victory Farms Greens, Charred Lime Juice, Fresh Horseradish, Avocado Oil & Tara Root Frites
The Niagara region is another excellent wine area and we stayed true and local: Lailey Vineyards Chardonnay 2001 Unoaked was full of apple notes and minerality that we adored; alas no time to add it to our itinerary.
The breads were nice (ciabatta and whole grain) but our server poured regular water into our Pellegrino (he brought a new bottle at no charge).
Will went on to the Pan Roast Ontario (pepper & salt crusted) Pork Tenderloin with Charred Peach Marmalade, Warm tender skin Potatoes & Rosemary Salad.
Sam had the Grilled 8 ounce NY Strip loin with Fries substituted for Potato Puree, Summer Veggies including beans, carrots and tomatoes and a Caramelized Onion Jus.
My Sage & Fennel Roast Guinea Hen with Chorizo, Caper Berry Stuffing, Beetroot stained Cous Cous, Buttery Spaghetti Squash, Pinot Noir Jus & Coriander Crust.
We all loved our meats and a "Solstice" 2007 of Merlot, Syrah & cab from Marynissen Estates was a super red that woculd not be beat from jsut about a mile away!
Will had the Peach Carpaccio Cheesecake with Quiet Acres Peaches, Creamy Cheesecake & Lemon Curd Pudding while I
tried to Canadian Cheeses:
Tiger Blue from BC
Oka from Quebec
3 Brie and C'est Bon Goat(a super creamy whipped type) from Ontario
The plum compote was divine and also blueberries, raspberries and blackberries came along.
We had our first Ontario Ice Wines of this trip with Will not going for the Reif Estate Vidal 2008 but me falling in love with Jackson-Triggs 2007 Cabernet Franc Ice Wine...we bought tons of this the next day!
I have still not caught up, so please stay tuned for more food and fun on this trip!
