Where do you like to go for a special “grown up” meal with your spouse, family or friends? We all have a few little hidden gems in and around our communities, the places we go to when we want great atmosphere and delicious food. If your summer plans include a trip to southern New Brunswick, I am going to put you in the know and share some of my secret destinations with you!
I’ll start in my community of Quispamsis because we are lucky enough to have a few awesome restaurants right in our neighbourhood:
Peddlers Creek BBQ Steakhouse – it is a BBQ/Steakhouse that serves the freshest food in an authentic BBQ fashion. Their cooked from fresh mentality is what really sets them apart from the crowd. They serve everything from a Slow Smoked Beef Brisket to a Whiskey Rib Eye and a Jimmy Buffet breakfast buffet to Peddlers’ Pulled Pita Nachos. {You can connect with Peddlers Creek BBQ Steakhouse via their Website, Facebook and Twitter}
The Barrel’s Head Gastropub & Wine Bar – is the refined “sister”to Peddlers Creek and the perfect place for a special night out! The crafted cocktail. The fresh interesting pint. The bold complex wine. The outstandingly presented & highly thoughtful plate. You will always have unique menu options as Chef McCarten crafts a new menu weekly and features the freshest items available. A sampling from this week’s menu includes Charcuterie, Lobster Carbonara, Steak Frites and Seafood Duo. ** Bonus – the Barrels Head also features live music on the weekends! {You can connect with The Barrel’s Head via their Website, Facebook and Twitter}
{Peddlers Creek and The Barrels Head}
Shadow Lawn – I belong to a Book Club and this is where we have been going for our Christmas get-together; it is fabulous! You can experience a wonderful lunch or fine dining in the unique surroundings of the Shadow Lawn Inn. The Shadow Lawn Inn offers the very best in quiet and romantic dinners for couples and small parties. The historic and well-kept surroundings provide perfect ambiance for your intimate fine dining. Whether you have a party of two or twenty, Shadow Lawn’s chefs will tempt your taste buds with fine cuisine that is second to none. {You can connect with Shadow Lawn via their Website, Facebook and Twitter}
{A Shadow Lawn dessert trio consisting of rhubarb panna cotta, a rhubarb tart and a rhubarb meringue.}
Next I will head to nearby, Saint John, New Brunswick; a pleasant 15 minute drive from Quispamsis :
The Saint John Ale House – is located in nearby Saint John, New Brunswick and was recently featured on the Food Network program, You Gotta Eat Here! The Saint John Ale House (SJAH) offers progressive pub food in a casual, relaxed dining room, in both the pub and on the waterfront patio during the summer. They take pride in knowing where their food comes from and use locally grown produce, meats and fish from New Brunswick farmers in many of their menu items and daily specials.
{You Gotta Eat Here! host John Catucci and Chef Jesse Vergen hamming it up for the camera during shooting.}
The SJAH offers the largest selection of beer in Saint John including several local craft beers. They also boost an extensive wine list and serve creative cocktails hand-made by their mixologist. {You can connect with The Saint John Ale House via their Website (which includes video clips), Facebook and Twitter}
Church Street Streakhouse – A classic steakhouse offering Saint John’s highest-quality, best-tasting beef. This is the place for steaks! When only beef will do, you’ll be impressed with the USDA Certified Angus Beef entrees…the highest quality, best tasting beef available. Relax in the ambiance of this tastefully restored heritage building. I have eaten here several times and although famous for their steaks their other menu selections are also very impressive, you won’t be disappointed. {You can connect with Church Street Streakhouse via their Website}
Churchills Bar & Pub – is a sister to the Church Street Restaurant and is located in the downstairs of the same historic building. Their menu features pub favourites that are unlike other pubs and their burgers have been voted Saint John’s BEST 6 Year’s Running! Churchill’s also boasts 24 quality drafts on tap, specialty martinis and delicious pub food in a warm, friendly atmosphere. {You can connect with Churchills Bar & Pub via their Website and Twitter}
Britt’s Pub & Eatery – Britt’s is an English-style pub. The name was inspired by Saint John artist Miller Brittain, whose art studio sat just two floors above the pub in the 1930s. The owners opened Britt’s with a shared vision of a British pub; a place where friends can meet and enjoy quality food in a casual atmosphere. With an extensive menu you may choose from selections such as an Appetizer Platter or Poutine and Parmesan Potato Gnocchi to of course, English Style Fish & Chips. Britt’s is a 2013 winner of the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence. {You can connect with Britt’s Pub & Eatery via their Website, Facebook and Twitter}
{Wild Salmon Special at Britt’s}
I hope you have enjoyed learning a little more about my favourite places to eat and if you are ever in this area of southern New Brunswick, I urge you to try one or two of these fabulous restaurants!
So very hungry now. I am dying to try poutine; I assume that’s on the menu in most if not all of these places?
JoJo, poutine is available in many restaurants in this area but more readily in the northern part of NB and Quebec. Although I am not a huge fan, my kids love it!
I think we should get together and go to each of theses places this summer….that way we could have great food AND great company!! These places look fabulous and as I have eaten in a few can vouch for the comments you made, Monica!
We are certainly fortunate to have access to some incredibly good restaurants in this area. Pat, I am usually always up for a good meal and these places fit the bill!