I have been watching food shows for years. Master Chef, Hell’s Kitchen, Chef’s Table, Part’s Unknown to name a few, not for the drama and entertainment, but quite simply to observe technique. Fast food can trace its origins to England with fish and chip shops in the 1860s. North America, experienced a surge in economic affluence after World War II, which fostered a consumer culture, with more families going out to restaurants for dinner. The term fast food was coined in in the 1950’s and was a quick alternative to home cooked meals. Sit down restaurants, expanded and offered a more refined experience, but the basic precepts remained the same. Prepackaged, processed food still managed to find its way into the offerings, and often was devoid of formal technique.
What does proper hollandaise sauce really taste like? Do you realize that most people have NO IDEA, what it tastes like as many restaurants use packets?
So watching these food shows has awakened my awareness to the difference between European technique (ALL roads lead back to the French) and North American ignorance.
Luckily we live in Guelph, where there are a number of great smaller restaurants that pride themselves on local, fresh ingredients, great presentation, and cost about the same as any of the Large Restaurant chains. The main difference between these two types of restaurants are often the large chain restaurants are eating packet food with a bigger price tag. The last time we went to Milestones – I ordered an alfredo pa
sta, that had overcooked pasta, with the sauce resembling a soup in the bottom of the bowl, and the taste of artificial flavouring. No alcohol on that dinner and the bill for my husband and I was 80 dollars! We have found that supporting the local restaurants, like Borealis, With The Grain, Baker Street, The Wooly etc. gives us fresh ingredients for about 60 for the meal.
We all know the term Beef Wellington from Hell’s Kitchen, as Gordon Ramsay screams at the chefs that the beef is raw, but has any of us actually EATEN it? Where does one go locally, when you want to experience THAT kind of food? Artisanale French Country Cooking. For those who don’t have lots of money to spare, this place is worth saving up for, to celebrate special intimate events. For those who don’t balk at a $30-$40 entree, you will find that you more than get what you paid for.
My husband and I finally listened to our friend who advocated for this restaurant. Looking at the menu online does not do justice to the culinary experience available here. This place personifies the very reason the French are thin because the focus is on the ingredients, technique, and flavour rather than portions. One does not need to acquire satisfaction, by stuffing their belly full of filler. Sometimes a humble bowl of Sunchoke soup, is so amazing and wholly satisfying to your palate, that the 5 spoonfuls in your bowl are enough. It creates anticipation for the next course. You are sated, content and ready for the next truly amazing piece of food. Artisanale, is quite frankly, Guelph’s very own avenue to elevated food worthy of high-end French restaurants.
The menu frequently changes according to the seasons, however, there are some staple items that can’t be missed. I had never had duck before and had never cooked it, but had no idea what the benchmark of good duck should be. This was the perfect time to establish what duck SHOULD be like. I am of the mindset that when someone claims to dislike an ingredient, it is often due to the preparation and /or presentation. Duck is one item, that can go horribly wrong, if not done with precise technique. I wanted my first experience to set the bar high.
When you walk through the doors, you are immediately transported across the ocean to Europe. Everything about the decor had the slower paced intimacy that one would expect of an authentic French country kitchen.
I ordered duck on a salad, and my husband ordered steak hache with frites. The images say it all….
If you have not already experienced this place, you need to do it now. Reservations are always required, and they often have event evenings, featuring local farmers showcasing their ingredients in harvest table dinner sitting. One of the best places to go in Guelph. It is our go to place to celebrate special events for my husband and I.
I thought that going to a place where duck was sure to be cooked beautifully One thing I had never had was duck, nor have I ever cooked it I have never had duck, and had never cooked it.
http://www.artisanale.ca/