Change is in the Wind

Hundreds of pots of soup.  Umpteen batches of Red River bread and countless rounds of Golden Flax Bannock.  Thousands of special moments with customers, producers, musicians and artists who’ve helped grow the New Ground Café over the past six and a half years.

Now it’s time for another chapter. At the end of March, I’m selling my building and rolling out a new venture called Chef Jenni. The gala launch will be held at the Birch Hills Civic Centre on Sunday, April 22. Live music, art and a multi-course local foods meal will pay homage to the culmination of a dream and celebrate the start of a new one. But meanwhile, back at the restaurant, there’s still plenty happening in the next three months.

Meatless Mondays: 11:30 to 1:30 p.m featuring our tastes like more Lentil Bake, salads, soup and dessert

Come for Coffee Wednesdays: 2 to 4 p.m. with fair trade, dark roast coffee, Red River Cinnamon buns and Date Oatmeal cookies

Friday Favourites: 11:30 to 2 p.m. reservations recommended…this end of the week affair gets crowded. Enjoy customer's picks from the New Ground repertoire, some to be featured in my upcoming book!

Saturday Brunch on these dates: Jan.21^st, Feb.4^th, Feb 18^th and March 3rd from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

3 Course Themed Dinners: Friday, Jan. 27th, Friday, Feb 3rd, Saturday, Feb.11th and Friday, Feb.17th. Reservations required, $20 per person.

Tuesday, Feb.14th: A chocolate infused, Saskatchewan ingredient driven menu to inspire passion and romance! One seating only, reservervations required. Starts at 6:30 p.m. $30 per person

Saturday, Feb.25th: Our third annual (but not final) ice cafe'!!!! Last time at this location but we'll find somewhere to carve out a winter wonderland next year! $30 per person for this unique, outdoor Scandinavian themed meal. There's a warm up area inside and prizes for best get-up. A Snowga demonstration, an outdoor art show and an interactive music station. See previous posts for inspiration...not sure if Bianca the Russian fur princess can be topped. Or the Snow Monkeys!! Such fun. Reserve soon, only serving 35 brave souls.

March is Music Month at the New Ground Cafe' with shows almost every Saturday night. More info soon. Saturday, March 31 will be our last day open. We'll have a yoga class in the morning, then a come and go feast fom 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.  Plan to help us go out like a Lion!!!!

*Outstanding gift certificates can be used at any of these events or for future Chef Jenni events or catering services, with advance notice.

"Without change, something sleeps inside us, and seldom awakens. The sleeper must awaken."
Frank Herbert

Christmas at the New Ground Cafe'

I've been catering up a storm and working on an exciting new venture so our public dining hours have changed. We're now open for Thursday nights by reservation and  Friday for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Thursdays in December are extra special. Dec.1st is a Very Vegetarian Christmas, Dec.8th features South African cuisine, Dec.15th is a Northern Saskatchewan Feast and Dec 22 will be a Winter Solstice celebration.

Join us on Friday, November 25th at The Refinery in Saskatoon for a collaboration with Dickens performer John. D. Huston, whose rendition of A Christmas Carol is truly amazing. Victorian themed appetizers and dessert with Saskatchewan ingredients will be available for sale pre-show and during intermission. Tamworth Pork and Sage Cornish Pasties with Tomato Juniper Chutney, Roasted Pumpkin Soup in mini Red River Bread Bowls and Labrador Tea Stilton Shortbread. And steamed pudding with a twist...Heirloom Carrots, Fair Trade Dark Chocolate, Wild Rice, Sour Cherries with a Birch Brown Sugar Sauce!!! Tickets for the show are available at www.ontheboards.ca

http://dickensperformer.ca/

Saturday, Dec.3rd is a chance to stock up on some of our classics, for yourself or someone on your Christmas list. Date Oatmeal Cookies, Red River Cinnamon Buns, Wild Hazelnut Flax Biscotti and Mini Cheesecakes for sale from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Fortify yourself with our hearty soup and bannock. Desserts and festive specialty coffees, too!

Prairie Roots Revue is coming Saturday, Dec. 17th. Zachary Lucky, Ryan Boldt of the Deep Dark Woods, Northcote and Carly Maicher form this special edition musical tour. I'd pay to hear this talented ensemble all by myself but you're welcome to come, too! $40 for the meal and the show. Don't exactly know what I'm making yet, but it'll be rootsy!!!

Don't miss our annual Christmas Eve Brunch  on Saturday, Dec.24th. Gingerbread Waffles, Farmer's Sausage and Potato Quiche, Saskatchewan Fruit Compote with Greek Yogurt and Oatmeal Flax Granola. Reserve soon, this sells out every year!

Open regular hours Thursday, Dec. 29th and Friday, Dec. 30th.

September

Pickerel and Morel Blini Topped With Roasted Beet and Fennel Sour Cream......

A beautiful summer has come and gone. Root vegetables beg to be roasted up and drizzled with birch syrup. Crisp, local cabbage replaces greens in our salads and beets find their way into everything, even chocolate cake. I`ve taken on enough catering for three or four Jennis this month, so my hours have shrunk a little for September. Just open for Thursday supper, by reservation, and Friday lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Things should return to ``normal`` in October. There`s still time to book a seat for the Stephen Maguire show and meal on Thursday, September 22. This is Stephen`s second visit to New Ground Cafe`. His soft spoken Irish charm and invigorating blend of soul and rock make for a captivating experience. Joined by Brent Blazieko on drums and his lovely wife, Tera, as muse.
Don`t miss this! $40 each, phone 749-2529 to reserve.

Stephen and Brent performing at New Ground Cafe' last fall.

http://www.stephenmaguirelive.com/