A Fresh Bistro Muse

Fresh is the Word for Bistro Muse

As we get ready to roll into high gear at Muse for the season- yesterday was tasting day for Bistro staff and "the Muse" - sampling the new Bistro fare.

Chef Judi Garbala has put together a new menu that is nothing short of scrumptious.  If you had a single Muse favourite before... you're going to have at least 5 now.

We tasted, we paired and there are just so many wonderful combinations, you'll want to be taking advantage of the tasting flights of wines to find what your palate enjoys most.



Our new Bistro Chef has sourced locally wherever possible and loves fresh, fresh, fresh!  The Spring Salad is heaven; our photo here shows it served with smoked tuna.  Only YUM in bold caps comes remotely close to describing - Fave # 1 and then we tasted the Seasonal Soup...  A Red Snapper, Roasted Tomato & Lentil bisque and please note the "Seasonal" because it will change in the summer and you do not want to miss the opportunity to taste it - Fave #2.

The Grilled Chicken Tartine with homemade Roasted Thyme Grape Chutney with Moonstruck's Ash Ripened Camembert on a baguette slice will undoubtedly be Fave #3!

And that's only the briefest of tastes on the menu.  Check it out online and be sure sure to reserve many lunches- there is so much to try.  When the staff says "awesome" you know you need to take it in.

Your best chance for sampling a number of things from the menu is the Spring Celebration Party coming up Saturday May 2nd at Muse - noon to 4 pm.  No reservations required, you'll want to gather up your friends- at only $1/bite or sip...what better way to enjoy a Saturday.

www.musewinery.ca

Saanich Peninsula Harvest Feast - Sept. 21st

Saanich Peninsula Harvest Feast 

Saturday, September 21, 2013

 -5 pm

Main Hall, Saanich Fairground
1528 Stelly's X Road, Saanichton

Muse Winery is pleased to be part of the fifth annual “Saanich Peninsula Harvest Feast” which will be held at the Saanich Fairground on Saturday, September 21, 2013.  This annual community celebration of Peninsula food and farms features contributions from local farms – virtually all food has been grown or raised on the Saanich Peninsula within 10 km of the Saanich Fairground (with the exception of cranberries from Yellow Point).

The event will open with a wine and cider tasting offered by local wineries (Muse Winery will be there) and cideries. Celebrants will enjoy a hearty seasonal feast, followed by scrumptious desserts showcasing the diversity of fruit grown on the Peninsula – including magical lemon meringue pies made from North Saanich lemons. And, of course, the feast would not be complete without heavenly fresh–pressed apple juice from Farmer Phil!

This not-for-profit community event is designed to be as affordable as possible for families and seniors, in order to encourage more people to use locally-grown foods in their everyday diets. This year, the focus is youth in agriculture, and net proceeds from the event will be donated to the 4-H. Local 4-H clubs make a  significant volunteer contribution to the Harvest Feast.

Ticket prices are: Adults $25, children (12 and under), $10; a BYOP (“Bring Your Own Plate” – bring your own table setting) option is offered at $22 and $7. Tickets are on sale at Breadstuffs Bakery (Brentwood Bay), Fresh Cup Roastery Café (Saanichton) and The Roost Farm Centre (North Saanich). Get your tickets soon, as the event sells out quickly!

The dinner strives to be a “zero-waste” event through recycling and composting. Food wastes are collected during food preparation and after dinner and offered to several lucky local pigs. :) BYOP diners can bring their own kitchen dishes and clean them afterwards, or consider alternatives to paper plates, since they compost down much slower than other types, like bamboo. Your BYOP dishes should also be able to handle lots of hot food and steaming gravy.

Organizers are looking for energetic volunteers to help with setup, service and cleanup. Interested individuals should call 250-812-1312 or email feast@islandfarmfresh.com.

The event is supported by the Southern Vancouver Island Direct Farm Marketing Association and the North and South Saanich Agricultural Society.  The main course will be prepared by Zanzibar Café ( Brentwood Bay). Other local restaurants and bakeries contribute by preparing the dessert menu. Doors open at 5 p.m. and dinner is served at 6 p.m.  For more information on the Harvest Feast, call 250-812-1312 or visit www.islandfarmfresh.com/harvestfeast.

The media contact for this event is Robert Thompson  Phone: 250-652-4691

A huge thank you to Bob for all he does to help promote our local farmers, wineries, cideries and  food producers! 

100 Mile Diet...No only 2!

When others struggle to stay within the confines of the 100 Mile Diet, we have to think how lucky we are here on the Saanich Peninsula.  The bounty in this photo is less than 2 miles!

This photo comes from a neighbour only a few hundred yards from Muse Winery.  All the produce in the picture is from Hazelmere Farms, just a quarter of a mile from the winery.  Five growers in our neighbourhood share and sell their produce from their farms at this roadside stand on Tatlow Road in Deep Cove. There's a wide variety of  vegetables of the season and the stall is open throughout the year. 

Thanks for the picture Jimmy and our Ramblin' Rose looks scrumptous with those lovely red potatoes, onions and squash.

What time was dinner?