If you’re fortunate enough to score a room at the Manse
while staying in Prince Edward County, consider paying the extra $55/person to
experience a private meal, which is only available to the inn’s guests. Served
in the dining area on the main floor or outside by their water feature when the
weather’s nice, it’s an opportune way to enjoy a four-course meal without leaving
the comfort of the inn. If you’ve picked up a great bottle of wine while
travelling around the County, they also offer corkage for $15/bottle.
The website describes the experience as “going to Gramma’s
house”. No offence to my grandmothers, but aside from the generous portion
sizes, I would never get the intricately plated dishes that Chef Christopher
Wylie creates. The salmon gravlax arrives formed into a rose with apple slices
for leaves. The rim of spices along the edges of the lightly cured fish added
interest above the typical sweet and salty taste.
A simple but refreshing citrus arugula salad followed
dressed in house poppy seed dressing. Kathleen, inn keeper of the Manse,
explained that they strive to buy local whenever possible. In this case, the
sheep’s milk feta used in the salad was sourced from Black River Cheese, a
local cheesemaker, and was salty and creamy.
The rack of lamb was a substantial portion with four pieces
along with plenty of braised carrots, roasted sun chokes, and roasted potatoes.
The lamb was cooked wonderfully, rare enough without being bloody and the “lamb
condiment” (a thick date, mint and horseradish paste) was fantastic … how does
something start out sweet and innocent, only to end with a sharp kick? My only
suggestion is to go lighter on the salt with the roasted starches, as after
having a sun choke your taste buds become numb to the subtleties of the port
shallot beef jus.
After so much food, the lighter rhubarb crisp was a good
choice for dessert. However, since I didn’t receive much of the buttery
cinnamon crumble the overall dessert was pucker inducing given there wasn’t much
sugar in the rhubarb. Luckily, after letting the vanilla ice cream melt and mix
into the warm rhubarb, the dessert became tastier.
Dinner arrives at a leisurely pace and exudes County charm.
It’s fancy but friendly and being able to walk back to your room after too much
food and wine is a plus. If you can stop yourself from eating all the lamb or
steak, save a piece for Baxter (the Manse’s friendly four-legged friend). After
all, you receive enough of it, and seeing the excited wag of Baxter’s tail makes
for such a great ending to a meal.
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Gastro World's Grading System
- Anything under 5 - I really disliked and will never go back
- 6 - decent restaurant but I likely won't return
- 7 - decent restaurant and I will likely return
- 8 - great restaurant that I'd be happy to recommend
- 9 - fantastic restaurant that I would love to visit regularly and highly recommend
- 10 - absolute perfection!
Is That It? I Want More!
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