Leaving at noon from reality, HMS Fantasy departed to points east…seven and-one-half hours of driving later, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan loomed into vision as we bade farewell to the Qu’Appelle River Valley.
For those readers who think Moose Jaw to be the Canadian joke of atlases worldwide, we would encourage you to cast aside any predisposed opinion toward a prairie classic in order to broaden one’s travel horizons. Moose Jaw holds the distinction with WTF bloggers as being both the most surprising destination and simultaneously The Grimm Reaper of a previously-unblemished 1.000 batting average concerning travel food/wine. Perhaps a throwback post will elaborate on the loss of a perfect record for dining out whilst abroad…
As we have previously been fortunate to discover, the ideal place to stay in Moose Jaw is the Temple Garden Mineral Spa…by some quirk of fate, the only room available was a Jacuzzi suite that utilizes the same aqua found in the hotel’s roof-top pool.
As we have previously been fortunate to discover, the ideal place to stay in Moose Jaw is the Temple Garden Mineral Spa…by some quirk of fate, the only room available was a Jacuzzi suite that utilizes the same aqua found in the hotel’s roof-top pool.
If readers are familiar with Banff’s hot springs, we both would entreat you to languish in the pools of this Saskatchewan treasure – the mineral composition is vastly different; being absent of any offending sulfur smells in favour of the soothing moisturizing of silica. “The Waters” can be taken from 07:00-23:00 for hotel guests and the pool has both an indoor and outdoor portion. Having been there in the dead of winter, the outdoor pool is our favourite for being a couple of degrees warmer and offering echoless viewing of the Land of Living Skies. Being there without snow is actually a new experience :)
Following a late check-in and a short-but-rapturous dip in the aforementioned rooftop pool, we sought liquid therapy of another medium. Immediately through the parkade of the hotel is one of the many hidden gems of Moose Jaw: Bobby’s Place Olde World Tavern. Sporting a decidedly Scottish themed décor, the plaid carpeting we loved had been removed leaving a more-practical though albeit noisier finished concrete. Our arrival coincided with Trivia Night and the place was at capacity. We were welcomed to share a table as our hosts left moments later with takeout orders…the motivation becoming increasing clear as we glanced around the establishment. The fish-and-chips were lauded as being legendary and WTF bloggers felt obliged to verify such an assertion.
Bearing in mind that we have been to both Canadian coasts in recent trips, it is telling to outright state that Bobby’s Place has the best fish-and-chips in the whole of the Dominion of Canada. For fans of batter, this place is not for you, but for those who appreciate a great piece of fried fish this place will have your number. Not to be misunderstood, there is batter…and it is better…gently coated and then [we suppose] double fried, the batter is firm with no hint of pineapple chicken balls of Chinese restaurant prairie fame. If not for the delightfully moist cod beneath, one could almost be fooled into thinking the coating was akin to chicken wings. Menu-described as “the batter starts out as a pint of Guinness”, the texture is unlike any fish-and-chips we have ever experienced. Paired with a very capable coleslaw and tartar sauce, the other fried accompaniment – french fries – were simplistically rough-cut from real potatoes and exemplary examples of how ‘chips’ should be.
Following a late check-in and a short-but-rapturous dip in the aforementioned rooftop pool, we sought liquid therapy of another medium. Immediately through the parkade of the hotel is one of the many hidden gems of Moose Jaw: Bobby’s Place Olde World Tavern. Sporting a decidedly Scottish themed décor, the plaid carpeting we loved had been removed leaving a more-practical though albeit noisier finished concrete. Our arrival coincided with Trivia Night and the place was at capacity. We were welcomed to share a table as our hosts left moments later with takeout orders…the motivation becoming increasing clear as we glanced around the establishment. The fish-and-chips were lauded as being legendary and WTF bloggers felt obliged to verify such an assertion.
Bearing in mind that we have been to both Canadian coasts in recent trips, it is telling to outright state that Bobby’s Place has the best fish-and-chips in the whole of the Dominion of Canada. For fans of batter, this place is not for you, but for those who appreciate a great piece of fried fish this place will have your number. Not to be misunderstood, there is batter…and it is better…gently coated and then [we suppose] double fried, the batter is firm with no hint of pineapple chicken balls of Chinese restaurant prairie fame. If not for the delightfully moist cod beneath, one could almost be fooled into thinking the coating was akin to chicken wings. Menu-described as “the batter starts out as a pint of Guinness”, the texture is unlike any fish-and-chips we have ever experienced. Paired with a very capable coleslaw and tartar sauce, the other fried accompaniment – french fries – were simplistically rough-cut from real potatoes and exemplary examples of how ‘chips’ should be.
How unfair for readers to note liquid therapy without detailing the fallout…Sarah elected to go with the ‘Scarecrow’ – a delightful beer juxtaposition; artistically separated by specific gravity, the blackness of Guinness supervising the cloudiness of Shocktop. I was boring but reliable in selecting a seldom-savoured-at-home Newcastle Brown. Round two was interrupted by Sarah winning the Trivia night inter-round contest for sporting the largest earrings in the tavern – a free round of Original 16 to her dear husband, she electing instead to sample another Guinness beer concoction. This time, ‘Diesel’ had the iconic Irish stout arranged in bar graph formation with cider, run through with a dollop of black currant syrup.
Both creations were intriguing and deliciously refreshing to those weary from the road and relaxed by mineral rich waters but the winner would have to be the ‘Scarecrow’.
What do the Scotch have for dessert, besides scotch? Why deep fried Mars bars, of course!
What do the Scotch have for dessert, besides scotch? Why deep fried Mars bars, of course!
While shockingly tasty, our palates were not used to the sweetness…adaptation is a beautiful thing!
Not just some place 45 minutes west of Regina, Moose Jaw is a destination unto itself. Other attractions of note include the Tunnels of Moose Jaw (which is where the post's title comes from), Nit's Thai Food Restaurant (lauded as some of the best Thai food outside of Thailand), Cornerstone Pub (for the wings), turn-of-the-century architecture, the used bookstore, and the pedestrian crossing signs. Not to mention, Rouleau, Saskatchewan (aka Dog River of Corner Gas fame) is just up the road.
Not just some place 45 minutes west of Regina, Moose Jaw is a destination unto itself. Other attractions of note include the Tunnels of Moose Jaw (which is where the post's title comes from), Nit's Thai Food Restaurant (lauded as some of the best Thai food outside of Thailand), Cornerstone Pub (for the wings), turn-of-the-century architecture, the used bookstore, and the pedestrian crossing signs. Not to mention, Rouleau, Saskatchewan (aka Dog River of Corner Gas fame) is just up the road.