Experiences

Page 7 | Eat & Drink

Eat & Drink

Jenn Sharp

Jenn Sharp is the author of Flat Out Delicious, a guide to Saskatchewan’s food artisans, as well as the host of Flat Out Food, a six-episode documentary series that traces unique Saskatchewan ingredients from field to plate.Sharp has dedicated her life’s work to help small-scale farmers increase their revenue by effectively marketing their story through her Happy Farmer 7-week Program. jennsharp.ca

Written by: Jenn Sharp

Saskatoon: The heart of Saskatchewan’s vibrant local food scene

Welcome! You’re in the right place to delight your senses with stunning, delicious, and creative food and drink.

Our pretty prairie city nestled along the South Saskatchewan River is bursting with options to please your inner gourmand. Many of us city dwellers have rural roots (myself included) and that’s at the core of our city’s culinary story. Combining these agrarian ties to globallyinspired dishes, Saskatoon’s many independent restaurants tell the story of a shared connection to the land with every bite.

I’ve spent years researching the passion and purpose behind what our chefs, food artisans, and farmers bring to the table. I want to share with you what I’ve found.

Discover places to eat in Saskatoon

Saskatoon’s farm-to-table food scene

It’s no secret that Saskatoon is surrounded by a patchwork quilt of agricultural land. There are also a lot of smaller farms producing food that stays in the province. It’s no surprise then, that the close relationships between Saskatoon’s chefs and producers mean it’s easy to taste our ever-evolving culinary experiences. For rustic Italian with seasonal ingredients and nose-to-tail butchery, try Primal. Calories Restaurant is a local favourite for its organic and heirloom ingredients showcased in inventive dishes. Odla is the city’s truest expression of a farm-to-table restaurant as it’s co-owned by Farm One Forty. Head to Hearth Restaurant for their interpretation on prairie cuisine, which includes ingredients like wild mushrooms foraged in northern Saskatchewan — you won’t be disappointed.

For thousands of years, Saskatoon and the surrounding area was a gathering place for multiple Indigenous nations. My favourite place to experience a traditional foods-inspired menu and learn more about the region’s history is at Wanuskewin Heritage Park. Reserve a spot at a summer Han Wi Moon Dinner for a multi-sensory experience you’ll never forget!

Spirits and brews, Saskatoon style

Saskatoon’s proximity to grain growers benefits not just our food, but our drinks, too. Did you know Saskatoon is home to a nationally recognized microdistillery? Black Fox Farm and Distillery’s SE Eleven whisky begins with Saskatchewangrown triticale. The whisky is aged in barrels outdoors where it undergoes 60-degree temperature changes in a year.

At Shelter Brewing, taste their latest creations, like a beer/mead combo, or a brew featuring ingredients like juniper that infuse the prairie grasslands in each sip. Or head to 9 Mile Legacy for a pint of their No. 1 Durum Wheat Ale.

The taste of place in Saskatoon’s spirits and craft beer is unbeatable. The only caveat? You need to be here to truly experience it.

Highlights

1. Grab a package of Meat Chops Beef Jerky, Elk Stixs, or Bison Bites for easy grass-fed protein on days spent adventuring – we like our road trips here! Pick up a bag at Co-op grocery stores and gas stations. For more retail locations, visit meatchopscanada.com.

2. Kick off your Saturday night with a craft cocktail. If you’re dining out, Ayden has an awesome cocktail program, as does the Odd

Couple, to accompany your meal. Or go to St. Tropez Bistro and take the stairs up to Parlor.

3. For me, Sundays start with brunch! Hometown

Diner is a popular spot (save room for a doughnut), as is the sunlit, tropical-plant-filled Drift

Café. The Capitol makes hearty classic breakfasts. (Go back at night to hear music from local bands.) 4. Saskatoon has an abundance of places to eat and drink local.