Restaurant Review: Spring Roll Restaurant

Jordon and I had lunch at Spring Roll Restaurant today which is located on 33rd Street in Mayfair.  I ordered the #1 Special which was Pork Rolls on Noodles for $5.95 and Jordon was recommended the #55, the Chef’s Special which had almost everything on noodles.

The restaurant was packed and after a brief wait, we were seated.  Our order was taken quickly and in almost no time the meal was brought out, piping hot and perfectly cooked.  Because the service was fast, we were out of there in no time while at the same time, the meal did no seem rushed.  We both had time to savour and enjoy our meals instead of watching the time and wondering if the meal was going to come out on time.

It was only one meal but it was more than enough to encourage us to come back and try it again.  It has a large and expansive menu and has a wide variety of meals that I want to try in the future with the mussels in oyster sauce topping the list.

Highly Recommended.

Spring Roll Restaurant
(306) 933-2889
516 33rd St W
Saskatoon, SK S7L0V8

Restaurant Review: The Woodfire Grill

Actions speak louder than words.  Night after night, right next door, the Rook & Raven is packed beyond capacity with people standing outside the doors while the Woodfire Grill sits empty.  It mediocre enough that people would rather brave the Saskatchewan fall and winter than sit down inside the Woodfire.

The couple of times that I have been there the service was mediocre with indifferent staff and food that was just slapped together.  We had their famous poutine which was cool by the time it came out and it really wasn't that good.  The lighting is poor and the despite it being early in the evening, the staff was noisily sorting cutlery and cleaning right next to us while at the same time ignoring us.  I vowed to never go back but 

Of course I felt bad and thought that it might just be a bad day for them.  Everyone has them so Jordon and I went back for lunch.  It was the same thing.  Indifferent staff, dried out food slathered in sauce, and flavourless. The appetizers that time were better but expensive. It's rivals the Woods Ale House as the worse food on 2nd Avenue.  

It's too bad as the menu has so much potential but it appears to be undone by ambivalent staff.  Sadly I am not alone in this.  You have the weak urbanspoon ratings, people lining up outside The Rook (for essentially the same kind of menu), and no one inside the Woodfire Grill.  One day this summer we were walking by a packed Rook when a well known public figure came out to say hi from the Woodfire Grill.  He thought we saw him and actually apologized for being seen there and was going on and on about how every other place downtown was packed.  That is the reputation of this place.  I can't disagree.

The Woodfire Grill
152 2nd Ave South 
Saskatoon, SK

Review: The Woods Alehouse

I have been there a couple of times now.  It's the same every time.  Bad food, mediocre service and not much for atmosphere.  I know it's all about the beer but if you want anything like a decent appetizer or even a comfortable booth, you are out of luck.

The food is just so inconsistent.  Food that tastes great one time, tastes different the next or is over/under cooked.  The same thing is with the serving staff.  One time the service is great, another time it is completely indifferent.

The atmosphere is loud.  The last time I was there, we were on the sofa's by the front window.  The coffee table was jammed in there and it was an actually painful sitting experience.  We got out as soon as we could and went to a booth where the seats were better, even if the service was not.  The fact that we had moved tables seemed to have upset them which is weird considering we were still trying to spend money.

If you like craft beer, this is your place but if it isn't, there isn't any reason to stop by.  Hopefully they get their quality issues sorted out and become more than a place to get unique beers.

The Wood's Alehouse
148 2nd Ave North 
Saskatoon, SK S7K2B2

Review: Hudson's Tap House

I have been to Hudson's a couple of times over the last couple of months and here are my thoughts on the popular pub.

The food isn't bad.  I have had a hotdog, burger, and some excellent appetizers.  My problem with Hudson's is not the food but how loud it is inside.  You can't have a conversation and I find myself having to yell to be heard.  The in pub experience takes so much away from the food.  

The service is inconsistent which is something that I notice in other reviews.  There are nights where the food has come out cold or just wrong and the waitresses are either unable to unwilling to fix it.  Other nights it is a much better experience.  Hudson's needs to strive for consistency.

As for the decor, it is okay but it isn't authentic.  There is all sorts of Canadiana on the walls but it is reproductions.  I was hoping the longer it stayed open, it would become more local but what you see is what you get.  I could actually see this going over better overseas where people wanted the Canadian experience but weren't aware of it.  We are Canadian and we don't find the cliches that funny or interesting.

Now outside of the restaurant in Saskatoon, there are tables on two sides.  The music is quieter and the atmosphere is more relaxed.  People are sitting outside to sit, talk, drink, and eat.  It is a night and day difference and I love it out there.  If it could replicate the deck experience indoors (by turning down the volume), it would be a much better experience and perhaps have a less dismal rating on Urbanspoon.

Hudson's Tap House
401 - 21st Street East 
Saskatoon, SK S7K0C5