Moose Jaw is known as a tourist destination, but what a lot of people don’t know is that it is a great base for exploring the surrounding area! Maybe it’s a weekend camping in Buffalo Pound, or it’s a trip to hike up Castle Butte in the Big Muddy Badlands. This blog, however, is about my trip to a little restaurant in Lafleche called Trigo Food and Drink.
Now Trigo isn’t your regular run of the mill small town diner – it is an upscale, by reservation only restaurant that specializes in culinary and ethnic themed tasting menus that change a few times a year. If you are unfamiliar with how a tasting menu works, its simple. It’s a flat rate per person (plus any beverages and gratuity) and everyone not only at your table, but in the restaurant, receives the same dishes, in the same order, to eat and enjoy.
Currently they are offering a nine course – yes you read that correctly – Nordic Tasting Menu. As soon as I saw their social media post about this seasons’ theme my Norwegian heritage came out and said, ‘Girl you gotta go do this!’ And let me tell you I have no regrets, except for maybe wearing tight pants to dinner (Uff da!).
From the welcoming and incredibly informed serving staff to the amazingly curated dishes the Chef selected and prepared for this menu, everything exceeded my expectations. From the amuse bouche of little Barley Pancakes with Soured Onions to dessert of Mosbromlefse with Dark Berry Fruit Cordial, every single course was a palate pleaser. From sweet to salty to savoury to sour, every single one of my taste buds got a workout. I understand that not everyone will fully enjoy and devour every dish; believe me I know. I am not a fan of beets and was skeptical about the Finnish Beetroot Salad – but let me tell you - I ate it all.
During our dinner we never once felt rushed to finish our courses. Be prepared to be there 2 – 3 hours to give yourself the opportunity to enjoy each morsel. Another great part of the night was that every time a new course came out, we were given a history about the dish and how it is prepared. And when we couldn’t finish all our food, because well, nine courses (and I made the mistake of eating breakfast) they offered us take out containers. To me this just wasn’t dinner, this was an experience that has me eagerly awaiting their next menu as I know it will be worth the drive.
Trigo Food and Drink is by reservation only, Friday and Saturday evenings.
The Nordic Menu is available until December 31, 2023.
For more information and to book your table visit https://www.trigo.restaurant/
