Anniversary Eats @BeerBros

I know, those of you who aren't in Regina are probably shocked at me having an anniversary dinner in a beer joint - partly because I don't drink beer but mostly because y'all think I am a food snob.  OK, guilty as charged but Beer Brothers is anything but your typical bar fare.  It is a real gastropub focusing on house made everything.  The make their own breads, sausages, jams, chutneys, hand cut fries - they pay attention to the details that elevate food and it shows.
When Chef Malcolm, the executive chef there and part owner of Beer Brothers and the Willow on Wascana (remember the wedding reception post?) offered to make our favorites for our celebration dinner how could I refuse?  What also speaks volumes about the attention to detail is that chef actually remembered what our favorites are!  And he delivered - BIG TIME!  Without a doubt, this was one of the best meals I have eaten at a restaurant in a long time.


























We started with a lovely charcuterie - the cherry chutney (chertney) was fabulous, especially with the cured bison.  Herbed feta, spicy chorizo, ham with gravelbourg mustard, proscuitto, fresh mozzarella and tomatoes all made tasty toppers to the crostini.
You could tell how much we liked it all:


























The main course was something I had been looking forward to ever since Chef Malcolm mentioned our faves.  Hubs' fave is mussels.  Mussels cooked in a broth with beer and spicy sausage, cooked juuuust until the mussels peek open and are tender, juicy and succulent and the broth begs to be sopped up with the house made foccacia - herby with sea salt on top - a treat in itself.


























yeah and don't even mention that handcut fries - they are wonderful and my thighs can prove it.


























But honestly the best thing of the night, no the YEAR was that braised lamb shank that chef made special for me.  In case you hadn't noticed from previous posts - I am a picky, judgmental eater.  However, this lamb shank - and lamb shanks are my favorite - was far and away the best I've had.  The braise was a wonderful combination of stout beer and herbs, and I'm guessing it might have been finished with a demi glace.  The stout added a wonderful earthiness and the plate was adorned with enough braising jous for me to be a really happy camper.  The meat fell off the bone and right into my mouth!


























Now I have talked about the main but the sides could have taken center stage as well.  My parcel of chive-tied broccolini, carrots and asparagus was perfectly al dente.  BUT the potato pave (thinly sliced stack of beautifully seasoned potatoes, roasted to perfection) was wonderfully delicate inside and crunchy outside - an added treat to my main objective.  In fact, I tried to upstage the lamb and came damned close.


























So, in closing - my meal was anything but bar food. I had a wonderful evening and strongly suggest that you give Beer Brothers a try.  If you are looking for bar food - they have it - their wings are pretty freaking awesome, but if you are a bit more picky, like me, you will not be disappointed .
Thanks again to Trevor, Malcolm and the incredible wait staff at Beer Brothers.  They will remain on my best of Regina list!