BuzzCity Magazine: Dining

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Until recently, the planet’s yummiest, most decadent, candy apples were not available in Regina. You had to drive to Lumsden, nip inside the Brickhouse Bistro (right on James street, the main street in town) and then scan the assortment of mouthwatering temptations in the deli section of the restaurant. Real chocolate, over real caramel, or other amazing coatings, heavily applied to fresh, crisp apples. Sinful, homemade, works of temptation, comprised entirely of natural ingredients, that snuggle into your tummy moments after you inhale them in your home. Oh, the euphoria! And, oh, the anguish of facing yet another 20 minute road trip to obtain more.

Trust me. If Eve had discovered these apples in the Garden, Adam wouldn’t have got any.

But no more. Now, these wicked concoctions are available here in Regina. Right by city hall, which might explain why council is looking a little happier, these days.

Fresh and Sweet, (the name defines the dining experience) is on the main floor of the Sask Oil building at Victoria Ave. and McIntyre St. The southeast facing location means the restaurant benefits from naturally lighting. It’s clean, there is plenty of seating and the view outside is attractive. Staff are alert, attentive, and cheerful - they even appear to like what they’re doing. The same, decadent apples are available here, as in Lumsden, but the food being served to other customers may divert your attention. It’s ok to be diverted. You’ll be rewarded and the apples will wait.
Check the menu at: Fresh&Sweet

“Everything is made from scratch, including homemade soups and cookies,” says Beata Thompson. The difference in taste is incredible.”

Thompson’s considerable experience in the food industry has informed her operation and her business ethic. She has found that preparing menu items from natural ingredients and flavourings produce better results and a better response. It’s not just a ‘green’ decision – customers like it, and the food tastes better. She also doesn’t like top down management. Her approach is to encourage innovation and a ‘family’ work environment.

“It comes down to a sense of team and belonging and being involved,” says Thompson. “There is no division of labour; everybody does everything. I do dishes. All of the owners do dishes and take out the garbage.

There are four other owners, all women, who joined Thompson as the business developed. This now includes food services for the Deer Valley Golf Course, the Tartan Curling Club, Currie Field (home of the Red Sox), plus ownership of the Brickhouse Bistro, in Lumsden, and, most recently, Fresh and Sweet, in Regina. Some of the partners were former employees. All of them were attracted by Thompson’s independent/co-dependant business model.

“One of the partners is my mom, one is my best friend,” says Thompson. “The others are people who had worked for the company, loved the business and wanted in. It’s true to who we want to be.”
And that’s the way they operate. There are common rules and procedures in all Valley Girls locations, but there are distinct differences, too. Visit the site and look over the menus. Of course, there are traditions to observe and expectations to meet at sporting venues. So, you’ll get hamburgers, fries and hot dogs at the golf course, the curling club and the ball diamond. But everything will be fresh and wholesome, and the variety and presentation might compel you to take out a membership, even if your first love is the couch. In fact, it’s something to consider if you need to convince others that you’re physically active, disciplined and politically correct: “ I ate at the golf course,” you could say. “Just had an apple.”

Located on James Street in downtown Lumsden, The Brick House Bistro used to be the town office. The building dates from the earliest years of the last century and while the owners have made changes, to the interior, they’ve also retained the original character – even down to the old walk-in safe, which is a feature of the restaurant. It isn’t huge, The main floor restaurant seats 30 and there’s an adjoining deli section where you can purchase awesome candy apples, exotic cakes and muffins and other wicked treats. Upstairs, a banquet room seats 40 people. This area is sometimes used for overflow, and it can be reserved for groups. It’s also used on special occasions such as the Christmas sleigh ride event, which begins with a meal at the Brickhouse, then, right from the front door, a horse-drawn sleigh ride around the town. It ends with a chocolate fountain and hot chocolate. (Details are online.
Check the menu at: Brick House Bistro

In keeping with the Valley Girls philosophy, the local art on the walls in the Brickhouse is a promotion driven by employees. So are changes to the menu and even the hours of operation.

“Recently, a Brickhouse staffer, Francis Cleveland, who sort of helps manage the place, suggested we stay open late on Fridays and Saturdays, because he wanted to do a coffee house,” says co-owner Beata Thompson. So he came to me with a detailed proposal and I said, OK, Go ahead. It’s a place for coffee and dessert, a place to be for the people of Lumsden. He’s doing some advertising and it’s just getting going. So, we’ll see. But it’s his. He’s more committed to the company when he’s a part of it. Our staff share that feeling of ownership.”

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