Curious Thyme's Bistro specializes in being different, according to its owners and staff.
The bistro opened in March earlier this year and is located inside the Travelway Inn on Paris St.
The name of the restaurant refers to the various teas offered, which are sourced from distributors in California.
“Our teas are from China, and of the highest quality,” said Vince Potter, co-manager.
Tea is not only known for its taste but also for its health effects.
“The antioxidants in tea help prevent cancers. One cup of tea is equal to the antioxidants in one serving of vegetables," according to the Bistro's promotional material. “Our cocktails are inspired with fresh herbs and fruit nectars, which combine together with high quality liquors and liqueurs to give exciting flavourful drinks,” according to promotional material.
Potter said his menu offerings, even the cocktails, are reasonable.
“Cocktails range from $6.95 to $8.95 for three ounces. In Toronto, I had to pay $10.95 for a two ounce cocktail.”
The Curious Basil and Grapefruit Mojito, a frozen grapefruit granite smothered with a fresh rum basil cappuccino style foam, are popular said Potter.
The dinner menu contains main dishes ranging from thyme roasted portobella and cauliflower lasagna for $16.99 to a grilled rack of lamb with dark chocolate with Tawny Port reduction for $28.99. A New Yorker Club sandwich is $13.99 or a buffalo burger with chilli and mango salsa and Percorino Toscano cheese is $14.99.
“We wanted to bring something different to the city - to showcase the north to visitors.”
For example, the bistro offers a variety of farmed wild game from Australian kangaroo to buffalo, elk, wild boar, and caribou from Quebec.
“We have a lot of hunters and fishermen who live here. We thought they would embrace this because they hunt themselves. The locals find it fantastic that we can offer this diversity of wild meats,” said Potter.
A different wild game and seafood dish is offered every night.
“We are the only restaurant that offers wild game on a regular basis.”
Many local restaurants offer venison as their wild game offering, but Potter said they wanted to go more exotic.
“Every night we put on the kangaroo, it sells out. It tastes like a cross between venison and lamb,” said Andrew Culgin, executive chef.
“We have not had any resistance to offering kangaroo on the menu at all,” said Potter.
Cooking wild game requires expertise, he said.
“Kangaroo can be stringy if overcooked. We research the best way to cook each dish. We are testing what works.”
He is debating offering more locally available foods.
“We are considering offering ostrich and we know there is a local elk producer. We do have to take cost into consideration though.”
Potter and Culgin are also sourcing rainbow trout, whitefish and pickerel from Manitoulin Island.
Despite the effects of the recession, business is still good, he said.
“The hotel provides up to 30 per cent of our business. There are patients who use the hospital that take rooms at the hotel. They come for meals here. There are business people from Vale Inco and Xstrata and lecturers from the university too.”
Potter finds that some of the cultural festivals happening during the summer equal more customers.
“The recent Finnish Festival was the biggest festival for us. They had activities nearby. We got a lot of business from them. The Dragon Boat Festival had an affect on us as well.”
Potter, 36, is originally from Durham in northeast England. He came directly to the city from England.
“My wife is originally from Whitefish, west of the city. She worked in the CP hotels in Jasper, Alberta. She then came to London on a working visa, met me and 11 years later here we are.”
Culgin is originally from Manitoulin Island. He has 17 years in the restaurant business and is a graduate of Cambrian College, where he currently teaches a course.
Jason Heaton, restaurant manager, with 17 years experience in the hospitality industry, said he enjoys working at Curious Thyme's because of the team environment. He said the restaurant scene in the city is dominated by chain restaurants.
“I worked in a number of corporate restaurants before while here. I came to Curious Thyme's because it is not corporate. We do our thing here. We will listen to what the public wants,” said Heaton.
The bistro is located at 1200 Paris St., between Science North and the regional hospital site. It's open seven days a week from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
For more information, phone 522-3500 or visit www.curiousthymes.ca.
