Restaurant Review: The Club

If you're anything like me, you like to get a feel for a restaurant before you go there - you seek them out online in hopes of finding some quality food porn, you most definitely search for their menu to see what they have to offer, and you probably search the interwebs for a review or two - in other words, you become a little bit of a stalker, which is possibly what has brought you here - welcome, you're not alone ;)

As mentioned in a previous post, since there are so many restaurants popping up in St. John's, and so many we've yet to try, my friends and I formed a group in which we try to visit a new/different restaurant each month - emphasis on 'try', as we only managed 7 in 2013. In any case, on January 6th, 2014 we hit the 1 year mark of outings, and decided, what better way to celebrate than by returning to our favourite spot?! After a quick poll, it was obvious we were heading back to The Club!

If you've never been, it's a pretty wicked spot. Not only does it have an awesome vibe, it has the best food! I kid you not. I can't think of anyone who wouldn't enjoy the food. Every time I go, I leave happy and very full!

I also really enjoy how they seem to work traditional Newfoundland into their entire menu, including the drinks! Case in point, the Jam Jam pictured below -  Purity Syrup, Grand Marnier, Iceberg Vodka and frozen Raspberries - served with an actual jam jam 'wedge' as garnish. They also serve a drink called the Humphy Dumphy, which has Newfie Screech & Pineapple Crush on the rocks. I mean, where else can you buy these?!

This beauty right here is called 'The Jam Jam'

Now here's what you've come for... the food porn. I've included some photos of the food my friends and I have had the pleasure of indulging in over the past several months.

Appetizers:

This mind blowing French Onion Soup

Scotch Egg - with house made pork sausage and HP sauce

Cock-a-Leekie Soup - with goat cheese, walnut, fried leek and smoked paprika oil.

Oysters Rocky Harbour - with salt beef, greens, mornay sauce, and dehydrated savory dressing

Entrees:

Fried Chicken and Toutons - with taters, maple cream gravy and salt beef collard greens. For the record, the best chicken I've ever eaten!

Porchetta deliciousness

Bacon-wrapped Meatloaf

Sides:

The most amazing Brussels Sprouts ever - served with Asiago cheese and House Bacon

Dessert:

Parsnip Cake

And Special Order: This monster of a burger was featured on their FB page one day, and after requesting it, we received. This is my friend Josh about to chow down - please note the look of sheer excitement in his eyes. Also note the size of the burger in comparison to his face?!

The verdict? It was like an episode of Man vs. Food at our table (minus a time restraint!) Believe it or not he ate the entire burger!!! There were quite a few 'Mmm's' coming from his side of the table. He may not have been able to talk for a full 30 minutes after eating, but once he could the burger was all he could talk about - he friggin' loved it!

 

I'll end with this. The Club is unique in that it has something for everyone from the picky eater, to the experimental foodie. I have visited this place with a variety of eaters and they've all found something to enjoy. If you're considering going, do it! From the drinks, to the apps, to the entrees and sides, you're guaranteed to find something scrumptious to devour!