Cool off in Uptown Saint John

To our friends in Fredericton, who we understand are experiencing some rather toasty weather, and to our friends a bit more inland in Saint John … Cool off in our Uptown! Pay us a visit – the weatherman tells us it won’t be quite so hot here. 😉

And if you make the trip, you could pay us a visit at the Deli. (This is where we insert a shameless plug.) And maybe try a glass of our scratch lemonade (made with real lemons):

Unless you would prefer our ice-tea (made with a blend of teas and cranberry juice):

Our the root beer on tap that we get from our friends at Pump House:

If you can’t make it down, be sure to get out, wherever you are, and enjoy our wonderful Maritime weather – be it hot and humid, or a little cooler – but still humid. Enjoy your day!

(By the way … we also have root beer floats!)

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We had a fabulous weekend …

… And it all started with a incredible Canada Day in Uptown Saint John. Even the dogs were caught up in the feeling we call Canada.

The Deli had a little setup in front of the UD (the restaurant was closed) where we sold breakfast and pulled pork sandwiches outside the doors. We also had cold drinks like our scratch lemonade and ice-tea. It was a fun way to be working and being out meeting people enjoying the day. We have photos on our Facebook page here.

The photo above of Lianne and Liz and our extraordinary helpful helper was just one of loads of photos Beaver Smith took (many thanks!). If you want to really see what Saint John’s Uptown looked like on this Canada day, have a look at his photos.

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Canada Day and what we’re up to

We’ll be doing something a little different for Canada Day. The Urban Deli will be closed, but kind of open too. Here’s what we’re doing:

The restaurant will be closed. However, we’ll have a stand directly outside our front doors selling food and cold drinks (alongside the other vendors).

We’re taking it to the streets, so to speak.

We’ll start off with breakfast sandwiches at 9:00am (served on an english muffin) and also have our own scratch lemonade, home-made ice tea and other cold drinks available. If you like samosas, we’ll have those too (not made by the Deli) — five different kinds of samosas that include beef, chicken, lamb, vegetarian and sweet potato.

Once the breakfast sandwiches are either sold out or 11:00am hits, we’ll be switching it up and selling our pulled pork & slaw on an english muffin.

We’re normally closed on Sundays and holidays so all of us (our staff) can enjoy the days, but this time we wanted to be there in Uptown Saint John. It’s Canada Day and we expect the Uptown to be hopping.

And who in their right mind would want to miss a Canada Day in the Port City?

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Three nominations for the Urban Deli

Yippie kay ay! The Uptown Saint John’s 2010 Live Life Awards shortlist has been announced and the Urban Deli finds itself nominated in three categories. Thank you Saint John! (Apologies to Bruce Willis for the “Yippie kay ay!” but it’s from the old cowboys and basically means, whoo hoo!)

We find the Deli in these categories:

  • New Business of the Year
  • Best Restaurant of the Year
  • Commercial Space of the Year

This is thrilling for us. Now the countdown is on to June 24th (Thursday) to see if we can bring home the big prizes.

A big thank you to everyone who recommended us and a “hats off” salute to the other nominees (who are probably as thrilled as we are).

Once again, thank you Saint John! We’re looking forward to a fabulous evening. We love it here and it’s wonderful to be back home!

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Awards time in Uptown Saint John

The 2010 Live Life Awards are on and there is a restaurant category where oodles of nominations are flowing in. You can add your voice by dropping in and having your say on the “Best Restaurant of the Year” in the Uptown area.

Of course, we’ve a particular bias. 🙂

But there are so many fabulous places to eat in Saint John’s Uptown, we’re thrilled to be one of them. This isn’t a competition so much as it’s a celebration of what we have and what we’re building on in the Uptown.

By the way, there will be a ceremony June 24 at the Saint John Theatre Company. You can get information on it, as well as information on getting a ticket to the event, by visiting the 2010 Live Life Awards web site. In their words, “… we’re having a party.”

In the meantime, if you want to nominate a restuarant, the place to go is here (simply add it as a comment).

One last note … Urban Deli also qualifies in a couple of other categories. Such as New Business of the Year (we opened last July) and Commercial Space of the Year. If you want to toss a nomination our way, we’d love to get it!

(Photo of the Urban Deli is by Beaver Smith, bigdayfoto, Saint John.)

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Menu

Below you’ll find our main, “in the restaurant” menu. This includes sandwiches, entrées, burgers, pasta and much more. Take out and catering orders – call us at 652.DELI (3354)to-go container fees apply. (See menu below the pic.)

Montreal Smoked Meat

Soups

all soups served with a buttermilk biscuit
*Gluten Free

Mulligatawny Mondays* – cup $4  |  bowl $7
Tomato Soup Tuesdays – cup $4  |  bowl $7
WTFS Soupsask your server – cup $4  |  bowl $7
Split Pea & Ham* – cup $5  |  bowl $8

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Choose one side for all sandwiches & burgers:

Daily Soup, Deli Frites, Pickles, Pasta Salad, Potato Salad, Coleslaw, Quinoa (for Quinoa add $.50 )
(Additional Side Options $3: House, Spinach or Caesar Salad)

Deli Specialties

Montreal Smoked Meat*The best, east of Montreal!  Sliced hot & piled high, Deli mustard on light rye bread  $14
Uptown Big Beef Bad Boy* – shaved roast beef, a mix of sautéed onions, roasted red peppers, pepperoncinis (for a slight kick), Provolone cheese, horseradish aioli, Deli mustard & beef jus for dipping $14
Reuben* – Montreal smoked meat, mix of sauerkraut, bacon & onion, Swiss cheese, cumin curry Dijon mustard $12
Deli Meatloaf* – popular from day one!!! Deli meatloaf, sundried tomato spread, aged white cheddar, garlic aioli $12

Deli Delight Sandwiches

East Coast Club* – chicken, bacon, roasted red peppers, guacamole, tomato, lettuce, aioli (add cheese $1) $13
Philly Beef* – roast beef, sautéed mushroom & onions, garlic aioli, Swiss cheese $13
Chicken Cordon Bleu – lightly breaded chicken, ham, Swiss cheese, dijon aioli $13
Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese – lightly breaded chicken dipped in Franks Hot Sauce, melted aged cheddar and provolone cheese, Deli coleslaw $12
Curry Chicken Salad* – chopped chicken, red onion, celery, curry mayo, spinach, tomato – curry flavour without the heat! $11
Caprese* – Mozzafina, pesto, tomato, balsamic glaze (cold cuts add $2.50) $11
Mediterranean* – artichoke hearts, cucumber, black olives, feta, shaved red onion, roasted red peppers, lettuce, tomato, pesto, aioli $12
Chicken Parmesan – lightly breaded chicken breast, house made marinara sauce, pesto, mozzarella $12
Chicken Salad* – roasted chicken, cranberries, ‘toasted’ sunflower seeds, fennel, celery, carrots, honey, lemon, mayo, lettuce, tomato $11

Pressed Sandwiches

Vegetarian* – a mix of sautéed portabella mushrooms, roasted red peppers, lightly breaded eggplant, pepperoncinis, black olives, spinach, pesto, sundried tomato spread, Swiss cheese $12
Croque Monsieur* – ham, swiss cheese, UD cheese sauce $12
Cold Cut* – beef and genoa salamis, ham, mortadella, pepperoncinis, shaved red onion, provolone cheese, aioli, vinaigrette $13
Tuna Melt – tuna, onion, celery, pepperoncinis, mayo, melted mozzarella cheese $12
French Dip* – beef, aged white cheddar, UD creamy cheese sauce & au jus for dipping $13

Burgers

Urban Burger* – UD patty, lettuce, tomato, roasted garlic aioli $12
BIG Burger* – UD patty, bacon, mushrooms, Swiss cheese, spinach, aioli $14
PB Burger* – UD patty, bacon, aged cheddar, peanut butter, lettuce $13
Salmon Burger* – salmon fillet, spinach, tomato, lime caper aioli $13

Salads

Half salads available for Spinach, Caesar & Deli House
Add: chicken, tuna / curry chicken / ham / breaded chicken $5
Add: Salmon $8

Spinach Salad* – spinach, grilled portabella mushrooms, feta cheese, diced tomato, sausage meat bits, egg, maple vinaigrette $13
Cobb* – chopped romaine, (choose one: chicken, tuna, or potato salad), egg, ham, diced tomato, carrot, red onion, feta, vinaigrette dressing $14
Deli House* – romaine lettuce, bell peppers , artichoke hearts, shaved red onion, cucumber, pepperoncinis, black olives, tomatoes, feta cheese, breaded eggplant garnish, vinaigrette dressing $12
Caesar Salad UD Style* – chopped romaine, seasoned sausage meat bits, croutons, dressing, Parmasean cheese $12

Urban Deli Pasta Bowls*

Mac n’ Cheese* – UD signature cream sauce, aged white cheddar & Parmasean cheese – creamy! $13
Vegetarian Pesto Pasta* – sautéed portabella mushrooms, spinach, roasted red peppers in UD cream sauce $14
Coconut Curry Chicken* – pasta, roasted chicken, house made coconut curry sauce – great flavours! $14

* = available gluten-free
Please advise server if you are tested celiac, or choose no gluten.
We offer gluten-free products and do our best to reduce cross-contamination.
However, we are a deli.

______________________

Take – Out / Catering Orders call us at 652.DELI (3354)
to-go container fees apply

PLEASE ADVISE YOUR SERVER OF ALLERGIES

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Seared beef carpaccio with peppercorn mushrooms

Carpaccio (not the seared beef carpaccio of the recipe here).I loved this recipe!  This is so refreshing and flavorful and worth the few minutes it takes to prepare and serve. It’s taken from: Company’s Coming: Practical Gourmet – Small Plates for Sharing (pages 58 & 59).

(Note: the image shown is an example of carpaccio but not that of the recipe below.)

Seared beef carpaccio with peppercorn mushrooms:

– 1 tbsp / 15 ml Montreal steak spice
– 1 tbsp / 15 ml finely chopped fresh thyme
– 1 lb / 454 g beef strip loin steak

– 1 tbsp / 15 ml cooking oil
– 5 cups / 1.25 L sliced brown mushrooms

– 1/3 cup / 75 ml brandy
– 1 tbsp / 15 ml canned green peppercorns
– 1 tbsp / 15 ml butter

– ½ cup / 125 ml Arugula leaves lightly packed

Combine Montreal steak spice and finely chopped thyme (I used dried and would have preferred fresh) in a pie pan or wide bottom bowl.  Press steak into spice mixture until coated.  Cook on a greased grill on high for about 2 minutes per side until browned and slightly crisp.  Transfer to cutting board.  Cover with foil and let stand for 10 minutes.

Heat cooking oil in a frying pan on medium-high.  Add mushrooms and cook until browned and liquid is evaporated.

Stir in brandy and peppercorns.  Add butter and stir until melted.

Cut steak across the grain into very thin slices.  Arrange with arugula and mushrooms on a serving plate.  Serves 6.

Company’s Coming describes an alternative method for cooking the Beef Carpaccio.  (I grilled it on our flat top at the Deli).  Instead of grilling the steak you can sear it using olive oil in a very hot stainless steel or cast iron frying pan.  Sear each side for only one minute.  The result will be a very thin dark crust that is quite appealing; however, it is not recommended that you use this method with a non-stick pan as the high heat may ruin the non-stick coating.

A couple of my own notes:

  • I doubled the recipe because it was for a group of 15 people as an appetizer. If you have a smaller dinner group the recipe portion is perfect!
  • I used spinach instead of arugula.  Although spinach was good the arugula would have added more of a peppery taste to further compliment the flavors.
  • When I sautéed the mushrooms, peppercorns, brandy & butter, I poured it over the spinach, which was down the centre of the platter with the beef carpaccio on both sides.
  • Squeezing a bit of fresh lemon juice down each side of the plated carpaccio enhances the flavor (personal preference).
  • Once the beef carpaccio has been left to stand for 10 minutes, you can put it in the freezer for 15 minutes to make it a bit firmer, which makes it easier for thinly slicing.  Book cover for Company’s Coming: Practical Gourmet - Small Plates  for Sharing.We used the meat slicer at the Deli and did so after the beef stood for 20 minutes.

(If you’re interested in the book, you’ll find Company’s Coming: Practical Gourmet – Small Plates for Sharing at Chapters – Indigo.)

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