Herb Duncan had a very nice column in yesterday’s Telegraph-Journal titled “From the deli: don’t risk it with the brisket.” Brisket? Yes, he was talking about Urban Deli:
“There is a rather simple but critically important message to this small business story: Listen to your customers, work hard to keep costs down, look for opportunities to improve your product and services through best practices.”
Yes, indeed.
We have a quick note about today … Our last seating is at 6:30pm and our doors close at 7:00pm to get ready for tonight’s function: an evening with local photographer Beaver Smith and Uptown Saint John captured through his lens.
We still have tickets available and they can be purchased at the door. We’re looking forward to an amazing night!
Our weekend is pretty full with good “stuff.” It starts with tomorrow night as we host local photograph Beaver Smith and his photos.
We had a pretty interesting back and forth (an interview) with Beaver earlier in the week about photography and Saint John.
Then on Sunday afternoon, we’ve got Bob McVicar (Chef Bob) coming in to present a cooking class with the subject being Creole jambalaya. When we spoke to Bob the other day, he was sounding pretty pumped about it — as are we!
In both cases, tickets are limited but you can get yours simply by calling us here at the Urban Deli at 652.3354 or, put another way, 652.DELI.
Of course, you can also join us tomorrow morning for our regular Urban Deli breakfast (9:00 am to noon).
That should cover all the bases … Oh yes, one last thing. For those who have signed up to our newsletter, we are giving away tickets from the Saint John Theatre Company to their November 25th show: The Importance of Being Earnest. If you haven’t signed up yet, you still can subscribe and have a chance at winning. Just visit our newsletter page and subscribe.
Now it’s back to work and getting ready for the weekend …
“Photography can be a very personal experience. The reality is that there are no “terrible” images – ever.” — Beaver Smith
On Saturday evening, the Urban Deli hosts Uptown Saint John Captured Through the Lens of Beaver Smith. He’s a good friend of the Deli as well as the talent behind bigdayfoto, wedding photographers.
Beaver is a man with a great eye for incredible shots so we decided to conduct an “email interview” with him to learn a bit more about photography and the photographer. We discussed quite a few things, specifically Saint John, the Uptown, and photos. When taking a picture, what does he look for? Beaver told us, “There is a lot of color, texture and character to Uptown Saint John.
“You can see it with your eye if you stop, look, and think about it – actually look at what you are seeing. The trick is to capture it in an image worthy of printing. In several of my images, the colors have been boosted or saturated. To me, that is what I see when I really look. Some have been turned black and white.”
That immediately had us thinking about technology and some of the tools photographers now use to create the photos the rest of us wish we could get.
“PS (Photoshop) and all the other tools are just that — tools! Like a chef in a kitchen full of “tools,” they may not use every tool in the kitchen to prepare a certain dish …
“Have you ever taken a picture of a beautiful sunset or a gorgeous panoramic view of some mountain valley only to be terribly disappointed in the out come? Well, it’s not you! It’s the limitations of the camera. Today’s photographers learn to work with the limitations. PS is one of many primary tools used.”
Saint John and finding the lightHere in Saint John, we’re partly known for our Fundy fog. Most of us, when we hear people talking about photography, find people talking about light. So how does a city like ours treat photographers as far as light goes? Beaver tells us, “For starters, as a photographer you have to understand/work with light (where it’s coming from and it’s “quality”).
“… Depending on what you are trying to achieve, Saint John fog can be a blessing. Too much contrast in an image [can be a problem] — think bright sunny day mid afternoon high sun and a bride in a beautiful pure white wedding gown.
“Most photographers in this situation are looking to get out of the sun (find a big old tree) and would welcome a little fog. In the same situation with fog, there is less contrast, the quality of the light is much more flattering to the subject. Can I take a nice picture of a bride in bright sun? You bet, but I would rather the fog!”
There is a great deal more to our back and forth with Beaver. For the full interview, visit this page.
What does the future hold for him and bigdayfoto? He tells us, “Now in our 6th year, I am looking to take my wedding photography business bigdayfoto to be the premier wedding photography studio in Atlantic Canada. With that lofty goal comes the requirement for a lot more personal development.”
We think he’ll reach his goal and likely a good deal more!
We have a big night coming up at the Urban Deli: Uptown Saint John Captured Through the Lens of Beaver Smith.
A great friend of the Deli, Beaver Smith is the talent behind bigdayfoto, wedding photographers, a man with a great eye for incredible shots.
He’s recently had that creative eye set on our own Uptown and the Urban Deli is going to host an exhibition of his work. You haven’t see Uptown Saint John until you’ve seen it through Beaver’s eye! We think you’ll find the pictures fascinating.
Prints taken by Beaver will be unveiled at the Urban Deli the night of Saturday, November 20th. They’ll be available for viewing and purchasing and the event will include a variety of complimentary (and savoury!) hors d’oeuvres. There will also be a cash bar.
The Details:
We have the event posted here on Facebook. As for getting tickets? They’re available at the Urban Deli or give us a call at 506.652.DELI (3354).
Saint John, New Brunswick has been experiencing an excellent summer season. The sunny weather has incited many to heat up their barbeques, crack a cold beer (or non-alcoholic drink) and socialize.
At Urban Deli we have customers that come in specifically to enjoy our applewood smoked ribs (available as a half or full rack). What is really intriguing about our ribs (and many customers do not know this) is that they are available to be purchased and taken home to be re-heated.
Ribs after a five hour smoking process
This means you can throw it on the barbie and really impress your guests when they arrive.
These ribs are given special attention from the very beginning (starting first with their five hour smoking process which is done on-site) and so has our BBQ sauce.
Great care is taken to ensure the right flavours come through and since our BBQ sauce is made from scratch, we have been able to certify that it is gluten-free.
Half rack of applewood smoked ribs served with your choice of side
Each set of ribs purchased are pre-marinated in our BBQ sauce and we even give you enough on the side for basting or dipping purposes when you pick them up to take home.
So when you are thinking about heating up that barbeque or grabbing a case of cold beer, remember that even with a busy schedule you can always stop by or pre-order our ribs.
Add any of our appetizers (like our roasted garlic and artichoke dip), side salads, hand-cut deli frites to your order or get one of our fabulous desserts.
Take all the credit, we really don’t mind.
There’s no time like summer for barbecues and there’s nothing like ribs for putting the scent of summer in the air and floating through the neighbourhood. 🙂
It seems as if we opened our doors yesterday and today woke up to find ourselves one year old. Does time really move that quickly? Apparently — especially when you’re trying to serve food!
The Urban Deli opened on July 13, 2009. One year later, we’re still here.
It’s fascinating what happens while you’re busy. We’ve had lots of customers come into the Deli and in what seems the blink of an eye some have become regulars, many have become friends, and our staff have become family.
But what has most amazed us has been the way Saint John has welcomed and taken us in, and how Uptown Saint John has made us a part of one of the most exciting and growing communities anywhere in the country.
“Thank you Saint John,” doesn’t come close to saying how grateful we are to the Port City but, thank you Saint John!
And a huge thank you to our staff — not just for the work you do, but the way you do it.
Year one is behind us; the future is ahead and wide open. We’re loving it!
