A Snowbird’s Delight

The forecast is warm and cozy this winter at the Algonquin Resort and Spa with its Stay North package. New Executive Chef James May has created menus that will entice you to forget going south this winter, and instead enjoy staying close to home at the Algonquin. The Stay North Package for two includes an overnight stay, an afternoon tea, a 2-course dinner at Braxton's Restaurant and a hot breakfast the following morning. Luxury awaits, and St. Andrews By-the-Sea is welcoming you. It is adding up to a snowbird’s delight and must-visit Maritimes winter destination for all.

Executive Chef James May

I had a chance to sit down with Executive Chef James May and I was impressed with his passion and vision for bringing this iconic hotel back to its heyday of dining elegance. Teamed with the Director of Food & Beverage, Seamus Dooley, this pair has previously worked together at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, has me believing that great things are about to happen here. “Seamus and I are very open and we want to push it to be what we think everyone wants the Algonquin to be.”

5-Course Food and Wine Pairings

This Chef/Sommelier team is certainly off to a fine start, if the 5-course food and wine pairing dinner they just showcased at the Indulge Food & Wine Festival is any indication. Reviews were glowing from guests that enjoyed this Algonquin fine dining experience. I asked Chef James to share how it all came together. “Seamus is very, very good at what he does. He has a palate for food, as well as wine... I trust him completely. He knows how to run an operation very well too, so having us work together - I write the 5-course menu and I trust he will do great pairings for us… and it worked out very well.” Chef James added a goal was to showcase local food and especially seafood, “Bay of Fundy sea offerings.” He feels it is important to bring good value to guests and offer something they don’t make for themselves at home too.

There’s a New Sunday Brunch in Town

The Algonquin is well known for its Sunday Brunch, but in our new normal, the buffet will not be coming back any time soon. However, I am here to tell you, there is a new Sunday Brunch in town, and it is fabulous! My good friend Laurie and I recently had the pleasure of a taste of the new menu and you are in for a treat. We shared the carrot cake pancakes with acadian maple syrup, toasted coconut, spiced cream cheese, berries and raisins. It was scrumptious! We followed that with pastries & fresh fruit, then thinking we didn’t have room for one more bite, the crab cake benedict served with a grainy mustard hollandaise sauce and lobster benedict topped with acadian sturgeon caviar arrived. We managed a good sampling of both of these while sipping mimosas to properly accompany all this decadence, followed by coffee. Then we just sat back and marvelled at how wonderful it all was. Take our word for it, the new Sunday Brunch at the Algonquin is a must!

Extraordinary Dining

Extraordinary dining just keeps on coming at the Algonquin. Laurie and I enjoyed an elegant dinner at Braxton's Restaurant that evening. We both started with the seafood chowder with crab, haddock, scallop, shrimp and smoked mussel. Then after hearing all the entrees and chef recommendations, I decided on the halibut with green pea & lobster risotto, broccolini and orange beurre blanc and Laurie ordered the steak frites New Brunswick beef strip loin (cooked to medium rare perfection), béarnaise, parmesan frites and caramelized onion and tomato. Both choices were tasty and flavourful. I finished with the crème brûlée and Laurie enjoyed every bite of the chocolate-wrapped cheesecake topped with lemon curd and berries. Again, a divine choice all around. The wine list is extensive and we enjoyed a lovely cabaret sauvignon over the evening. What a day of dining following by a good night’s sleep in a well-appointed room with a view and extremely comfortable beds.

Big Things are Coming

Big things are coming to the Algonquin this winter include the launching of High Tea. I have been invited to come back to try it and I was delighted to accept. Chef James and Seamus both ran high tea at Lake Louise, and James also worked closely with the Chef there, who now runs the Empress in Victoria. This experienced team plan to elevate the classic tea at the Algonquin to a high standard. Expect fancy trays, towers & plates, and brand new recipes too.

At Christmas, a Table D’ Hote concept menu is coming with offerings of 3 appetizers, 3 mains, and 3 desserts - truly something for everyone. New Year’s Eve will bring live music, fancy attire, and a sit down 5-course dinner, very similar to Indulge, but even more elevated.” Think… “more caviar, fois gras, and blue dot wine,” and Chef James shared that Seamus would like to see individual sipping mini champagne bottles, and perhaps a truffle to go. New Year’s Day Brunch - well, just think Sunday Brunch but - even more elevated again, he shared. James and Seamus are on fire… “We want - want - want… to do so many things, but we have to sit down and do it properly - and wait, not rush.”

“Our goal in the lounge on Saturdays and Sundays, is to make it big for locals and staff members - have some nice food and nice beers. Sit down from 5 pm to 1 in the morning. There might be a game on, light food, snacks, relaxed but hearty food, like a fancy meatloaf with pancetta wrapped on the outside of it, very warm and a steak and mushroom pie, things like that seafood chowder a little different with a pie crust on top of it so it’s more like a British way of doing it - things like that.”

Look for a Trick and Treat event coming up at the end of October. November will showcase a craft beer event, and a food & wine extravaganza with a 5-course dinner (including the option of wine pairing). The St. Andrews Christmas Farmers’ Market is planned for early December and will be held inside the hotel. After the previously mentioned Christmas and New Year’s events in December and January, February’s plan features a Valentine’s Day dinner with a unique sharing menu for couples. March Break specials ~ one week dedicated to New Brunswick residents and another for Nova Scotia & Prince Edward Island combined ~ are sure to be a great family draw. Easter Brunch and the Devour Food & Film Festival will follow in April.

Next summer, there are plans to turn the Passamaquoddy veranda into a 5-star restaurant. I loved the ambiance dining there years ago and apparently I am not alone. Chef James and Seamus have listened carefully to guests and staff and they are bringing back the grandeur. They are giving the people what they want and this grand lady will truly shine again. And the best thing is, we only have one job - to show up and enjoy it. Let’s support local and Stay North!

Golfers will be happy to hear the Clubhouse Restaurant will get a makeover next year too… plans are to reopen it with an elevated clubhouse feel - “pushing the envelope by not sticking to just the club sandwich or just a burger, like most golf courses, but have some good thin crust, Italian-pizza made with fresh dough with tons of great toppings like sun-dried tomatoes and black olives, artichoke and prosciutto on there as well, a Classico Italian feel and even a cheesy garlic one for the kids menu - nice fancy one with extra dough rolled up, and smash burgers (the new most popular staff favourite added to the Algonquin lunch menu), and nice sandwiches.” Well… golfers will certainly be happy. This all sounds amazing!

Hot Breakfast

Laurie and I enjoyed a hot breakfast the next day. After pouring over the extensive menu, I went with a lighter choice of the avocado toast and Laurie had the breakfast club sandwich which included a delicious combination of peameal bacon, fried egg, and chicken. A perfect finish to a wonderful stay.

Well, what more can I say, except “Stay North!” The forecast is warm and inviting this winter at the Algonquin, full of good food, good drinks and a great atmosphere. Book a Stay North Package and you will be glad you did!

St. Andrews By-the-Sea

The Algonquin Resort website describes St. Andrews By-the-Sea as “walking into a real-life postcard,” and I couldn’t agree more. This national and historic resort town is as pretty as it gets. Situated on the Passamaquoddy Bay, Saint Andrews woos you with its 18th Century yesteryear feel. Meander through sweet boutiques, shops, restaurants and cafés; there will be many open every weekend all winter long. Walk the wharf and breathe in the fresh seaside air. Wander the side streets and be charmed by the well-maintained homes that each has a story to tell about its lavish past. This is a town to fall in love with.

The views are captivating and the people are friendly. St. Andrews By-the-Sea is one of my favourite places in the Maritimes. Stay North and enjoy it this winter. The Algonquin Resort is waiting for you.

“What more could you ask for with incredible dining, a wonderful spa, complimentary wi-fi, and situated in one of North America's most historic towns, the Algonquin offers unparalleled elegance. Enjoy. Experience. Escape.”

For more information on booking your Stay North package at the Algonquin Resort & Spa, click on the photo link below. Tell them that the Maritimes Maven sent you.They will take good care of you.

For more information on what to see and do while staying in the heart of charming, historic, coastal town of St. Andrews By-the-Sea, click on the photo link below.

This post was sponsored by the Algonquin Resort; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Follow Maritimes Maven on FaceBook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn & Threads. Subscribe to be the first to receive my latest articles. Share articles you love with your social media community so they, too, will discover, There’s No Place Like Home!