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Think Bistro and a cosy, European style restaurant, set
down a side street and serving aromatic coffees and
tantalizing pastries usually comes to mind. The Bistro on
Chancery Lane in Bracebridge is just that -- a comfortable
retreat up the laneway off the main street, offering a
delicious variety of European and exotic cuisine.
Arrange
to meet a friend there for lunch and try their Crostini with
tapenade, covered with roasted red peppers and feta cheese --
irresistible. Or enjoy the sliced ham, fresh tomato and
Jarlesburg melt -- all served with a salad or soup du jour --
delectable. Linger over a coffee and choice of dessert to
complete your rendezvous.
"The main menu changes with the seasons to take
advantage of the best produce and ingredients available,"
says owner and chef Shelley Placko, adding that, "most
ingredients are purchased locally."
A native of Toronto, Shelley trained at George Brown
College, where she took part in numerous chef competitions,
including Food Asia. Her apprenticeship was at Toronto's
famous Winston's restaurant, but Shelley took the long route
to Muskoka, first travelling around the world. She made a
prolonged stop in Mexico and a 10 year stint in Australia,
where she also took part in more international chef
competitions.
Then it was a time at the Muskoka Sands Resort, where
she met co-chef Anna Van Dalen, who obtained her chef's papers
in Austria. Collaborating with Anna to run their own little
place Shelley knew the Chancery Lane location was right when
it became available.
Their combination of backgrounds makes for a unique
selection of offerings. The dinner menu includes appetisers
such as steamed mussels in a black bean sauce and crepe filled
with smoked salmon and asparagus in a dill cream sauce. For an
entree choose from angelhair pasta with chicken or Thai green
curry with chicken and fresh vegetables on a bed of jasmine
rice, amoung many other equally mouth-watering dishes.
Favourite desserts include steamed date and ginger pudding
with warmed toffee sauce or creme brulee with berry compote.
Shelley's and Anna's expertise flows over to the
Bistro's catering business, too, providing the same
outstanding cuisine for a home of office occasion or
wedding. Everything from specialty salads and soups to
enticing appetisers to exciting pastas and entrees, to a
wonderful list of hors d'ouvres and a long list of pastries,
are all available.
For restaurant hours or to arrange for catering call
The Bistro at (705) 646-1705.
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