Le Nordik

Is there any better way to pass a day than hanging out with one of your "best-ies", relaxing with an aroma-therapy massage, steaming it up in the sauna, floating aimlessly in the salt water pools and of course enjoying a gourmet meal while sipping on some (i.e. lots of) delicious wine?  Oh, yeah ... and did I mention skipping work to do it?  I think that's about as good as life gets.

This year already Stacey and I managed to organize two such days to go to Le Nordik spa ... first one day in January just because we both needed a break from our day-to-day routine and then again in April to celebrate Stacey's birthday.

January 2013 ... enjoying a break from the real world

Celebrating in this spa-day style is a something that Stace and I have now implemented as our new tradition for her birthday -- last year having gone to Bleu Spa and this year back to Le Nordik.  For the celebration, the lovely Tanya and gorgeous Renée joined us for lunch (although they had to opt-out of the spa activities).

April Birthday cocktails and lunch!

also celebrating Renée's birthday just days apart from Stacey's

For our lunch in January, Stacey and I shared the "garlic and pepper roasted olives". This dish was outrageous. It was soooo freaking good, so when we were planning our April visit I was really hoping it was still on the menu; which (yay-hooray) it was! It is so good, I insisted on ordering it to share with Renée and Tanya, even though we were having a three-course meal that already included another appetizer.
 

I love olives and this is possibly the best appetizer that I have ever had -- I might even like it more than all the arancinis!  There are a variety of pitted and stuffed olives, green, black and kalamata along with roasted garlic and baby pearl onions.  They are both hot spicy -- sprinkled with red chilis and hot temperature -- sautéd in a smoky, spicy olive oil.  And although we were sharing, I most definitely ate waaayyy more than my fair share.  Incredibly delicious.  I highly recommend this appie for anyone who likes olives.  Just writing this and seeing the pictures makes me want some right now!!!

For the entrée, Stacey chose "lobster and creamy herb sauce on a bed of pappardelle pasta".

 

Nice big chunks of lobster and a good portion of hand made pasta.  I didn't try it but Stacey enjoyed it.  Since I was trying to be good, after all the olives and wine I decided on a grilled chicken salad.

 

 

Totally 80's presentation.  :-)   What can I say.  It was a salad.  The chicken was a little bit dry but it was fine.  It was a salad.  In April, I didn't bother with the salad though ... I went for the table d'hôte - it was a birthday celebration after all.  And I loved my "Angus beef short rib braised in St-Ambroise stout beer, fall-style purée and braised vegetables" waaayyyy more.  That was a deeeelisshhhous meal.  The beef ribs (sorry no photos ... I was too busy scarfing down my dinosaur size meat!) were so tender and juicy; they fell off the bone and literally melted in my mouth.  Mmmmmm big meat!

We've come to love this red wine which we can't get at the LCBO; it seems to only be available on the Québec side.  Stacey and I don't even have to look at the wine list when we order:  Match Book Syrah (although you'll likely hear me refer to it as "Match Stick" rather than "Match Book"!).

 

 

I mean here are the notes from the winemaker: "The fragrance of mocha, chocolate and wild dark berries waft from the glass with background hints of leather, earthy baking spices and toasted oak. Juicy flavors of blackberries and chocolate truffles are enhanced by subtle notes of cardamom, cinnamon, and cocoa powder." How could we not love this wine!??!!? Seriously!
 

And on to dessert.  In January Stacey chose the chocolate fondue for one ... but there was sufficient fruit and chocolate for both of us (or maybe she was just being nice to me and sharing when really she should have eaten it all herself?).

 

The fruit was super fresh and ripe and there was lots of selection.  The chocolate was smooth and quite thin - it was almost like a rich hot chocolate flavour.  Very very good.

ahhhhhh .... chocolate bliss

 

This is one of the best ways to pass a day - cold or warm, sunny or overcast (although raining does put a damper on the outdoor activities somewhat).  It is relaxing and you feel totally rejuvenated after spending the day with your good friend(s) doing almost nothing!  You'll sleep like a log after a day at Le Nordik ... you'll have relaxed, enjoyed some AWESOME food, your skin will be renewed and you'll feel ready to face the world again ... for another few weeks at least!  Until the next time ...!  And what a great birthday tradition!  Luvs it.