"Look at all my trials and tribulations.
Sinking in a gentle pool of wine..."¹
When trying to do a 'food pairing' with a production of Stratford Festival's Jesus Christ Superstar, where do you begin?
Do you theme on the cliché of 'body and blood'? Perhaps a wine bar?
Do you try to eat something more in keeping with the times? Rustic in its preparation and limited in ingredient choices in a world without refrigeration and electricity.
Do you imagine the potential gluttony of The Last Supper and go to a buffet?
Do you key in on music? Something more club-like?
When we did our 'food pairing' we decided to find a meal fit for a King. Where the focus on attentive service is what they are known for. Not too Mary Magdalene, but aware and well timed with the interactions. We picked a place also emblematic of the Stratford Festival - precise in its detail, global in its appeal, sophisticated in its setting.
We chose Rundles Sophisto-Bistro on Cobourg Street, overlooking the Avon River, a tributary of the Thames. Not a mistake. The pre-theatre dinner turned out to be a perfect match.
For those that are curious, it now stands that Jesus Christ Superstar is the best musical I have ever seen. And the best Stratford Festival performance I have ever attended. (I saw my first production there in 1975.) I wept. Even knowing the ending, I was riveted in suspense and foreboding.
I really want to experience Stratford Festival's Jesus Christ Superstar again. I can also say the same for Rundles Sophisto-Bistro.
"Don't disturb me now I can see the answers,
till this evening is this morning life is fine."¹
¹ Lyrics from The Last Supper (Jesus Christ Superstar) by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Two choices of bread made on the premises. And it just kept coming! (I favoured the olive.)
A sampling of RUNDLES' CHARCUTERIE which includes cured meat and various types of sausage, pickles, and mustard.
LOBSTER BISQUE and salt cod croquettes.
HOT-SMOKED. KOLAPORE SPRINGS TROUT SALAD with grilled chiles poblanos, carrot and red onion escabeche (Mexican pickle).
BRAISED SHORT RIBS of BEEF garnished with fingerling potatoes and bacon, white turnips, yellow zucchini, and horseradish cream.
Rundles Sophisto-Bistro
9 Cobourg Street
Stratford, Ontario
519.271.6442
Website: www.rundlesrestaurant.com/SophistoBistro
Twitter: Rundles
Facebook: Rundles Restaurant and Bistro
Blog: rundlesrestaurant.wordpress.com
Tues: 5 - 7:30 pm
Wed to Thurs: 5 - 8:30 pm
Fri: 5 - 9 pm
Sat: 11:30 am - 1:3o pm; 5 - 9 pm
Sun: 11:30 am - 1:3o pm; 5 - 7:30 pm
Looks soooo good; I'm enjoying the pics.
ReplyDeleteHolly: I hope you get to try it some day. Many wonderful eats in Stratford and it is a great getaway spot for a weekend. The Stratford Chefs School has also produced some top talent. And some have made their way to Ottawa.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your lovely review! We really appreciated reading your comments about your Bistro experience. Cheers, The Rundles Team!
ReplyDeleteRundles: It really was a dream day for us to have your wonderful meal with superb service and then to take in maybe the best production of Jesus Christ Superstar ever. I know of at least one from Ottawa heading right to your table next month.
ReplyDeleteNOTE: Sophisto-Bistro will no longer be available at Rundles, starting this coming 2015 season.
ReplyDelete