It was 1999 when Joe and I met. And the sparks flew. We didn’t know what we were entering into being from two sides of the ocean. In that challenge, we had to have faith and belief – in that how things are meant to go, will go for the most part, and where and when they are meant to be.
Part of our beginning in trying to figure those things out, was spent in our quiet corner for two, tucked away within the coziness of a little restaurant we liked to think of as just ours.
Painted by Geraldine M. Levesque - long time friend and team member of Something Else
To say that our long lingering dinners for just the two of us were in the area of 3 hrs on average, is likely accurate, if not understated. Sipping wine, enjoying wonderful cuisine by candlelight with so much ambiance, and where time just kind of stood still for us for a moment in the craziness of all we were trying to navigate then.
With a bottle of chilled Santa Rita, Mussels in Leek Sauce, Seafood Pasta, Specialty Coffees in lieu of dessert as we were so full by then in heart and belly, we could not have asked for more!
But equally as special as the meal and anticipated outing, were the two behind the whole beautiful operation, and their amazing staff!
Luckily, for us tho, even after seeing their doors close but while leaving us with the most beautiful memories left to be cherished as life moves on, the tastes and experiences remain.
MEET LINDA AND ROGER
Meet Linda and Roger – the former owners of Something Else Restaurant in Campbellton NB.
Who would have thought that the demure façade of the little restaurant could hold such treasures once stepping inside?! But that was the magic of this gem - somewhat hidden away, but for those lucky enough to have uncovered it.
For Joe and I tho, that time in our life together has held such greater meaning! And a time in our relationship and life together of 26 years, so cherished by us both.
SO EXCITED! DATE NIGHT!
This past weekend, Joe and I dressed for the occasion of date night – seeing me in heels and a dress for the evening, while Joe arranged a candle-lit table setting in front of our den fireplace with a glowing fire burning. We hit the “romantic dinner music” playlist on Apple, and we were set!
With Gunner and Scarlett at our feet, we far surpassed our average of 3 hrs of dining, beginning at 8pm and wrapping it up at about 1:30 am. I know, that’s late, right?? But it was THAT good! And it was THAT special for us.
In never having quite given it up, eventho closing the chapter of their former location, Linda and Roger have continued on in their culinary story to be innovative, and creative in their ongoing delivery to their regular customers of back then. And lucky for all of us, they are now with a kiosk at the Dalhousie Farmer’s Market selling under the name of “A Touch of Former Something Else”, allowing us to still enjoy their amazing creations.
This dynamic duo works in total partnership as only a happily married couple can - always with a smile, a sense of humour and with full appreciation and gratitude for every stop and “Hello”. Roger masters the soups and desserts, and all else as “the runner”, and Linda, the Red Seal certified chef that she is, the tastey appetizers and main dishes in offering the wonderful culinary treats they have made themselves a name for since 1996 when they acquired the restaurant.
Not only do they offer their well known sauces such as the Leek Sauce and Lobster Baguette Sauce for you to take home, but also a few of their famous “Something Else” meals in a pre-made format - where the food is cooked and prepared as per their skillful standards, and the finished plates beautifully garnished so that all you have to do is follow the instructions included once home in warming it up, to instantly transport yourself back in time to “Something Else”.
And transport, we did!
OUR MEAL
In seeing our highly anticipated evening festivities underway, Joe and I started our meal with an aperitif of Thibarine – our fave from our time in Tunesia, North Africa - also a moment in time we hold closely to our hearts. And delivered to us all the way from Tunesia by one very special human.
ESCARGOTS AU PERNOD
We followed that entry with the most amazing escargots I have ever had – Something Else’s “Escargots au Pernod”! Of course, we smothered them in cheese, and broiled under our oven broiler for a few minutes to perfection! I swear, THE ABSOLUTE BEST I have ever had - anywhere! And escargots are a must-have for me in any restaurant where offered, so that should say something.
PRIMAVERA PASTA
Up next was the Chicken Primavera Pasta. Simply to die for!!! So flavorful and creamy! Joe and I cheated on this a bit, as when we bought at the Farmers Market, he wanted the Salmon Roulade as a main, and I wanted the Primavera. But then that all changed once we arrived home with our bag of goodies, so we decided that in sharing the two, and that the 2 mains likely would not pair well together on our plates, to go semi-European 5-course style, and serve the shared pasta alone, and without the chicken. Because we could! 😉
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AND BECAUSE NO ONE WAS WATCHING – CHICKEN IN LEEK SAUCE
Following that, and unknown to Linda and Roger, was the chicken, but in leek sauce! The chicken was from the pasta dish which only lay on top of the pasta in the ready made dish, and untouched by the Primavera sauce. We had bought the leek sauce to have at home with mussels at a later date, but Joe knows that I can’t have Something Else’s leek sauce in the house and not see it on my plate – addictive in a major way! So we improvised a bit on that one! Enter our course #3 - Chicken In Leek Sauce. Greatest apologies to Linda and Roger! ♥
SALMON SEAFOOD ROULADE
Next up was the shared main of the Salmon Seafood Roulade. I can’t even describe the flavor of the salmon. I typically don’t enjoy salmon, as it’s all just a little too strong of a “fishy” taste for me.
However, NOT the case with this Salmon Seafood Roulade!
I have never enjoyed the full taste of salmon as much as I did their roulade! You could actually taste the tender and delicate salmon flavour, and without the overpowering taste of “fish”. This was beyond amazing!
MAPLE PHYLLO FLOWER WITH RUM SAUCE….YUMMM!!!
And finally up was dessert – the Maple Phyllo Flower with Rum Sauce!
Errrr, wait a sec!!
Where’s the Maple Phyllo??
In realizing that in all of the chatter, Joe and I must have somehow forgotten to order it, we came home without it, BUT…we finished our outstanding meal off with specialty coffees of Kahlua, Bailey’s, Frangelico, Rum and Amaretto – just as we did way back then. And it was nothing but perfect!
4 hrs later, and we were still sitting at our little table in front of the fire, sipping our Santa Rita which we had found at our local wine store as a special reserve namely “120” – with our Golden Retrievers lounging peacefully at our feet in front of the warm fire, where Joe and I chatted and reminisced until 1:30 AM!
TRULY SPECIAL
What we know:
When together for 26 years, and living in a small town, you learn to make your
own fun, and create your own moments!
You plan your date nights.
You make them uber special when they happen.
And sometimes, even dress up for them.
You enjoy the special treats that ARE available to you at every chance you get, and that you perhaps can’t afford to on a regular basis. But you make the very most of them when afforded!
You savour it all - the opportunity, the moment, the food, the memories, and create more memories of it all still.
And you make the entire evening truly Something Else!
GET THERE EARLY AS IT ALL GOES QUICKLY
You can catch Linda and Roger at the Dalhousie Farmers Market in Dalhousie, NB on Saturdays from 8am – 1pm, offering their beautiful creations with the greatest customer service, and full-on smiles. Ck out their FB page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064960801040 where they typically post the weekly special meal menu offerings available at the Market in advance, along with a few of their regular staples they will have on hand in short supply. Or drop them a line on FB if you have questions.
THE CURBSIDE TABLE
Oh, and my curbside table find and project??
Seeing that it lent itself to a really special evening for Joe and I, we’ve since decided that we need to dine in front of our fireplace more often. So the curbside table is a keeper! ♥
WITH UTMOST SINCERITY
This post is shared with so much sincere appreciation to Linda and Roger for their delivering of excellence in gastronomy and hospitality in Campbellton for almost 30 yrs, while still going strong!
And to all of the amazing staff they’ve had on their team over the years, in offering everyone a cozy and truly special experience, you certainly made every evening spent with all of you, memorable in the ultra-special era you all created together.
And last, but certainly not least, and never to be forgotten…
Cheers, sweet Gerry! ♥
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