Cask and Larder

A part of the same ownership as The Ravenous Pig, Cask and Larder had some rather large shoe's to fill and they didn't disappoint, in food or drink.

I was taken aback by the difference's employed at these two succesful restaurants in the same area, with the same ownership. Cask and Larder was really cool and featured an in-house brewing station. It's not often you go to a restaurant and drink locally crafted beer made by the people serving your dinner, how neat. I loved the open floor plan and the bar area with the plain viewing of the "brew arena" towards the back, there seemed to be a rather party going on in there I wouldn't have minded to be invited too!

Back to the food and drink. My server, just like The Ravenous Pig, was very friendly and more than willing to contribute some of her idea's. Se suggested I try a sampler of their beers and some oysters that change frequently and are served just the way I like 'em, raw. Some of the oyster's ranged from B.C. and P.E.I. back in my motherland(Oh Canada!) and Maryland. I couldn't have been any happier with them. Tabasco, crackers and oysters...nothing much better in life. The beer sampler was very cool as well. Ranging from a toxic whiskey ale at 12% ABV and all different style's, my pallet was left confused, quenched and happy. I'm a sucker for Golden Ale's and Blonde's(beer talk) and these two options reeled me in.

My main was uncharacteristic for me but I decided to trust my server and try her favorite, the Rabbt and Dumplings. I'm not a Rabbit fan but she seemed pretty sure of herself and I was sold by her confidence. Similar to The Ravenous Pig, another great serving dish was very aesthetically pleasing and making me want to dig my fork in. The Rabbit was just like my waitress said it would be "Tastes like Chicken"and I sure as heck wouldn't have been able to tell a difference had it been a blind tasting. The dumplins and rest of the dish were served like a stew and I killed it. I wanted to order another plate but I knew it would've been a little heavy!

Head-to-Head Ravenous Pig versus Cask and Larder. I'd have to give the edge to The Ravenous Pig. The meal was just slightly better and the drinks were really spot on. Overall atmosphere of the two and servers were some of the best I've experienced.