When you hear Saskatoon what kind of imagery comes to your mind? Is it visions of a bustling downtown scene with martini-sipping, olive-biting trendsetters? Or a lonely tumbleweed on flatlands slowly making its way into the sunset? Probably the latter, which is why I am writing this post. This city has much more than berries to offer; it has Flint . One of the unique things about Flint is its simple yet variable food menu. The establishment boasts a sort of choose-your-own-adventure charcuterie board menu. Partnering with a local specialty cheese & meat supplier/shop, The Bulk Cheese Warehouse , the lounge offers an array of options to make your board exactly how you want it! Choosing my own adventure in the charcuterie world, I opted for a plate consisting of schinenspeck (German-style smoked bacon), tomme de savoie cheese, breemster cheese (aged gouda), sundried tomato tapenade, locally-made mustard relish, and pickles , accompanied by a hermit loaf to serve as a blank canvas for all possible combinations. I chose the Berry Saskatoon martini to drink while enjoying the food (when in Rome, right?) The same playful attitude Flint creates with their menu options, even transfers onto their write-on-me brick wall. You can chalk it up to plain old fun, but patrons have the option of proclaiming their thoughts of the moment on the wall. Loves found, loves lost, friendships forever, and the most common, ‘I <3 Flint,’ cover about 15 feet of brick. Note: Do not get too offended if your comments are erased and written over. It's a busy place, and everyone's got feelings! Next time you're in Saskatoon and in the mood for a martini and a bite to eat, swing by Flint and experience it for yourself! You need to upgrade your Flash Player to 9 or greater Dan Clapson is a business manager and food blogger based out of Calgary. He is always creating new recipes and striving to expand his culinary limits. Related: New Guest Blogger: Endangered Cheese to 7-Star Resort Pasta, Calgary's Bite! Has it All New Guest Blogger: Making Macarons in Paris Calling Food Bloggers

When my husband and I moved to Saskatoon three years ago, we were excited about the adventure of it all – new jobs, new house, new friends, and of course, new restaurants. Long before we arrived, our friends and new colleagues began raving about a particular Indian restaurant – the Taj Majal. We heard about the fresh ingredients, the in-house roasted and ground spices, and the fragrant sauce reductions (yeah, we have foodie friends!). We also read about this restaurant in the popular guide Where to Eat in Canada where they have been featured each year since 1997! Suffice it to say we were drooling before even stepping in the door. When we had our first dinner there (only a few days after unpacking), we were blown away. The trinity that I always look for, food, service, atmosphere, is most definitely there. Over the last three years, the Taj Mahal has become our favourite restaurant in the city. The Taj, as we fondly call it at home, is run by Nitu and Rano Vasani and has been serving the Saskatoon community since 1989. Each dish is made from scratch with no preservatives. The curries are all reductions without any thickening agents used. Everything is made in-house, including the paneer (Indian cheese) and kulfi (similar to ice cream). If you are new to Indian cuisine, the hosts (father and son) will gladly help with the menu. Their explanations and recommendations are valued and you often get an extra anecdote about a dish. Note: the rice pudding has no raisins because Dad doesn’t like raisins (fortunately, neither do I). A “typical” order includes appetizers, one dish per person, a couple of breads and rice to share. Some of our favourites include: Nawabi Badami Murgha: Chicken breast in a creamy curry, sprinkled with almonds Gosht Masala: AAA Sirloin beef in a tomato curry Saag Panir: Homemade cheese in a spinach and broccoli sauce We always try to save room for dessert as the choices are all delicious: gulab jamans (fried milk-balls in syrup), kheer (rice pudding), kulfi with rose syrup, or mango ice cream. After about three visits, the Vasani family knew our names and made it a point to greet us personally, even on the phone when we call for reservations! Every city we visit, we try out the local Indian restaurants, but we haven’t found any that we enjoy as much as the Taj Majal. The delicious curries and unparalleled service always make it a great night! View Larger Map Taj Mahal 1013 Broadway Avenue Saskatoon, SK ...