Too cold for comfort
Herb's Travel Plaza, Vankleek Hill, ON
When travelling from Ottawa to Montreal and back, I often stopped at Herb's. This place started small a few decades ago, just a trailer or a shack in my memory, but already recognizable from afar by its red and white roof.
Situated about halfway between the two cities, Herb's has grown over the years to a full-fledged highway rest stop catering to truckers as well as everyone who needs a break from driving. In addition to a restaurant there is a mini-market that also sells gifts, take-out sandwiches and snacks.
Today was the first time I perused their dessert menu and discovered they served "Dutch" apple pie. Having eaten apple tart in Holland myself well before this blog existed (come to think of it, well before the internet existed), I can state with some confidence that this pie had no relationship to Holland. I can only assume that the word "Dutch" signals the presence of cinnamon.
This being said, the Herb's version of apple pie looked very promising with its layer of crumble topping and its thick apple filling. The filling consisted of real apple pieces with indeed a light touch of cinnamon and almost no gelatineous filling. So far so good.
Unfortunately, this apple tart failed to deliver on its promise, mainly because it was served cold. And I don't mean room temperature, no it was really fresh-from-the fridge cold. Also, in spite of the appearance, the crumble topping did not get my taste buds excited.
I don't drive that route very often anymore, but if I have a chance at a second try, I will ask them to warm up their pie. I have the feeling that would have significantly changed my review.
Situated about halfway between the two cities, Herb's has grown over the years to a full-fledged highway rest stop catering to truckers as well as everyone who needs a break from driving. In addition to a restaurant there is a mini-market that also sells gifts, take-out sandwiches and snacks.
Today was the first time I perused their dessert menu and discovered they served "Dutch" apple pie. Having eaten apple tart in Holland myself well before this blog existed (come to think of it, well before the internet existed), I can state with some confidence that this pie had no relationship to Holland. I can only assume that the word "Dutch" signals the presence of cinnamon.
 |
| "Dutch" apple pie |
This being said, the Herb's version of apple pie looked very promising with its layer of crumble topping and its thick apple filling. The filling consisted of real apple pieces with indeed a light touch of cinnamon and almost no gelatineous filling. So far so good.
Unfortunately, this apple tart failed to deliver on its promise, mainly because it was served cold. And I don't mean room temperature, no it was really fresh-from-the fridge cold. Also, in spite of the appearance, the crumble topping did not get my taste buds excited.
I don't drive that route very often anymore, but if I have a chance at a second try, I will ask them to warm up their pie. I have the feeling that would have significantly changed my review.
 |
| Herb's Travel Plaza |
Comments
Post a Comment