Homemade favourites in downtown Sussex
Taste and See and Stable Grounds Café, located in Sussex NB, first opened in 2013 with a unique concept. The inspiration was truly spiritual; with a faith-based décor and Christian music playing in the background, some felt that it might be a little too far out of the box; but it worked then and continues to work now.
In May of 2018 the then owners contacted Sylvia Lewis and offered her a job at the restaurant doing prep and dishes. Feeling unfulfilled working in the financial industry and with husband Todd continuously pushing her to make a change, she jumped ship.
After just a few weeks Sylvia was challenged to start working some breakfast shifts in the front kitchen and from that time forward she feels that she hasn’t really worked a single day; she has found what she loves.
Sylvia got her love for cooking, baking, and creating new things from her Aunt Dib. “She taught me that cooking for and feeding people is a way to show love. Watching from the restaurant’s open kitchen as people are enjoying the things that we create is the best feeling in the world”.
In early 2019, talks began for Sylvia and Todd to purchase the restaurant. Even with no formal restaurant or even business experience for that matter the couple took another leap of faith, and they haven’t looked back.
The menu was largely established by that time, but a few enhancements have been made. All baked goods are made fresh every morning; the sauces, dressings, falafels, veggie burgers and desserts are also made from scratch in house and are original.
Whenever possible, supplies are locally sourced; for example, breads come from Archie’s Bake Shoppe right next door; coffee beans are roasted to Sylvia and Todd’s specific taste and branded at Piccadilly Coffee Roasters; and meat for their amazing burgers comes from D&A Meats in Petitcodiac.
The three top menu items at Taste and See, according to Sylvia are their Crunchy Chicken Salad, the Susstown Burger and fries (fries are cut fresh every day inhouse) and the Neighbrewhood BBQ Burger and fries. When we stopped in, I devoured the Neighbrewhood BBQ burger. It’s no secret that I love burgers, and this is surely one of the best ever!
The couple have a close friendship with Rick and Alaina Lockhart of Sussex Ale Works and collaborate as much as they can. The first collaboration was the creation of Taste and See’s signature BBQ sauce, The Neighbrewhood BBQ Sauce, made with an IPA beer from the Ale Works. This in turn inspired the creation of the Neighbrewhood BBQ Burger.
During the summer months, the restaurant has what they call Takeaway Thursdays. Even though they close at 3pm on Thursdays, they re-open from 5pm until 8pm for takeout. People call in and pick up or relax right next door at the brewery’s taproom or patio and the food is brought right to you. The latest collaboration is brew-battered fresh haddock, only offered for Takeaway Thursday, guaranteeing fresh haddock. The brew batter is made from another craft beer from Sussex Ale Works called the Piccadilly Pale.
After being in the Sussex area since 2008, Sylvia couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. She says, “There are so many great little restaurants, shops and many other attractions for tourists. Sussex is central to all three major cities in New Brunswick, and it is an amazing place to live and do business. Sylvia continues, “Even with the number of restaurants in our area, we don’t look at any of them as competition; as we all offer something different and that can be an attraction for people to venture to our little town while just out for a drive. We all truly love what we do and who we get to do it with daily. ”It certainly shows in their popularity!
Taste and See is located at 609 Main St in Sussex and is open Tuesday through to Saturday. Their Facebook page includes their menus and is at facebook.com/tasteandseesussex.