 Pretzels have a long and storied history with legends dating back to the Middle Ages, but thanks to Opa's Pretzels arrival in St. Thomas, we no longer have to experience the Dark Ages as the traditional German style soft pretzel is experiencing a bit of a Renaissance.
One pretzel tale claims in 1614 Switzerland, royal couples used pretzels in wedding ceremonies as a similar practice to wishbones. In fact, many believe this may have led to the phrase "tying the knot." Regardless of its origins, the pretzel quickly became a staple across Europe, beloved by peasants and nobility. It wasn't just a tasty snack but a symbol of good luck and prosperity. In some regions, it was customary for children to wear pretzel necklaces on New Year's Day for good fortune.
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 Plaza Sushi in St. Thomas Food tells us stories. Your favourite family recipe tells the story of your ancestors, passed down from generation to generation, perhaps brought from country to country, with each family member tweaking it a bit to suit their tastes and the accessible ingredients. Food also tells us stories on a broader, community level. The types of food available—the restaurants, the options in grocery stores, the crops grown in nearby fields—all tell a story about the people who live here and where they came from.
 Two passionate individuals have carved their niche in the culinary world in the heart of St. Thomas, where the sense of community is as rich as the fertile soil beneath the local farms. Rob, a chef with a lifelong dream, and Terrie, a seasoned entrepreneur, are the driving forces behind Two Forks, Port Stanley and the newly launched Grassroots in St. Thomas. These two restaurants have quickly become local gems.
 If you've been in St. Thomas for any length of time - you've likely heard of Legends. If you've been a part of the community for a while, you have probably made some of your own #LegendaryMemories at the landmark restaurant in the heart of Downtown.
The Legends Tavern family just marked its 25th Anniversary. I sat down with owner Andy Lerikos just ahead of the celebration, and he was all smiles with anticipation for the day - an opportunity to welcome regulars and friends old and new through the doors. What's clear in speaking with Andy is that his passion for the restaurant business is built around the people as much as it's about the food.  The Bistro has been a much loved local destination back to its days as the Beanery. While there has been growth and change over the decades, one thing has stayed the same - the sunflower bread!
As new owners, Akshay and Mayuri Patil are excited about introducing their take on international fusion cuisine while continuing to offer crowd favourites. They've already made a few additional like their Avo Mini Bombs. An incredibly delicious version of street food from India, consisting of crispy wontons.  Buffalo wings. In a moment of truth and vulerability - despite knowing that Buffalo wings originated in Buffalo, New York, my brain sometimes unwittingly envisions giant buffalo with tiny delicious wings trying to fly - it almost always makes me giggle.
The truth however, is that deep-fried chicken wings have long been a staple of Southern cooking. But the concept of cooking wings in peppery hot sauce wasn't born until 1964 at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo. Co-owner Teressa Bellissimo cooked wings that were sent to her in error (she was disappointed it wasn't the chicken necks she ordered) in hot sauce as a late-night snack for her son and his friends.  Paleta Passion - Milk based Coconut and Water based Mango Chili Bringing the farm to the heart of the city since 1878, The Horton Farmers' Market is a vibrant weekly market open from May through October in Downtown St. Thomas.
Horton is a producer-based market focusing on locally grown and produced foods and artisan goods. Vendors are welcomed from a radius of 60km to support keeping dollars local. The vendors are small business people and farmers - no resellers here. While there are a number of vendors who attend the market every week, there is always something new to discover, be it seasonal produce coming on - early spring boasts asparagus and rhubarb while the fall offers squash and apples - or those who pop up at the market occasionally. Attending the market each Saturday can always be a fresh experience.  If you are looking for a neighbourhood haunt to call your own (or you're just looking for an opportunity for a beer with friends), Caps Off Brewing Co. should definitely be on your list to check out. Located in the same building where Railway City Brewing was born, it's continuing the local tradition of craft brewing and highlighting some of the quirks that make us special.
 A long time ago on a cruise ship far far away continually disappointed by gelatinous creations masquerading as decadent desserts - I promised myself I would never again eat a dessert that I wasn't enjoying. Equipped with a sweet tooth inherited from my father, I am not always successful at backing away from the sweets.
That same sweet tooth tingled at the discovery of a brand new bakery conveniently located very near my office.  Mr. & Mrs. Bao is among the latest additions to the expanding flavours of Downtown St. Thomas. Their menu pairs ancient Chinese Traditions with modern flavours incorporating other cultural favourites like Caribbean Jerk Chicken into Asian Fusion Comfort Food - on the go!
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