Things that Surprised Me about Saskatoon

Are there are places you’ve heard about and formed an impression of without ever being there? I have a list. For example, I’ve heard a lot about New York and seen photos of people in Times Square, but I can’t get over the one photo a lady posted on TikTok where a rat jumped in for a cameo. Since then, in my head, New York has been “rat city”. Paris smells like ammonia, so it’s “urine city”. Saskatoon? Well, I did not have a name for it, but I had an image in my head. I imagined a flat, vast piece of land filled with endless rows of maize. The main streets would be empty, with the occasional group of lumberjacks coming into the city to visit the only pub in town where they would catch up with their farmer friends and maybe play pool. Forgive me, Saskatoon, I was wrong.

Last month, I had to visit Saskatoon for two weeks for work, and I remember thinking, “Two weeks? I’ll be so bored, I’ll probably walk out of my skin.” Well, again, I was wrong. Saskatoon had many surprises I did not expect.

The first thing that stood out to me was how visibly diverse the population is. I live in Ottawa, and while one can argue that Ottawa is a diverse city, it is easier to find more of the same. In Saskatoon, it is different. People from various backgrounds interacting freely and comfortably was a standout feature I did not expect. I knew from the moment I noticed this, that I was in for two weeks of being disabused of my misconceptions.

Secondly, Saskatoon has an arts scene.. I certainly did not expect this, but was pleasantly surprised to have stumbled on it. When people speak about Saskatoon, they hardly mention art. I am more likely to hear about potash, mining, the need for oil and gas. Why doesn’t anyone talk about the art? The Remai Modern Art Museum in the downtown area was just what the doctor ordered after a quick Canadian Breakfast at Hudson’s in the downtown area. By the way, that was my first time trying Tater Tots #chefskiss!

From the moment you walk into the Remai Art Gallery, you will be taken in by the ceiling-high display of hanging pieces of metal. Entry into the gallery is based on donations, which, in my opinion, is a good way to build a welcoming environment for people who appreciate art but might not be able to afford the ticket prices often attached to such places. But it did not end there. On Sunday, my colleagues and I walked to Broadway Avenue. No offence to the Saskatoon Downtown area lovers, but Broadway is, without a doubt, a better vibe. It is lined with small artsy shops, restaurants, and cafes, and has a liveliness to it that just makes you feel like you are part of the city. Here, we visited the Saskatchewan Craft Council, where I finally came to accept that the one thing I could and would be excellent at is spending money on beautiful art pieces for my home. On our way to Broadway, we stumbled on a street Arts and Crafts market where we enjoyed a display of unique pieces of decorative art and jewellery. They were all so beautiful, I bought a pair of earrings, just because.

The third surprise in Saskatoon was the food. When I first arrived, I was not sure what to expect. I stayed in a hotel far from the downtown area (which I was grateful for), and a half-hour walk from Broadway (which I did not mind). So, for the first couple of nights, I relied on food deliveries to nourish myself. But I soon got bored of playing “guess if this will taste as good as it looks”, and wanted to check out the food scene. I was pleasantly surprised. If you are in Saskatoon and wondering which restaurants to try, here are some of the restaurants I visited:

• Prairie Sun Brewery: A relaxed restaurant with an outdoor seating area in the Broadway area. The Burrito bowl? Ten out of ten.
• Calories: A sit-down restaurant with a simple, delicious menu for everyone. The best part of this restaurant that is not captured in the menu is the dessert selection. From what I heard, the desserts are baked fresh in-house, and regardless of what you choose, you can’t go wrong. I advise asking for recommendations from the staff if you don’t have a sweet tooth to avoid ending up with an overly sweet dessert like I did.
• Mano’s: Unlike the other two, Mano’s is not in the Broadway area, so I was hesitant at first. But a colleague had recommended it to me, and even sent me a link to the restaurant’s site, which I interpreted as the Canadian way of saying “girl! I can vouch for this place with my life”. I had no regrets. It also helped that they had screens where we could watch the Oilers beat the Panthers. Sadly, they won the battle but not the war. Rooting for them to win next time!
• Filosophi: I really cannot write about the restaurants I liked without paying homage to Filosophi. It was the closest restaurant to the hotel I stayed and It was a big relief to find that the food was delicious. The New York steak with mushrooms, gravy and garlic mash? I’d happily have that again.

All in all, Saskatoon was a pleasant surprise. The people were lovely, warm and receptive. My misconceptions were born from what people had told me. Now, I wonder if those people were ever in Saskatoon. If you have some time on a weekend and happen to be in the Saskatoon area, don’t hesitate to go out and about. I bet you will be pleased you did.