Eat Like Executive Chef Jesse Vergen in Saint John, New Brunswick

Posted by Claudia McNeilly on June 22, 2016

From real Italian wood-fired pizza to fresh clams and casual dining full of authentic flavour, executive chef and former Top Chef Canada contestant James Vergen shares some of his favourite local haunts in Saint John, New Brunswick.

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Meet Executive Chef Jesse Vergen

Jesse Vergen is a former Top Chef Canada contestant, as well as the executive chef of Saint John Ale House and owner of Smoking Pig Real BBQ. He's also a strong believer in the local food movement. Originally from Saint John, Jesse currently lives just outside of the city on a small farm. His earliest food memory involves eating sweet peas, carrots and other vegetables with a little dirt still on them after pulling them out of the garden with his mother.
Pomodori Pizza Facebook Pags

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Pomodori Pizza

"They keep it real at <a href="http://www.pomodori.com/">Pomodori Pizza</a> by using a wood fired panel. It’s so real, in fact, that they competed in Italy in a pizza-making contest and came in the top three!"
Ossie's Lunch Counter Facebook Page

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Ossie's Lunch Counter

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ossieslunch/">"Ossie’s Lunch Counter</a> in between Saint John and St. Andrews has, what are in my opinion, the best fried clams in the world! You can’t argue with a place that has been feeding locals that live on the Bay of Fundy for 50 years. Each batch is fresh shucked, dipped and battered before being fried to golden brown perfection. It's very easy to overcook or undercook them. But at Ossie's, they always handle the clams perfectly. It's an art that many try to copy but few do as well as these ladies."
East Coast Bistro Facebook Page

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East Coast Bistro

"<a href="http://eastcoastbistro.com/">East Coast Bistro</a> has some of the best food in the city, but chef owners Kim and Tim hit the sweets outta the park! You have to try their sticky toffee pudding with rum and vanilla gelato, or their chocolate bete noire with raspberry sorbet. You could even wash it down with Bistro Fog coffee filled with delicious chocolate liqueurs for the perfect end to a foggy night!"
Port City Royal Facebook Page

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Port City Royal

"This restaurant is a Saint John original! Chef Jacob Lutes kills it in with authentic New Brunswick flavours through ingredients like Crosby's Molasses, Acadian Sturgeon and Bunnett Farm Pork. With its gritty warm architecture, <a href="http://www.portcityroyal.com/">Port City Royal</a> feels quintessentially Saint John. Plus, they have the best negroni in the city!"
Robertson Room at Shadow Lawn Inn Facebook Page

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Robertson Room at Shadow Lawn Inn

"Robertson Room at Shadow Lawn Inn has been a staple in fine dining in our area for decades. They did an amazing new modern reno with Chef Markian Shafransky, formerly of the Rossmount Inn and I know it will be a staple in the neighbourhood for decades to come."
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