Union 613 (Review)

Union 613 has been on our list of eats since it opened last year. It's a rather small restaurant in an old house so it's sometimes difficult to get a table unless you plan ahead and make reservations. But let me tell you it is well worth the wait. The atmosphere is rustic but cozy and casual. The staff are friendly (And the real kind of friendly. Not the "you better give me a good tip because I'm being attentive kind of friendly") and they are knowledgeable about the drinks and food on the menu.

Union's theme is a Canadian take on classic southern food with an urban flare and a Prohibition-style ambiance with all the bourbon classic libations to go along with it. Most of the seating is also communal so feel free to strike up a conversation with the hipsters sitting next to you.

The menu's presentation caught our eye as the front page is made of burlap with Union's infamous logo. After visiting Georgia and South Carolina earlier this year, we were comforted by the familiar southern staples that appeared on the menu, such as boiled peanuts, grits, cornbread and fried chicken.


Our classic cocktails came served in mason jars and we were treated to some boiled peanuts while we mulled over the menu. We decided to share a few side and main dish items so we would get the most out of our experience. Our sides for sharing were the cast-iron cornbread with bourbon brown butter ($6) and the cheddar and roasted garlic hominy grits ($5), which tasted as decadent as they sound. The main dishes we tried had some of the most unique flavor combinations including the smoked hog jowl, watermelon & pickled rind with chiles, benne ginger and sorghum dressing ($18); the cracker crusted Louisiana catfish with pecan puree, wilted frisee and lemon ($17); the free range southern fried chicken with pepper vinegar ($14); and the rabbit, scallop and crab skillet with chiles and popcorn ($17).

The food was so delectable and rich but we couldn't pass up sharing some dessert. We chose to try the fried cherry & lavender pie with vanilla bean gelato and lemon gel. There was not a crumb left within 5 minutes, needless to say we weren't quick enough to get a photo.

Cast-iron Cornbread; Cheddar and Roasted Garlic Grits

 Union's atmosphere has an added bonus with a newly added speakeasy in the basement. To stay with their prohibition theme, speakeasies were underground establishments that served alcohol illegally in the United States during the prohibition-era of the 1920s. Obviously Union's speakeasy is totally legal, but the experience of walking through an artificial bookshelf definitely takes you back to that era. Next time you call to make a reservation ask to be seated in the basement.

Union is also one of the only restaurants in the city that continues serving food until 2am so club-goers can fancy themselves a little something extra than the ordinary poutine, pizza or shawarma.

Verdict: A 1920s southern experience. Authentic yet modern food. Young, rustic and casual atmosphere.

Cost: Sharing sides about $5. Main dishes range from $15-$18. Drinks from $10-$15

Hours: Monday & Tuesday 11:30am-2:00pm and 5:30pm-10:00pm. Wednesday - Friday 11:30am-2:00pm and 5:30pm-2:00am. Saturday 5:30pm-2:00am. Sunday 5:30pm-10:00pm

Union Local 613. 315 Somerset Street West. Ottawa ON. 
www.union613.ca
www.facebook.com/UnionLocal613

Slow Cooker Moroccan Stew (Recipe)

Looking for a simple, tasty and wholesome meal? With little prep work involved, you can enjoy this highly aromatic Moroccan Stew served hot and fresh from your slow cooker!

This recipe makes roughly 6 to 7 portions, and can be easily frozen for future meals.

Ingredients:

2 tsp olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into ½-inch cubes
1 cup carrots, chopped
28 oz can of crushed tomato
½ cup vegetable broth
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground cumin
½ tsp red pepper flakes
Handful fresh basil (or cilantro or mint), chopped coarsely
15 oz can of chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained
1/2 cup raisins (optional)

Directions:

1. Sauté onions in the olive oil in skillet with garlic until onion is tender. 
2. Toss all ingredients (except basil, chickpeas and raisins) into the slow cooker. 
3. Cover and turn to low heat and simmer for 6 hours. 
4. Add the basil, chickpeas and raisins and cook for another 15 minutes. 

ENJOY!

Verdict: Rich and flavourful stew that comes together easily

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours 15 minutes (on low in a slow cooker)

Rating: 7.5/10

Art-Is-In Bakery (Review)

Do not despair…Lola and I are still blogging and eating our way through Ottawa and beyond! We have just been busy with our underground search for new recipes and great tastes, but we are now ready to share them with the world!

Recently, we had the opportunity to try Art-Is-In Bakery…which is actually much, much more than just a bakery. Not only do they sell an assortment of fresh baked goods, breads and traditional pastries, cakes and cookies, they also serve a wide selection of gourmet sandwiches, soups, salads, daily flatbread pizzas, as well as a variety of hot and cold drinks.

Tucked away in an industrial warehouse on City Centre Avenue, Art-Is-In is a showcase of modern ambiance and artisanal values. Kevin Mathieson, the mastermind behind this gourmet hot spot, uses only the purest of ingredients and does not believe in rushing perfection. All of the breads sold here are made by hand from start to finish.

When Lola and I first pulled up to this concrete haven, we immediately noticed a long lineup of hipsters, fawning foodies, and in-the-know locals and visitors stretching out from the front door. Clearly we came to the right place for lunch!

Once we made it in, we were engulfed by a divine scent of pastries, breads and espresso. The ambiance was thrilling, with patrons enjoying their food at mismatched tables scattered throughout the loading dock.

The elaborate menu and mouth-watering display of fine pastries, desserts and rustic breads and baguettes made it very difficult to pick just one item. Although I wanted to try it all, I decided to go with the Buttermilk Brined Chicken Caesar Sandwich for $10.95, which consisted of chicken pieces with bacon, havarti, tomatoes, arugula and homemade Caesar dressing. This heavenly creation was served on their special Dynamite cheddar, jalapeno and chive bread, which to my opinion, made the sandwich! The chicken was tender and moist and the bread was perfectly crunchy. This was by far one of the best sandwiches I have tasted in a very long time.

Lola decided to go with the Salmon Gravlax Sandwich with dill, cream cheese, arugula and avocados, which was an item from the Specials menu for $11.95 (specials change daily). For those of you who are new to the word ‘Gravlax’, it is a traditional Nordic dish of raw salmon cured with salt, sugar and dill. Lola’s sandwich was delectable, which was also served on the Dynamite bread.

To satisfy our hearty appetites, we also shared a side salad of mixed leaves and house dressing, and a classic cream soda. We couldn’t resist getting something sweet, and so we ended the meal with a signature cookie. We went with the Trio of Chocolate with Almond – a cookie of white, milk and dark chocolate chunks with toasted almonds. As we enjoyed our meals outside in the sun, our cookie was perfectly heated for optimal enjoyment!

Other lunch items that caught our eye include the pulled pork mac & cheese, crispy pickle melt, flatbread pizza and clam chowder! The Old Fashioned Potato Donut also looked amazing!


It is very clear that many have fallen in love with this culinary gem, especially with the crusty loaves of hand-crafted breads—each one a culmination of careful, patient steps. You too can enjoy their breads without venturing to City Centre, as they are now available at Farm Boy locations across Ottawa. In addition, Art-Is-In participates in various Farmer’s Markets throughout the summer every Thursday through Sunday.

For bigger events, Art-Is-In also provides office catering, as well as rents out the warehouse space for a range of events, whether it be a sit-down dinner or stand-up reception.

Lola and I thoroughly enjoyed our lunch, and will definitely be returning for their Sunday brunch, which is served every Sunday from 9am to 1pm. Apparently, the brunch burger—a fried-egg-crowned beef patty served on a brioche bun—is a must-try!

Verdict: delicious, fresh and pure ingredients combine to create signature creations; raw industrial hipster vibe

Cost: Lunch items range between $6.50-$13.95; pastries range between $2.50-$4.95; cakes $20-$50

Hours: Monday to Wednesday, 7am to 6pm, Thursday to Friday, 7am to 7pm, Saturday, 8am to 5pm, Sunday 8:30am to 4pm

Art-Is-In Bakery, 260 City Centre Avenue Bay 114, Ottawa Ontario
www.artisinbakery.com