Bazille - Nordstrom Ottawa (Review)

Tucked away on the second level of Nordstrom, Rideau Centre, lies the hidden gem of Bazille. It's sophisticated, it's elegant, it's casual, it's delicious. It's definitely not what you would typically find as a dining establishment in a department store. But, if you've wandered around the new Nordstrom, you already know it is not a typical department store.

Bazille features a full bar with many unique cocktails, fine wines and beers and a bistro menu sure to please simple and more refined palates alike. In the summer, their rooftop terrace will surely be crawling with locals grabbing a bite and cocktail after work and tourists escaping the daytime heat for lunch or dinner.

Parmesan Baked Cauliflower

As we usually do, we ordered a few appetizers to share to get the most out of our experience. We started with the Mediterranean Hummus ($8.95) and the Parmesan Baked Cauliflower. The Hummus was deliciously paired with kalamata olives, marinated feta, extra virgin olive oil and rosemary flatbread. The olives and feta added a fresh flavour to the hummus dip, unique from traditional hummus plates we have seen in the past. The Baked Cauliflower was a special on the menu and we gobbled it up instantly A mix of parmesan and bread crumbs added texture and flavour to this healthy starter.

Mediterranean Hummus

Our main plates consisted of the Warm Asian Glazed Chicken Salad, ($12.95), the Cilantro Lime Shrimp Salad ($15.95) and the Nicoise Salad with Salmon. ($16.25). After devouring these three salads, we couldn't decide which one was our favourite. If you're in the mood for a tasty and healthy salad, any of these delicious entrees will do!!!

Warm Asian Glazed Chicken Salad

We were pleasantly surprised with the service, atmosphere and quality of the food at Bazille. The prices were a little higher than expected, but the fresh and local ingredients and good quality wine were worth the price tag in the end.

If you're hungry after an afternoon of shopping, need a break from a day of site seeing, or taking in an evening show at the NAC, Bazille is the place to be!

Verdict: 8/10 – fine dining with a casual twist

Hours: Monday to Friday 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Price: $7.75 to $32.95

Bazille, Nordstrom Rideau Centre, 50 Rideau Street, Ottawa, ON 

http://shop.nordstrom.com/st/nordstrom-rideau-centre#restaurants 

Industria Italian Brasserie (Review)

Nestled in the heart of the new culinary mecca that we call Landsdowne, Industria Italian Brasserie recently opened its door to Ottawans this past August. Tempted by its fusion of authentic and modern Italian cuisine, we headed there for a pre-Christmas celebratory dinner.

As we first walked in, we were instantly impressed by the brasserie's elaborate, yet tasteful decor, high ceilings adorned with glass bubble lighting and statement art pieces throughout. The restaurant felt very trendy and chic, but welcoming at the same time. There was also an abundance of seating, with both regular and hightop butcher-block tables, booths and a large bar. We managed to snag a great spot at a booth near the back.

The moment we sat down, we were immediately drawn to a sign on the table promoting ‘4 & 7’. We quickly discovered that between 4:00pm and 7:00pm from Monday to Friday, all drinks are $4 and all small bites (sfizi) are $7. It was 6:58pm. We frantically called over the waiter to place an order before 7:00pm. Success! In less than 2 minutes, we were able to order some drinks and a few different appetizers to start. Our waiter was more than willing to get grant us the promotion and he even recommended that we double-fist! Looking back now, we differently should have triple- or quadruple-fisted!

In our mad ordering dash, we went with the Roasted Portobello Mushrooms (regular price $9), the Beet Salad (regular price $12) and the Semolina Fried Calamari (regular price $12). Considering the clock was ticking, we made some very good choices. The Mushrooms, which were stuffed with garlic, gorgonzola, sherry, vinegar and lemon zest, were tasty and flavourful, while the Beet Salad topped with grilled onions, goat cheese, candied walnuts and arugula, was a heavenly delight. The Calamari was equally delicious and was paired perfectly with smoked peperoncino mayo.

Roasted Portobello Mushrooms

Beet Salad

Semolina Fried Calamari

For our main courses, we went with classic Italian staples: pasta and pizza. I ordered the Cavatelli Pomodoro ($15), which consisted of cavatelli pasta, fresh tomato sauce, basil and parmesan. It sounded simple, yet tasty. Unfortunately, I was somewhat disappointed by my dish. The sauce was actually too simple and lacked any real flavour. The cavatelli was also served el dente and was too hard for my liking.

Cavatelli Pomodoro 

However, my dining companions definitely made the right choices. My fellow pasta lover got the Orecchiette Salsiccia E Rapini ($17), a bowl of fresh orecchiette pasta topped with Italian sausage, rapini, tomato sauce and parmesan. Though a bit rich, the orecchiette was cooked perfectly and the chunks of spicy sausage were delicious!

Orecchiette Salsiccia E Rapini 

However, the pièce de résistance of the night was the Prosciutto E Rucola Pizza ($20). Served on a board with cutting shears, the pizza was topped with prosciutto, fresh arugula, sundried cherry tomatoes, parmesan shavings, truffle oil, tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella. The toppings were fresh and of the highest quality and the pizza itself was perfectly seasoned. The chewy crust was also simply magnificent.

Prosciutto E Rucola Pizza

Their desserts were from the predictable school of Italian sweets, as in tiramisu, bread pudding and Nutella pizza. The Nutella pizza looked ridiculously sweet and decadent, but would probably be a great treat to share amongst a big group. Unfortunately, we were too full to indulge and opted against dessert...which was a good call since we were treated to a mug of mini Amaretti cookies with our bill!

Overall, we had a great experience at Industria. The restaurant was very hip, the servers were super friendly, and the food was scrumptious (with lots of selection). I actually recommend that you peruse their online menu in advance and take a look at the pictures of all of the dishes.

We will definitely be returning to Industria again, but next time we will arrive well before 7:00pm to take advantage of the 4 & 7 promotion! Also, for you late eaters, they have another promotion called AFTER 10. Every night after 10 p.m., you can order any pizza and one beer for only $15! Now that's another great deal! Anyways, be sure to check it out...you won't be disappointed (just steer clear of the Cavatelli)!

Verdict: 8/10 – modern, delicious Italian cuisine

Hours: Sunday to Monday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Tuesday to Wednesday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Thursday and Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight

Price: Small bites range from $6-$15, Main dishes range from $15-29, Pizza ranges from $12-$20

Industria Italian Brasserie, 225 Marche Way, Landsdowne, Ottawa, ON

industriabrasserie.com

Christmas Bark (and Other Treats)

This year, I decided to cut back on my holiday baking, much to the dismay of my friends and family. I usually tend to go overboard and bake far too many treats, so I figured I would save us all a few pounds this holiday season! 

But obviously I couldn’t go cold turkey and not make anything, so I decided to go with a ‘Bark’ theme. There are so many different varieties of bark and it’s super easy to make and is perfect for sharing! So I narrowed it down to 4 different types of bark, as well as some Christmas Crack and Peanut Brittle, which are always a hit.

For the barks, I went with classic Candy Cane Bark, Mint Oreo Bark, Dark Chocolate Surprise Bark and Sweet & Salty White Chocolate Bark. All of these barks were ridiculously easy to make, and just required 7 simple steps:

1. Melt chocolate (using a double boiler, or for 1 minute intervals in the microwave)
2. Add additional ingredients (the possibilities are endless)
3. Stir to combine
4. Spread on baking sheet lined with wax paper
5. Chill until chocolate is set, about 3 hours 
6. Break bark into pieces 
7. Eat and enjoy (definitely my favourite step!)

To reproduce my bark creations, here are the ingredients that I used for each:

Candy Cane Bark:

• 1 lb of white chocolate wafers
• 10 candy canes (finely chopped)
• ½ tsp of peppermint extract
• Green sprinkles

Mint Oreo Bark:

• ¾ lb of white chocolate wafers
• ¼ lb of milk chocolate wafers
• 20 mint Oreo cookies (finely chopped) 
• ½ tsp of peppermint extract 
• Green food coloring (for white chocolate)

Dark Chocolate Surprise Bark:

• 1 lb of dark chocolate wafers
• 1 ½ cups of dried cranberries
• 1 ½ cups of pistachios
• ¾ cup of shredded coconut (unsweetened)

Sweet & Salty White Chocolate Bark:

• 1 lb of white chocolate wafers
• 2 cups of pretzels (chopped)
• 1 cup roasted almonds (whole)*
• 2 tbsp sea salt (to sprinkle on top)

*To roast almonds, spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and place in a cold oven. Turn oven on to 350°F and bake almonds, stirring occasionally, until light tan and fragrant, for about 12 to 15 minutes.

Now, the Christmas Crack and Peanut Brittle requires slightly more time and effort, however, it is still quite easy.

Christmas Crack

Ingredients:

• 50 saltine crackers (approx.)
• 2 sticks (1 cup) butter, cubed
• 1 cup soft light brown sugar, packed
• 2 cups chocolate chips
• Decoration (sprinkles, M&Ms, nuts etc.)

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 325°F.
2. Line a large pan with aluminum foil. Spray the foil with non-stick cooking spray and then line the pan with saltine crackers.
3. Place the butter and sugar in a medium sized pot over low medium-low heat. Stir until the butter is melted. Once the butter has melted, bring to a boil for 2-3 minutes. Stir constantly.
4. Once it's nice and bubbly, remove pan from heat and pour evenly over saltine crackers. Spread mixture with a knife...however it doesn't have to be perfect. Try to move fast during this part so the toffee doesn't harden.
5. Place pan in the oven and bake for 6-8 minutes. The mixture will spread evenly over the crackers as it bakes.
6. Remove pan from oven and then sprinkle the chocolate chips on top of the toffee while it's still hot. Let the chocolate chips melt for a few minutes and then spread all over the toffee with a spatula. 
7. Top with sprinkles or M&M's (or nuts) on top and then place in the freezer for 30 minutes. Once chocolate has hardened, break pieces off the foil and store in an airtight container. 

Peanut Brittle

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup light corn syrup 
• ⅛ tsp of salt 
• 1 cup dry-roasted raw peanuts 
• 2 tbsp butter 
• 1 tsp baking soda 
• 2 tsp vanilla 

Directions:

1. Combine sugar, corn syrup and salt in a medium-size heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture starts to boil. 
2. Boil without stirring for 5 minutes or until a candy thermometer reaches 310°F. 
3. Add peanuts, and cook for 2-3 more minutes or until the thermometer is at 280°F. 
4. Remove from heat, and stir in butter and remaining ingredients.
5. Pour mixture onto a metal surface or into a shallow pan. 
6. Allow to stand 5 minutes or until hardened. Break into pieces.

Substitutions/Additions: You may wish to substitute peanuts for pecans, or try adding in 1 cup of popped popcorn before you pour the mixture into the pan. Yummy!

After all of my creations sufficiently chilled, I broke them into pieces and divvied them up amongst my friends and family. All in all, this year’s “baking” day was much, much easier than usual, and took far less time and effort than past years. I highly recommend others to go the ‘bark’ route!

I also may have made one batch of shortbread cookies. You can find the recipe here: http://www.browneyedbaker.com/shortbread-cookies/.

Crock Pot Parmesan Ranch Chex Mix (Recipe)

It’s that time of year again...party time that is. And as we all know, with every party, there’s an abundance of delicious hors d’oeuvre, baked goods and mini bites. So if you're planning on hosting or attending a party this month, and you are looking to make a simple, yet delicious crowd-pleaser to add to the menu, then look no further! Homemade Chex Mix is the way to go.

This past weekend, I made the following crock pot recipe for a Christmas Wine and Cheese. While the spread was clearly dominated by cheese, the Chex Mix was a nice contrast to the rich, decadent flavours and proved to be a real hit! The parmesan and ranch seasoning was also an interesting twist on the traditional Chex Mix flavours.

To recreate this scrumptious party snack, simply get out your crock pot and follow the below directions. It’s sure to get your guests smiling, munching and snacking away all night!

Ingredients: 

• 3 cups Rice Chex 
• 2 cups Cheerios 
• 2 cups Waffle Pretzels 
• 2 cups Cheese Nips 
• 1 ½ cups Lightly Salted Whole Cashews 
• 1/3 cup Butter, melted 
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire Sauce 
• 1 Hidden Valley or Club House Ranch Mix packet 
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan Cheese

Directions:

1. Add Chex, Cheerios, Pretzels, Cheese Nips, and Cashews to crock pot, and stir well to combine. 
2. In small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, Worcestershire Sauce and Ranch Mix packet. 
3. Pour butter mixture over snacks in crock pot, and stir well. 
4. Cover crock pot with lid, and place a paper towel just under the lid to collect the condensation when cooking (This will keep your Chex Mix nice and crispy). 
5. Cook on LOW for 2.5 - 3 hours, or until done. Make sure to stir well at least every 30 to 45 minutes to avoid burning. 
6. Once done, spread Chex Mix out on wax paper to cool. Sprinkle evenly with the Parmesan Cheese. Store in an airtight container. 
7. ENJOY! 

Verdict: a party favourite guaranteed to be enjoyed by all!
Total Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: between 2 hour 30 mins – 3 hours
Rating: 9/10

Clover Food | Drink (Review)

We recently stumbled upon Clover Food and Drink, a new culinary hot spot that took over the organic sandwich shop Bowich on Bank Street. Chef and co-owner West de Castro left her sous-chef position at ZenKitchen to open Clover in the summer of 2014.

Drawing upon her experience at Zen, de Castro has put together a creative, yet simple menu, full of delicious soups, sandwiches and pastas—most of which are vegan friendly. All of the dishes are prepared with locally sourced ingredients from Ottawa’s very own farmers and suppliers.

The restaurant is small, yet cozy and has a very minimalist and industrial-type design, with wooden chairs, benches, caged lights and exposed brick walls. However, despite the stark and sparing decor, it still feels warm and inviting.

This past Wednesday, we ventured over to Clover for lunch. I was torn between ordering the Organic Chicken Wrap ($14) and the Sautéed Chickpeas ($13), but in the end, I went with the Chickpeas, which were served with carrot ribbons, shaved cauliflower, scallions, parsley, and lemon & white balsamic dressing. The flavours were phenomenal and tasted quite fresh, and the dish itself was very nicely presented. It was also just the right portion for lunch and sufficiently filled me up.

My lunch companion went with the Ploughman's ($15), which consisted of hunter's salami, hard boiled egg, aged cheddar, house pickles, maple mustard and a sourdough wedge. The dish was simple, yet satisfying; however, we both had expected an actual sandwich, rather than a charcuterie-type board.

Overall, I was very impressed with the menu and the staff here, and I highly encourage other Ottawa foodies to give it a try. The dinner menu looks equally delicious, and I definitely plan to go back to experience another of de Castro’s culinary creations.

Clover is certainly taking interesting culinary risks and it is just another example of how Ottawa is turning into a food mecca, much like Montreal and Toronto.

Verdict: 8/10 – creative, fresh and locally-sourced dishes

Hours: Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Price: Lunch ranges from $8 to $15, Dinner ranges from $10 to $25

Clover Food | Drink, 155 Bank Street, Ottawa, ON 

cloverottawa.ca

NeXT Ottawa (Review)

NeXT is THE place to go for brunch in Ottawa. Chef and owner Michael Blackie is the hottest chef in Ottawa right now - he's the man behind the Brookstreet Hotel and also worked as executive chef at the NAC. He has had a long culinary career, spanning 30 years all over the world. Needless to say, we couldn't be happier that he decided to set up shop in Ottawa and has put his heart and soul into his Canadian and internationally mixed cuisine.

NeXT is located in Stittsville, but is well worth the drive from anywhere in Ottawa. Their brunch is the main attraction on weekends. Go in with an open mind, as they serve their brunch on a board filled with fifteen different mouth watering delicacies, a mixture of Canadian and Asian flavours.

I can't even begin to name everything on the board, but a few of the highlights include the Tempura Cheese Curds, the Buttermilk Banana Pancakes and the Currywurst. Each board serves two people and is priced at $25 per person. The meal is accompanied with unlimited coffee, tea and an assortment of fresh juices. If you have allergies or simply dislike certain foods, Chef Blackie will accommodate and make a few substitutions.

The Brunch Board for Two ($25 per person) 

The service is excellent and the ambiance reminds us of a cool, casual hotel lobby, with comfortable seating, bright natural light and an open kitchen, where you can witness Blackie and his kitchen staff making the magic happen. Chef Blackie ensures every guest is completely satisfied with their meal and he explains each item on the board and answers any questions or concerns you may have.

NeXT also serves a fabulous lunch and dinner, but the brunch is an absolute must try. They also serve functions and cater special events, such as weddings that seat up to 185 guests.

Stop by NeXT this weekend!

Verdict: 10/10

Hours: Brunch served Sundays 10:30 am to 1:30 pm; Lunch served Thursday to Friday 11:00 am to 2:00 pm; Dinner served 7 days a week 5:30 pm to 11:30 pm

Price: Brunch - $25 per person; Lunch - $25; Dinner - ranges from $7-$38

NeXT Ottawa, 6400 Hazledean Rd, Stittsville, Ottawa
www.nextfood.ca

JOEY Landsdowne (Review)

Joey's is a chain establishment, which we usually shy away from, but Jeff Fuller (CEO and President) has managed to create a unique and personalized dining experience with each one of his restaurants. Each location is suited to the local vibe, but they all have a few things in common: "great food, fun times and exceptional dining experiences". We can certainly attest to each of these facts. The service was great, the food was fresh, bold and dynamic, and the atmosphere is nothing shy of extraordinary. It is very apparent that considerable time, effort and quality design was put into every square inch of this restaurant.

We will focus on the culinary creations as it is the main reason why we will continue to frequent Joey's for many of our dining events to come. We obviously shared a number of appetizers and the servers were very knowledgable and flexible with our gluten free guest orders. We started with the Calamari Fritti with tempura vegetables and spicy aioli, the Japanese Gyoza and the Mezze Plate. The Mezze Plate came with crispy pitas, but they added some fresh cucumbers and carrots for a gluten free palate. All the appetizers were to die for.

Calamari Fritti ($13)

Mezze Plate ($13)

Our main dishes were as equally savoury and unique. We tried the Ahi Tuna Club topped with bacon, sweet pepper relish and onion rings (yes, onion rings), and the Sashimi Tuna Salad paired with mangos, peanuts, avocado, crispy noodles, and cilantro ginger dressing. We also tried the Steak and Sushi, a Japanese twist on the traditional Surf & Turf, which was served with prime steak, ponzu sauce and rainbow roll. All of the entrees were delicious. Looking back at our photos and perusing through the menu again is making us hungry for another trip to Joey's.

Sashimi Tuna Salad ($19)

Ahi Tuna Club ($17.25)

Steak & Sushi ($25.25)

The location also couldn't get any better. With its proximity to the shops and sporting events at Landsdowne, Joey's is in the centre of Ottawa's newest entertainment hot spot. That being said, you will probably be waiting for a table longer than usual if you don't have a reservation, and apparently they don't take reservations on game nights. So make sure to keep this in mind.

Next time we return, we will tackle their delicious dessert menu as we were too stuffed to order anything sweet.

Verdict: 9/10

Hours: Sunday to Thursday 11:00 am to Midnight; Friday and Saturday 11:00 am to 1:00 am

Price: Appetizers $7-$20; Main dishes $15-$35

Joey Restaurants (Landsdowne), 825 Exhibition Way, Ottawa, ON 
http://joeyrestaurants.com/locations/#!/restaurant/1597/canada

The Waverley East (Review)

Orleans is slowly waking up from its suburban slumber and becoming quite the hub for foodies. Over the last year, a number of culinary hot spots have been popping up in this growing suburb and we couldn't be happier. One new gem that opened recently is the Waverley East. Located at the corner of Trim and Innes, this gastropub is all about reinvigorating the social aspect of dining. Don't be fooled by its' strip mall appearance, with its dim lighting, funky artwork and statement furniture, the ambiance is cool, comfy and welcoming. The vibe is also welcoming for all - stop by for a quick bite, spend a few hours on a romantic dinner or a large birthday gathering, or meet friends for late night drinks.

Because it's a new establishment, it does have its little kinks to work out, but nothing that will deter us from returning for more delicious food and cocktails. The service was a bit slow on our first visit, but they were apologetic and the owner was available throughout the evening to address any questions we had.

The wine and cocktails are unique and tasty and the food is fresh and plentiful. We shared a few appetizers with our first round of drinks and they did not disappoint. We delved into the French Onion Soup ($9), the Steamed Mussels ($13) and the Fresh Oysters. The French Onion Soup was definitely tasty and satisfying (big enough for a meal), loaded with cheese and fresh crouton pieces. The Mussels were a bit lacking in flavour, but the Oysters were fresh and priced decently.

Our main meals consisted of the Roasted Beet Salad ($10), the Kale & Romaine Caesar ($10) and the Orecchiette Carbonara ($18). All three were delicious. I don't usually opt for a pasta meal, but the Carbonara caught my eye instantly - it was loaded with pork belly, and topped with pan seared pork tenderloin. I couldn't pass it up.

Overall, we were pretty impressed with this new hot spot in Orleans. The party and the drinks are flowing on weekends and you can catch a late night DJ to keep you entertained.

We will definitely be back!

Verdict: 7/10 - still a few kinks to work out

Hours: Monday to Friday 11:00 am to 2:00 am; Saturday and Sunday 9:00 am to 2:00 am

Price: Appetizers $9-$15; Main dishes $9-$25

Waverley East, 5160 Innes Road, Orleans, Ontario 
https://www.facebook.com/thewaverleyeast

Oreo White Chocolate Cheesecake (Recipe)

For our latest dinner party, the theme was all things cheese!! So fittingly, I decided to make a cheesecake for dessert. I found a great recipe for an Oreo White Chocolate Cheesecake. It was super easy to make and turned out to be a real crowd pleaser.

If you love Oreos, this is the recipe for you! (And if you don't, then we can't be friends.)

Ingredients:

3 x 154 g packets of Oreo cookies
Mini Oreos for decorating
75 g unsalted butter (melted)
300 g cream cheese (room temperature)
300 ml double cream (or whipping cream)
150 g white chocolate
1 tbsp water
1 tsp gelatine

Directions:

1. Lightly grease a 8-9 inch springform cake tin with butter.
2. Remove the filling of some of the Oreos until you get 200 grams of just biscuits to use for the base. Discard the filling. Finely crush them and put them in a bowl. Add the melted butter and mix until combined. Press mixture over base of the tin evenly. Refrigerate while you make the cheesecake mixture.
3. With the rest of the Oreos, cut them up into small pieces.
4. Put the tablespoon of cold water in a small bowl and add in the teaspoon of gelatine. Place the bowl in a small saucepan of simmering water until the gelatine dissolves.
5. Melt the chocolate over a double boiler or in the microwave (30 seconds at a time until melted).
6. In a large bowl, whisk the cream cheese until smooth. Add in the gelatine and melted chocolate and mix until smooth and combined.
7. In a smaller bowl, lightly whip the cream until it forms soft peaks (make sure not to over whip). Then gently fold into the cream cheese mixture and mix until combined.
8. Stir in the pieces of Oreos, then pour the mixture over the prepared biscuit base.
9. Spread the mixture evenly over the biscuit base with a palette knife until it's smooth and even. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, ideally over night. 
10. Remove the cheesecake from the tin and cut into 12 pieces and place a mini Oreo (or a few) on top of each slice.
11. Take the cheesecake out of the fridge and leave for 15-30 minutes before serving.

Yields: 12 servings

Verdict: a delectable dessert that will change the way you think about cheesecake
Total Prep Time: 45 min
Refrigerate Time: at least 4 hours (ideally over night) 

Rating: 9.5/10

Aroma Small Plates & Wine (Review)

For our next culinary adventure, we found ourselves at Aroma Small Plates & Wine, a modest restaurant nestled in an old Victorian house in Centretown. Specializing in Greek cuisine, Aroma boasts an intimate and casual atmosphere with an extensive, yet moderately priced menu. As evidenced by its name, this Greek eatery features an array of small plates and tapas of authentic and innovative fare, which are best shared amongst a group.

When we first arrived, we were kindly greeted by our waitress, who sat us at a round table by the fireplace in the front room. The cozy and familiar setting of the house instantly made us feel welcomed, much like we were attending a friend’s dinner party.

Tzatziki & Spanikomizithra

As first-timers, our informative waitress explained the menu and suggested ordering between 6 to 8 dishes, a few from each category on the menu. The categories included: The Dips, From the Garden, From the Sea and From the Earth. There was also a dessert category, which was fittingly named Sweet Conclusions. But before making any rash decisions, we perused the elaborate menu and then settled on 7 dishes, which were served sequentially throughout the evening.

All of the plates were designed for two people, but could be easily adjusted to accommodate the size of the party. As a group of four, our prices were simply doubled. To begin our meal, we went with two dips: Tzatziki ($5) and Spanikomizithra ($5). The classic Tzatziki and the Spanikomizithra dip, made of Mizithra cheese, spinach, roasted red peppers, roasted garlic, and almonds, were served with warm pita, which was generously refilled. The Spanikomizithra was delicious and a great way to start our culinary experience.

Next up were the Dolmades ($12). Grape leaves stuffed with extra lean halal ground beef, dill, rice and avgolemono sauce were tasty and extremely satisfying. From there, we were served the Arancini ($15), which were Arborio rice balls stuffed with mozzarella and squid ink, and coated in breadcrumbs. While the tomato sauce and zesty aioli accompaniments were tasty, the Arancini missed the mark. They lacked the traditional crispy exterior and were quite sparing on the cheese. Unfortunately, they tasted bland and we were unimpressed.

Dolmades ($12)

Arancini ($15)

However, our taste buds were delighted with our next dish…the Gorgonzola Gnocchi ($16). Perfectly cooked soft dough dumplings were drizzled in a creamy gorgonzola sauce and topped with wild mushrooms, roasted garlic and goat cheese. We all agreed that this was by far the best dish of the night. The rich flavours and interesting textures skyrocketed this plate to the front of the pack. The Gnocchi is definitely a must-try for any Aroma patron.

Gorgonzola Gnocchi ($16)

Seared Haloumi ($14)

At this point, we were starting to get full, but we had to make room for three more dishes! As cheese lovers, our next two dishes featured different types of Greek cheese. First, we were served the Seared Haloumi ($14), a semi-hard brine-cured cheese from Greece. Normally, I absolutely adore Haloumi. I love the distinctive layered texture and subtle flavor of this cheese. However, this time, the toppings ruined it for me. The combination of fennel, onion, mint and honey compote did not work.

Luckily, our next cheese plate made up for it. We went with the Saganaki ($14), a pan-seared Greek cheese served in a cast-iron skillet. After being fried, the cheese was flambéed at the table, and the flames were then extinguished with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. The cheese was scrumptious and provided that melt-in-your-mouth sensation.

Saganaki ($14)

Finally, to finish off the meal, we went with the Madjool Stuffed Dates ($20). Large dates were stuffed with gorgonzola cheese, topped with pan-seared foie gras and deglazed with Marsala and spicy gingered candied walnuts. It was the perfect combination of sweet and salty, and the perfect way to end our Greek feast.

Madjool Stuffed Dates ($20)

Other dishes that passed our table that looked equally delicious include the Fish Tacos, served with coleslaw, tomatoes, coconut, cilantro, lime and jalapeno aioli ($24), and the Beetroot Towers, slow roasted beetroot wheels layered with garlic yogurt and topped with micro greens, roasted chopped walnuts and balsamic reduction ($14).

Overall, Aroma left us extremely satisfied; a combination of efficient staff, a relaxing ambience and high-quality Greek cuisine makes for a thoroughly recommendable dining experience.

Verdict: 7.5/10 – tasty authentic Greek tapas, but a few dishes missed the mark

Hours: Monday to Thursday from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm, 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm; Friday from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm, 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm; Saturday from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Price: Small plates range from $5-$13 (2 person portion sizes)

Aroma Small Plates and Wine, 239 Nepean Street, Ottawa, ON
www.aromameze.com