Fauna Food & Bar (Review)

After a two year wait, the much anticipated Fauna restaurant finally opened its doors at the beginning of September. As a result of constant disputes with the landlord, Chef Jon Svazas had to continually postpone the grand opening of his restaurant. In the end, issues were resolved and Svazas was able to turn his culinary dreams into reality.

Lola and I had long awaited the opening of this restaurant and as a result, we went into our dining experience with very high expectations. All of the hype and publicity really set the bar high.

Kimchi Caesar ($10)

When we first entered the space, we were warmly greeted and seated at a table in the far corner, which was one of the few tables that offered some level of privacy between dining parties. All of the other tables were closely packed together. We did enjoy the atmosphere of the restaurant though, which boasted a trendy and contemporary vibe, with bursts of orange throughout.

Having said that, the menu did not please us in the same way. We were disappointed to see the typical menu options that are popping up in so many of Ottawa's newest restaurants. There was of course the typical 'Steak and Frites', the always-present duck breast and the once-original-but-now-overdone pork belly. There was nothing exceedingly original or different that caught our eye, with the exception of the Kimchi Caesar (which we of course had to try). It was an interesting spin on the classic caesar with punches of soy sauce, black pepper and kimchi.

Sweet Potato Soup ($5)

Beet Salad ($12)

For our main courses, we decided to order a bunch of dishes to satisfy our wide-ranging palette. To start, we went with the Sweet Potato Soup with pork belly bits and truffle oil for $5 and the Beet Salad with goat cheese, pearled onions, arugula, almonds and balsamic drizzle for $12. We then ordered four additional dishes: Tempura Skewer ($16), Swordfish ($18), Pork Belly ($15) and Mushroom Inari ($14).

Mushroom Inari ($14)

Tempura Skewer (1-$8 /2-$16)

The Tempura Skewer was probably our favourite dish of the night, which consisted of scallops, chorizo, basil, cilantro and sweet chilli. The mix of flavours worked fabulously. The other three dishes, however, were just satisfactory. Nothing blew us away. The portion sizes were also extremely small for the price of the dishes.

Pork Belly ($15)

Swordfish ($18)

To finish off the evening, we had to try something sweet. We went with the Squash Sticky Toffee made with pistachios, apples, Dulce de leche, creme caramel and ice cream. It was deliciously sweet, but we couldn't figure out how the squash came into play.

Squash Sticky Toffee ($9)

Overall, I think we went into this experience with ridiculously high expectations and as such, we were let down. We were definitely hoping for much more creative menu choices, or at least something out of the ordinary.

Verdict: 6/10...underwhelmed....great atmosphere, but conventional menu.

Hours: Sunday to Wednesday: 5:30pm-10:00pm; Thursday to Saturday: 5:30pm-12:00am

Price: $5-$18

Fauna Food & Bar, 450 Bank Street, Ottawa, ON, K2P 1Y7

www.faunaottawa.ca

Cacao 70 (Review)

Another new establishment to pop up in Ottawa's ByWard Market is the chocolate heaven Cacao 70. Their menu has a variety of chocolate treats including Grilled Marshmallows ('Make your own Smores'), Chocolate Parfaits, Waffles, Cheesecakes, Chocolate Pizzas, Fondues, Shakes, Hot Chocolate and Crepes. Their chocolate menu goes on for pages and pages, but they also have a wide variety of savory brunch treats, including Grilled Sandwiches, Pressed Crepe Sandwiches, Salted Crepes, and Omelets.

This one sunny Sunday afternoon after a few too many Saturday evening cocktails, we ventured to Cacao 70 for a sweet and savoury brunch.

Iced Lattes 

We started off with a delicious iced latte and fruit plate with decadent melted chocolate (which came with our meal order). This was a pleasant and tasty surprise and didn't stay on the plate for too long (luckily we had enough time to take the photo).

We decided we were in the mood for something savory, so we both ordered the Open Face Breakfast Chicken Sandwich, which comes with 2 fried eggs, grilled chicken mixed with mayonnaise, parsley and fresh greens on top of whole-wheat bread and served with potatoes. The sandwich was definitely decadent and satisfied our post-Saturday hungers, but if you're not used to eating dark meat, the taste was definitely different than the chicken sandwiches we are used to.

Side of Fruit and melted Chocolate 

Open Face Breakfast Chicken Sandwich 

Guests around us were ordering plates of crepes, waffles and ice cream, so we will definitely be back to indulge our sweet tooth on another evening occasion.

Next time you're having a girls night and craving chocolate, head to Cacao 70 for a fun-filled evening of Fondue and Smores that will leave your taste buds on a sugar high and your tummies satisfied.

Verdict: 8/10 - Stick to the chocolate items!

Hours: Sunday to Thursday 10:00am-11:00pm. Friday & Saturday 10:00pm - midnight

Cost: $$ more expensive than your local greasy spoon, but affordable

Cacao 70, 51-53 William St, Ottawa, ON 
http://cacao70.ca/en/

Salt Ottawa (Review)

The latest eatery to pop up on Preston street is the elegant and romantic "Salt". Located in Preston Square, this sophisticated and posh space features crystal chandeliers draping the ceiling, dark window coverings and lustrous dining tables and chairs.

They have an extensive drink menu of craft cocktails, beer and wine. Their signature cocktail is the Cool Heat, which has Tequila, lime juice, orange juice, jalapeno, cilantro and sugar. The combination is shocking yet very unique.

We started our meal off with a few shareables, including the Artisanal Bread Board and the Salt Brick Tuna Tataki. The bread board was $5, but the apple gastrique and herb whipped butter was a delicious added touch that was a perfect size for our party of five.

Artisanal Bread Board - Chef's selection of three house baked breads;
apple gastrique; garden herb whipped butter ($5) 

  

Pan Seared Nova Scotia Scallops - roasted potatoes; heirloom carrots;
snap peas; grapefruit ($28)  

For the main course, I decided to order the Scallops, which were paired with a unique combination of potatoes, carrots, snap peas and grapefruit. The portion was a bit small, but the flavours were delicious. Our other satisfied dining guests ordered the Lobster Spaghetti and the Summer Salad.

Overall, we were pretty impressed with Salt, but they still have a few kinks to work out and possibly a few more items to add to their menu.

If you're looking for an elegant night out paired with good service, tasty libations and unique eats, you should definitely check out Salt in Ottawa's Little Italy.

Verdict: 8/10 - good service, good food and drinks - a bit overpriced.

Hours: Open daily from 11am-2pm

Cost: $$$

Salt Ottawa, 345A Preston, Ottawa, ON. 
http://saltottawa.ca/

Ace Mercado (Review)

We may be a long way from the southern border, but the Mexican culinary canon has infiltrated the Ottawa market. Located on the corner of Clarence and Dalhousie, Ace Mercado has recently opened its doors. Top Chef Canada's winner Rene Rodriguez along with Trisha Donaldson have created a Mexican root cuisine inspired menu using local produce, sustainable seafood and prime butchered meats. This new trendy restaurant, with its hip decor, exposed brick, large windows and uber dim lighting is well positioned to become the next hot spot in the Byward Market.

Mexican Bricklayer Dip

When we arrived on a Friday night, the place was packed with foodies alike. The waitstaff were friendly and welcoming and more than pleased to offer up some menu suggestions. Ace Mercado visionary Phil Faubert recommended a sampling of drinks and dishes so as to optimize our culinary experience. We started off the night with a signature Ace Margarita ($11), which was a brilliant blend of Cazadores Reposado, lime juice, Tromba agave and black salt rim. Then came the Mexican Bricklayer Dip ($15) made with tomatillo, queso fresco, avocado, creme, black sesame, coriander, and served with freshly made tortilla chips. The dip was fresh and flavourful, and my only complaint was that there wasn't enough!

Tacos

From there, we decided to jump right into the tacos. The menu features five innovative taco flavours ranging from $5-6 each, including red snapper, braised lamb, pig cheek, charred zucchini and chicken. We tried one of each type (minus the zucchini, since let's be honest, we like our meat). The red snapper taco was served with tomatillo salsa, pickled serrano chiles, and corn relish, while the braised lamb taco rocked queso fresco, lime habanero mojo and avocado. The pig cheek taco was topped with burnt onion relish, pineapple, radish, chicharron and cilantro, and finally the chicken taco was perfectly paired with queso fresco, pickled cabbage and tomatillo salsa. All were mind-bendingly delicious and built with smartly sourced ingredients. We all had different favourites, but mine was definitely the chicken taco! While I have often raved about the tacos at El Camino, I believe the tacos at Ace Mercado are better (which says a lot for those who have tried El Camino)!

Mexican Fries

Seared Tuna Tostada

After the tacos, our appetites were not yet appeased, and so we ordered the Seared Tuna Tostada ($15) and the Mexican Fries ($8). The Tuna was served with onion sofrito, radish, salt cured tomato and serrano chile. The flavour combination was heavenly and it quite literally melted in your mouth. The Mexican Fries were topped with smoked mayo, manchego, pig cheek bits and valentina. These were yummy, but very, very spicy...so be warned! We also couldn't stop thinking about the tacos, and so we ordered another round of our favourites!!

Tromba Verdita

To finish off the evening, we decided to try some tequila. We went with the Tromba Verdita ($10). Tromba premium tequila was served with a chaser made of pineapple juice, lime, cilantro, mint and jalapeño peppers. While I am typically not a fan of tequila, this was definitely the best way to drink it. The chaser-type drink was also surprisingly refreshing.

Overall, our experience at Ace Mercado was extremely positive. This new restaurant delights with its hip food and vibe. The cuisine is a unique combination of modern Mexican that still feels authentic! We highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a delightful evening filled with delicious food, inventive cocktails and friendly service.

Verdict: 10/10....everything exceeded my expectations!

Hours: Monday to Wednesday: 5:00 pm - 12:00 am; Thursday to Saturday: 5:00 pm - 2:00 pm Sunday: 5:00 pm - 12:00 am

Price: $5-$36

Ace Mercado, 121 Clarence Street, Ottawa, ON, K1N 5P5

Rosie's Southern Kitchen & Raw Bar (Review)

The Glebe in Ottawa is a fabulous eclectic mix of old and new, and vintage and modern. On any given day, you can spot young moms decked out in Lululemon drinking lattes, women wearing hemp chewing on organic granola bars, and traditional Glebeites walking their Corgis and meeting old friends for sparkling cocktails at the number of patios strewn along Bank Street. Since the current revitalization of Landsdowne, a number of new restaurants, coffee shops and boutiques have been popping up to serve the crowds expected to attend the soccer and football games in the coming years.

We don't often venture to the Glebe, but we are always dazzled and impressed when we do. Last week, we headed to a new hot spot that serves a unique mix of raw and cooked seafood including scallops, mussels, oysters and fish, and southern inspired dishes, such as fried chicken, ribs, pork chops, ribeye and burgers. Rosie's is the absolute perfect spot to satisfy the tummies of seafood and meat lovers alike.

Guacamole with Fresh Corn Chips - $11

We started off nibbling on some corn chips with homemade Guacamole, which is definitely recommended. I also couldn't resist indulging in a crab cake to start, which was topped with a deliciously homemade cilantro chimichurri sauce. There was just enough spice to wake up my taste buds and the crab was chunky and perfectly fresh.

Crab Cake - $14

Our main dishes consisted of the Blackened Catfish and the Southern Fried Chicken. The Catfish was paired with garlic shrimp, chorizo sausage, mexican rice and market fresh vegetables. The dish was delicious, but very spicy so I would not recommend it if you are not a fan of a spice kick. The Southern Fried Chicken was paired with garlic mashed potatoes and vegetables. The dish was also spicy, but so moist and crispy and paired fabulously with the accompanying sauces. The size was also perfect for anyone with a healthy appetite.

Blackened Catfish - $24

Southern Fried Chicken - $25 

We definitely recommend stopping by Rosie's after your next trip to watch the Redblacks in action. Grab a drink (or two), chat with the friendly staff and indulge in some traditional Southern fare and delicious seafood!

Verdict: 8/10 - Friendly staff, great selection of beverages and food - should be warned about the spiciness of the dishes.

Hours: Sunday 11:00am-10:00; Monday Closed; Tuesday -Wednesday 11:30-11:00pm; Thursday - Friday 11:30am-Midnight; Saturday 11:00am-Midnight

Cost: Appetizers $5-$18; Main dishes $20-$40

Rosie's Southern Kitchen and Raw Bar. 895 Bank St. Ottawa, ON.
http://rosiesonbank.ca/

Raspberry Sour Cream Crumble Cake - Gluten-free, Vegan, No Refined Sugar (Recipe)

Another birthday...another cake!! For my father's birthday last weekend, I ventured down the healthy path and decided to make him a waist-friendly cake. I wanted to figure out whether 'healthy' could actually mean 'delicious'. I opted for a gluten-free, vegan and refined sugar-free recipe. Since my dad's favourite fruit are raspberries, it was an easy choice when I came across a recipe for a Raspberry Sour Cream Crumble Cake.

The recipe was extremely easy to make, and I have to admit, it turned out great! It tasted wonderfully fresh and light and above all, it didn't make me feel guilty! My family also enjoyed it and found it was a nice change from my typically rich and sweet desserts. 

Here's how you too can recreate this healthy treat:

Ingredients:

Crust/Crumbles

¼ cup & 1 tbsp raw coconut oil
6 large medjool or California dates
1 cup toasted almond slices (I roasted the almond slices in the oven at 350F for 12 minutes)
1 cup coconut flour (If you do not like the taste of coconut, opt for another gluten-free flour, like rice flour or sorghum)
¼ tsp sea salt
1 tsp vanilla extract

Filling/Topping
½ cup sour cream
¼ cup maple syrup OR honey
2 tbsp coconut flour
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¾ bag of frozen raspberries (1 bag = 12oz / 340g)

Directions: 

1. Defrost raspberries. (If you forget to take them out, you can defrost them in a pot of boiling water).

2. Preheat oven to 325F and grease the bottom of an 9" spring form pan or line with parchment paper.

3. In a small saucepan, slowly melt coconut oil on low heat (or you can melt it in the microwave on low for 30 seconds).

4. Chop dates into small pieces and process in blender or food processor.

5. Add almond slices and process again.

6. Add coconut flour, coconut oil, sea salt and vanilla extract and process until you have a sticky-wet, crumbly consistency. If you pinch it, it should hold together.

7. Set ¼ of the crust aside and press the remainder into the bottom of the spring form pan and up to about 1 inch on the side.

8. For the filling, beat egg and add sour cream, maple syrup, coconut flour and vanilla extract; mix well. It should be a thick, creamy consistency – if it is too runny, add another tablespoon of coconut flour.

9. Pour your filling over your crust and spread out evenly. (I didn't feel that there was enough filling, and so I made another batch by repeating step #8, and poured it on top).

10. Cover with raspberries and add crumbles on top.

11. Bake for 28 - 33 minutes. Make sure the center is cooked through.

12. Allow to cool down before serving, and enjoy!

Yields: 10 servings

Verdict: Light and refreshing treat
Total Prep Time: 45 min
Baking Time: 30 min

Rating: 7.5/10

Churro Chex Mix (Recipe)

This past weekend, I attended a Mexican-themed potluck. Since I was late to step up to the plate, all of the classic Mexican entrées were already taken and so I decided to tackle a Mexican dessert. I figured that churros -- those long, deep-fried doughnut tasting treats covered in cinnamon and sugar -- would be a big hit, and so I began searching for recipes. Given that I had little time to make these, I searched for a different take on the classic churro. This is when I stumbled upon a recipe for Churro Chex Mix. It looked easy enough, yet delicious, and so I went with it!

Basically, this recipe takes all that sweet goodness from the churro and transforms it into a no-bake, bite-sized, mouth-pleasing replica. Not only are these a sugar lover's dream come true, they are a no-bake, quick-and-easy sweet treat for all. They were definitely a big hit at the potluck and were truly addictive. Caution: once you start, you just can't stop!

Ingredients:

9 cups Chex cereal (*I used rice Chex)
2 cups cinnamon chips (*I couldn't find cinnamon chips anywhere, and so I got butterscotch chips instead, which I think were equally delicious, if not more!)
1/4 cup butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (*I increased the cinnamon to 1 tbsp since I didn't use cinnamon chips)

Directions:

1. Pour cereal into a large bowl, set aside. 
2. Mix sugars and cinnamon together in a small bowl and set that aside too.
3. Melt cinnamon (or butterscotch) chips and butter in microwave for 30 seconds, then stir. Put back in for another 10 seconds and stir again until smooth. If you have to heat it again, just do it for 10 seconds so as not to overheat it.
4. Pour over cereal mixture and mix until the cereal is all coated. 
5. Slowly add half of the sugar mixture to the cereal while tossing. Coat the whole mixture and then lay it on wax paper on the countertop. 
6. Sprinkle the rest of the sugar mixture on top and let it cool before serving or storing.

Yields: Serves a party of 15 (with leftovers)

Verdict: Indulgent and highly addictive...great for a party!

Total Prep Time: 20 minutes

Rating: 9/10