Ottawa Foodie Challenge

This past weekend, Lola and I competed in the Ottawa Foodie Challenge. As food bloggers and Amazing Race connoisseurs, this event was perfect for us. It gave us the chance to test our local food and restaurant knowledge, explore the city and discover and rediscover all that Ottawa's culinary scene has to offer.

We scoured the city's central neighborhoods including Little Italy, Hintonburg, Westboro, New Edinburgh, the Glebe and the ByWard Market. During the challenge, we learnt about the best places to eat, drink and shop in Ottawa. We discovered several of the tastiest new additions to the city, as well as where to head for gourmet groceries, delis, bakeries and more.

While we would love to tell you about everywhere we went and everything we tried, the post would be far too long! So instead, we will focus on our favourite new dives where we are sure to return.

Restaurants

Bonita's Cantina 
Tucked away in the industrial park of City Centre, Bonita's is a new food truck featuring Mexican food prepared fresh daily. They offer familiar favourites, some specials and also vegetarian and gluten-free options. During the challenge, Lola and I got to taste their guacamole, which was fresh and delicious.
www.bonitascantina.com 

Hintonburg Public House
Known for its traditional pub fare and comfort food, this chic restaurant has something to please everyone. Their spicy beer nuts and fish and chips are a fan favourite.
www.hintonburgpublichouse.ca

Table 40
Established by the famous chefs/brothers of Fraser Café, Table 40 is located right beside the café and is opened on Mondays for a three-course family-style menu that changes weekly. While Lola and I haven't yet had the chance to try it, we will definitely be reserving an upcoming Monday night to experience this creative culinary experience.
www.frasercafe.ca/table40/

The Albion Rooms
Had it not been for the challenge, we may not have discovered this new gem. Located between the Arts Court and the Novotel on Nicholas Street, the Ablion Rooms have a 'farm to table' motto, featuring local, fresh ingredients and a menu that changes frequently. We got a sneak peak at the food while peeling and pickling quail eggs at this restaurant during the challenge.
www.thealbionrooms.com 

The FarmTeam Cookhouse & Bar
A North American style cookhouse and bar, The FarmTeam is the type of place you can go for locally sourced breakfast with your family, a business lunch with gourmet homemade soup and sandwich combos, or to enjoy seasonal, local Farmer’s dinners with friends.
www.farmteamcookhouse.ca

The Moon Room
Similar to Two Six {Ate}, this lounge is located in Little Italy and features small plates until 2:00am. The menu is constantly changing, yet the chefs continue to keep it interesting. Many have raved about the killer atmosphere and unique bourbon cocktails.

Union Local 316
Another great restaurant on our must-try list is definitely Union! This hipster hang-out specializes in Southern cuisine and everything that goes along with that. Boiled peanuts followed by their signature buttermilk-bathed fried chicken is sure to please any palette. Again, this Southern hot spot is open late until 2:00am.
www.union613.ca

Bakeries (and much more)

Art Is In
The participants of the Ottawa Foodie Challenge were treated with breakfast compliments of Art Is In Bakery. I indulged in a raspberry scone, which was probably the best scone I have ever tasted. But the bakery is much more than just great breads and pastries...it also specializes in cakes, macarons, tarts, and a variety of mouth-watering sandwiches and burritos, including croque monsieurs! You can find this heavenly gem in the industrial park of City Centre.
www.artisinbakery.com 

Nutty Greek Bake Shop
Made fresh and on-site, Nutty Greek offers a wide selection of sweet and savoury treats. They may be known for their Loukournades, which are bite-sized honey drenched doughnuts, however, they also serve an array of other scrumptious meals. We chowed down a fabulous Greek vegetable wrap during the challenge for some extra energy.
www.nuttygreek.com

Simply Raw Express
Located in Westboro, Simply Raw Express offers completely gluten-free, organic, plant-based and mostly raw goodies. They make various fresh-pressed juices, salads, wraps, raw desserts and cheesecakes! This place is ideal for anyone doing a raw detox.
www.simplyrawexpress.com

Suzy Q Doughnuts
Although Lola and I have both had the privilege of trying these amazing doughnuts on a few occasions, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to mention them here. Suzy Q has definitely mastered the art of doughnutry, and she should be thanked for making such edible pleasures. If you have yet to try these doughnuts, we strongly suggest that you go!
www.suzyq.ca

Wine/Beer

Beyond the Pale Brewing Company
Ottawa's newest craft brewery features hand-made and all natural beer with innovative and exciting flavours. During the challenge, Lola and I got to try their signature 'Pink Fuzz' and 'Rye Guy' beer, which definitely had an intriguing taste!
www.beyondthepale.ca

Divino Wine Studio
This welcoming wine bar space in Little Italy is part tasting room, part restaurant, part school. You can take Italian language and cooking clases or indulge in one of their house specials when the studio is not closed for a private function. During the challenge, we had to find the oldest bottle of wine on their wine wall, which exclusively features Italian wine.
www.divinowinestudio.com

Food Shops

Jacobsons 
Located in Beechwood, Jacobsons is a gourmet grocery store, specializing in cheeses, jams, preserves, oils, cured and artisanal meats, wines, pastries and chocolates. Their locally made jam has interesting combinations such as Rhubarb and Black Pepper, Peach Cardamom and Blueberry Lavender....an item we had to track down for the challenge. Everything in the store looked absolutely delectable and we will definitely be returning in the near future to stock up our cupboards!
www.jacobsons.ca

La Bottega 
A modern Italian deli located in the heart of the ByWard Market, La Bottega is one of Lola and I's favourite places! While you can shop-til-you-drop for Italian specialities, you can also grab a delicious sandwich at the deli to go, or sit down at the tables in the back and enjoy the full service lunch counter. Cooking classes are also offered, where you can learn to cook a three-course Italian meal. Also, they've recently launched a special Sunday Brunch from 11:30-2:00pm.
www.labottega.ca

The Red Apron 
The Red Apron is a unique establishment known for sophisticated comfort food. You can either shop their retail store, which carries fresh and frozen meals, fresh breads, fruit pies, cakes, etc., or you can participate in their weekly Fresh Meal service with flexible options to suit your needs. Either way, the Red Apron is a must-try!
www.redapron.ca 

There are certainly a lot more places to discover throughout our beautiful city, which you can find in the latest food edition of the Ottawa Magazine: www.ottawamagazine.com 

Two Six {Ate} (Review)

This recent cold and rainy weather put Lola and Riley in a slight food hibernation, but this past sunny weekend was a reason to celebrate the coming of Spring and a certain mother's birthday. We headed to a new spot in the heart of Little Italy to share some tapas-style food and indulge in unique cocktails and decadent desserts. Two Six {Ate} came highly recommended by a few friends and blogger "colleagues" so it was a must for our next culinary adventure.

The atmosphere was very cozy and casual and the staff were extremely friendly. Our group was a little larger than usual and they were very accommodating to our individual tastes and complicated bill splits. The drink menu features some unique cocktails including Pimms and Prosecco and a variety of wine and beer. Their dinner menu has both small sharing plates and larger main course items, but they are all served to be easily tasted and shared among friends.

Our lovely dining companions

Two Six {Ate} is not a traditional Italian restaurant, but they have incorporated some Italian flare to their dishes to appeal to the local community. We were tempted to order one of everything as it all looked divine, but decided on a few sharing plates and main dishes. Some of our group shared the Shrimp Pogos, the Ham and Cheese Arancino and the Asparagus Salad followed by the Pasta of the day, the Italian Style Banhi-Mi, the Foie Burger and the Scallops and Pork Belly. The portions were pretty decent, especially if you try a few of the sharing plates.

Scallops and Pork Belly

Pasta of the Day

Italian Style Banh-Mi

Foie Burger

If you've seen our previous blog posts, you know we can't stop before indulging in dessert, especially when they have an in-house pastry chef. Lola's ultimate favourite was definitely the Fried PB&J with Nutella and Riley's favourite was the freshly-made Cannolis. The Tiramisu and Rhubarb and Apple Tart were also a hit. If your sweet tooth is still begging for more, they have an assortment of dessert coffees and "après diner"  cocktails as well.

Tiramisu - as you can see, we couldn't wait to take the photo

Cannoli 

Rhubarb Apple Tart 

Fried PB&J

After a casual (almost three hours) meal among friends and family, all of our stomachs were full and especially satisfied. We would highly recommend this quaint and casual dining spot for dinner or late night munchies (they are open until 2am). They also have a second floor that can accommodate larger private parties.

Let us know what you think!!

Verdict: Simple, yet tasty food!

Cost: Small plates range between $5.00 - $18.00

Hours: Wednesday to Monday, 4 pm - 2 am

Two six {ate}, 268 Preston Street, Ottawa ON

www.twosixate.com

Ukrainian Cuisine (Review)

For the past six weeks, I had the good fortune of living in Kiev, Ukraine. During this time, I was able to experience all that Ukrainian cuisine has to offer…and I must say, there is a lot!

Ukrainian dishes have a sophisticated simplicity about them and often combine fresh, pickled and smoked ingredients. Their food is neither heavily spiced nor bland, but rather has the perfect combination of seasoning. Bread is of course the mainstay of the Ukrainian diet, which unfortunately has taken its toll on my waistline!

Ukrainians also do love their sour cream! I was asked "Vy khotily smetanoyu?" at almost every meal, which means "would you like sour cream?" They top everything with it, whether it be breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even dessert.

During my time in Kiev, I was able to try many different dishes, but I will only share with you my favourite ones!

First up is the national dish of Ukraine…borshch. There are many different versions of this beet-based soup, which can contain as many as 20 various ingredients, depending on the season, region, and personal preference of the cook. I’ve learned that it can be meatless or prepared from a rich meat stock and contain either beef or smoked pork. The one that I thoroughly enjoyed had pork, beets, carrots, potatoes, cabbage, onions and of course, sour cream! It was absolutely divine! You definitely cannot come to Ukraine without trying it!

Borshch

Next up are varenyky…or as we Canadians call them, perogies. Varenyky are extremely popular in Ukraine, and you can get them just about everywhere. They are dumplings made from boiled or fried dough, resembling ravioli. They can be filled with meat, potatoes, cabbage or mushrooms and served as an entrée. I tried all of the various options, except the meat ones, and my favourite was definitely the mushrooms!

Varenyky

Little did I know that you can also eat varenyky as a dessert! Unlike the hearty versions, the dough is filled with sour cherries or sweetened cottage cheese and raisins and accompanied by butter or sour cream. I treated myself once to the cherry varenyky, which were surprisingly tasty. Who would have thought…perogies as dessert! My next challenge will be to make these in Canada!

Cherry varenyky

As a huge fan of beets, I really did come to the right country. It seems that Ukrainians also share my love of beets, as they can be found in a good majority of their recipes. One of my favourite side dishes that I tried was vinihret, which is a red beetroot salad with peas, onions, beans and pickles. All of the ingredients are chopped up into little cubes, which I found quite pleasing to eat. 

Vinihret

The traditional Ukrainian stew is also a must-try. Served in an individual-sized clay pot, it consists of stewed beef, carrots, potatoes, turnips and array of spices. There were also a few clumps of fat, but I didn’t go as far as to eat those. The dish was hearty and left my appetite completely satisfied.

Ukrainian stew

Another Ukrainian favourite of mine are deruny, also known as potato pancakes. They are shallow-fried pancakes of grated or ground potato, flour and egg, often flavored with onion or garlic and seasoning. They are topped with a variety of condiments, ranging from the savory (such as sour cream or cottage cheese) to the sweet (such as apple or cherry sauce or sugar), or they can also be served ungarnished. I tried mine with both cherry sauce and sour cream, and they were quite delectable.

Potato pancakes

I have also been known to be quite obsessed with cabbage rolls back in Canada, or as they are known here, holubsti. Lola, who is of Ukrainian descent, often treats me to her family's homemade recipe. So as soon as I got here, I knew that I had to try the real deal. And just as I guessed, they were scrumptious. For those of you who have not had the opportunity to try cabbage rolls, they consist of cabbage leaves rolled up with meat and rice, which are often topped with tomato sauce and sour cream.  For the traditional Ukrainian family, holubsti are an essential part of the Christmas Eve dinner.

Holubsti

Now to quench my thirst, I also enjoyed Ukraine’s time-honored drink, kompot. It’s basically a fruit juice that’s prepared by boiling dried fruit in a large volume of water, such as strawberries, apricots, peaches, apples, rhubarb, or sour cherries. It can be drunk both hot and cold, and it is often served with fruit sediments. I really enjoyed this beverage and found that it was flavoured perfectly.

Kompot

Last but not least, I have to say a little about Ukrainian sweets. I quickly became aware that Ukrainians are obsessed with Roshen candy and chocolate. Roshen is a Ukrainian confectionary, which you can find in just about every central square, mall or underground complex. It sells an array of candy and chocolates that can be bought in bulk, making it quite cheap.

It is also here that you can buy the famous Kyivskiy tort. It is a tasty local specialty comprising of a layered cake made from crumbly raised wafers, hazelnuts, cocoa and cream. As I celebrated my birthday in Ukraine, this cake, which also serves as one of the symbols of Kiev, was a scrumptious addition to my birthday!

Kyivskiy tort

While those are by far my favourite Ukrainian dishes, I also had the opportunity to eat in an authentic Georgian restaurant. My meal was so delicious that I couldn't pass up mentioning it! La pièce de résistance was of course the khachapuri, or cheese pie, which is the national dish of Georgia. It consists of hot flaky layers of buttery bread, which is filled with a mound of mouth-watering cheese. It is so good that it is sinful…and I definitely do not want to know how many calories are in it! But suffice it to say, if you ever have the opportunity to try it, you must, and just leave all of your healthy eating mantras aside!

Khachapuri

Well there you have it folks…the best of Ukrainian cuisine! As one who is very interested in the culinary art, I have to admit that I was extremely pleased with all of the food that I tried in Ukraine and I found their national dishes to be both wholesome and delicious!

Absinthe Restaurant (Review)

I wish I had included Absinthe in our top 10 restaurant picks of 2013 because, after dining here this past Friday night, I have to say it's one of the best culinary experiences I have had in Ottawa in a long time. The atmosphere was casual yet lively, the service was impeccable and of course the food was remarkable from the first bite of home made bread to the last bite of Creme Brulee. Their commitment to serving fresh food and partnering with local farms in the area added an extra community aspect to this already great restaurant.

We celebrated a friend's birthday again this week and the staff (Joey in particular) at Absinthe made our experience very memorable with personalized service, great meal recommendations and unique cocktail choices.

With the name Absinthe we had to try one of their Absinthe infused cocktails. They are a little on the pricey side, but definitely worth the experience. The bread is also freshly made in house with their honey infused butter. Our group ordered a wide variety of appetizers and main dishes and nobody was disappointed. I started with the Escargot Gratin in mushroom caps with duxelle and terragon cream. The flavor was so rich and hearty and the leftover cream sauce was perfect for dipping the fresh bread. Other appetizers receiving the thumbs up were the Korean BBQ Quail and the Sockeye Salmon Trio.

Escargot Gratin

Clockwise from top left: Benevolent Burger, Seared Tuna,
Pork Belly and Scallops,  Mariposa Farm Duck

My appetite was quite hearty, so I decided to try the Benevolent Burger for my main. The burger came topped with Baconnaise, aged cheddar and housemade bacon with a side of BBQ pork poutine and arugula salad. I don't normally choose burgers, but I admit this was probably the best one I have tasted. My friends also raved about their dishes, including the Mariposa Farm Duck Duo, the Seared Tuna and the Pork Belly and Scallops. Each dish was a decent serving size, leaving us just hungry enough for one or two bites of the birthday Creme Brulee that was surprised to our friend.

Taihitian Vanilla Creme  Brulee 

I would recommend Absinthe over and over again for their impeccable service, fresh and local cuisine and comforting atmosphere. 

Verdict: 10+ in all categories 

Price: Appetizers range from $7-$14. Main courses range from $23-$30. Drinks are on the pricier side - Cocktails range from $9-$14. 

Hours: Monday to Friday 11:30am-2:00pm, 5:30pm-10:00pm. Saturdays and Sundays 5:30pm-10:00pm

Absinthe Cafe, 1208 Wellington Street West, Ottawa On. 

http://www.absinthecafe.ca/

Brunch at Benny's Bistro (Review)

Brunch is an amazing concept and a mix of my two favourite things: Champagne and eggs! When drinking bubbly before noon is socially acceptable, count me in. Benny's Bistro is a small breakfast, brunch and lunch spot at the back of the French Baker on Murray Street. It has a relaxed atmosphere, friendly service and an open kitchen to watch the chefs make their masterpieces. 

We obviously started with some mimomas and Kir Royale (Champagne and Creme de Casis), with fresh baked bread from the French Baker. The menu changes regularly but they seem to offer a regular selection of french toast, eggs, pancakes and smoked salmon, among other creative dishes.  

I indulged in the Salmon gravlax paired with a warm lemon, caper and fingerling potato salad, with a side of olive tapenade, and a sunnyside egg on top. The dish looked small when it arrived, but the layers were quite deceiving and I was totally satisfied on my last bite.  

Benny's Salmon Gravlax, $15

My brunch partner (aka my mother) decided for the sweet option of the aged cheddar stuffed french toast with roasted royal gala apple compote, brown butter oat crumble and salted caramel. I'm not normally a huge fan of sweet breakfasts/brunches, but this did not disappoint. The French Baker bread added a fresh and dense flavor to this traditional dish.

Aged Cheddar stuffed French Toast, $14 

Brunch is such a fabulous weekend treat and a great excuse to spend more time with family and friends. Benny's Bistro offers a relaxed environment with fresh, local and unique ingredients at a decent price. Reservations can be made on weekdays, but be prepared to wait a few minutes for a table on weekends.
Don't forget to check out the French Baker for fresh breads and pastries on your way out.

Verdict: Good service, relaxing environment, good quality food.

Price: Not your $4.99 breakfast, but decent prices for weekend brunch. $14-$17 per dish.

Hours: 8:00am - 2:30pm

Benny's Bistro (The French Baker), 119 Murray Street, Ottawa. 
http://www.bennysbistro.ca/bennys/index.aspx

Gezellig (Review)

We recently celebrated a special friend's birthday and what better place to celebrate than at one of our top picks for 2013. Gezellig, the third restaurant to join the Beckta family, recently opened on Richmond Road offering quality local and sustainable food and world class wine.

The atmosphere is comfortable and friendly and accommodating for large groups and parties. The menu features a unique selection of small plates and mains, each including a suggested wine pairing. After enjoying some wine, local fresh bread and a few appetizers, the phrase "quality over quantity" definitely came to mind. The portions were not overly filling, but the unique mix of flavors and quality ingredients definitely made my taste buds happy.

I started with the winter vegetable soup with orzo, mushroom broth, togarashi (chili spice) and truffle oil as an appetizer and the Crispy Sweetbreads with sautéed apples, swiss chard, parmesan and bacon mustard vinaigrette for my main. I also inhaled the "Butter Finger" for dessert which was a layered mousse style cake with peanut butter, white, milk and dark chocolate, graham cookie and chocolate anglaise. If you've never heard of or tried Sweetbreads before, I definitely recommend it. It's a little daring, but you will not regret it (side note - ask what it is after you try it).

Other praised dishes included the Beef Tartare, the Warm Beet Salad, the Seared Alaskan Scallops, the Shortrib Steak and the Grilled Quail.

Verdict: Overall, I was very impressed with my experience at Gezellig. Small on portion size but big on flavor!

Cost: Appetizers range from $8-$15, main courses from $21-$28. They also offer sharing plates for about $30.

Hours: Monday - Friday from noon-2:00pm and 5:30pm-10:00pm. Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00am-2:00pm and 5:30pm-10:00pm.

Gezellig, 337 Richmond Road, Ottawa
http://www.gezelligdining.ca/

My Two Favourite Superbowl Munchies (Recipe)

I'm not really a television sports fan, but when food is one of the main attractions, I'm always up for trying new recipes. This year for Super Bowl XL VII, along with the standard chili, chicken wings and beer, we tried two new items that were a definite crowd pleaser. The Corona Lime Cupcakes and the Bacon Wrapped Deep Fried Pepperoncini Poppers were a hit at our Super Bowl party and will definitely become a staple in my future baking and sports watching menu repertoire. 

Corona Lime Cupcakes

Ingredients for the cupcakes:

- 3/4 cup of unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 3/4 cup of sugar
- 2 1/2 cup of flour
- 2 tsp of baking powder
- 1/2 tsp of salt
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp of vanilla
- 1/2 tsp lime zest
- 1 cup of Corona beer, plus more for brushing on tops
- 1/4 of milk
- Lime wedges for each cupcake

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line 24 muffin tins with cupcake liners.

2. In a medium size bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.

3. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat together the butter and sugar until light a fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

4. Add eggs, beating after each addition, then add vanilla and lime zest.

5. Combine milk and beer in a separate bowl. Alternatively add the beer/milk mixture and the flour mixture to the butter/sugar mixture on low speed, beginning and ending with the flour.

6. Fill the cupcake liners about 2/3 full and bake for 18 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

7. When cupcakes are done, poke holes in the tops of the cupcakes with toothpicks and brush some beer on while they are still warm. (I omitted this step because I thought the beer taste would be too strong, but I definitely regret this decision as they could have been slightly more moist)

8. Let cool completely on a baking rack before icing.

Ingredients for citrus icing:

- 12 ounce cream cheese
- 6 tbsp of butter, room temperature
- 1 tbsp of freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 tsp of lime zest
- 4 cups of powdered sugar

Directions: 

1. Cream together the cream cheese and butter in an electric mixer until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.

2. Add the lime juice and zest and gradually add the powdered sugar until combined. Beat until smooth for about 2 minutes.

3. You can use a piping bag to frost the cupcakes, but I simply used a butter knife. The icing is quite sweet, so you can choose the amount of frosting depending on your sweet tooth level.

Serve and Enjoy!!! 

Bacon-Wrapped Deep Fried Pepperoncini Poppers

These poppers are best made with a deep fryer, but they can also be made slightly healthier by baking them in the oven, without adding the egg and bread-crumb mixture. 

They are a great make-ahead appetizer that requires little work so you can simply throw them into the deep fryer and enjoy your party.

Ingredients 

- Canned Pepperoncini Peppers (They are sweeter and less spicy than Jalapeno peppers, but you can swap for Jalapeno peppers)
- Bacon, raw (about half a piece per pepper, depending on the size of the pepper)
- 1 8oz container of herb and garlic cream cheese
- 1 Italian sausage, casing removed

For Batter  
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup of flour
- 1 cup of Italian (Panko) bread crumbs

Directions:

1. Cut the stems off the peppers so there is a small hole in the top end to drain the liquid and seeds.

2. Make sure to remove the seeds and center and cut a portion lengthwise so you can easily fill them with the cream cheese and sausage.

3. Fry the sausage and mix with the herb and garlic cream cheese.

4. Fill the peppers with cream cheese mixture and wrap with bacon.

5. If you do not have a deep fryer, this is when you would bake in oven, on 375 for about 20 minutes, or until bacon looks cooked. 

6. For deep fryer, place aside until ready. 

7. Crack eggs in a bowl, and mix flour and bread crumbs on a separate plate. 

8. Dunk poppers in egg bowl and coat with bread crumbs. Cook in deep fryer until coating is crispy and bacon is cooked. 

The ingredients in the poppers changed throughout the day as we became more creative, so feel free to experiment with your own flavours.

Enjoy by themselves or with a barbecue or hot dipping sauce!!!