Must Kitchen and Wine Bar (Review)

Tapas bars are definitely the craze as sharing dishes and small plates are increasing in popularity. Social dining adds an extra flare of experience as you can taste and share numerous dishes among your dining companions.   

Must Kitchen and Wine Bar is a small spot we've been to a few times and it never disappoints. The menu is quite extensive with numerous small sharing plates, larger dishes, flatbreads, and cheese and meat boards, as well as a number of delicious desserts. They also have a decent wine and beer list and offer "bring your own wine" on Sundays, for a small corking fee. A few of our favourites have been the Scallops, the Empanadas and the Truffle Mac & Cheese.

Scallops - Squash Puree and Crispy Prosciutto 

Empanadas - Red Yucca, Achiote Oil and Espresso BBQ Pulled Pork

Truffle Mac & Cheese 

Must is a really great place to enjoy good food, drinks and great company. They also have space to host private events or parties. We luckily stumbled upon a small photography show, featuring work from Patterson Imagery. They had some wine and food samples and offered an opportunity to speak to the photographer throughout the evening. Some of his pieces featured landscapes and cityscapes from Ottawa, Iceland, London and Vancouver.

Patterson Imagery

Patterson Imagery

Riley and I definitely recommend Must for a variety of occasions as it is perfectly located in the heart of the Byward Market, with friendly and knowledgeable staff, great food and wine selection, and a casual and inviting atmosphere.

Verdict: Delicious selection of tapas, entrees, desserts, cocktails, wine and beer. Highly recommended for the sharing of food and great company.

Cost: Sharing plates range from $7-$11. Main dishes range from $15-$30

Hours: Sundays 5:00pm-10:00pm, Mondays 4:30-10:00pm, Tuesday-Thursday 4:30pm-11:00pm, Friday-Saturday noon-midnight

Must Wine Bar and Tapas. 41 Williams Street, Ottawa, On. 
www.mustwinebar.ca 

White Chocolate and Coconut Truffles / Magnolia Bakery’s Banana Cream Pudding (Recipe)

No dinner party would be complete without an indulgent dessert. Simple to make, these easy yet delectable dessert recipes will make the perfect end to a meal.

White Chocolate and Coconut Truffles

Paired nicely with coffee or tea, these white chocolate and coconut truffles are sure to be a crowd pleaser. They also add a pretty contrast to a plate of dark chocolate truffles.

Ingredients:

180g white chocolate bits
½ cup cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup coconut flakes
1 cup desiccated coconut

Directions: 

1. In a heavy bottomed saucepan, combine white chocolate and cream.

2. On low heat, stir the mixture constantly until chocolate is melted and blended with the cream. This takes about 2 to 3 minutes.

3. Add the vanilla extract and remove from heat. Cool a bit.

4. Add the coconut and mix well.

5. Chill in the refrigerator for 45 to 60 minutes uncovered, or until the chocolate firms up enough to roll into balls.

6. Take 1 tablespoon full of the mixture and gently roll it into a ball with your palms. If the mixture is too soft to handle, add an extra ½ cup of coconut.

7. Roll the balls in desiccated coconut or coconut flakes. You can also use crushed nuts for a dry and delicious outer crumb.

8. Refrigerate until time to serve.

Yields: 20 truffles

Verdict: heavenly combination of chewy toasted coconut and creamy white chocolate ganache

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chilling Time: 45-60 minutes

Rating: 9/10

Magnolia Bakery's Banana Cream Pudding 

Comfort foods come in all sizes – and some even come in mason jars! Sweet, creamy banana pudding just like Magnolia Bakery makes. Once you've made a dessert in a jar, all other desserts officially feel overrated!

Ingredients:

1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1½ cups ice cold water
1 (4-ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
3 cups heavy cream
1 (12-ounce) box vanilla wafers
8 mason jars

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, beat together the sweetened condensed milk and water until well combined, about 1 minute.

2. Add the pudding mix and beat well, about 2 minutes more.

3. Cover and refrigerate for 3-4 hours or overnight, before continuing. It is very important to allow the proper amount of time for the pudding mixture to set.

4. In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.

5. Gently fold the pudding mixture into the whipped cream until well blended and no streaks of pudding remain.

6. To assemble the dessert, arrange one-third of the wafers to cover the bottom of the mason jar, overlapping if necessary, then one-third of the bananas and one-third of the pudding.

7. Repeat the layering twice more, garnishing with additional wafers or wafer crumbs on the top layer of the pudding.

8. Cover with lids and allow to chill in the refrigerator for 4 hours before serving.

Yields: 8 servings in a regular size mason jar

Verdict: perfectly portioned, pleasing presentation and downright delicious!

Prep Time: 45 minutes
Chilling Time: 7-8 hours

Rating: 8.5/10

Slice & Co. (Review)

As we mentioned in an earlier post, Slice & Co. is definitely one of Ottawa's top dining spots in 2013! Located on Elgin Street, Slice & Co. is known for its amazing pizza, affordable prices and cozy atmosphere! Chef Warren Sutherland is the genius behind this tasty joint, who you may already know from the acclaimed SmoQue Shack!

Unlike most pizza joints which usually specialize in a certain style of pizza, Slice & Co. offers interesting variations of thick and thin crust pizzas that go way beyond the traditional ingredients. You can choose between an Italian hand-tossed pie, a New York pan style, a California thin crust, or even a Chicago deep dish pizza! The menu really offers something for every taste and preference.

We had a very difficult time deciding on what to order, as everything sounded delish, but in the end, we chose three different types of pizzas to share. First, we tried the Italian hand-tossed Puttanesca, which was topped with tomato sauce, capers, red onions, olives, chilis, mozzarella, oregano and garlic. The combination of toppings was surprisingly delicious, and the chilis gave the pie a nice kick! It was definitely my favourite.

Italian-Hand Tossed Puttanesca

The next one we got was the California thin crust BST. This pie consisted of bacon, spinach, tomato sauce, Buffalo mozzarella and parmesan. This pizza really showcased the high quality, fresh toppings used on their pizzas. Cut into small square slices, this tasty, rich pizza was perfect for sharing!

California Thin Crust BST

The last pizza we tried was the Original Chicago deep dish. This heavenly creation was stuffed with tomato sauce, sausage, onions and mozzarella. This pizza was a true indulgence, but the extra calories were worth every bite. Not only was the crust baked to perfection, but it was also perfectly topped and seasoned. With Lola's hearty appetite, this was by far her favourite.

Although we stuck to the pizza, Slice & Co. is also more than just a pizzeria. It is also known for its unique sandwiches, which I must admit, looked amazing! Options vary between the traditional roast beef, Reuben, Philly cheesesteak, meatball or the more creative Chipotle chicken panini, big club, or the muffeletta, which is an overstuffed sub with layers of meat and marinade. To quench your thirst, Slice & Co. also offers interesting cocktails and local beer.

Original Chicago Deep Dish

Verdict: Phenomenal pizza with several fun and interesting options; personable and engaging staff; budget-friendly

Cost: Pizzas range between $14-$28 and sandwiches range between $10-$12

Hours: Sunday to Wednesday, 4 pm to Midnight, Thursday to Saturday, 4 pm to 4 am

Slice & Co., 399 Elgin Street, Ottawa Ontario
www.sliceottawa.com 

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/