Black Cat Bistro (Review)

Black Cat Bistro, located in the heart of Little Italy, has been on everyone’s top restaurant list for several years now. Unfortunately, Lola and I were a little behind the times, and we only just had a chance to try it out last weekend. But we’re sure glad we did! This modern French bistro was unique in both design and menu, and was instantly inviting from the moment we walked in. A simple, yet fresh design welcomes patrons into the space and creates a lovely ambience.

We were seated at a table by the window, which had with a great view of the hustle and bustle on Preston Street. Also, unlike many restaurants where you have to wait forever to get service, our server greeted us right away, happily introduced himself and filled our water glasses. Our experience was off to a good start!

From there, we decided to wet our beaks with something from the Black Cat cellar, and so we went with a Sauvignon Blanc. As we sipped our French wine, we perused the classic, yet creative menu, which is divided between first courses and mains. The menu boasts a variety of traditional French fare with a modern twist, and all dishes are made in house with fresh, local ingredients.

Napa Cabbage Roll ($22)

We started off the evening right with a cheese plate for $18, which consisted of three different cheeses, brioche, pickled rhubarb, almonds and honey. We had sampling of the Belle Marie, which is a soft, cow cheese with natural rind, as well as the Mouton Noir, a semi-firm goat cheese, and the Castello, a semi-firm blue cheese. The Castello was by far our favorite, which paired quite nicely with the honey. Our server was also not stingy with the brioche, and quickly brought us some more once we finished the first serving. (Unfortunately, we dug in before we had a chance to take a picture!)

Usually, Lola and I have a very difficult time deciding on what to order (as we usually want everything on the menu), but that night I quickly made my choice. Since I love all Ukrainian-inspired cuisine, I ordered the Napa Cabbage Roll for $22. It was stuffed with Thai scented basmati rice, scallions, wild mushrooms, spinach, tomato jam, carrots, ginger and yuzu sesame broth. Even though the dish was meatless, I was thoroughly satisfied with my selection and it definitely hit the spot. The flavours were rich and tasty, and it left me feeling comfortably full.

Cornish Hen ($28)

Lola, on the other hand, wavered back and forth between the Artic Char (served with scallops, tomato fennel saffron broth, lentils, carrot ribbons and crispy leeks for $30), and the Cornish Hen for $28. In the end, the server persuaded her to go with the Cornish Hen, which would more thoroughly satisfy her big appetite. It was indeed a very good helping of bacon-wrapped hen, which was artfully displayed on the plate and served with asparagus, tomatoes and roasted potatoes in a braised sauce. The hen was cooked to perfection – juicy and succulent – and was certainly not overcooked.

By this point, our wine had run dry, and we were quite thirsty for a new libation. The drink menu had several signature cocktails, one of which of was a twist on the classic Mojito, which is what we went for! It was light and refreshing, with the perfect amount of mint.

Crème Brulée ($9)

Now, the meal would not be complete without something sweet to end the evening. So we ordered the traditional Crème Brulée for $9 and the Macarons for $5 to share. The Crème Brulée was heavenly and melt-in-your-mouth delicious! The French Macarons, on the other hand, were probably the only negative part of the whole culinary experience. The Macarons consisted of a passion fruit ganache sandwiched between two chocolate, Oreo-type meringues. The combination of sweet and fruity did not go together, and it did not live up to my high expectations for Macarons.

But aside from the Macarons, we had a great experience at the Black Cat – great food, great service and a great ambience! We were even lucky enough to catch a fireworks display in the distance that was going on at Dow’s Lake for the Tulip Festival.

Macarons ($5)

Verdict: 9/10 – an indulgent and tasty culinary experience with phenomenal service!

Hours: Tuesday to Thursday - 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm; Friday & Saturday - 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm

Price: First courses range from $9-$18; Mains range from $22-$33

Black Cat Bistro, 428 Preston Street, Ottawa, ON
www.blackcatbistro.ca

The Best of Australian Cuisine

Last month, Lola and I were fortunate enough to travel to the land down under. As we toured around the great Australian continent, we enjoyed an assortment of interesting and delectable cuisine.

Although food is not cheap in Australia, this didn't stop us from trying all that Australia has to offer. As a land with a wide variety of cuisines, it is truly a culinary heaven for foodies at heart!

While Australian cuisine finds its base in the traditional style of British cooking, seafood and Asian fare is also quite popular. We also came to learn that Australians love morning and afternoon tea, which consists of not only tea, but a spread of fruit, cookies and cake – a custom that Lola and I were quick to adopt. We also fell in love with many of their infamous dishes and traditional foodstuffs that pop culture has come to associate with the identity of this incredible country.

We’ve put together a list of some of our favourite dishes and food items, as well as some other traditional and iconic Australian fare.

Meat Pies

Pies, pies and more pies!! Individual meat pies have invaded the Australian culinary scene. You haven’t truly experienced Australian cuisine unless you've eaten a meat pie. More than once. The flaky package that contains this guilty pleasure is the epitome of Australian food.

The meat pie, which typically consists of minced beef in gravy, enclosed in a baked flaky pastry shell, is a well-known take away item in Australia. Popular variants include steak, onion, potato, curry and pepper.

Our favourite pie joint was definitely Pie Face, where we enjoyed our fair share of hot pies over the course of our trip.

Sausage Rolls

Sausage rolls are another popular take away item. Sold at most bakeries and pie establishments, Australian sausage rolls closely rival meat pies. Australia undoubtedly leads the way in modern adaptations of the simple sausage roll, which typically consists of sausage meat wrapped in pastry and oven-baked to perfection. 

Lola and I often reverted to the delicious and cheap sausage roll for our lunchtime meal.

Fish and Chips

Australia has some of the best seafood in the world and that means you’re almost guaranteed fresh fish, served with salt and lemon, wrapped in yesterday’s newspaper.

Lola and I were lucky enough to enjoy the best fish and chips of our lives at Maddigan’s Seafood shop in Hervey Bay. Fresh Barramundi fish was crumb-coated and prepared right on the spot and served with thick-cut seasoned fries. The fish and chips were tasty, filling and utterly satisfying. We developed a great love for Australian ‘chips’, making it hard for us to return to the typical thin American French fries. 

Chicken Parmigiana

An Italian name, but a bona fide Australian pub classic, the parmigiana started as an eggplant dish in Italy and has since evolved into a chicken schnitzel topped with an Italian-inspired tomato sauce, ham or prosciutto and melted cheese. A perfect marriage.

We enjoyed this heavenly dish at a local pub in Sydney, which was paired nicely with chips. Another wonderful union.

Prawns

Along with fish, prawns have become a sought after food source in Australia. King Prawns and Tiger Prawns are the most popular prawns and are enjoyed by many Australians alike.

While visiting Perth, we had the opportunity to go on a traditional Australian picnic, where we were served an abundance of prawns. Our Australian hosts graciously showed us how to properly peel and devein a prawn, allowing us to devour an unhealthy amount of these delightful crustaceans. 

Smashed Avo

I have finally discovered the best breakfast ever!! Smashed avo, as the Australians call it, is simply divine. Half a ripe avocado is smashed onto a thick piece of multigrain toast, seasoned with salt, pepper and chili flakes, and topped with a splash of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon. Not only is it creamy and crunchy, but it’s also very filling and satisfying. 

Variations of this creation include feta, cilantro and a poached egg.

Kangaroo, Emu & Crocodile

We couldn’t leave Australia without tasting some of their indigenous meat, and kangaroo meat may be the most Australian food there is. Endemic to Australia, wild kangaroos yield healthy meat that is low in fat and cholesterol, and high in protein, iron and zinc. While we thought that kangaroo would be tough, it was actually very lean and quite tasty.

We also tried emu, which is Australia’s largest endemic bird. Like kangaroos, they are also very low in fat. It was served to us in the form of a sausage, and again it was appetizing, but not as good as kangaroo.

What did trump kangaroo, however, was crocodile. Crocodile meat is fair and white in colour, and very tasteful. Its’ taste reminded us of chicken, but with much more flavour. If you ever get a chance to try it, we highly recommend it!

Pad Thai

Australian cuisine has been significantly influenced by South East Asian cuisines. Chinese and Thai food, in particular, has successfully permeated the Australian culinary scene, and now virtually every town and suburb has a Chinese and a Thai restaurant. So you can imagine that it was quite easy to find a delicious plate of Pad Thai, maybe one of the best I’ve ever had. 

Pavlova

Australia and New Zealand have shared rivalries for years, and the pavlova’s origin is another to add to the list. Both countries claim to have invented the dish in honor of Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova when she visited Australasia in the 1920s.

Pavlova is a popular meringue-based dessert that has a crisp crust and a soft, light inside. It’s often topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit.

We were fortunate enough to try some homemade pavlova at our friend’s house in Perth. This lovely dessert was baked to perfection and melted in my mouth!

Australian Cookies (Anzac, Mint Thins, Tim Tams)

As I previously mentioned, Australians love morning and afternoon tea, which is often accompanied by an assortment of cookies. Some of our favourites include Anzac biscuits, Mint Slices and Tim Tams. 

Associated with Anzac Day on April 25th, the biscuit is a crunchy commemoration of the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought in World War I. It's Australian food with a back story. Anzac biscuits are generally made from rolled oats, golden syrup and desiccated coconut.

Mint Slices are an Aussie favourite. A biscuit and a mint layer is coated with creamy chocolate. These cookies are both sweet and refreshing at the same time. For those who remember Girl Guide cookies, they definitely have a similar taste.

Finally, Tim Tams are by far the most infamous Australian treat. The much-loved chocolate biscuit is made up of two layers of chocolate-malted biscuit, separated by a light cream filling and coated in a thin layer of textured chocolate. Flavours include original, chewy caramel, double coat, classic dark, white, Turkish delight, salted caramel, mint, honeycomb and chocolate vanilla. 

Good news Ottawa…Tim Tams are available in most grocery stores around the city! However, the selection is not as diverse as those sold in Australia.

Next time you pick some up, try the Tim Tam Slam! Simply bite off both ends of the Tim Tam, dunk it in your tea or coffee, suck, and then devour the melted treat. Simply delicious!
Vegemite

Well we couldn’t write an article about Australian food without mentioning Vegemite. It is probably the most iconic Australian foodstuff. Vegemite is a black-colored paste used as a spread on bread, sandwiches, as well as crackers. It is known to be a rich source of Vitamin B and is basically made from a byproduct of beer brewing, yeast extract. It has a smooth but sticky texture and is slightly bitter to taste.

When we tried vegemite for the first time, the taste was too strong for our liking. However, our Australian friends said that the flavor grows on you eventually, especially if you mask it in a thick layer of butter!

So this concludes our post on Australian cuisine. As you can see, Australia has much to offer when it comes to food, much to the detriment of our waistlines. If you have yet to go, start planning your adventure down under. There is nothing like Australia! Go and see for yourself and experience some delicious Aussie food while you’re at it!!

Backdrop Food & Drink (Review)

Approaching its first anniversary, I finally had the chance to lunch at Backdrop Food & Drink. Located at 160 Metcalfe Street, Backdrop replaced the Italian restaurant Chianti back in January of this year. It is run by the same owners as Grounded Kitchen and CoffeeHouse (which is one of my favourite lunch spots), so I had high hopes for this restaurant.

While I was intrigued by the outside of this new spot with its eye-catching sign and charming brick, I was less impressed with the inside décor. The tables and chairs were scattered throughout the restaurant with no apparent rhyme or reason, some on different levels and at different heights. My first thought when I walked in was that I mistakenly entered a club. Black and white walls with red curtains framed the room. While some could argue that the restaurant is hip and trendy, I would be more inclined to call it eclectic and somewhat tacky. I was not a fan of the PVC piping that was mounted around the top of the bar. Nor was I fan of the stage in the middle of the room, which was lined with four high steel-topped tables. Of course, that’s just where we happened to be seated, on display for all to see, with red spotlights shining down on us from above.

Although I was somewhat taken aback by the ambience and décor, I was impressed by the lunch menu. Not only did I like the format and design of the menu itself, I also enjoyed the numerous food options, which all sounded delicious and made it quite difficult for me to order. While the options go in many directions, even your pickiest friend would be able to find something appealing here.

After receiving some advice from the waitress, I decided to go with the Noodles for $17 and my dining companion went with the Pork Ribs for $16. The Noodles consisted of 4 large shrimp, egg, peanut satay, an array of vegetables and vermicelli. It was a very healthy serving of noodles, and the flavours were great. It had a little bit of kick to it, but not too much. I was very satisfied with my meal, but I wasn’t able to finish even half of it.
 

Noodles ($17)

The Pork Ribs also looked delicious, which were cooked in a smoked maple tea sauce and served with stout cornbread, fennel slaw, and a choice of fries, soup or salad. (You can tell from the below picture that we couldn’t wait to dig in before snapping a shot!).  

Pork Ribs ($16)

Overall, my experience at Backdrop did not live up to my high expectations. Even though the food was tasty, the service was mediocre and nothing special. The bizarre and misguided décor and stage in the middle of the restaurant also brought down my rating. I am willing, however, to give it another shot, either for brunch or dinner, whose menus look equally appealing.

Verdict: 6/10 – great menu with lots of choice, but unusual club ambience

Hours: Monday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm; Tuesday to Friday from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm; Saturday from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm; Sunday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Price: Lunch options range from $12-$24

Backdrop Food and Drink, 160 Metcalfe Street, Ottawa, ON

http://thebackdrop.ca/

Christmas Baking

Every Christmas, I devote an entire day to baking Christmas treats and goodies to share with my friends and family. I slave away in the kitchen, with the assistance of my sous-chef (aka my mother) and whip up some delicious, mouth-watering creations. And this year was no different! For a solid 8 hours, we rolled dough, whipped butter, crushed candy canes, melted chocolate and drizzled icing! In the end, we created 9 scrumptious treats, which I divvied up amongst my favourite people!

Check out the below links for recipes of my creations:

• Candied Pecans: http://www.kevinandamanda.com/recipes/appetizer/candied-pecans.html#EAAIJpGXRJlyGixC.32

• Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles: http://www.popsugar.com/food/Chocolate-Chip-Cookie-Dough-Truffles-32769392?crlt.pid=camp.OiqyEl4R2arl

• Salted Caramel Butter Bars: http://cookiesandcups.com/dont-hate-me-because-im-butter-ful/

• Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies: http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2013/12/12/raspberry-almond-thumbprint-cookies/

• Christmas Crack: http://www.iheartnaptime.net/christmas-crack/

• English Toffee Bites: http://www.shugarysweets.com/2012/12/almond-toffee-bites

• Peppermint Sugar Cookie Dough Bark: http://www.crazyforcrust.com/2014/11/peppermint-sugar-cookie-dough-bark/

• Oreo Peppermint Crunch Cookies: http://insidebrucrewlife.com/2013/12/oreo-peppermint-crunch-cookies/#_a5y_p=2626523

• Decorated Pretzel Rods: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/robin-miller/chocolate-pretzels-recipe.html

So far, I’ve received resoundingly positive feedback, especially for the Salted Caramel Butter Bars and the English Toffee Bites. What's your favourite??

Well, until next year’s baking extravaganza....

Soca Kitchen & Pub (Review)

Soca Soca Soca.....oh we had such high hopes for you. Westboro's newest eatery opened its door just one month ago on November 28th and its social media hype got Riley and I making reservations for one of their opening nights. Their Spanish inspired menu with sharing plates and raw bar was the fresh and unique taste our palates were craving.

I'll get to the food in a minute, but our overall experience was less than ideal from the moment we walked in. (This is not our usual narrative - but I thought it would be helpful to share). We had booked our reservation online weeks earlier and had received confirmation for our 4 dining guests. The front hostess seemed a little confused and had to ask about our reservation several times. A group walked in after us and was promptly seated, leaving us awkwardly standing in the open doorway, coats in hand. We were then told that we had to sit at the bar because online reservations incorporated bar seating. We were not pleased by this arrangement as we had planned on sharing our plates and catching up with friends, which the bar seats did not accommodate. After starting with a cocktail and a plate of oysters at the bar, we were finally moved to a more comfortable table once we spotted an opening and requested a move. There was obvious confusion at this point as we do not believe that the servers were notified of this change and we waited for about 10 to 15 minutes to have someone take our additional drink and food orders. We also asked for water three times before it was brought to us, and the food service was generally very slow.

Raw Bar Platter (Regularly $36, on special for $18)

Now on to the food, which was a totally different experience. We shared a number of plates on the menu, including the raw Oysters, the Snapper Ceviche, Empanadas, Yellowtail Crudo and the Octopus. Each plate was delicious, with unique flavours and seemingly fresh ingredients. The raw bar was on special so we ordered two portions. The accompanying sauces were different, but surprisingly delicious.

The Octopus was braised and came with a delicious fingerling potato salad. The Octopus was tender and not at all chewy (like squid) and the dressing from the potato salad was a perfect combination of tangy and creamy. The Yellowtail Crudo was marinated in a spicy pepper sauce and served with a fried caper salad. I'm not normally a fan of capers, but they were a pleasant addition to the flavours of the fish.

Ocotopus a la Plancha - with fingerling potato salad ($20)

The highlight of our meal was definitely the Ceviche and the Empanadas. We loved them so much that we ended up ordering two rounds of each dish. The Ceviche was a red snapper marinated in aioli lemon, avocado, red onions and fried plantains. The dish was also a decent portion and could also be ordered as a single meal. The Empanadas were tender, flaky and moist, and paired deliciously with the three different flavours of aioli dipping sauces.

Red Snapper Ceviche ($13)

Empanadas ($11)

Overall we were very pleased with the quality of food, the portion sizes and the price points. We were disappointed with the slow and miscommunicated service, but we understand that as a new restaurant they are still working out some of the kinks. Every staff member was very nice and apologetic for the confusion, so we are not tainted by the experience and will probably venture back to Soca in the future for some more Oysters and Spanish delicacies.

Let us know what you think.

Verdict: 6/10 - poor service, but delicious food. Make reservations by phone to specify seating.

Hours: Lunch served Monday to Friday from 11:30-2:30. Dinner served Monday to Friday from 5:30-10:00

Price: Plates range from $10-$25

Soca Kitchen and Pub. 93 Holland Ave, Ottawa, ON. http://www.socapub.com

EVOO Greek Kitchen (Review)

While Ottawa is hardly bereft of Greek fast food, EVOO is one the first restaurants to offer a Greek 'fine-dining' experience. Located on Preston Street in the heart of Little Italy, EVOO embraces traditional Greek cuisine with a modern flare. EVOO, which is short for Extra Virgin Olive Oil, was brought to life by Elias Theodossiou and his wife April Miller almost a year ago, and it has been going strong ever since.

While the cuisine is authentically Greek, the restaurant itself is anything but. It boasts a modern, contemporary vibe, with trendy light fixtures, plush banquet seating, wood tables and chalkboard menus. The ambience is very warm and inviting and is completely devoid of 'tacky' Greek decor.

Trio Spreads

When it comes to the menu, it brilliantly captures the nostalgia of traditional Greek cooking, but elevates it to another level with its modern flair. This synergy creates a refined and impressive dining experience.

The menu features an assortment of dishes, ranging from spreads, salads, classic Greek appetizers and meats, such as lamb chops, pork souvlaki, pancetta, sausage, among many others. The menu also incorporates various entrees, however, the best way to dine here is to share food family-style. So that's exactly what we did. I highly recommend sharing whenever possible, as it provides the opportunity to sample an array of everyone’s favourite dishes!

To start, we went with the Trio Spreads with olives and warm pita bread for $18. We got to choose 3 spreads out of 6 delicious options. We chose Tzatziki, Melitzanosalata (made of eggplant, garlic, parsley and roasted red peppers) and the Spicy Feta Dip (made of feta, tomatoes, red peppers, chili flakes, and EVOO). All were tasty and packed with flavour!

Cypriot Halloumi

Next, we ordered the Cypriot Halloumi for $11. Grilled halloumi cheese was served with heirloom tomatoes, onions and kalamata olives. For those of you who have never tried Halloumi, you must do so immediately. It is definitely my favourite type of cheese, and it's even better grilled! The strong salty taste and spongy texture is a delight for your tastebuds.

Greek Salad

For our next course, we got the Greek Salad (Horiatiki) for $16, which consisted of tomatoes, feta cheese, cucumbers, onions, kalamata olives and EVOO. This classic dish hit the spot and was large enough to share amongst my dining companions.

Finally, to finish off the evening, we ordered 3 sticks of the Pork Souvlaki for $14 (there is also an option to order 6 sticks for $27). The pork was marinated in a lemon-oil sauce and charbroiled to perfection. It was paired perfectly with a side of Tzatziki.

Pork Souvlaki

By the end, we were quite full, but very satisfied with both the food and the service. Overall, we had a great meal and we are pleased that EVOO has finally put modern Greek cuisine on the culinary map in Ottawa.

Verdict: 9/10....delicious, authentic Greek cuisine...in Ottawa (finally!!)

Hours: Monday to Wednesday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. to 1 a.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 a.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Closed weekdays from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Price: $6-$30

EVOO Greek Kitchen, 438 Preston Street, Ottawa, ON, K2P 1Y7
evoogreekkitchen.ca

Fiazza Fresh Fired (Review)

This Thanksgiving, we are thankful for friends, family and the deliciously new Fresh Fired Fiazza. This past Thursday, we decided to indulge on pizza and pop at the newest wood fired pizza restaurant to set up roots in Ottawa's ByWard Market.

The atmosphere is refreshing, casual and cool. The menu is traditional yet unique with pre-made specialty pizzas, create your own pizzas and specialty salads. And the service is....well non-existent. Fiazza is what you would call an upscale cafeteria, but in a good way. Orders are taken at the counter where your pizza is prepared fresh with a variety of topping options and then put into the wood burning oven. Once your pizza is ready, you simply pay at the counter and find a table for you and your guests. The eclectic design of the dining area with wood seating and modern light fixtures adds a touch of elegance to an otherwise casual establishment. Orders are prepared within a flash, so you won't have to wait long to devour the delicious pies with your Harvey and Vern's soda pop or Kichesippi pint.

We decided to order three different specialty pies, including the Carnivore, the BBQ Chicken and the Sicilian (with added mushrooms). They were all delicious in their own unique way.

Carnivore ($9.95)

The Carnivore was covered in premium pepperoni, local spicy Italian sausage, locally smoked bacon, red sauce and Fiazza cheese blend. If you're a meat lover, this pizza would definitely satisfy your taste buds. The BBQ Chicken had a fabulous blend of naturally roasted BBQ chicken breast, a natural BBQ sauce and red sauce blend, roasted onions, locally smoked bacon, and Fiazza cheese blend. The BBQ sauce added a unique twist on the traditional tomato sauce. The Sicilian was topped with local spicy Italian sausage, roasted peppers, blue cheese, red sauce and Fiazza cheese blend. I also added mushrooms as I find they are a staple to any pizza. Additional toppings can be added to all specialty pizzas.

BBQ Chicken ($9.95)

Sicilian ($10.95)

If you're feeling something a little less "carby" and "cheesy", they also offer made to order Caesar Salads and fresh seasonal salads. Don't forget about their fresh bakery that carries daily selections from local bakeries, including vegan, gluten and nut free selections. 

Fiazza also offers gluten free dough and Daya vegan cheese for a small additional cost.

All in all, we were impressed with Fiazza. We questioned the casual counter atmosphere at first, but the quick service, delicious pizza and reasonable price won our votes in the end. Stop by Fiazza for lunch or dinner with friends or on a date with that special someone. 

Verdict: 9/10 - delicious pizza

Hours: Sunday - Wednesday 11:00am-9:00pm. Thursday - Saturday 11:00am-10:00pm 

Price: $ Very reasonably priced. Specialty pizzas ranging from $8-$12 

Fiazza Fresh Fired, 86 Murray St. Ottawa ON 

http://fiazza.ca/