Chicago in Gatineau

Mrs. Waffle was craving pizza. It does happen regularly. Thankfully, that very day we had just received the new Menu Gatineau directory, which of course includes many pizzerias from our area. I perused the menu, looked at Cortina Pizza Riviera and Pizza Maisonneuve, skipped Gabriel Pizza, Dora Pizza, Chez Gerry and Pizza Presto to end up on the Bellavio Trattoria Pizzeria page. Something immediately jumped at me – Unique à Gatineau! Pizza Style Chicago. Oh yeah!!! What a great idea! I’ve had Chicago Pizza a few times and it is a totally different culinary experience. From our last trip to the Wind City, a few of us even discussed the possibility of opening our own Chicago-Style pizzeria in the National Capital region. Since I’m not holding my breath on that ever happening, the fact that someone else had the idea was exciting to say the least. Mrs. Waffle was equally…

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Burger Bonanza!

Lunch had arrived, and Marc-André and I needed to talk. It happens from time to time. He suggested that we head to the Mayflower on Elgin. I thought it was a good idea and I agreed. I like going to this English Pub, the food is good and the service friendly and efficient. It became an even better idea when we realized it was their Famous Burger Bonanza! But what does it even mean? Well, it means that on top of the four regular burgers the Mayflower offers to regulars and tourists alike, there is a whole new bonanza of burgers! There was no trace of the Boondoggle Burger the Mayflower once offered. But you can go with the Texas Sirloin Burger – topped with chipotle mayo, fried mushrooms and onion rings; the Mediterranean Veggie Burger – a portebello mushroom cap topped with zucchini, roasted red pepper and goat cheese;…

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New Rivoli, Old Recipe!

We had just visited the Biodôme, and the four of us started to get hungry for lunch. We were going to drive back to Gatineau right after, and I had to drop my brother at his partner’s place along the way. We left the Olympic Complex and made our way towards Villeray, hoping to be inspired by a passing location. After driving by many uninspiring places, we finally found a spot that seemed great for lunch – the New Rivoli. It had big open windows, there was nobody in the dining room, and it seemed like a well established location. In fact, the Rivoli restaurant opened in 1956, right under the Rivoli Theater, a the corner of St-Denis and Bélanger. In the sixties, the restaurant moved beside another movie theater, Le Château on St-Denis, and change it’s name to New Rivoli Pizzeria. The restaurant moved to its current location on…

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The Original Pancake House

Our baseball weekend was winding down. Before the trip, Theo had spotted a location for our last breakfast. The Original Pancake House. Well, if it’s the Original, did we have a choice? Now, of course, this Original wasn’t the original Original Pancake House, since the chain was founded in Portland, Oregon in 1953. There is now 116 all over the United States. They pride themselves in using the very finest ingredients, such as 93 score butter, pure 36% whipping cream, fresh grade AA eggs, hard wheat unbleached flour, and their original sourdough starter. And guess what, their specialty is pancakes. We made the trek via CRT to the Original Pancake House located in Chicago’s Gold Coast District, an historic district on the North Side, known as one of the richest areas in Chicago. While riding the train, Theo stated that the OPH have something on the menu called a Dutch…

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2* for 22$ at Madisons’ New York Grill & Bar

Yesterday, someone left me a message. It was carefully laid down on my keyboard. I couldn’t avoid it. Someone wanted me to… GET THE BIG APPLE TREATMENT! And why not? I hadn’t been to Madisons for quite some time and I hadn’t been disappointed the last time I was there. Madisons’ New York Grill & Bar is offering once again their 2 for 22$ special menu – 7 days a week! For a limited time, you can choose between the Baby Back Ribs, the “Classic” Grilled Marinated Chicken Breast, the Chicken Tenders, the Madisons Burgers, the Grilled Marinated Chicken Sandwich (all served with french fries, or, for 1,50$ extra, with steamed vegetables) or the Chicken Filet Cesar Salad. The offer is valid for a minimum of two meals, but there is no maxium – meaning that if there are 3 of you, it’s 3 for 33$! Of all the items…

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