It’s National French Fry Day!

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National French Fry Day is today July 13th!

They are golden, they are crispy, they are delicious and they are bad for you!

No wonder they are a staple food across the country.

They are golden, they are crispy, they are delicious and they are bad for you!

No wonder they are a staple food across the country.

You may prefer to call them frites, fries, chips, finger chips or French-fried potatoes: no matter what, you are talking about deep-fried potatoes.

They come in many cuts and styles, from the matchsticks to the wedges, and are enjoyed with different condiments like ketchup, aïoli, mayonnaise, vinegar or whatever you see fit.

Why are they called French Fries?

Blame the Americans. As the story goes, the term “French” was apparently introduced to the potatoes when American soldiers arrived in Belgium during World War I. Belgians are quite fond of fried potatoes, and since French was the official language of the Belgian Army, the American soldiers began calling the fried potatoes “French” fries.

So much for hurting France’s feeling with the Freedom Fries!

But of course, it cannot be that simple, since the expression “French Fried Potatoes” first appeared in print in the 1856 book Cookery for Maids of All Work by Eliza Warren.

So, if you’d like to observe this made up Holiday, there are a few promotions out there for you to enjoy some for FREE!

At McDonald’s, you can get a free Medium Fries with any purchase made today with the My McD’s app.

If you are a member of New York Fry’s Fry Society, a Free Small Fries was loaded on your account – and you can redeem the freebie until July 16th.

If you are in Chapeau, Trimmers is hosting a potato peeling contest, a Mr. Potato Head contest, games, music, entertainment and a french fry eating contest at 8:00pm. All proceeds from the event will go towards the Chapeau Recreation Association.

So there you have it!

Enjoy National French Fry Day!

Fish and Chips at McDonald’s!

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McDonald’s added Fish and Chips to its menu, albeit temporarily, as part of their “Great Canadian Tastes” menu. They announced their catch of the month on May 14th and it’ll be gone by June 17th.

The promotion comes following a successful pilot project in Atlantic Canada last year, which saw 86,500 fish & chip meals sold in just three weeks. This time around, McDonald’s is estimating it will use around 260,000 pounds of haddock.

Considering the poor reputation of the Filet-o-Fish, this is an interesting move by McDonald’s. But contrary to their fish sandwich, which is made of Alaskan pollock, McD’s Fish and Chips hails from Nova Scotia: Atlantic haddock. Not cod. Haddock. Another interesting move, considering cod is usually seen as best for Fish and Chips.

I stopped by the Golden Arches in Stittsville and gave them a try, for $7,29.

First, let me point out that the contents comes in a cardboard box, similar to the ones you’d get from a fish and chips wagon. Second, let me add that this menu item is considered sustainable, having received a certification from the Marine Stewardship Council.

Two pieces of very golden fish were sitting on top of McDonald’s regular fries. On the side, in a plastic cup, came the tartar sauce. No fresh lemon wedge here. Of note, the Fish and Chips box doesn’t come with a drink.

Fish and Chips at McDonald’s!

Don’t expect a flaky, buttery batter here. What you get is a very crispy, crunchy coating instead. If at first bite, you are thinking you have tasted this before, it is because you have: the fish is supplied by High Liner Foods, out of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.

It feels and taste like similar High Liner products. If you were served fish sticks as a kid, this is in the same vein, but a notch higher. Perhaps the Signature Cut?

The flavour is quite mild, inoffensive, familiar. It certainly is a tad more fishy than the Filet-o-Fish. It is definitely more crispy. Dryer? I’d say that.

The side of tartar sauce is a typical, industrial mixture of relish and mayonnaise. Nothing revolutionary here. A lemon wedge would be nice. Too much to ask?

All in all, this was not the most satisfying thing ever. For the price you pay, the quantity you get and the lack of flavour experience, you might as well buy yourself a box of your favorite frozen fish filets.

McDonald's Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Centrepointe Deli Delivered

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I had to get to a location in Nepean for a video shoot around 1 PM. I decided to head out early, the 417 being the mess that it is, and to grab lunch nearby.

I settled for the Centrepointe Café & Deli, conveniently located in a small mall on Centrepointe Drive.

The Centrepointe Deli’s specialty is pita wraps. Their moto is “why have fast food when you can have good food fast?”

A good point.

On the menu, a variety of pita wraps to choose from, including classics like Tuna, Smoked Meat and Veggie; and fun offerings like the Roast Beef Twister, La Piazza and The Athenian.

I decided to go with the Centrepointe Club (6.99$), on whole grain.

I ordered, it was made quickly, grilled perfectly and served immediately. For 2$ extra, I added a bag of Doritos and a can of Coke Zero.

This Centrepointe Club was made with a European trio of deli meats: Genova salami, capicollo and mortadella. It was garnished with mozzarella, topped with lettuce and tomato and finished with their special sauce.

It was a simple, but solid sandwich, as far as pita wraps go. The deli meat was of good quality. The mozzarella seemed industrial, but was fine. It didn’t melt much in the press, however.

The veggies were fresh. The lettuce, iceberg, was crisp. The special sauce had a little zing and sweetness to it, halfway between mayo and donair sauce. Not bad, but I think I would have preferred mayo better.

And, it being a Club, it could have used some bacon. But what doesn’t?

The Big Mac. That’s what.

But I digress.

For what it is, the Centrepointe Deli delivers.

Staff was processing customers quickly, and regulars knew what they were getting – and getting it.

While not packed, it had a regular flown of lunchers, eating in or out.

Helping out Vittoria Trattoria

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On Friday, April 12th, Vittoria Trattoria in the Byward Market was victim of a devastating fire.

Opened in 1996, this Ottawa institution has branched out to two more locations, Riverside Drive and on Richmond Road.

Partners Domenic Santaguida, Stacey Santaguida and Harjeet Singh plan on rebuilding the Byward Market location. That is good news.

However, it is small comfort for over 50 employees who are now without work for the immediate future.The owners are thinking about opening “pop up” locations in the ByWard Market, renting space here and there to serve their delicious italian fare.

This could help provide some work for the VT staff during the rebuilding, which is optimistically estimated to take eight to twelve months.

Losing your only source of income and facing the unknown is no doubt devastating.

So to help offset some expenses for those affected by this unfortunate event, the Senate Tavern is hosting a staff benefit, with all proceeds going directly to the Vittoria Trattoria staff.

Good on them for stepping up.

The benefit will take place at The Senate Tavern, located at 33 Clarence, on Wednesday April 24th at 7pm.

Advance tickets are sold here for $10. Tickets will also be available at the door for $15.

If you cannot make it or would like to donate in advance, you can do so by dropping by either Senate Tavern, on Bank or Clarence Street.

A sandwich on the beach

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So here I am in Bermuda, attending a conference. Having just landed and arrived at the hotel, I figured going to down to the beach was the first order of business.

Especially since I hadn’t had lunch.

Lunch on the beach!

So I headed down to Fairmont Southampton’s private beach, using the trolley made at our disposal to make the trek.

The Cabana Bar & Grill was not really busy – it was getting close to 2 PM already. It was sunny but fresh and windy.

Nevertheless, a few patrons were enjoying cocktails on the terrace.

The menu was beachy, of course. Interesting items included Shrimp & Avocado Toast, the Beach Burger, the Cajun Shrimp Sandwich.

Strangely, there was a Mediterenean creeping influence, with Mezza and
Chicken Gyro as options.

I zeroed in on the Bermuda Fish Sandwich (20 BD$).

While the cocktail list was inspiring, with names such as the Cabana Ocean
Colada, the Bermuda Sunset, the Carribean Cruise, the Cabana Beach Runner and of course the classic Dark N’ Stormy.

I elected to keep it simple and ordered an On The Rock IPA.

After a few minutes, the sandwich was ready and I brought it on the beach
to enjoy.

Here we had big piece of Fried Wahoo, served on a Brioche Bun and garnished with a Pineapple Coleslaw, Tartar Sauce, lettuce and tomatoes.

It was served with either french fries or mixed salad, but I thought the windy beach didn’t call for salad. The french fries were good enough.

The bun was fresh and nicely toasted, a nice vehicle for the sandwich. The Pineapple slaw was not convincing. I would have skipped the lettuce and tomatoes and added more zing to the sandwich. The Tartar sauce was nice but subtle. The star of the dish was the fish.

A thick, firm but tender piece of fried fish, with a crispy batter, holding together nicely. The flavour was mild and delicate, buttery.

A beer, a diet coke and a fish sandwich set me back 45 $BD. Which is on par with the US dollar.

But the view was superb.