Not the ringer we expected

Not the ringer we expected

Fast Food chains are always looking for new offerings to attract consumers. Variations should be limitless yet it is rarely really out of the ordinary. Still, here in this corner we decided to give a shot to Harvey’s newest burger: The Angus BBQ Bacon Ringer Melt. So you get a 100 per cent Canadian, flame grilled Angus burger topped with BBQ sauce, cheese, bacon and Onion Rings on a toasted bun. As always, you top your burger with your choice of fixings. I fired up the app to get it to go from the Saint-Joseph Boulevard location in Hull. First things first, Harvey’s informed me that they were currently experiencing supply challenges with their gravy. As a result, their Poutines may temporarily be unavailable on the menu at some locations. I had no interest in a Harvey’s poutine so I cannot confirm if it was actually available, but the app kept…

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To bee or not to bee, that is the question.

I was driving back from Toronto after a conference and some business meetings. I was swallowing kilometers on the 401 when I realised I was really hungry. Lunch time! I stopped at the Trenton South OnRoute. My choices were Tim Hortons and A&W. As usual, the line-up at Tims was illogically long, so I elected to get some burgers. I hadn’t had A&W onion rings in quite some time, so I thought it would be a good idea to get some to go along with my burgers. Once my order was ready, I ask for some honey, as one is bound to do when getting ready to eat theses delicious golden circles. “We don’t have any honey, sorry.” GASP! – “You don’t have honey???” – “We don’t carry it.” – “You used to.” – “Yes, we used to.” What was I going to do? I sat down and looked at…

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On the Shore of the Rideau Canal

I was invited to a dinner meeting at the Shore Club, located in the Westin Ottawa, right in the heart of downtown Ottawa. The restaurant decor is meant to remind us of an art deco ocean liners with contemporary lines.  5 million dollars were invested by the owners into this space.  It is large and spacious, with a high ceiling and a glassed front on the Rideau Canal. They are going for a very chic and elegant look.. The owners were ambitious about the spot.  “We’re trying to create a night-out atmosphere where people come, have fun and feel invigorated —  laughing and talking … It will be more like a New York restaurant, with a bit of a buzz to it,” principal David Aisenstat told the Ottawa Citizen before the opening. But be warned, this steakhouse is not what you might think: “Our market is upscale, the 30-something-plus age group. This will not be…

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Lost in the Boondocks Wood

We left Indian Lake in the morning, hitting Highway 28. Our New York State adventures were coming to an end, and we had to make the 3 and a half hour trek back to Canada. Along the way, we would stop by and admire the numerous mountains and lakes. Lake Durant. Blue Mountain Lake. Eagle Lake. Utowana Lake. Raquette Lake. Eight Lake. Seventh Lake. Sixth, Fifth, Fourth, Third, Second and First Lake. I guess they ran out of names. About halfway to the border, we started to get hungry. Starving, in fact. But we had reached Highway 12, and options were scarce. Nothing for miles. Until we saw a size-able establishment with a huge parking lot, with ski-doos and ATVs on the rooftop. Welcome to Boondocks Restaurant and Bar, Lyons Falls, New York. Walking in the place is its own adventure. They’ve got the rustic feel, with lots of wood…

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Opening the door of the Mauricie

We were driving back from Quebec City and were letting the little one sleep in the back for as long as we could. Such is what you do when you are driving a lot during the holidays. When she woke up would determine, once again, where we would eat, depending on where we were. Just how far could we go? We were on the 40 and closing in on Trois-Rivières. Perhaps we could reach the outskirts of Montreal? Not quite. She woke up as we were exiting Trois-Rivières, limiting our options. I suggested waiting until Berthierville, but was told that she wouldn’t hold out that long. We were closing on Yamachiche. The choice became obvious: la Porte de la Mauricie. This old truck stop, which opened 30 years ago, was recently expanded and renovated. The complex now includes, on top of the original restaurant and the gas bar, a convenience…

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