A Toast to our Founding Fathers

For one evening, we were asked to forget about the political negotiations and intrigues that led to the birth of Canada to reflect on a more important question: what did the Fathers of Confederation (and their female guests) eat and drink at the Charlottetown Conference of 1864? Apparently, wine and extravagant meals played a vital role in convincing the Maritime provinces to join Confederation. Well, then. A Toast to our Founding Fathers was the first event in the Canadian Museum of History’s series of tastings inspired by historical events. Thanks to Audrey’s instigation and LP’s organizing skills, 15 of us were set to feast on a four-course dinner inspired by the Conference, prepared by the Museum resident chef Michael Lasalle (formerly at Chez Edgar). To wash everything down, a wine tasting led by renowned sommelier Véronique Rivest, the first woman ever to reach the podium at the World’s Best Sommelier…

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Ragoût de pattes de cochon!

Ms. Waffle is currently spending some time improving her French skills.  Good on her. Turns out, one of her teacher is Italian. Sì, signore. Massi has a PHD in French Literature. And he apparently has an obsession with French Canadian culture. Good on him. Recently, Massi asked her about the traditional Quebec holiday dish: Le ragoût de pattes de cochon. Basically, a pork stew. He’d never had it, and was wondering if it tasted as good as it sound.  She asked me about it, and ever since, I’d been craving it. So today after work, I got to work. I had gotten the supplies over the weekend and was ready to roll. Ingredients: For the base: 2 pork legs coarse salt to taste 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon 1/4 tsp. of  ground clove 1 tsp. of pepper 1/4 tsp. of nutmeg 1/3 tsp. garlic salt 2 tbsp. olive oil 1 big onion…

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Miso happy!

This morning, I received a weird email: “Miso happy James’ back! Quick Response is ‘wonton’ to welcome back our ‘kamikaze’ comrade James from his tempura paternity leave (aka baby vacation). We are going to all-you-can-eat sushi in his honour. How better to ‘maki’ the occasion? Udon are all welcome to come join in on the spider roll-licking good times! So at 12:30 we will all sashimi to Albert St to edamame a spare rib or two… Don’t be shrimps, be dynamite! Sincerely, Bei-seaweed salad.” Yeah, I know. Despite the bad puns, one must salute the effort of the writer, who inflicted embarrassment upon herself in order to create hilarity amongst her co-workers. Way to go, Bei-seaweed. Still, we made our way to the new Kirin Express, an Asian-fusion restaurant which replaced the venerable Cathay House as reported by The Waffle last year. And by Fusion, I mean they have a…

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Celebrating Freedom

Mel and I were meeting Crystal for dinner to catch up and so on and so on.  Ever since she moved to BC, we barely see her anymore. Mel had picked the terrace in front of the Metropolitain as a meeting point, planning to maybe wander in the Market for a place to eat.  But since I was a few minutes behind and Crystal was nowhere in sight, Mel made the executive decision to pick up one of the few remaining tables on the Met’s patio. I showed up and we ordered drinks while we waited.  Mel felt Euro-sophiticated and decided to go for an Alsatian Kiss, one of their Metro Martinis – Citron vodka, apple vodka, apple juice, simple syrup.  (Why isn’t it called Lemon Vodka anyway?)  It was a well balanced drink – not too sweet, some tartness. Refreshing.   I opted for a pint of Stiegl. An Austrian beer, the…

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