Home Posts tagged "Potatoes"

Tag: Potatoes

A Toast to our Founding Fathers

, , , , , , , , , , 2

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…

Read more!

Mezzaluna a quiet, hidden Italian discovery

, , , 0

I had a lunch date with Marie in downtown Ottawa and was trying to find a spot I had never been to. I had heard good things about Café Mezzaluna, so that’s where we headed. Located on Cooper near Elgin, this Italian restaurant is connected to the Cartier Place Suite Hotel.  It has a nice little patio in the summer, but since March begun at -10, it wasn’t open, despite yesterday’s hype about year-round patios being considered by the city.  I mean, this is not Vancouver, especially not today. The restaurant’s decor is kind of dated, but I actually do not mind.  It gives it a classic, old school feel, a warm and comforting atmosphere. We sat at a table in the back corner. There was a party of 8 by the front window, sitting around a big round table. A couple of women showed up some time after.  So it wasn’t empty, but it was quiet. Which,…

Read more!

Chickening Au Vieux Duluth

, , , , , , 0

Sunday night, coming back from a very successful scouting trip at the Conservative Convention in Calgary, I couldn’t say no when the Waffle Jr. asked to go to a restaurant. Interestingly enough, we have some gift certificates to use Au Vieux Duluth, and that is where we headed. Au Vieux Duluth is a chain of 34 Greek-style restaurants hailing from Montreal. The first Vieux Duluth opened its doors on February 1982 on Duluth street in Montréal. Au Vieux Duluth’s winning formula focusses on grilled specialties and seafood dishes, generous portions and of course, the bring-your-own-Wine-and-Beer formula. The Hull location has moved north recently, and is now conveniently located in a new mini-mall, which includes an SAQ store. The place was really busy, as it usually is on Sunday evenings. Thankfully, there was space, and we were given a large 6-seat booth for the 4 of us. We were in the…

Read more!

Celebrating Freedom

, , , , , , , , , , , 0

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…

Read more!

Plus près de Paris que nous pensons

, , , , , 0

We celebrated Gaby`s departure today at lunch, and we were very generous in letting her select the location. She decided that we would have lunch at the Métropolitain Brasserie because she is quite a fancy girl. Located at 700 Sussex, The Met is a relatively new favourite for politicos, journos and lobbyists of all types. They claim it is at the corner of Les Champs Élysées for marketing purposes, but you are soon reminded of where you are when you look down Rideau Street. The place was opened in 2005 by the owners of The Empire Grill, and has been trying to attract Hillites with specials such as The Hill Hour, from 4pm to 7pm on weekdays, where oysters, jumbo shrimp, mussels and othere appetizers are offered at decent price. Oysters for instance can be had at 1$ a piece during the HH. As it was, lobbyists were out in…

Read more!