California Swissing

I showed up for my lunch meeting at the 3 Brewers, as suggested by Richard. The place was busy but not overcrowded. The server informed us that unfortunately, they were down a deep fryer and that some items were not available, specifically the fish and chips – no fish frying today in order to avoid cross-contamination to protect their fish-allergic customers. I was totally taken aback by the news because, obviously, the Fish and Chips is totally what one should get at a French Brewery. I peered at the menu carefully. I regularly get the Flammekueche, but I didn’t feel like it today. I considered the Cassoulet, but thought it would be too heavy. I ignored the Burgers and the Poutine section, because as usual I was focused on my health. Our server came back to take our orders. I selected the Santa Fe Chicken, a salad with Grilled chicken,…

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Le Savoy’s special lunch

The Savoy opened about two years ago The Savoy opened about two years ago and has been a popular destination in Westboro. It is the brasserie-soeur of The Metropolitain. Owned by the same group, along with the Empire Grill and The Grand Pizzeria and Bar, it is located where the Westboro iconic, Moe’s World Famous Newport Restaurant (and Ottawa’s Elvis Sighting Society) was established for 25 years. With big windows, high ceilings and ceramic floors, the spot has undergone significant renovations to become a French Brasserie. It also now showcases a mile-long zinc-topped bar. Large mirrors around the room make the space look even more spacious. It was quiet during lunch time which made for a great, personalized and efficient service. The menu is quite similar to The Met, but somewhat less expensive. Of course, The Savoy’s executive chef is Mike Poliquin – same as its brasserie-soeur, so the logic…

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Layover in Philadelphia

Contrary to our layover on our way to Phoenix which lasted about 20 minutes while running through terminals, we had about two hours at the Philadelphia airport on our way back home. This meant we would be able to get some lunch and hopefully relax a little. We had to take the shuttle from Terminal A to Terminal F. Terminal F at the Philadelphia airport is for small commuter flights and has recently been renovated. The chief benefit is, apparently, better food options. Once you get off the shuttle and enter Terminal F, you are faced with two general options: either choose one of the spots in the Food Court (From left to right: Sbarro, Far East, Smash Burger, Red Mango, Philly Pretzel Factory, Le Bus Café, Chipotle, Tony Luke’s, Au Bon Pain) or sit down in something that looks like an actual restaurant, the Local Tavern. And that’s where…

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Meatball sandwiches!

Founded in 1934, The Prescott was one of Ottawa’s two original licensed drinking establishments, The Lafayette being the other. Located in Ottawa’s little Italy, the business started as a corner store with founder Antonio Disipio making his own sausages and serving cheap beer. The Prescott Hotel was named as such in 1941 because the hotel was the last building on the highway to Prescott, a town 65 miles away, hence it’s nickname, “The Last Chance”. The spot is spacious and can accommodate a lot of people. It regularly hosts live bands and acts from the Ottawa area. The three telephone booths are still in place, labeled French, English and Italian in order to facilitate access for customers. This old school tavern is still popular after all these years, people gathering to watch a game, have a pint and grab some grub. And that’s what 8 of us were doing this…

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Pit stop at Herb’s

In 1977, Herb Vink Sr. bought property on the new highway 417 linking Ottawa to Montreal. There, he built a restaurant, a gas station, and a towing business at the intersection of Highway 34. Since there was no other business nearby, travelers and truckers started to make regular pit stops. Herb’s Travel Plaza is still a thriving business in Vankleek Hill, and was fully renovated a few years ago. You can not only get gas and food, but also buy souvenirs, St-Albert cheese, take a shower, do your laundry and get a haircut. Herb’s is hard to miss, with gigantic signs announcing its presence and its iconic red roof. There is lots of room to move around and a handful of old Cessnas are in the field, not far from the old airstrip. I don’t come here very often, though, but from time to time I do make a stop.…

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