On a flight to the US I learned that The Mad Radish was created by the founder of David's Tea. Coincidentally enough, I had eaten a salad there the week before. I was working on an event downtown and realized I hadn't eaten breakfast and needed to have something and fast. It was busy every where and I don't have the patience to stand in line. I guess at that point since I'd been working since 6:30 am, I was a bit hangry. As I turned the corner, I saw a sign I hadn't noticed before. The blue colour was appealing. Amazing the things that catch my eye, but whatever. It looked quiet so I figured why not? The restaurant is quite nice, clean, very modern and simply decorated. Reminded me of Europe. The menu was different, not your average salad bar.
The options were diverse and it was hard to decide which one to have. The staff greeted me right away and offered to answer any questions about the menu. I finally decided on the Falafel Salad. It includes baked falafel patties nestle in a bed of greens with pickled radishes, fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, garlicky chickpeas and herby quinoa tabouli, tossed in a sherry vinaigrette, then topped with a creamy tahini dressing. For those that like spice, you can get a side of their Mad Hot Sauce. This was not your average salad. The bowl was misleading, there was a lot more food in there than I expected. I could barely finish it. You get 4 falafel patties, which pretty much filled me up. Falafel can be hit and miss. At times I find it too dry and salty, but these ones were different. They had a bit of a bite to them and were very tasty. The thick and creamy tahini dressing helped to tone down the spice a bit and enhanced the flavour of the salad. I loved the pickled radishes, never had these before, and the quinoa tabouli was delicious.
It was just what I needed and given how hearty and filling it was, it would get me through the rest of the day and well into the evening since I probably wouldn't have time for dinner. No doubt I'll be going back. Working downtown it's easy to get to and allows me to stay close to the events I work on at Parliament Hill. Next time I'll probably ask them to only put on 2 falafel patties as I hate to waste food and I could barely finish my salad. As they say waste not, want not!
Price is average, but I'll tell you the ingredients are fresh and very diverse so I expected to pay more. The salad combinations are very unique and loaded with protein so you will most definitely feel full and satisfied. Portions are very generous. For me my salads have to be cold and crispy and that's exactly what I got. The falafel patties were warm, but they didn't heat up or whilt my greens. It's great to have this healthy fast food option. I'd pick this over a sandwich or burger any day. By the way, they don't just have salads, check out their warm bowls too. With winter just around the corner, that's what I'll be trying next!
Enjoy!
Carm the Foodie
Tuesday, 14 November 2017
Wednesday, 13 September 2017
Pure Kitchen - Westboro, Ottawa
It was a girlfriend's birthday and she said she wanted to "try something different" so I told her to meet me at Pure Kitchen. I knew she'd never been. This is a vegetarian and vegan paradise. Being a carnivore, she was taken off guard and not quite sure she'd like it. I told her to keep an open mind and give it a shot. As they say, "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always have what you've always got." Here was an opportunity for her to step outside the box and explore something new.
She was impressed by the menu. They have a great selection. I love meat too, but I'll try just about anything and I love vegetables. Fruit I can live without, but veggies are a staple in our house.
It was late and we weren't starving, so we decided not to have appetizers and stick to the mains.
My girlfriend couldn't decide. She definitely didn't want a soup or salad. I suggested a burger. You have the choice of the "Royale with Cheese" which is a mushroom and walnut patty or the "Summer Fun Time" made with a sweet potato patty. After what seemed like an eternity, she went with the "Summer Fun Time" with a side of fries. The burger is trimmed with a chipotle lime sauce, coconut bacon, tomato and sunflower sprouts. If this wasn't different and adventurous for her, I don't know what is. I really hoped she'd like it.
Interestingly enough I've never been crazy about falafel. Tried it many times, but didn't enjoy it. Not sure why, but on this menu it sounded so much more appealing. It is served on a flour tortilla with tomato, cucumber, mixed greens, pickled turnips, pickles, garlic sauce and a lemon tahini sauce.
Perhaps it was the name "Peaceful." Being a Mom of 4, I don't get many moments of peace so maybe this would help? Can't hurt to try! Lol With my "Peaceful" I ordered the kale caesar for the side. Their sandwiches and burgers come with a side. You have the option of fries, salad, half and half, soup or you can upgrade to a poutine.
I'll draw your attention to the coconut bacon. OMG, it's amazing. Who would have know that you can make coconut look and taste like bacon. I'm always very amused at how vegetarians have to make things look similar to meat products. I don't think I'll ever understand it, but these guys are magicians and everything tastes amazing.
I added cheese to my "Peaceful" and I'll tell you this is the best falafel sandwich I have ever had. Even with not one, but two sauces the bread wasn't all soggy. I think that's usually what turns me off. Texture is huge for me and there's nothing worse than eating wet bread. The vegetables were crunchy and the sauces were the perfect consistency. When I'm in the mood for falafel, this is where I'll be going. The kale caesar was delicious. I love the crunch of the kale and again the coconut bacon is awesome. For croutons they use crispy corn tortillas. I liked that the salad was lightly dressed, I hate soggy lettuce too!
My girlfriend loved her burger. It was so much more than she had expected. She enjoys a bit of spice so the chipotle lime sauce gave it a slight punch and really complimented all the flavors. The fries were amazing too. They are shoestring style and really crispy.
Our dinners were delicious. We thoroughly enjoyed everything. I had mentioned to the waitress when I arrived that we were celebrating a birthday so shortly after she'd taken away our clean plates, she reappeared with a huge slice of cake. It was a vanilla frosted chocolate cake. OMG, it was huge! Good thing we were sharing. There were layers of moist decadent chocolate cake with this beautiful fluffy mint green vanilla frosting. It wasn't too sweet nor was the cake overly rich. Perfect way to end such a great meal. We had to force ourselves to finish it because there was no way we were going to waste a single bite!
All of their desserts are vegan and gluten free so don't worry if you have allergies. My sister is gluten intolerant and most of the baking I had tried previously was kind of blah and dry. Not this cake. It's incredible how far we've come and improved ingredients so everyone can indulge.
The service was great. It was a busy night so we had to wait a bit for a table, but the food came out reasonably quickly and everything was delicious. Our waitress was extremely pleasant and attentive. Bringing the cake was a nice touch to celebrate the birthday. It's little things like this that stand out and make you want to go back.
The price was very reasonable. For both of us with drinks, the mains and coffee the total came to around $60.00 with taxes and tip. The ingredients are fresh and most items are prepared in house. Very unique items with interesting combinations that work really well. I look forward to going back and trying other items.
In the warmer months, ask to sit on the roof top patio. It's nice to be able to enjoy the beautiful weather and you can people watch as you look over the main strip in Westboro.
Even if you're a meat lover, you'll like the food here. We all need veggies and this restaurant certainly knows how to make them look and taste incredible. Give it a try, you'll love it too!
Carm the Foodie
She was impressed by the menu. They have a great selection. I love meat too, but I'll try just about anything and I love vegetables. Fruit I can live without, but veggies are a staple in our house.
It was late and we weren't starving, so we decided not to have appetizers and stick to the mains.
My girlfriend couldn't decide. She definitely didn't want a soup or salad. I suggested a burger. You have the choice of the "Royale with Cheese" which is a mushroom and walnut patty or the "Summer Fun Time" made with a sweet potato patty. After what seemed like an eternity, she went with the "Summer Fun Time" with a side of fries. The burger is trimmed with a chipotle lime sauce, coconut bacon, tomato and sunflower sprouts. If this wasn't different and adventurous for her, I don't know what is. I really hoped she'd like it.
Interestingly enough I've never been crazy about falafel. Tried it many times, but didn't enjoy it. Not sure why, but on this menu it sounded so much more appealing. It is served on a flour tortilla with tomato, cucumber, mixed greens, pickled turnips, pickles, garlic sauce and a lemon tahini sauce.
Perhaps it was the name "Peaceful." Being a Mom of 4, I don't get many moments of peace so maybe this would help? Can't hurt to try! Lol With my "Peaceful" I ordered the kale caesar for the side. Their sandwiches and burgers come with a side. You have the option of fries, salad, half and half, soup or you can upgrade to a poutine.
I'll draw your attention to the coconut bacon. OMG, it's amazing. Who would have know that you can make coconut look and taste like bacon. I'm always very amused at how vegetarians have to make things look similar to meat products. I don't think I'll ever understand it, but these guys are magicians and everything tastes amazing.
I added cheese to my "Peaceful" and I'll tell you this is the best falafel sandwich I have ever had. Even with not one, but two sauces the bread wasn't all soggy. I think that's usually what turns me off. Texture is huge for me and there's nothing worse than eating wet bread. The vegetables were crunchy and the sauces were the perfect consistency. When I'm in the mood for falafel, this is where I'll be going. The kale caesar was delicious. I love the crunch of the kale and again the coconut bacon is awesome. For croutons they use crispy corn tortillas. I liked that the salad was lightly dressed, I hate soggy lettuce too!
My girlfriend loved her burger. It was so much more than she had expected. She enjoys a bit of spice so the chipotle lime sauce gave it a slight punch and really complimented all the flavors. The fries were amazing too. They are shoestring style and really crispy.
Our dinners were delicious. We thoroughly enjoyed everything. I had mentioned to the waitress when I arrived that we were celebrating a birthday so shortly after she'd taken away our clean plates, she reappeared with a huge slice of cake. It was a vanilla frosted chocolate cake. OMG, it was huge! Good thing we were sharing. There were layers of moist decadent chocolate cake with this beautiful fluffy mint green vanilla frosting. It wasn't too sweet nor was the cake overly rich. Perfect way to end such a great meal. We had to force ourselves to finish it because there was no way we were going to waste a single bite!
All of their desserts are vegan and gluten free so don't worry if you have allergies. My sister is gluten intolerant and most of the baking I had tried previously was kind of blah and dry. Not this cake. It's incredible how far we've come and improved ingredients so everyone can indulge.
The service was great. It was a busy night so we had to wait a bit for a table, but the food came out reasonably quickly and everything was delicious. Our waitress was extremely pleasant and attentive. Bringing the cake was a nice touch to celebrate the birthday. It's little things like this that stand out and make you want to go back.
The price was very reasonable. For both of us with drinks, the mains and coffee the total came to around $60.00 with taxes and tip. The ingredients are fresh and most items are prepared in house. Very unique items with interesting combinations that work really well. I look forward to going back and trying other items.
In the warmer months, ask to sit on the roof top patio. It's nice to be able to enjoy the beautiful weather and you can people watch as you look over the main strip in Westboro.
Even if you're a meat lover, you'll like the food here. We all need veggies and this restaurant certainly knows how to make them look and taste incredible. Give it a try, you'll love it too!
Carm the Foodie
Tuesday, 5 September 2017
Mike's - Hull, Quebec
Breakfast is my favourite meal. Week days I usually don't have lunch so breakfast is a must. The same applies on the weekends, so scoping out new places for great food is our mission when out and about running errands. My kids share in my love of breakfast. Typically on weekends we try to sleep in then indulge in brunch which holds us over until dinner.
Mike's has an extensive breakfast menu with some really great options. They also have a kids menu and activity pages which my youngest loves.
On this visit I went with my son and youngest daughter. We were starving. My youngest ordered the kids waffle. It comes with chocolate sauce, fruit, syrup, strawberry coulis and a hazelnut chocolate spread. She loves sausage, so we ordered an extra side. The plate is decorated like a happy face which makes it all the more appealing for a young child. My son and I opted for the countryside dishes. It was hard to choose from the 8 different choices. They come served in an individual sized cast iron skillet. An impressive presentation. One or two eggs prepared any way you like are served on a delicious au gratin base prepared with seasoned potatoes. I chose the "Signature" which comes with onions, garlic spread, broccoli, zucchini, tomato, Saint-Raymond cheese, mozzarella and bacon with poached eggs. My son decided to try the "All Dressed" which comes loaded with green onions, garlic, mushrooms, green peppers, pepperoni and mozzarella with his eggs over easy. All countryside dishes are served with toast and a side of their delicious baked beans. Your coffee cup is topped up regularly and the servers are attentive, even when it's busy.
They have a great menu with morning pizzas, eggs benedict, waffles, omelettes, pancakes in addition to the usual breakfast specials for those who like to keep it simple. You can't go wrong, everything is good and the service is great. The prices are average, with generous portions and coffee is included with breakfast. For the 3 of us the total came to $40.00 including taxes and tip.
If you're looking for variety, Mike's is an excellent choice.
Carm the Foodie
Mike's has an extensive breakfast menu with some really great options. They also have a kids menu and activity pages which my youngest loves.
On this visit I went with my son and youngest daughter. We were starving. My youngest ordered the kids waffle. It comes with chocolate sauce, fruit, syrup, strawberry coulis and a hazelnut chocolate spread. She loves sausage, so we ordered an extra side. The plate is decorated like a happy face which makes it all the more appealing for a young child. My son and I opted for the countryside dishes. It was hard to choose from the 8 different choices. They come served in an individual sized cast iron skillet. An impressive presentation. One or two eggs prepared any way you like are served on a delicious au gratin base prepared with seasoned potatoes. I chose the "Signature" which comes with onions, garlic spread, broccoli, zucchini, tomato, Saint-Raymond cheese, mozzarella and bacon with poached eggs. My son decided to try the "All Dressed" which comes loaded with green onions, garlic, mushrooms, green peppers, pepperoni and mozzarella with his eggs over easy. All countryside dishes are served with toast and a side of their delicious baked beans. Your coffee cup is topped up regularly and the servers are attentive, even when it's busy.
They have a great menu with morning pizzas, eggs benedict, waffles, omelettes, pancakes in addition to the usual breakfast specials for those who like to keep it simple. You can't go wrong, everything is good and the service is great. The prices are average, with generous portions and coffee is included with breakfast. For the 3 of us the total came to $40.00 including taxes and tip.
If you're looking for variety, Mike's is an excellent choice.
Carm the Foodie
7 Eleven Plus - Japan
Who would've thought you'd go to your local 7 Eleven convenience store to pick-up breakfast, lunch, dinner. If you just want a snack like we do back home, you can get them here too. Many locals frequent these convenience stores not only to pick-up day-to-day staples, but complete meals. They have a huge selection of prepared meals. The walls are lined with refridgerator displaying sushi, sandwiches, salads, full meals with rice and pickled vegetables, noodle or rice bowls, soups and the list goes on and on. Selections vary by location. They have snacks, a vast selection of drinks, ice-cream and a dessert section that would have you believe you were in a pastry shop. Can you believe they have ready to go soft serve cones in the ice-cream section?
These are nothing like the North American 7 Eleven stores, probably why they call them 7 Eleven Plus.
For the hot meal selections, they even heat them up for you and provide chop sticks and a wet napkin when you get up to the cash. This is convenient, inexpensive and healthier than fast food. Whether you're vegetarian or otherwise, the vast selection caters to all needs and likes. The cost ranges just under $10.00 Cdn per person with a drink and dessert.
I've fallen in love with the mille crepe with cream cake. Their desserts are pieces of art you feel guilty cutting into. The Japanese are huge on presentation. Even the smallest of gifts are very elaborately wrapped. I'm not a dessert person, but I think this trip will convert me. The desserts look decadent, but they are not overly sweet and the portions are much smaller than ours back home. This affords you a little less guilt! Lol
These are nothing like the North American 7 Eleven stores, probably why they call them 7 Eleven Plus.
For the hot meal selections, they even heat them up for you and provide chop sticks and a wet napkin when you get up to the cash. This is convenient, inexpensive and healthier than fast food. Whether you're vegetarian or otherwise, the vast selection caters to all needs and likes. The cost ranges just under $10.00 Cdn per person with a drink and dessert.
I've fallen in love with the mille crepe with cream cake. Their desserts are pieces of art you feel guilty cutting into. The Japanese are huge on presentation. Even the smallest of gifts are very elaborately wrapped. I'm not a dessert person, but I think this trip will convert me. The desserts look decadent, but they are not overly sweet and the portions are much smaller than ours back home. This affords you a little less guilt! Lol
Incredible how different stores and restaurants we have at home vary around the world. When in Japan, check out the 7 Eleven stores. Great for quick and inexpensive meals while site seeing or when staying at an AirBnB and you don't want to cook. Convenient, healthy and very affordable!
Enjoy!
Carm the Foodie
Monday, 4 September 2017
Archibald Microbrasserie - Montreal, Quebec
I was headed to Japan with my son for the Nawatobi championships. He had just returned from Edmonton and now we were driving to Montreal to meet up with Team Canada.
We hadn't slept in two days. It was 4:00 am when we arrived at the airport. By the time we met up with everyone and checked I'm, we needed food.
While walking to our gate we came across Archibald. It has a very rustic cabin like look. They had a seating area in the corridor and another inside. There were logs and red and black flannel fabric on the benches with various cushions decorated with faux fur, deer, moose and bears. It made for a very relaxed cabin like atmosphere and the seats were very comfortable.
We sat out in the corridor so we could people watch.
The picture on the menu caught our attention. The omelette looked amazing. It was a chorizo and mushroom omelette with sweet potato puree, old cheddar and arugula. Funny that we both gravitated to that one. My son decided to order the eggs Benedict with brie and chippie ham instead so we could try different plates.
The food came out fairly quickly. Both plates looked very artistically arranged. We should've taken pictures!
The plates came with home fries and the omelette had a side of toasted artisan bread. The omelette was delicious. The chorizo was surprisingly spicy, but the sweet potato puree and the melted cheddar helped tone down the heat. The mushrooms were sautéed and slightly crispy and the arugula added an element of freshness with a nutty flavour.
The eggs Benedict were rich and creamy. I never would have thought to use brie. The eggs were poached soft. The runny yolk, hollandaise sauce and melted cheese married perfectly creating a rich creamy note further enhanced by the ham which had a pulled texture and was well seasoned.
We'll have to plan another trip out of Montreal so we can go back and try other items from the menu. All the dishes coming out looked good.
Price was a bit high at $50.00 for two, but keep in mind prices are higher at the airports and coffee is not included with breakfast. I have no issues paying more for high quality food, especially when it's out of the ordinary. The ingredients were fresh and the combinations were unique. Our meals were amazing and the service was good.
You have to check it out!
Carm the Foodie
We hadn't slept in two days. It was 4:00 am when we arrived at the airport. By the time we met up with everyone and checked I'm, we needed food.
While walking to our gate we came across Archibald. It has a very rustic cabin like look. They had a seating area in the corridor and another inside. There were logs and red and black flannel fabric on the benches with various cushions decorated with faux fur, deer, moose and bears. It made for a very relaxed cabin like atmosphere and the seats were very comfortable.
We sat out in the corridor so we could people watch.
The picture on the menu caught our attention. The omelette looked amazing. It was a chorizo and mushroom omelette with sweet potato puree, old cheddar and arugula. Funny that we both gravitated to that one. My son decided to order the eggs Benedict with brie and chippie ham instead so we could try different plates.
The food came out fairly quickly. Both plates looked very artistically arranged. We should've taken pictures!
The plates came with home fries and the omelette had a side of toasted artisan bread. The omelette was delicious. The chorizo was surprisingly spicy, but the sweet potato puree and the melted cheddar helped tone down the heat. The mushrooms were sautéed and slightly crispy and the arugula added an element of freshness with a nutty flavour.
The eggs Benedict were rich and creamy. I never would have thought to use brie. The eggs were poached soft. The runny yolk, hollandaise sauce and melted cheese married perfectly creating a rich creamy note further enhanced by the ham which had a pulled texture and was well seasoned.
We'll have to plan another trip out of Montreal so we can go back and try other items from the menu. All the dishes coming out looked good.
Price was a bit high at $50.00 for two, but keep in mind prices are higher at the airports and coffee is not included with breakfast. I have no issues paying more for high quality food, especially when it's out of the ordinary. The ingredients were fresh and the combinations were unique. Our meals were amazing and the service was good.
You have to check it out!
Carm the Foodie
Lift Bar, Grill and View - Vancouver, BC
While on our journey to Japan, Vancouver was the next stop. We decided to grab something to eat since we had almost three hours to kill. It was lunch time anyways, but we didn't want fast food. After walking around for a bit , we came across Lift. It was empty and looked like it was closed. The menu was posted and they had a sharing menu with a cheese and charcuterie board. That would be perfect.
A hostess came over and welcomed us. The restaurant was open. She confirmed we could order from the brunch, sharing or lunch menus. Perfect! We knew what we wanted.
It was a very nice place with modern decor. There was a large salt water aquarium built into the wall. It was beautiful with brightly coloured corals and tropical fish. I find watching the fish swim around very calming and soothing.
The waitress came over after delivering food to another table. Most were ordering from the brunch menu. We ordered our drinks and the sharing plate. Slowly the restaurant started to fill up. I joked with my son that we're trend setters! Lol
The cheese and charcuterie platter arrived. The waitress described the various items. There was some prosciutto, chorizo sausage, brie, goat's cheese with pine nuts and pumpkin seeds, a smoked cheese, fig and raspberry compote, truffle honey, a generous mixed greens salad with a lemony vinaigrette and some baby garlic gerkins. The plate was garnished with garlic crisps.
My son had to take a picture. It looked very appetizing so it didn't require too much convincing for us to dive in. We thoroughly enjoyed it. The prosciutto was thinly sliced. The chorizo was the Portuguese style with a slight bite to it, but not overly spicy.
It was a perfect sized portion for two people. If you were going for dinner you might want to order a couple more sharing plates or a main. We were satisfied and it would hold us until dinner.
I found the price beyond reasonable. It was less than I expected given the restaurant was more higher end. The total bill with everything included was under $30.00. Always a nice surprise when you enjoy a high end meal at a low cost.
If you're at the Vancouver airport, check out Lift. They have a great menu with numerous options including sushi and sharing plates.
Enjoy!
Carm the Foodie
A hostess came over and welcomed us. The restaurant was open. She confirmed we could order from the brunch, sharing or lunch menus. Perfect! We knew what we wanted.
It was a very nice place with modern decor. There was a large salt water aquarium built into the wall. It was beautiful with brightly coloured corals and tropical fish. I find watching the fish swim around very calming and soothing.
The waitress came over after delivering food to another table. Most were ordering from the brunch menu. We ordered our drinks and the sharing plate. Slowly the restaurant started to fill up. I joked with my son that we're trend setters! Lol
The cheese and charcuterie platter arrived. The waitress described the various items. There was some prosciutto, chorizo sausage, brie, goat's cheese with pine nuts and pumpkin seeds, a smoked cheese, fig and raspberry compote, truffle honey, a generous mixed greens salad with a lemony vinaigrette and some baby garlic gerkins. The plate was garnished with garlic crisps.
My son had to take a picture. It looked very appetizing so it didn't require too much convincing for us to dive in. We thoroughly enjoyed it. The prosciutto was thinly sliced. The chorizo was the Portuguese style with a slight bite to it, but not overly spicy.
It was a perfect sized portion for two people. If you were going for dinner you might want to order a couple more sharing plates or a main. We were satisfied and it would hold us until dinner.
I found the price beyond reasonable. It was less than I expected given the restaurant was more higher end. The total bill with everything included was under $30.00. Always a nice surprise when you enjoy a high end meal at a low cost.
If you're at the Vancouver airport, check out Lift. They have a great menu with numerous options including sushi and sharing plates.
Enjoy!
Carm the Foodie
Thursday, 24 August 2017
Pho Bo Ga 77 - Hull, Quebec
When you're in the mood for soup, check this place out. It's very simple, nothing fancy. One of those little holes in the wall you probably wouldn't notice or think to look for. A friend had talked about it a while back and suggested it for lunch.
This is now our go to choice for a quick and healthy lunch.
I ordered the medium #39. It comes with egg and rice noodles, pork and shrimp. My girlfriend ordered #36 rice noodles with mixed meats and seafood.
Within minutes our bowls arrived. As usual, they were bigger than expected. Unless you're starving or planning on sharing, don't order the large. Portions are big. Our eyes had a much larger appetite than our stomachs! On the side comes a plate with all the garnishes; sprouts, a variety of sauces, a spoon and chop sticks.
The broth is well seasoned, piping hot and loaded with ingredients. They certainly don't skimp on the meats or the seafood.
Price is very reasonable at around $12.00 per person including the tip. No need to order drinks, the soups are very filling. Service is fast so perfect for those short on time or you can take it to go. For those that don't want soup, they have an extensive menu with various options including daily specials and stir fries.
Give it a try, worth the trip!
Carm the Foodie
This is now our go to choice for a quick and healthy lunch.
I ordered the medium #39. It comes with egg and rice noodles, pork and shrimp. My girlfriend ordered #36 rice noodles with mixed meats and seafood.
Within minutes our bowls arrived. As usual, they were bigger than expected. Unless you're starving or planning on sharing, don't order the large. Portions are big. Our eyes had a much larger appetite than our stomachs! On the side comes a plate with all the garnishes; sprouts, a variety of sauces, a spoon and chop sticks.
The broth is well seasoned, piping hot and loaded with ingredients. They certainly don't skimp on the meats or the seafood.
Price is very reasonable at around $12.00 per person including the tip. No need to order drinks, the soups are very filling. Service is fast so perfect for those short on time or you can take it to go. For those that don't want soup, they have an extensive menu with various options including daily specials and stir fries.
Give it a try, worth the trip!
Carm the Foodie
Friday, 21 July 2017
Malone's Lakeside Bar & Grill - Ottawa
It was one of those days hot smoldering days and I didn't feel like cooking, so I picked up my girls and decided we were going out for dinner. Where to go? On a beautiful sunny day, definitely near the water. Malone's popped into my mind and off we went.
When we arrived it wasn't very busy. We were seated on the patio with a great view of Dow's Lake. Thank goodness for shade, it was really hot out.
My girls ordered a burger and spaghetti while I had a Greek salad. Given the heat, I had to order a slushy margarita. It was perfect!
Our waiter was amazing. He had a great sense of humour and was very attentive. He was really good with my girls, we really enjoyed our dinner. The food came out very quickly. Their portions are huge. There was enough food for all three of us to try everything.
The breeze from the water felt wonderful. In the full sun you were melting. Good thing we arrived when we did because it filled up quickly and there weren't many seats available in the shade.
We relaxed and took our time. When we finished our dinner, the girls had to have dessert. The waiter completed agreed and suggested ice-cream sundaes. What kid in their right mind would say no? Their eyes lit up and immediately they asked, "Mom can we please have ice-cream?" Mom was still enjoying her margarita so how could I object?
One had a chocolate sundae with chocolate ice-cream, the other with vanilla ice-cream. They were so big, Mom was able to try some too!
If you're looking for somewhere simple with a great view of the water and really good food, you have to check out Malone's. You can also choose to sit inside if you prefer the comfort of air conditioning. They have a very extensive menu. Whether you just want drinks and appetizers or a full meal, there's something to please everyone. All the plates look amazing and are piled high with food. You won't be disappointed. Prices are reasonable and about mid range. We were one adult and two kids and the total bill with tax and tip was $60.00.
Summer is too short. Treat yourself to a nice lakeside dinner at Malone's!
Carm the Foodie
When we arrived it wasn't very busy. We were seated on the patio with a great view of Dow's Lake. Thank goodness for shade, it was really hot out.
My girls ordered a burger and spaghetti while I had a Greek salad. Given the heat, I had to order a slushy margarita. It was perfect!
Our waiter was amazing. He had a great sense of humour and was very attentive. He was really good with my girls, we really enjoyed our dinner. The food came out very quickly. Their portions are huge. There was enough food for all three of us to try everything.
The breeze from the water felt wonderful. In the full sun you were melting. Good thing we arrived when we did because it filled up quickly and there weren't many seats available in the shade.
We relaxed and took our time. When we finished our dinner, the girls had to have dessert. The waiter completed agreed and suggested ice-cream sundaes. What kid in their right mind would say no? Their eyes lit up and immediately they asked, "Mom can we please have ice-cream?" Mom was still enjoying her margarita so how could I object?
One had a chocolate sundae with chocolate ice-cream, the other with vanilla ice-cream. They were so big, Mom was able to try some too!
If you're looking for somewhere simple with a great view of the water and really good food, you have to check out Malone's. You can also choose to sit inside if you prefer the comfort of air conditioning. They have a very extensive menu. Whether you just want drinks and appetizers or a full meal, there's something to please everyone. All the plates look amazing and are piled high with food. You won't be disappointed. Prices are reasonable and about mid range. We were one adult and two kids and the total bill with tax and tip was $60.00.
Summer is too short. Treat yourself to a nice lakeside dinner at Malone's!
Carm the Foodie
Saturday, 8 July 2017
Tomasso's Italian Grille - Trenton, Ontario
After 3 long weeks riddled with overtime, few meals and living out of suitcases, my colleagues and I decided we were going downtown for a nice dinner. It was beautiful out and the day before chaos would hit, so a nice patio by the water and a few drinks were in order!
Our colleague suggested Tomasso's Italian Grille. She'd been there before and loved the food. Our driver concurred. He said everything on the menu was good and we couldn't go wrong.
We finished working and headed out for a late dinner. It was around 8:00 pm. The restaurant was busy. The hostess asked if we wanted a table inside or on the patio. When you have the option of eating by the water, outside is the correct answer! What a beautiful night. There was a slight breeze and the water was calm. All of a sudden it started to drizzle, but it ended as suddenly as it started so we stayed on the patio.
Our dinner was interrupted by a work conference call, but it was all good. We had already ordered our drinks and had all the information needed to put the bosses at ease. The waiter was spunky and had a great sense of humour. For dinner I wanted something different so couldn't decide what I wanted. An appetizer would be too much, I had to pick one dish. The ladies were starving, sharing was not an option! Lol Watching the dished for the other tables go by made it all the more difficult and everything on the menu sounded good. As I looked over the menu again I spotted the "Trio Milanese." This dish had "Milk fed veal, chicken breast, shrimp, lemon-butter, white wine, garlic mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables" for me this was perfect. I'd get a taste of the sea with some chicken and veal. As they say, variety is the spice of life. It sounded so good my colleagues went along with my choice. The waiter laughed, we made it very easy for him.
When the plates arrived, the waiter received a unanimous, "Wow." The food looked amazing. Generous portions of chicken and veal artfully resting on the bed of mashed potatoes with the shrimp decorating the edges of the plates and the seasonal vegetables including carrots and broccoli adding a punch of colour to the plate. Our only regret is that we forgot to take a picture of the plates! No doubt we were starving so we dug in.
I don't usually order shrimp at restaurants because they tend to be over cooked and rubbery. These were amazing. The texture was perfect and the sauce was delicious. Both the chicken and the veal were tender and succulent, you could cut them with your fork. We all agreed it was an excellent choice.
The waiter was very impressed that we all cleaned our plates. He commented that obviously we all had a very good up bringing with parents that wouldn't allow us to leave the table until our plates were finished. We laughed because it was so true. Throwing out food was sacrilege in our house, especially when it came to meat and seafood.
Even though we were stuffed, one of my colleagues insisted that we had to indulge. We couldn't leave without having dessert and coffee. Tomorrow would be insane and chances were we wouldn't have time to eat, so best to take advantage and stock up with some extra calories. Who could say no to that justification? Can you tell we're all government workers?
The waiter returned and we asked what was on the dessert menu. He rhymed off several options, but one stood out for all of us. The Chocolate Eruption. We asked him to describe it, "Chocolate cheesecake, white chocolate chunks, pecans, almonds, chocolate syrup and caramel sauce." Ok, three women as if we were going to say no to that. However, we did agree that we'd share one. Watching the desserts arriving at the other tables confirmed we were way too full to polish off three desserts and coffee.
We were not disappointed. I think the waiter cut us a much larger piece and artfully decorated the plate to make it all the more appealing, not that chocolate needs much help, but we didn't complain. It was delicious. The cake was rich and decadent. A perfect way to end the night. We stuck around well beyond closing time, but no one seemed to mind. We were the last ones to leave!
I'd say prices are moderate, less than I expected. The portions are generous, food was excellent and most of it is made in house. I think what impressed us the most was the service. The restaurant was packed and extremely busy, but the level of service was outstanding. We never felt neglected, the waiter was very attentive and checked on us regularly. The food came out rather quickly considering how busy it was. The waiter's personality and sense of humour definitely added to the experience.
I strongly recommend this restaurant. If you have the opportunity, visit Trenton and go on a wine tour then stop at Tomasso's for a nice dinner. You'll love it!
Carm the Foodie
Our colleague suggested Tomasso's Italian Grille. She'd been there before and loved the food. Our driver concurred. He said everything on the menu was good and we couldn't go wrong.
We finished working and headed out for a late dinner. It was around 8:00 pm. The restaurant was busy. The hostess asked if we wanted a table inside or on the patio. When you have the option of eating by the water, outside is the correct answer! What a beautiful night. There was a slight breeze and the water was calm. All of a sudden it started to drizzle, but it ended as suddenly as it started so we stayed on the patio.
Our dinner was interrupted by a work conference call, but it was all good. We had already ordered our drinks and had all the information needed to put the bosses at ease. The waiter was spunky and had a great sense of humour. For dinner I wanted something different so couldn't decide what I wanted. An appetizer would be too much, I had to pick one dish. The ladies were starving, sharing was not an option! Lol Watching the dished for the other tables go by made it all the more difficult and everything on the menu sounded good. As I looked over the menu again I spotted the "Trio Milanese." This dish had "Milk fed veal, chicken breast, shrimp, lemon-butter, white wine, garlic mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables" for me this was perfect. I'd get a taste of the sea with some chicken and veal. As they say, variety is the spice of life. It sounded so good my colleagues went along with my choice. The waiter laughed, we made it very easy for him.
When the plates arrived, the waiter received a unanimous, "Wow." The food looked amazing. Generous portions of chicken and veal artfully resting on the bed of mashed potatoes with the shrimp decorating the edges of the plates and the seasonal vegetables including carrots and broccoli adding a punch of colour to the plate. Our only regret is that we forgot to take a picture of the plates! No doubt we were starving so we dug in.
I don't usually order shrimp at restaurants because they tend to be over cooked and rubbery. These were amazing. The texture was perfect and the sauce was delicious. Both the chicken and the veal were tender and succulent, you could cut them with your fork. We all agreed it was an excellent choice.
The waiter was very impressed that we all cleaned our plates. He commented that obviously we all had a very good up bringing with parents that wouldn't allow us to leave the table until our plates were finished. We laughed because it was so true. Throwing out food was sacrilege in our house, especially when it came to meat and seafood.
Even though we were stuffed, one of my colleagues insisted that we had to indulge. We couldn't leave without having dessert and coffee. Tomorrow would be insane and chances were we wouldn't have time to eat, so best to take advantage and stock up with some extra calories. Who could say no to that justification? Can you tell we're all government workers?
The waiter returned and we asked what was on the dessert menu. He rhymed off several options, but one stood out for all of us. The Chocolate Eruption. We asked him to describe it, "Chocolate cheesecake, white chocolate chunks, pecans, almonds, chocolate syrup and caramel sauce." Ok, three women as if we were going to say no to that. However, we did agree that we'd share one. Watching the desserts arriving at the other tables confirmed we were way too full to polish off three desserts and coffee.
We were not disappointed. I think the waiter cut us a much larger piece and artfully decorated the plate to make it all the more appealing, not that chocolate needs much help, but we didn't complain. It was delicious. The cake was rich and decadent. A perfect way to end the night. We stuck around well beyond closing time, but no one seemed to mind. We were the last ones to leave!
I'd say prices are moderate, less than I expected. The portions are generous, food was excellent and most of it is made in house. I think what impressed us the most was the service. The restaurant was packed and extremely busy, but the level of service was outstanding. We never felt neglected, the waiter was very attentive and checked on us regularly. The food came out rather quickly considering how busy it was. The waiter's personality and sense of humour definitely added to the experience.
I strongly recommend this restaurant. If you have the opportunity, visit Trenton and go on a wine tour then stop at Tomasso's for a nice dinner. You'll love it!
Carm the Foodie
Sunday, 2 July 2017
The Granite Room - Iqaluit, Nunavut
I've always wanted to visit Nunavut and I finally got the opportunity to go through work. This was my first time in Iqaluit. We stayed at the Discovery Lodge Hotel, a beautiful boutique hotel just a quick walk from the airport. I happened to arrive on Victoria Day so to my disappointment, most businesses were closed. After taking a long walk through town, it was time to eat. With limited options, I decided to eat at The Granite Room in the hotel. This is a newly renovated hotel. It is quite modern with very tasteful décor. The Granite Room has Aboriginal artwork and carvings, it is ultra modern. The light fixture above the dining room resembles pieces of ice or icebergs floating in the sea and the lighting can be adjusted with different colours to set the mood.
When I first opened the menu, I was a little taken aback by the prices. You have to keep in mind that everything has to be transported in by air or by sea when the water isn't frozen over so prices are far higher than what we are accustomed to in Ottawa.
I decided to splurge and ordered the rib steak. There was only one other table that night. The entire town was quite, the bulk of business people would be arriving on the Tuesday so I enjoyed the very peaceful atmosphere and personalized service. The server was very attentive and welcoming. He immediately brought water to the table and shortly after I ordered, a basket of warm home baked rolls arrived at the table. After what seemed to be mere minutes, my dinner arrived. The waiter said it was very quiet so easy for the kitchen to get the food out quickly.
The plate looked stunning. There was a huge steak, and I mean huge. I've never ordered a steak and received one this size. The Granite Room uses very large plates and the steak took up the bulk of the real estate. It was served with a colourful medley of vegetables including rainbow coloured peppers, broccoli and carrots with a generous side of mashed potatoes. The rich bordelaise sauce was artfully decorating the plate while overlapping the steak. I had to take a picture and send it to my son. He wrote back immediately - "OMG, Mom that looks amazing! No fair, where's mine?" I can't think of any meat loving man that would look at this plate and not fall head over heels in love. Had I not already been hungry, seeing this piece of art would have quickly openned my appetite.
My steak was cooked to a perfect medium rare. It was so tender I didn't need to use the knife to cut it. It melted in my mouth. The rich sauce was thick and overflowing with flavours that further enhanced the meat. I loved that my vegetables still had a bit of a crunch and the potatoes were really hot. For me when my food is supposed to be hot, I want it really hot. My meal was the perfect temperature and stayed that way through to the last bite.
The waiter checked in regularly and made sure my water glass was always full. I had to pace myself cause there was no way I was going to waste a single bite of this feast. A few more customers came in adding to the ambiance as I slowly worked my way through the plate. It was incredible. The waiter couldn't believe I managed to finish it all.
The dessert menu looked amazing, but there was absolutely no room left. I settled for a coffee before heading out for another long walk to help me digest my dinner.
The price is high, but you get your money's worth. The portion was huge and it was a quality cut of beef. Perfect marbling, tender, juicy and cooked just the way I like it. The total cost for the steak, a soft drink and coffee was around $100.00 including taxes and tip for one person. Add to this the beautiful modern décor and excellent service and you'll agree it's well worth it.
The restaurant and hotel are clean and well maintained. Staff are very welcoming and pleasant, eager to please and make sure you have everything you need. This is the quality and service you would get at a 5+ star hotel/restaurant. I'd rate The Granite Room right up there with the Nobu in Manila.
In fact, it was so good we arranged to have all of my colleagues have dinner there the following night and they were all blown away. We all ordered the Surf and Tundra which was outstanding. The dish came with Arctic Char and Caribou steak showcasing the specialties of the north. Once again I was beyond impressed. The Caribou was better than any meat I've ever had.
Go ahead and splurge, you deserve it. I promise you won't be disappointed. I can't wait to go back!
Carm the Foodie
When I first opened the menu, I was a little taken aback by the prices. You have to keep in mind that everything has to be transported in by air or by sea when the water isn't frozen over so prices are far higher than what we are accustomed to in Ottawa.
I decided to splurge and ordered the rib steak. There was only one other table that night. The entire town was quite, the bulk of business people would be arriving on the Tuesday so I enjoyed the very peaceful atmosphere and personalized service. The server was very attentive and welcoming. He immediately brought water to the table and shortly after I ordered, a basket of warm home baked rolls arrived at the table. After what seemed to be mere minutes, my dinner arrived. The waiter said it was very quiet so easy for the kitchen to get the food out quickly.
The plate looked stunning. There was a huge steak, and I mean huge. I've never ordered a steak and received one this size. The Granite Room uses very large plates and the steak took up the bulk of the real estate. It was served with a colourful medley of vegetables including rainbow coloured peppers, broccoli and carrots with a generous side of mashed potatoes. The rich bordelaise sauce was artfully decorating the plate while overlapping the steak. I had to take a picture and send it to my son. He wrote back immediately - "OMG, Mom that looks amazing! No fair, where's mine?" I can't think of any meat loving man that would look at this plate and not fall head over heels in love. Had I not already been hungry, seeing this piece of art would have quickly openned my appetite.
My steak was cooked to a perfect medium rare. It was so tender I didn't need to use the knife to cut it. It melted in my mouth. The rich sauce was thick and overflowing with flavours that further enhanced the meat. I loved that my vegetables still had a bit of a crunch and the potatoes were really hot. For me when my food is supposed to be hot, I want it really hot. My meal was the perfect temperature and stayed that way through to the last bite.
The waiter checked in regularly and made sure my water glass was always full. I had to pace myself cause there was no way I was going to waste a single bite of this feast. A few more customers came in adding to the ambiance as I slowly worked my way through the plate. It was incredible. The waiter couldn't believe I managed to finish it all.
The dessert menu looked amazing, but there was absolutely no room left. I settled for a coffee before heading out for another long walk to help me digest my dinner.
The price is high, but you get your money's worth. The portion was huge and it was a quality cut of beef. Perfect marbling, tender, juicy and cooked just the way I like it. The total cost for the steak, a soft drink and coffee was around $100.00 including taxes and tip for one person. Add to this the beautiful modern décor and excellent service and you'll agree it's well worth it.
The restaurant and hotel are clean and well maintained. Staff are very welcoming and pleasant, eager to please and make sure you have everything you need. This is the quality and service you would get at a 5+ star hotel/restaurant. I'd rate The Granite Room right up there with the Nobu in Manila.
In fact, it was so good we arranged to have all of my colleagues have dinner there the following night and they were all blown away. We all ordered the Surf and Tundra which was outstanding. The dish came with Arctic Char and Caribou steak showcasing the specialties of the north. Once again I was beyond impressed. The Caribou was better than any meat I've ever had.
Go ahead and splurge, you deserve it. I promise you won't be disappointed. I can't wait to go back!
Carm the Foodie
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