Factors to Consider When Rating a Restaurant

Good evening All,

I felt it was important to mention that no one is perfect.  Just like we have bad days, a restaurant can have a bad day too.

When I'm visiting a restaurant and have a bad experience, I'll write my review, but hold off on posting it.  If ever you're in a situation where something is going wrong, whether you received the wrong dish, the server was rude, your food was not cooked properly, whatever....The best thing to do is to bring it to the server's attention.  If that fails, you may need to escalate it to the manager or owner.  Sometimes it's an easy fix. Mistakes are made because again no human being is perfect.  When a restaurant is extremely busy or they are short staffed, the likelihood of a mistake greatly increases.  When learning a new job no matter where we work, it takes time and there's no doubt we will make mistakes.  Keep that in mind.  Be honest and try to be reasonable.  Any owner or manager wants to ensure all issues are resolved so that you'll come back.  The way the complaint is handled makes all the difference in the world.  Also keep in mind that the way the complaint is voiced is equally important. 

If your concern is not addressed and you are not appropriately compensated, then I say go ahead and post your unfavourable review.  Speaking from the restaurant's perspective, I'd argue that the customer is not always right, but I feel it is extremely important to manage expectations and be fair.  After all, the customer is paying and you want them to come back.  It is also important to avoid causing a scene that could paint the establishment in a negative light.  I've seen owners and chefs with highly inflated egos go off on a customer in a crowded restaurant.  In the long run this will hurt their business.  For every person that likes a dish, you'll have another that doesn't.  Is one right and the other wrong?  Which one?  Think about the expression "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder".  You might think you're God's gift to the world, but your opinion is irrelevant.  Ultimately it is others that will decide whether or not they like your food. Just because the chef or owner think their food is the best, doesn't mean it is.  Confidence is sexy, arrogance is a major turn off.  At the end of the day, the majority opinion wins.  If you can't handle criticism, the restaurant business is not for you. 

My Mom was a caterer for many years and I can tell you it's a tough business.  When the owner isn't there, it is not unusual for things to be different.   No one could make bread like Mom, so clients could always tell the difference when she didn't make it.  She worked extremely long hours and always tried to forecast what clients would need when she was going to be away, but she couldn't read minds or be there 24/7.  For her fresh was always key so making things in advance was difficult if not impossible. As previously mentioned, consistency is extremely important when building a clientelle. 

Not long ago I was out with a girl friend.  We ordered our dinner and 45 minutes later, it still hadn't arrived.  It was busy and we were in no rush, so we decided we'd give it another few minutes before reminding the waitress.  Suddenly the manager came over apologizing profusely for the delay.  There was a problem in the kitchen which should not have affected us.  He told us he was picking up our cheque.  When we finished eating he insisted on bringing us coffee and dessert on him.  This was not typical and he assured us the next time we wouldn't have to wait so long for our food.  A perfect example of  how an issue, which we hadn't even raised, was addressed leaving you feeling appreciated.  We did go back and continue to go back.  It's also nice that they recognize us now and go out of their way to make sure we're comfortable and our food comes out quickly.  This is how you keep your clients happy.  Being able to admit when you've made a mistake or inconvenienced a client speaks very highly of the organization and the importance of customer service.  To be honest, we didn't expect him to pick up our bill, a simple apology and explanation for the delay would have sufficed.  We left there thoroughly impressed and grateful.  To further add, I commend this guy for being attentive and paying attention to what was going on in the restaurant.  On a busy night keeping an eye on the bar, tables and the kitchen is a challenge.  Before a complaint could be made, he nipped it in the butt and made sure the customer was happy.  I'll review this restaurant in another post.

Having been a waitress, there are times where no matter what you say or do, the customer will not be happy.  Just do what you can to diffuse the situation and remain as professional as possible.  Very hard to do at times, but very necessary in this line of business.

That said, when I have a bad experience chances are I'll go back in and give them another shot.  If there's no improvement I'll post the unfavorable review in the hopes that they will read it and work on the problem(s).  Reviews are not intended to bash a place, but simply provide constructive criticism to help them improve their business.

Good luck!
Carm the Foodie

Ristorante Fratello – San Jose, California

We met the owner while having lunch shortly after arriving.  Two gentlemen were speaking in Italian at the next table so my significant other, who’s Italian, went over to their table to introduce himself and ask what places we should visit while in San Jose.  The gentlemen were overjoyed to meet a fellow Italian.  Turns out his Mom is from the same village, what a small world!  The older gentleman was visiting from Italy, the other owned a restaurant and told us we should drop by for dinner one night.

The day before returning home we decided to partake in some Italian cuisine.  Ristorante Fratello is a large restaurant able to accommodate large groups.  The menu is quite diverse and they use fresh ingredients based on what is in season.  The cooking style is more traditional.  Having grown up with Italians, many of the dishes reminded me of dinners at friends’ place and their Nonna’s cooking.

Everyone was warm and welcoming.  As soon as we walked in the owner recognized us and came over.  They showed us to a nice large booth.  Water arrived then shortly afterwards some “Polenta con Salsiccia”.  As a child I wasn’t crazy about polenta because of the texture so it’s not something I would order, but this one was by far the best one I’ve ever had.  It was soft and silky with a fragrant and flavourful tomato sauce with fresh basil and mild Italian sausage crumbled over it.  The meat was tender and the combination of the creamy polenta and the tomato sauce was perfectly balance with the well seasoned sausage.  It opened up our appetites.  I’ve never had polenta like this, it’s better than mashed potatoes.  I would make this at home for the kids.

We had some drinks and poured over the menu.  Everything sounded so good we couldn’t decide.  The waitress made some suggestions and told us the specials of the day which made it all the more difficult to choose.

Appetizers are a great way to start.  We ordered the “Calamari Fritti” and the “Caprese” salad.  The calamari were lightly battered and fried accompanied by a mild sauce.  They were crispy on the outside but tender on the inside.  The caprese salad was completely different from what you get when you order it in Ottawa.  It was also substantially larger.  They make it with burrata which I love.  It’s an Italian cheese made from mozzarella and cream. The outer shell is solid mozzarella, while the inside contains stracciatella and cream, giving it an unusual, soft texture.  Add some fresh basil, vine-ripened tomatoes, a generous drench of extra virgin olive oil with a splash of aged balsamic and it was to die for.  Can you believe my Italian significant other had never had burrata?  I asked him if he was sure he was Italian.  Lol

We needed to take another break, I was stuffed.  For the mains he ordered his favourite, “Spaghetti alla Carbonara” made with smoked cured pork cheek, freshly cracked black pepper, garlic, egg and pecorino cheese.  Me being the carnivore, I had to have the “Pappardelle Vitello” or pasta with veal ragu, sage, asparagus, porcini mushrooms, caciocavallo cheese (can you tell I also love cheese???)  and a drizzle of black truffle oil.  Sadly I don’t think our main courses got the attention they deserved.  Due to limit real estate in our bellies, we weren’t able to fully appreciate them.  Both dishes were delicious.  I think four of us could have easily shared the two plates and been perfectly contented.  Again the ingredients they use are not typical.  The pork cheek was delicious.  The meat melted in your mouth.  My veal ragu was rich and thick with just the right amount of spice. Not often that I say there was too much meat on my plate. I couldn’t finish it!

I wasn't sure how we were going to roll out of the booth.  Not surprisingly, the owner insisted on bringing over some after dinner drinks and we couldn’t leave without trying dessert.  I felt like I was going to explode, but when the waitress mentioned fresh pistachio gelato….I surrendered.   It was great and the perfect way to cleanse the palate.  Ok, now it was time to go.

The food was amazing and beautifully placed on the plates.  Everything was fresh and prepared with care.  Portions were very generous.  I would consider this a fine dining establishment.  Prices are moderate to high, but very reasonable when you factor in the quality, uniqueness of ingredients and level of service.  If ever in San Jose, make an effort to visit Ristorante Fratello.  But go an empty stomach! 

Ciao!

Carm the Foodie

Things I Look for when Dining Out

Everyone has different likes and dislikes, wants and needs.  What stands out for me when I'm dining out?  For me to have a positive experience I need a combination of, if not most of the following elements:

1. The place should be clean and inviting
If I walk into a place and it's dirty, chances are I'll walk out.  This could include dirty table cloths, floors, cutlery, clothing on the staff, glasswear, washrooms (At times clients can be the culprits for this one.  Women's washrooms can be scary, can't speak for the guys. Keep in mind your Mom doesn't work there so please be considerate of others and clean up after yourself!  No need to pee on the seat or inappropriately dispose of your personal items.)  Enough said.  If there's dust on fixtures and plants, the bar, dirty windows, etc. they obviously don't care about their customers or their image.  I don't expect to be able to eat off the floors or walls, but when storing and preparing foods you have to be careful.  The last thing you want is to make clients sick.  Salmonella poisoning from bad chicken landed me in hospital for a week so I don't take chances.  The same applies when I entertain at home.  Be mindful and considerate of cross contamination and allergies which seem to be running rampant these days.

2. Polite and welcoming staff
When calling for reservations or arriving at the restaurant, feeling welcome and hearing a cheery voice at the other end of the phone adds to a positive experience.  Even when something does go wrong, if it is well handled, you feel understood and are appropriately accommodated the experience remains positive.  You don't want to feel like you're a burden or annoyance.  Yes those of us that have worked in the hospitality business or retail have seen it all.  There are times when no matter how hard you try, you can't please everyone.  At the end of the day making the effort and maintaining a smile is what counts. 

3. Consistency
I tend to be a creature of habit, so if I have a favourite dish it should always taste the same.  This is a tough one to maintain.  I'd say many restaurants that fail can probably attribute it to this.  It's really disappointing when you're all excited and craving a particular dish only to be let down because it tastes nothing like it did the last 3 times.  We all have bad days, but when you're paying you expect the same quality and flavours, especially if the menu hasn't changed.  Loyal customers might be  forgiving and give you another shot or two.  Eventually if the consistency isn't there, chances are  you'll lose them. Beyond frustrating when you notice they are cutting corners sacrificing quality for the bottom line while raising their prices.  Yes a restaurant is a business trying to make money, but there are ways to maintain quality without negatively impacting your product, your reputation and most importantly your customers.  Personally I have no issue paying for quality.  After all, you get what you pay for. 

4. Variety and originality
When it comes to food I'm adventurous and always game for trying something new.  It's exciting when you read a menu with exotic sounding ingredients, spices or preparations you've never tried.  The way dishes are described further fuels my curiosity and the urge to try it.  It's like they can create a craving where one didn't exist!

5. Ambiance
Like most, I choose the restaurant based on the reason for the outing.  If it's a girls night out to celebrate a birthday or bachelorette, I want somewhere more festive with music, fancy cocktails and  more of an appetizer or sharing plates menu. For family celebrations definitely somewhere more kid friendly.  Some where fun and where I'm not going to worry about my youngest escaping from the table if she suddenly can't sit while the rest of us are finishing up.  Bonus if they have activities or a play area kids can enjoy.  If I have more of a romantic dinner in mind, I want somewhere cozy where the lights are dim, music plays softly in the background, candles, perhaps a place that has more private booths or sections and a more unique and eclectic menu. For business or lunch with colleagues I need quick service with a certain level of privacy depending on what is being discussed. This could also translate into a food truck or take out, depending on the circumstances  Coffee and dessert can be exciting too when you don't have much time or don't want to have an entire meal.  Different venues suit or accommodate your mood or needs, you just have to know where to go. 

In any case I don't want to feel rushed, one of the primary reasons why I refuse to go out for dinner on Valentine's Day, Mother's Day or Father's Day.  Usually I'm not one to linger for hours after I've finished my meal, but if I want to stay a while longer to chit chat or have another coffee, I don't want to be shown the door.

6. Price
Price usually encompasses all of the above elements.  I have no issue paying for quality and good service.  Again price can also be dependent on the reason for the outing.  For a romantic celebration you want something more upscale and fancy where you feel pampered and spoiled so chances are prices will be higher.  Exotic menus and ingredients will also fetch a higher price.  Surprisingly some little "holes in the wall" have the best food at the most reasonable prices.  When visiting other cities, just ask the locals for their recommendations.  As long as I feel like I'm getting my money's worth, I'm content with pretty much anything.

Another reason for avoiding outings on the dates I mentioned above.  The whole double or triple the price for a set menu and you have a maximum of 2 hours to finish and leave because they have 1 or 2 more sittings to accommodate that night.  Valentine's Day and New Years are notorious for this. The menus are way overpriced, you may not like all of the choices (usually they don't allow substitutions on these special nights) and the quality and service are usually not the greatest.  In short, I'm not going to pay for fast food service where I'm going to be shoved out the door at a so called upscale restaurant.  I'll go another night where we can sit and stare into each other's eyes all night after we finish our dinner!  :)

7. Mood
My mood will also affect my choices.  Don't we all have those "I need to overload on sugar days" or others where you feel guilty for over indulging all week and you need to "eat light" to compensate?  When it's cold out or I'm sad, I want comfort food.  Happy memories are often connected to food, at least in our home they were.  Nothing reminds me more of home than a thick rich soup or stew like Mom used to make.  That bacalao in Barcelona almost brought me to tears.  Food can invoke emotions and fuel passion. 

All of the above and probably other factors play a huge role in my food and/or restaurant choices, but at times experimenting in the kitchen at home and eating in or attending a dinner party at a friend's can be just as fun and even more delicious!

Food is one of life's simple pleasures, enjoy it!
Carm the Foodie
   

La Yaya Amelia Restaurant – Barcelona, Spain

When in Barcelona, you absolutely have to check out La Yaya Amelia.  We stayed in Barcelona for 5 days and ate there 4 times.  Probably would have eaten there every day if we would have been close enough while out sightseeing.  The prices were reasonable, offerings changed daily and the service was great.  In Spain it is very common for restaurants to offer the table d’hôte both at lunch and dinner.  I’m not sure how people can eat so much and not gain weight!

This is a family run restaurant and they make everything on site.  Ingredients change based on what’s available at the market.   The most memorable experience was when I went for dinner with my brother-in-law.  We had gone for lunch a few times, but this night we wanted something more substantial and the rest of the party decided to call it a night.

Speaking Spanish, the owner was over joyed. We would get their very best while we talked about Canada and things to see in Barcelona.  I was happy to practice my Spanish too! 

First they brought the Foie gras ravioli with truffle oil.  My brother-in-law and I were surprised.  This wasn’t what we expected as it relates to Spanish cuisine, but we were game to try just about anything.  Well, we were both dumbfounded.  The raviolis were perfectly cooked.  You could tell the pasta was homemade as was the filling.  They melted in your mouth.  Truffle oil can be quite over powering, but this one was very mild with notes of wild mushrooms.  The foie gras filling was delicable, unlike anything I’ve ever had.  The owner wasn’t sure how to read us, but was overjoyed when I told him it was the best meal we’d had in Barcelona and that was only after the first bite!   The plate was artfully decorated with fresh chives and the truffle oil was drizzled in a creative design on the plate and over the raviolis.  It was so beautiful you felt bad disturbing the food.

The second course was a salad.  It was a fresh crisp course, but I think we both would have preferred more raviolis!   Not long after came the salted cod or Bacalao.  This is a staple and traditional dish.  Some make it with a red or tomato sauce others with a pil-pil or green sauce.  This was the more common version with tomato sauce.  The salted cod is soaked in water for days to remove the saltiness.   They make the tomato sauce using fresh tomatoes, onions and peppers along with various spices.  It is simmered for hours to just the right consistency before adding the cod which is floured and quickly fried first, then added to the sauce so that it absorbs the flavours and cooks through before serving. 

The cod was delicious.  I almost started to cry.  It tasted identical to my mother’s and I’ve never met anyone that could duplicate her recipes exactly.  It was like Mom was reaching out and hugging me.  This dish was comfort food for us growing up.  We also had it at Easter.  I hadn’t had bacalao like this since before Mom passed away.  The fish fell apart in your mouth.  It was tender and perfectly seasoned.  The sauce was thick and very flavourful.  The owner was touched when I told him it tasted just like my mother’s.  He could tell I was being honest as I was very emotional.  I ordered some to bring back to our apartment for my sister.  She absolutely had to try it, I knew she’d agree with me.  My brother-in-law loved it too.  There was nothing left on our plates, the owner insisted on bringing out more.  It brought him great joy to watch us enjoy our meals.

We sat and chatted for a while then the owner instructed the waiter to bring out dessert and coffee.  Didn’t matter that we were beyond full, he wasn’t going to take no for an answer.   They brought out flan or crème caramel as we call it in Canada and Crema Catalana.  Oh my goodness, we were in gastronomic heaven.  Good thing it was a beautiful night and our apartment was several blocks away.  No bus or subway, we needed to walk all of this food off!

My sister was shocked, the bacalao did taste just like Mom’s.  The kids loved it too!

If ever you venture over to Barcelona, you have to try this restaurant. It’s been in operation since 1976 and I can see why it does so well.  As they say in Catalan, the food is “deliciós”.

Hasta pronto!
Carm the Foodie

Pinelopi’s Greek Kitchen - Nepean, Ontario

Who doesn’t like Greek food?  I love it!  Lamb, souvlaki, galaktoboureko, ouzo, it's all good. 

If you’re looking for excellent Greek food made with passion, a modern decor and attentive servers, Pinelopi’s Greek Kitchen is for you.  Whether you’re celebrating a special event or you want a quiet romantic dinner, I strongly recommend this place.  It is off the beaten path, but well worth the trip.

They get quite busy so definitely call for reservations to avoid disappointment on the weekends.  If you want a nice, quiet romantic dinner I suggest you go earlier or later in the night to avoid the rush as the restaurant isn’t huge and tends to fill up quickly. 

For starters we ordered a Greek salad, Dolmades and the Smelts.  The salad was a generous size for sharing.  The vegetables were fresh and crisp with a tangy vinaigrette and delicious feta cheese.   The Dolmades did not disappoint.  There were 4 smothered with a velvety lemon cream sauce.  I find these are way better than the vegetarian ones I’ve had elsewhere.  The lean beef adds to the flavour.  Not being a fan of smelts, I wasn’t going to have any but my date raved about how good they were so I caved.  They were served with tzatziki and seafood sauce.  Never mind the seafood sauce, the tzatziki was super thick, rich and flavourful.  You’ll love it!  Oh my, the smelts were awesome!  As a child my Mom made these for my Dad all the time so over the years you get bored of the same thing.  These were different.  The exterior was crispy which gave you a nice crunch when you bit into them while inside the flesh was moist and flavourful.  A chilli spiced oil was splashed on them, yet they remained crispy.  The batter was light, but very well seasoned and the spiced oil added a kick that elevated the flavours.  It felt like I had fireworks going off in my mouth!  They quickly disappeared, we were left wanting more.  Talk about addictive, can’t wait to go back and have more!  They were delicious, way better than Mom’s (sorry, I have to be honest!).  Just these 3 appetizers alone were more than enough to fill our bellies, but we had already ordered the main courses.  Thankfully they didn’t come out right away, the waiter was kind enough to give us a breather to digest. 

My date ordered the Moussaka.  A sort of Greek lasagna layered with eggplant and potatoes instead of pasta.  It had a thick meat sauce and wonderful layer of creamy béchamel sauce served with Greek salad!   Kind of made him feel like he was eating doubly healthy after the appetizers.  Lol

I ordered the special of the day which as the parmesan crusted sea bass (if my memory serves me correctly, I could be wrong on the fish as there were 2 different ones offered that night).  To my surprise, this plate was huge.  It was served on a bed of white rice with stir fried vegetables and 2 skewers of shrimp!  My date got the shrimp, it was way too much food for me.   The fish was incredible and perfectly cooked.  The crust was nice and crisp, but inside the fish was moist and flaky.   You tasted the subtle spices and then the sharp parmesan which was a perfect compliment to the mild white fish.  Needless to say I couldn’t finish my plate so most of it was packed to be enjoyed the following day, unfortunately not by me!

To finish off, I asked if we could please compliment the chef.  She gratiously came out and humbly accepted our praise.  After-dinner drinks were brought to the table.  Even though I was stuffed, I couldn’t leave without having the Vanilla Kadaifi.  It's made with shredded philo, walnuts, custard, cream and a delightful syrup.  Everything is made in house with great attention to detail.  The plates are beautifully decorated and the staff is warm, outgoing and very attentive.  The family takes great pride in their food and making it an enjoyable experience for their guests.  Eating here brings back memories of my best friend’s Mom’s cooking.  I always look forward to visiting her and gorging on Greek specialities.  Alas she lives far away so Pinelopi’s helps me bridge the gap! 

My recommendation would be to get a group of friends together, order a salad or two, an assortment of dips and appetizers with a few rounds of drinks.  It’s nice to try a variety of different things then go back and indulge in your favourites.  The portions are generous and if you’re still hungry you can order more, but make sure you leave room for dessert!

Give it a try and Opa!
Carm the Foodie

Seigneurie Bar - Montebello, Quebec

After indulging all weekend, we decided to skip lunch and have a smaller dinner before heading home.  The Seigneurie Bar is more casual with a pub like atmosphere.  Their menu is not extensive, but offers a bit of everything to suit different tastes.

To start we shared a Caesar salad.  Nothing special as far as salads go, but it was fresh and tasty.  Next we decided to try the burgers.  I ordered the Gourmet Burger because it sounded unlike any burger I’d ever had, not to mention I love foie gras.  It was made with pulled beef, pan seared foie gras and Tête à Papineau cheese (made in Montebello) with sweet potato fries.  Talk about indulging, it was incredible.  The pulled beef was tender and packed with flavour.  It was obvious this was slow cooked for a long period of time and perfectly seasoned.  The foie gras was amazing and further enhanced the rich flavour of the pulled beef.  The flavours and textures danced in my mouth and the cheese just put me over the edge.  It was orgasmic!  My significant other isn’t as adventurous, especially if liver is involved. He couldn’t understand my reaction and didn’t dare even try it when he learned that foie gras was duck liver.  Oh well, his loss and all the more for me!  Good thing having to post the caloric content of menu items wasn’t in force at the time.  I don’t even want to know how many calories that burger had!  If I had to make one constructive criticism, it would be that the beef was so juicy the bottom half of my bun got all soggy and I can’t eat soggy bread.  I would recommend serving it with the bun on the side.

My significant other ordered the Beef Burger with fries.  It came dressed with cheddar cheese, pancetta and their house made Chateau Sauce.  It was served on an artisan bun and looked really good.  He said it was probably one of the best burgers he’s ever had.  The beef was cooked medium, very tender, juicy and perfectly seasoned.  He much preferred the pancetta to the usual bacon and the sauce was a perfect compliment without being over powering or masking the flavour of the beef.

After indulging we figured we better go big and order dessert.  Everything sounded good, but the Carrot Cake with Walnut Ice Cream won.  I’ve never had walnut ice-cream so this I had to try.  We weren’t sure what to expect.  I personally don’t like raisins so carrot cake can be a hit or miss.  The waitress was pretty sure it didn’t have any and she said the ice-cream was delicious…sold!  When the plate arrived, it was not at all what we expected.  It looked like Napoleon’s layered in a geometric pattern with the walnut ice-cream all sitting on a beautifully decorated plate.  Usually you get a slice of a round carrot cake, with a thick layer of super sweet cream cheese icing and the famous carrot sugar decoration.  This was a beautiful work of art.  The rectangles were perfectly symmetrical with even layers of icing.  I felt bad cutting into it.  The cake was moist with a subtle note of cinnamon and the icing was more of a smooth butter cream that was lightly sweetened, not the usual strong cream cheese flavour that stands out.  Oh my goodness, that ice-cream was to die for.  You could taste the walnuts with a subtle vanilla note in the background.  It was smooth and creamy, more like a gelato texture.  Definitely the star of the plate and it left me wanting more!  Unfortunately my stomach was full, but I’d go back in a heartbeat for this dessert. 

Overall, this was a great pick.  The food was amazing, the staff was attentive and outgoing and the food… well just read what I wrote above!   Great place to go for a day trip.  Walk the grounds, perhaps indulge in a spa treatment then have a great dinner before heading home.  

Forget about calories for a day and enjoy!
Carm the Foodie

Nando’s - Elgin Street - Ottawa, Ontario

We wanted to go out for a bite, but nothing fancy or heavy.  Something quick and relatively healthy.  I kind of had a craving for chicken so Nando’s came to mind.  The Elgin Street location was the closest to home and we’d never been there so off we went.

When we arrived I was surprised at how busy it was.  Downtown parking is a challenge under the best of conditions; I didn’t think it would be so packed on a cold, stormy winter’s night.  There was a line-up!  The young lady taking orders at the cash register greeted us as soon as we walked in and said she’d be right with us.  Another waitress also welcomed us and apologized for the wait. When we arrived at the front of the line, the cashier asked if we had a table.  We responded that we did not.  She quickly looked around and there was one booth left.  She said she’d have someone clean it while we ordered.

We ordered the “Variety Plate” with the lemon and herb seasoning.  The plate includes: a half chicken, 5 wings, 2 skewers and 2 regular sides.  We also ordered a side of coleslaw. 

The booth was perfect.  A nice quiet corner at the back with a view of Elgin Street and Confederation Park.  It was cold out, but surprisingly there were lots of people milling about.  Many were probably heading to Parliament Hill to watch the sound and light show. 

We were caught off guard when the food arrived, it was really fast.  The chicken was tender, perfectly seasoned and delicious.  I’m not a huge fan of spice, so the lemon and herb sauce is perfect.  I love the peri-peri vegetables, definitely my favourite.  Their sauce has just the right amount of bite without overwhelming your taste buds.  You can also go hotter or opt for their garlic peri-peri sauce.  As a second side we chose the regular fries, my date’s choice.  He’d argue fries are a vegetable.  Lol  The coleslaw is creamy and not overly sweet or bitter, very glad we ordered it.  I much prefer this one to most of the ones I’ve had at other restaurants. 

I’d say for a simple and tasty meal, this is the place the go.  Prices are reasonable and portion sizes are good.  Definitely a family friendly restaurant.  Two of us ate for $37.00 plus taxes and tip.  It’s a relaxed environment with bright yet simple décor.  Staff is very welcoming and attentive.  Even though the restaurant was busy, the food came out quickly.  It was very clean and as soon as your plates were empty, someone came by to take them away.  Tea and coffee were a perfect way to end the meal while we sat brainstorming solutions to the problems of the world.

We had a really nice evening and a great meal.  Enjoy!

Carm the Foodie

Aux Chantignoles – Montebello, Quebec

If you’re looking for a gastronomic feast, this is a great place to start.  My significant other decided to surprise me with a weekend get-away to Chateau Montebello for my birthday.  The bonus is that we were upgraded to the George W. Bush suite the second night.  It truly is a magnificent setting and the restaurants offer creative menus with impeccable service.

The first night we went downstairs for dinner.  For appetizers we ordered the cream of white onion and smoked Gouda soup and the Chantignoles classic which is a creative twist on a Caesar salad.  I was skeptical about the soup, but it was silky and light.  You’d expect a strong onion taste, but instead the cheese elevated the flavour of the onion and added creaminess.  I loved my salad with duck bacon, polenta fries and old cheddar.  Very unique and delicious.  What a great start!

For the mains we ordered the 12 oz Roast Prime Rib and the Wild Mushroom Roasted Beef Tenderloin.  I’m without a doubt, a carnivore.  I’ll eat pretty much any kind of meat.  Never having been good at making roasts at home, I tend to gravitate toward the prime rib when out at restaurants.  I was not disappointed.  The plate arrived and there sat this huge slice of beef.  It looked amazing with a red wine sauce drizzled over it, mini roasted multi-coloured potatoes and vegetables.  I chuckled when I saw the tenderloin as it was a much smaller.  The waitress thought she had made a mistake, but no I ordered the prime rib the tenderloin was his.  All good because I he wound up eating half of my slab of beef anyways!

The prime rib was cooked a perfect medium rare.  It was so tender I could cut it with my fork.  The sauce had a slight sweetness in the background with a full bodied beef flavour that was well seasoned with a  perfect hint of wine.  It was a thicker consistency and perfectly coated the meat.  I enjoyed the potatoes.  Nothing is more appealing than seeing all these bright vibrant colours on your plate.  It makes the food all the more appetizing.  For the vegetables I would have preferred peppers or red cabbage, perhaps some zucchini.  The carrots and sugar snap peas were good, but not my first choices as accompaniments for this beautiful beef.  Not to worry, I got the bok choy and oyster mushrooms my significant other wouldn’t eat from his dish!  Lol  The tenderloin was also perfectly cooked and the sauce was excellent.  It had a rich and woodsy mushroom flavour.  We both agreed that the prime rib was by far the best choice. 

Originally we were going to partake in the table d’hôte, but we were beyond stuffed after finishing the main courses and decided we needed to go for a walk instead!

This is a high end restaurant.  When you factor in the ambiance, décor, impeccable service, unique menu and high quality ingredients, you have to expect to pay a bit more, but you definitely get your money’s worth.  Life is short and we work hard so there’s nothing wrong with splurging once in a while.

If you’re celebrating a special occasion and want a beautiful, historic and romantic setting, this is the place to go. 

Indulge, I dare you!
Carm the Foodie