My kids wanted to take me out for Mother's Day Brunch. We waited a week to avoid to insane crowds and feeling like you're being rushed because the next seating is waiting for your table. Not to mention menus and prices are higher and not necessarily justified.
It started badly. The traffic was ridiculous due to a cycling event going on downtown. We spent over an hour and half trying to get to Landsdowne. We didn't make it. While stuck on Bank Street we looked over and noticed the Farm Team Cookhouse and a sign outside advertising brunch. Perfect, we were starved and sick of being stuck in traffic. Thankfully there was a parking spot right out front, they have a parking lot, but I wouldn't have to turn around.
The building is very rustic. I love the weathered wood, it makes you feel like your away at a lodge or a cabin far away from the craziness of the city. Décor is simple, but goes perfectly with that rustic country look. It was very quiet, only one other large table. We were greeted and seated right away.
We ordered our drinks. They come served in mason jars. My youngest was perplexed, she asked me if they had run out of glasses cause you don't serve drinks in jars. We all laughed. The kids thought they were cool.
It was time to order. My two oldest take after me. We ordered the eggs benedict. Two with ham, one with spinach. What makes these eggs benedict different from everyone else's is that your order comes with a side of meat. You can choose bacon or sausage Being carnivores, we were thrilled and won't ever say no to extra meat!
The two younger ones aren't into anything fancy so they ordered 2 eggs with sausage and bacon. All orders came with home fries which were really good. I was shocked that my youngest ate them all. Usually she complains she doesn't like potatoes, yet she eats fries and mashed all the time. I told her the home fries are like little square French fries. She gave me a confused looked like, "Whatever Mom." Never in a million years did I think she'd try them, but low and behold she did and loved them.
The eggs benedict were delicious. What makes me hesitate ordering them is the hollandaise sauce. Every place makes it differently and you'll either like it or hate it. This one was perfect. We were all pleasantly surprised. I'd have to say one of the best in the city based on all the others we've tried. The consistency was perfect. Not too thick, not too runny and no starchy or grainy like texture. It coated the eggs and didn't run all over the plate. The English muffins were crispy and stayed that way to the last bite. If I had to point out one thing that could be improved, it would be the spinach. A hint more seasoning or sautéing it with a bit of garlic or onion would elevate the flavour a tad more. Other than that, we were very happy with them and completely stuffed after eating the extra meat that came with them.
The girls enjoyed their eggs. One likes them sunny side up, the other scrambled. There was nothing left on their plates. That is one thing I love about my kids, they don't waste anything and they'll eat just about anything. I don't hesitate taking them out to restaurants or friend's houses for dinner. Growing up we couldn't leave the table until our plates were cleaned. To my parents, wasting food was sacrilege. If you weren't sick, you didn't dare leave the table until you finished everything on your plate. They both knew what it meant to starve having survived the after math of the first world war. I'm not quite that strict, but certainly don't condone wasting food. If they put it on their plate or they order something at a restaurant, they have to eat it all. I have no issue getting a doggy bag if they can't finish when we're out. Great to pack for lunch!
I'd say the prices were very reasonable and comparable to most breakfast places. The portions are generous and as previously mentioned, the eggs benedict come with a side of meat. At $14.00 an order, I think this is great.
We thoroughly enjoyed it and had a great Mother's Day celebration. That said, we'll definitely go back. It was great that it wasn't busy. The food was delicious and we didn't wait long, very important when out with a small child. I'm really happy we accidently ended up there.
Definitely a hidden gem you should check out!
Carm the Foodie
Saturday, 27 May 2017
Wednesday, 17 May 2017
Topkapi - Ottawa
It was Saturday night, I worked, didn't feel like cooking or doing laundry so I called a fellow foodie and suggested dinner. I needed a partner in crime and someone I could vent to after a long week.
I had a couple of Groupons, but sadly one place was closed for a private party and the other seemed to have shut down.
Where do we go? We wanted some where that had parking and wouldn't be too busy, so downtown was out. Wait, there's Turkish food in Bells Corners! Off to Topkapi we went!
Neither one of us had eaten all day so we were famished. When we arrived the restaurant was full. There were only 2 tables of 2 left. Perfect timing because shortly afterwards it was packed and they were turning people away asking them to come back in an hour.
To start we ordered the Topkapi Mezeleri or mixed appetizer platter. It comes with warm pita bread. The platter consists of a spicy dip, a stuffed vine leaf, feta cheese, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers and pickled cabbage for garnish, hummous, a vegetable dip, a pressed yogurt and dill dip, a stuffed pepper and some hot peppers. It's a fairly large sharing plate which we managed to polish off fairly quickly leaving little room for the main course! This plate would be more than generous enough as an appetizer to feed 4! I guess we were hungry. Lol
For the main course we ordered the Karisik Izgara or dinner for 2. It was a large platter very elegantly served in a covered caserole dish. The platter comes piled high with lamb chops, a chicken kabob, a lamb kabob and 2 ground beef koftas. Along with the meat is a generous portion of rice, potatoes and mixed vegetables. We both have very healthy appetites, but couldn't finish everything. It was a mistake to order another basket of pita bread, but it was so good! There was more than enough left for another full plate. My children ate it as a midnight snack.
Interestingly enough, they had live entertainment that night. On weekends they have a belly dancer. My date was quite pleased. At one point his mind was somewhere else and he didn't hear a thing I said. I was happy he was enjoying himself.
As stuffed as we were, we had to order their signature dessert. You have to be patient as it takes 20 minutes to prepare. It is made fresh to order and served warm with a delicious rose water syrup. The kunefe is made with cheese and shredded pastry, then topped with a bit of syrup and chopped pistacchios. Waiting for it gave a chance to digest and make some room in our stomachs. My date insisted he wasn't going to have any dessert, but after one taste he was hooked. He'd never had a dessert like this and absolutely loved it. Good thing cause I was full and wouldn't have been able to eat it all myself. Besides, if I was going to burst at the seams, so was he!
If you want a different dining experience, Topkapi is for you. The servers are attentive and the food didn't take too long. Keep in mind most of the items on the menu are made to order. I love how the food is served. The tables are set with charger plates and each course comes out on its own plate which is set onto the charger plate. It limits the realestate on the table, especially the tables for 2, but it adds to the dining experience. When the main courses come out, they usually come in an intricately carved silver serving casserole with a lid and the servers wear gloves.
Given the size of the portions, the price is well worth it. For 2 the cost is around $100.00 for dinner not including drinks. Definitely on the higher side, but most items are made in house with items you won't find anywhere else. The free entertainment on the weekend is a bonus. I'll definitely keep going back. This is one of my top 10 favourite restaurants in Ottawa.
Give it a try!
Carm the Foodie
I had a couple of Groupons, but sadly one place was closed for a private party and the other seemed to have shut down.
Where do we go? We wanted some where that had parking and wouldn't be too busy, so downtown was out. Wait, there's Turkish food in Bells Corners! Off to Topkapi we went!
Neither one of us had eaten all day so we were famished. When we arrived the restaurant was full. There were only 2 tables of 2 left. Perfect timing because shortly afterwards it was packed and they were turning people away asking them to come back in an hour.
To start we ordered the Topkapi Mezeleri or mixed appetizer platter. It comes with warm pita bread. The platter consists of a spicy dip, a stuffed vine leaf, feta cheese, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers and pickled cabbage for garnish, hummous, a vegetable dip, a pressed yogurt and dill dip, a stuffed pepper and some hot peppers. It's a fairly large sharing plate which we managed to polish off fairly quickly leaving little room for the main course! This plate would be more than generous enough as an appetizer to feed 4! I guess we were hungry. Lol
For the main course we ordered the Karisik Izgara or dinner for 2. It was a large platter very elegantly served in a covered caserole dish. The platter comes piled high with lamb chops, a chicken kabob, a lamb kabob and 2 ground beef koftas. Along with the meat is a generous portion of rice, potatoes and mixed vegetables. We both have very healthy appetites, but couldn't finish everything. It was a mistake to order another basket of pita bread, but it was so good! There was more than enough left for another full plate. My children ate it as a midnight snack.
Interestingly enough, they had live entertainment that night. On weekends they have a belly dancer. My date was quite pleased. At one point his mind was somewhere else and he didn't hear a thing I said. I was happy he was enjoying himself.
As stuffed as we were, we had to order their signature dessert. You have to be patient as it takes 20 minutes to prepare. It is made fresh to order and served warm with a delicious rose water syrup. The kunefe is made with cheese and shredded pastry, then topped with a bit of syrup and chopped pistacchios. Waiting for it gave a chance to digest and make some room in our stomachs. My date insisted he wasn't going to have any dessert, but after one taste he was hooked. He'd never had a dessert like this and absolutely loved it. Good thing cause I was full and wouldn't have been able to eat it all myself. Besides, if I was going to burst at the seams, so was he!
If you want a different dining experience, Topkapi is for you. The servers are attentive and the food didn't take too long. Keep in mind most of the items on the menu are made to order. I love how the food is served. The tables are set with charger plates and each course comes out on its own plate which is set onto the charger plate. It limits the realestate on the table, especially the tables for 2, but it adds to the dining experience. When the main courses come out, they usually come in an intricately carved silver serving casserole with a lid and the servers wear gloves.
Given the size of the portions, the price is well worth it. For 2 the cost is around $100.00 for dinner not including drinks. Definitely on the higher side, but most items are made in house with items you won't find anywhere else. The free entertainment on the weekend is a bonus. I'll definitely keep going back. This is one of my top 10 favourite restaurants in Ottawa.
Give it a try!
Carm the Foodie
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