I visit my parents every 6-8 weeks in Ottawa and every time I visit I continue to discover great food. Sometimes I even divert from food and stumble across something else. (keep reading).

Last weekend my visit was really really quick i.e I arrived on Friday at 4 p.m. and left on Sunday at 11. No time for a tweet up – however I did have a bit of time to have a coffee with two food bloggers…@AMWATERS in the morning and @FoodiePrints in the afternoon. There is no question that every minute I am in Ottawa  – is a productive minute. LOL

@AMWATERS (who has a great blog – If Music is The Food of Love, Play On) suggested we meet at Le Michel-Ange, Coffee-Warehouse-Roasting. Thankfully I had GPS to find it – as it’s tucked away in the middle of nowhere. But oh-what-a-gem of a spot. I really really liked the atmosphere…cool art, bean bag chairs, interesting nooks and crannys, comfy couches etc. As for the coffee – I am always too busy chatting to notice if my latte was good or not. I even ordered a pumpkin truffle  (made by Clove Chocolatiers) as I’m sure I never had this flavor before. It was a perfect breakfast – coffee and a truffle combined with a discussion about FOOD.

In the afternoon I met @FoodiePrints (who also has a great blog called FoodiePrints) at Planet Coffee in the  Byward Market. I have been there once before and I’m always impressed how busy this place is and the size of their baked goods in their display.

On Sunday, I ran to Rideau Bakery to get fresh rye bread. (3 loaves – thank you very much). On my last visit I only bought one and when I got back to Toronto and had a slice, I said “what was I thinking only to get one loaf?”. Here’s some history on Rideau Bakery. It’s a 80 year old, family run – kosher bakery and their rye bread is the BEST. Really – the best. When I got home, I popped it into the freezer so I can enjoy a slice (or two) every week for weeks!!

Rideau Bakery at it's best.

Then I ran to the Landsdowne Farmers Market. I had never been when the market is indoors and I was thrilled that I went. The building is BEAUTIFUL and the market has some new winter vendors that’s not there in the summer.

I stumbled across Egyptian Onions. Never seen this before, have you?

In between running to visit my dad, having coffee, visiting relatives…I also took a minute to visit a new Art Gallery that recently opened in Westboro called Michael Gennis Gallery.

I am so glad I dropped by. The art is stunning, the space is stunning and to be honest,…there isn’t much not to like. Michael Gennis (who own the Gallery) was a neighbor that I havent seen in decades so it was a real treat to see beautiful art as well as catch up with an old neighbor.

I ended off the trip with a taste of Saskatoon Berry Pie from Farm Boy. Not a bad way to end a great weekend in Ottawa.

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Each time I visit Ottawa there is a new restaurant for me to try and new people for me to meet (yay tweet ups!!).

Here’s a review of three places I went to this past weekend:

a) Stella Luna Gelato Cafe (1103 Bank St)

I had read rave reviews about this new gelato place that opened up just  FOUR weeks ago and put it on the top of my list to visit. I introduced myself  to the owner Tammy and her husband and she graciously took a few minutes out of her busy schedule to chat with me.  She also encouraged me to sample a variety of gelatos (think – blood orange, salty pistachio, marscapone and rum).  While I was sampling the gelato, a customer approached Tammy and said “are you the woman responsible for my ever growing waistline”. It was too funny.

Blood Orange Gelato

Clearly Stella Luna Gelato Cafe  is a hit and has been welcomed by the Ottawa community. Not only are they serving fabulous gelato but the space is gorgeous too with little nooks, beautiful chairs and lamps and stunning photographs from Italy on the walls.

How Cozy!

b) Tweet up at The Manx for Brunch (370 Elgin St)

This wasnt a formal tweet up but a few foodies gathered to have brunch at a very popular pub in Ottawa called The Manx. We arrived 15 minutes before the doors opened and  trust me, we werent the only ones in line. We had a a fabulous table for our party of 6 and I really couldn’t complain about the service. However no one was raving about their food. …which was kinda disappointing seeing as we ALL had heard that the food was outstanding. After the meal, I heard that there was a new chef in the kitchen, which means I should go back one more time before really blogging about it. Fair is fair, right?

c) Lansdowne Farmers Market.

I’ve blogged abou this Farmers Market before and I’m not shy to blog about it again. It is FABULOUS – the space, the variety of the vendors, the location – it’s ALL GOOD.

I discovered a new variety of vegetable this particular visit, from one of my favorite vendors, Jambican Studio Gardens – it’s a LEMON CUCUMBER.

Lemon Cucumber!

Never had it before but I was all too happy to buy it. Stay tuned for another blog entry soon on what I make with it K?

Hope you get a chance to visit Ottawa soon.

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It was a hot humid day in Ottawa on Sunday and the line ups at Taras Lemonade Stand at Landsdowne Park indicated that everyone was thirstier than normal.

Eventually I knew I had to stand in line too!! I ordered a cucumber lemonande drink but was so thirsty that I didnt have time to take a picture of my drink !

This motivated me to google a recipe and to try it at home!! I found a recipe on the All Recipes website, then I adjusted it (naturally).

Basically you need to have just two ingredients – a cucumber and some lemons

Ingredients:

1 english cucumber, sliced thinly

3 lemons, juiced (you need about 1/4 cup of lemon juice)

1 cup water

1/2 cup white sugar

Method:

Boil the water and the sugar to make a simple syrup

Mix the sliced cucumber in a blender and then strain the pulp from the liquid

*I added a touch of water to help it get going

this resulted in 1 cup of cucumber juice

Mix the simple syrup, the lemon juice and the cucumber juice – I used 1 cup of cucumber juice, to 1 cup of simple syrup and 1/2 cup of lemon juice but I found it too tart and added quite a bit more water till I found the right balance. Next time, Im going to try and use only 1/4 cup of lemon juice.

END RESULT

It is indeed an interesting mix of flavors and a GORGEOUS summer drink – I totally love this shade of green.

I wonder how it will taste with vodka? hmmmmm.

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I have just returned from a family reunion in Ottawa. Naturally I made sure to include a visit to the Byward Market and to Landsdowne Farmers Market as part of the schedule. What’s interesting is that no matter how many times I visit the Byward market or the farmers market – there is always something new to discover!!

On this particular trip, I discovered the newly opened Murrays Market. (261 Dalhousie St). The space is just gorgeous and totally suitable for a tweet up – so I made sure to talk to Emma and Chef Steve about this possibility. Beautiful cheeses, meats, local honey and MichaelsDolce jams were on display, but I zeroed in on my favorite food: a grilled cheese sandwich!!  Murrays Market makes it with Glengary’s Lankaster gouda cheese, red pepper jelly on egg bread.  I was a happy camper. I especially liked the addition of the red pepper jelly to the sandwich. Kinda kicked it up a notch. The side of homemade ketchup was welcome too!!

Perfect!!

At the Landsdowne Farmers Market this year, I stumbled upon a new vendor called Suzy Q Doughuts. The Doughnut was yeasty and fresh. (in other words – perfect) I really hope this vendor will be around for a long time, cause there is nothing like a FRESH donut.  @FoodiePrints shared one and I shared mine with @michaelscolce. I asked the vendors, if they had a retail location and they said “no – they are just at Landsdowne Farmers Market each Sunday”. Turns out – she is a postal worker and he is a woodworker during the week, but on the weekends they clearly have a passion for making donuts!! To top it off – my cuzin knows this couple well. (small world).

Now the next discovery – isnt really a discovery. I’ve been eating at Aladdin Bakery (1801 Carling Avenue) for the past several years, even though they have been around for 14 years. I was told they can easily serve 800 Fatayers’ in one day. Fatayer is what everybody orders here – It’s  a slab of thick chewy bread, with a topping of your choice and then warmed in a tradtional brick oven. You cant go wrong here for $2.25!!

This is what it looks like - unrolled

This is what it looks like rolled (and ready to eat!!)

It was so much fun to see my cousins and be in Ottawa during Canada Day. In the event you are wondering if I saw the Royal Couple. The answer is No. I was too busy eating and shmoozing with 26 fabulous cousins!! Must sign off now and head to the gym….

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I am so lucky to be regularly visiting a city that has such great food. The trip was carefully planned so I could celebrate Mothers Day with my mom, as well as enjoy great food (once again) and see the Canadian Tulip Festival (which is taking place May 6 to 23).

Let’s begin with the food: A trip to Ottawa would not be complete with a visit to the Byward Market. I associate the Byward Market with Beavertails and with Maple Syrup Cones. (childhood memories).

I also went to visit the Byward Fruit Market store and to my delight found this unusal looking product that I have never seen before. I gave it to my mom as a Mothers Day gift . (its so great to have foodie parents). We loved the texture and the flavor and were eager to try it on more foods (ie a piece of dark chocolate). YUM.

Molecular Gastronomy in a Jar. Available in 16 different flavors.

I also visited the Red Apron to see their new location. The new space is stunning. PLUS…they now carry my favorite butter  (Beurre de Patrimonie) that I had been bringing back from Montreal.  I was squealing with delight that it is now in Ontario, so I happily bought three tubs to bring back to Toronto.

Love their new location. A stunning space.

I also made sure that I snuck in a visit to Art-is-in Bakery, so I could enjoy a coffee and an incredible croissant with a twitter friend (@kleggett). The place was busy the entire hour we were there and for good reason!! This bakery rocks.

heavenly breads

A trip to Ottawa wouldnt be complete without a tweet up so I could shmooze with some local foodies. The tweet up  for this particular visit, was held at Jacobsons Gourmet Store and everyone enjoyed their charming hospitatlity as well as some great food…fig balls, jam, crackers, charcuterie, cheese, refreshments and desserts. I especially loved the gift bags that they gave to each attendee. How thoughtful!!

cheese is always a crowd pleaser....

Next to Jacobsons is ZaZas pizza. I had read a review on Nooschi.com ,so I met some friends there before the tweet up to try the mushroom pizza with truffle oil. It was perfect. Demolished the whole pizza along with 4 lactose pills.

inhaled the whole pizza..

The trip ended with a visit to Landsdowne Park Farmers Market on Sunday and it was PACKED at 10:30 a.m. It was a gorgeous sunny day and it was mother’s day. I tried some organic cucumbers, some paneer from Curry Home Soon and welcomed Pascales Ice cream to twitter.

As for the tulip fesitval. The tulips weren’t quite open. (sadness). We stopped at Dows Lake and managed to find one patch close to our car. I have no doubt that in a week the tulips will all be open and it will be spectacular.

Our timing was off..but atleast I found this patch

Tulips or no tulips…it was a great visit!! As always.

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I have been using the same pancake recipe for a long long time and everyone has been happy.

But last weekend, I was in Ottawa at the Landsdowne Farmers Market and came across a vendor (Castor River Farms) selling oats, oat flour, and other grains. I stopped and noticed a recipe for oatmeal pancakes. I was intrigued so I purchased oats and the oat flour that I needed for the recipe.

Oats and Oat Flour

I returned home and made the oatmeal pancakes for dinner. Actually I made two batches. One batch was made with the FRESH oats from the vendor at the farmers market and one batch was made with the Quaker Oats bag from my pantry.

I asked three people to tell me which one was the one with the FRESH OATS…two out of three got it right.The texture was chewier, the pancake was denser and all in all it was better tasting pancake.

Oatmeal Pancakes

I love taste tests…we have compared real oreos vs. fake oreos, organic milk vs. non organic milk and now the oatmeal pancakes. The kids think I’m nuts. (but in a good way).

Here’s the recipe for Oatmeal Pancakes:

1 1/2 cups of freshly rolled oats

2 cups of milk (dairy, soy or almond)

1 cup oat flour

1 tbsp maple syrup or honey

1/2 tsp sea salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tbsp baking powder

1 egg, beaten

1/4 oil

Let oats and milk sit for at least 10 minutes. Mix ingredients 3-7 together, then add to oatmeal mixture. Add egg and oil and mix well. Makes 10-12 pancakes. Note: They are very filling

This recipe is from Castor River Farms, 2696 9th Line road, Metcalfe.

They are a regular vendor at the Ottawa Landsdowne Farmers Market where I will be returning, to buy more oats!!

Happy Pancakes!!

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