Last year I wrote a blog entry about My Bucket List for 2012 and I’m pleased to say that I accomplished everything on that list except for 3 items.

Not bad eh?

This year, I’m going to make my bucket list more specific and write a blog post about the restaurants that I really want to try in 2013.

Restaurant Bucket List for 2013:

1. Belly Busters – this restaurant has been an institution for years, yet I have never been. It’s not even far from where I live. No excuse. I must get there!

2. Owl of Minerva – a well known spot that is open 24 hours a day and yet I have never been. Go figger.

3. Aunties and Uncles – an extremely popular brunch spot. Need to “brunch” more often. LOL

4. Bar Volo – this has been on my list forever. Must attend a “cask” nite. Again, it’s not far from where I live. What is wrong with me?

5. Campagnoloa – I have been reading about their fresh burrata with roasted grapes for over a year and yet I haven’t been. This will be a priority for 2013.

6. La Carnita – Don’t judge me – I haven’t been. All my foodie friends have been but me. Sniff.

7. The Depanneur – Would love to attend one of their drop in dinners. If you don’t follow them on facebook – you should.

8. OK it’s not a a restaurant but I must participate in one of these CSA drop off programs. Thinking to try The Cutting Veg. It’s TIME.

9. Farmhouse – have been following their tweets since before they opened and must must visit

10. Your turn…what else should be on my bucket list?

 

After following CHEESEWERKS on Facebook and Twitter for many months, I was delighted to get an invitation to attend the opening of this new ‘artisinal” grilled cheese restaurant.

Here’s what I like:

1) The space is gorgeous. Its bright, colorful, and well laid out.

2) The menu: lots of delicious choices with really really cute names.

3) There is an alcohol menu: Brilliant!!

4) The sandwich itself. Everything works  – the bread, the combination of flavors and it’s grilled to perfection as well.

5) The owners are nice nice nice.

6) This brochure (it makes me smile). Please note, that one day soon they will soon have options for those who are lactose intolerant and for those who require gluten free bread.

7) They ‘get” social media and have actively been using twitter and facebook for months.

9) Their website is fantastic. It’s clean, it’s fun and it’s easy to navigate.

10) I know I am repeating myself, but their grilled cheese sandwiches really are DELICIOUS.

You can find CHEESWERKS at 56 Bathurst St (at Wellingston St. West) Toronto, 416-243-3327.

Hoping to put together a tweet up at this restaurant as soon as possible. It would be the perfect spot.

I have a soft spot for Avenue Road as I once owned a store on that street for 3 years. During those years, I was by myself in the store and I have to admit that I rarely had time to get to know the other stores/restaurants on that street. However I have been making up for lost time!!

This is what I’ve discovered in the last few months:

Cafe St. Germain:

In the last few weeks a new coffee shop has opened and I immediately went to check it out (with my coffee friend – of course). When you walk in you are immediately struck with the attention to detail that has gone into the space. I simply love the decor. It’s black/white and red and extremely “bistro-like”. You will notice an immediate difference when you walk in, that this isn’t a typical coffee shop.

I particularly love this display of antique spoons on the wall. Simple but so effective!!

Cafe St. Germain – 1767 Avenue Road

LaBamboche – New Item: Chocolate Banana Croissant

Generally, I enjoy more savory food items than baked goods but I could not resist this combination: Chocolate + Banana + Croissant. How genius!! I love it.

I asked them to cut it up into 3 pieces for me so that I could share it. I’m not sure this ever happened!! It was DELICIOUS. Beyond Delicious. I know I will be back for another one, even if if my waistline tells me not to!!

Congratulations LaBamboche for introducing this item on your menu.

La Bamboche – 1712 Avenue Road

The Copper Chimney:

I had been reading reviews on www.chowhound.com about this restaurant that I PASS ALL THE TIME, and the reviews were glowing. One day I finally went there and tried a few veggie options and indeed the reviews were correct.

This is not your typical India restaurant at all!! I really need go back and do a full review. Stay tuned. In the meantime, this restaurant should be on your radar in the event you are looking for Indian food.

The Copper Chimney – 2050 Avenue Road

Yogurty’s:

This fro-yo concept opened a few months ago and has been a HUGE hit in the neighborhood. The space is  bright and friendly and the flavors are fantastic.

I’m a fan of these two flavors. Need I say more?

Hope you get a chance to visit Avenue Road one day soon!!

Another trip to Ottawa means another opportunity to eat!!  I ate my way thru the following restaurants and my stomach couldn’t be happier.

I started off at Town. It was listed as one of top ten restaurants for 2010 in Ottawa magazine and I can see why. The restaurant was packed but I was lucky and found a spot at the bar. When presented with the menu, it was tough to make a decision what to order.  But I was super happy with my decision.  I inhaled the ricotta gnudi that was served with a walnut pesto and browned sage butter.

The next restaurant to make my stomach happy was Chez Edgar. I asked the waiter what was popular and he replied “a lot of people order the heuvos rancheros”. I replied “ok – that’s what I will have”. I was not disappointed. It was perfect. The restaurant is situated in a house – so there’s a few tables and an open kitchen.  This means that I got to watch the chef make my meal. Total entertainment.

On the way out I grabbed some photos of some baked goods. OMG.!!

Next: The Scone Witch. This restaurant has been around for over 20 years and clearly has a following. It’s a clever concept as you don’t find too many places serving sweet or savory scones along with devon cream and jam. Again, my stomach was happy.

Here’s the details about the restaurants:

Chez Edgar: 60 Rue Begin, Gatineau, QC

Town: 296 Elgin St. Ottawa

The Scone Witch: 388 Albert St. or 35 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa

The highlight of the weekend, was the Cheese Tweet Up but that will be a separate posting on Tuesday. Stay Tuned.