new here... [General]
2007 Jan 5
Well, this is my first day here. I am glad to see a new and hopefully better website than what was previously available. I admit that other sites have been slightly helpful in the past but I find there are far too many people that post on those websites that just don't get it. They complain about higher-end restaurants that don't have big enough portions (those are the super-size-me set in my mind). Or they expect to have a gourment meal for $10 an entree. They don't talk enough about the taste, textures, service, wine and overall experience and value. That's what I want to know.
Did the establishment treat you well, did you feel special? Was it a noisy boisterous atmosphere, was it tranquil, lounge-like, energizing, cozy, was it clean or unkempt. Were your taste buds aroused? Did you feel you could make the dishes presented easily yourself, or would you have ever thought of putting that combination of flavours together? Did you feel relaxed and comfortable there or where you rushed or upset for any reason. These are all part of the experience of dining. It isn't all about gluttony, but about your overall enjoyment.
Food (and wine....always go hand in hand) for me is to be savoured, chefs revered, and restaurants lauded (or disparaged depending on the experience). I have been longing for a site where others like myself and some of my friends can have discussions, or find out new information or others opionions on a subject we are so interested in and spend much time discussing. We will continue to spend our hard earned cash on the dining experience and I want to make sure most of these experiences are on the positive side. My husband and I do it (go out for dinner that is) at least once a week (if not more if we can help or afford it).
I hope that anything I can add to this experience for anyone else that reads this site will aid their overall enjoyment as some of the comments that I have already read have done for me. Thanks for creating this site (sorry I'm so verbose...can't help it sometimes)!
Did the establishment treat you well, did you feel special? Was it a noisy boisterous atmosphere, was it tranquil, lounge-like, energizing, cozy, was it clean or unkempt. Were your taste buds aroused? Did you feel you could make the dishes presented easily yourself, or would you have ever thought of putting that combination of flavours together? Did you feel relaxed and comfortable there or where you rushed or upset for any reason. These are all part of the experience of dining. It isn't all about gluttony, but about your overall enjoyment.
Food (and wine....always go hand in hand) for me is to be savoured, chefs revered, and restaurants lauded (or disparaged depending on the experience). I have been longing for a site where others like myself and some of my friends can have discussions, or find out new information or others opionions on a subject we are so interested in and spend much time discussing. We will continue to spend our hard earned cash on the dining experience and I want to make sure most of these experiences are on the positive side. My husband and I do it (go out for dinner that is) at least once a week (if not more if we can help or afford it).
I hope that anything I can add to this experience for anyone else that reads this site will aid their overall enjoyment as some of the comments that I have already read have done for me. Thanks for creating this site (sorry I'm so verbose...can't help it sometimes)!
2007 Jan 15
Hi all:
I just joined today, and was very happy to find this site. Many people think Ottawa is boring, and when I moved here from Southern Ontario in the early eighties, it was: "food-boring"!
But times have changed, and we love Ottawa now. And not just the food. Great country drives, swimming, hiking, etc. in the Gatineau Hills or the Black Mountains, all within a few minutes or hours depending on how adventurous you feel. (And despite the politicians, the people are great. And even some of the politicians are, too ;-)
One thing I can recommend, for those who like a country drive, and food, is the so-called "Artisanal Tour" we first read about in the Ottawa Citizen a couple years back. Give yourself 2 or 3 hours on a weekend afternoon, to be home in time for sampling your finds before dinner (or AS dinner, as the case may be).
Before you begin your tour, I recommend that you stop at the Gatineau Tourist Bureau (near the Museum of Civilization) and pick up a pamphlet on "La Petite-Nation en Outaouais" "entreprises agroalimentaires". Be sure to also pick up a copy of "La route des fromages Leads to Quebec", a pamphlet that includes cheese makers and shops near Ottawa on the Quebec side. (There are French and English versions of both.)
Drive east on Highway 50, then turn south to Highway 148 when 50 runs out. Follow the river east to Papineauville, and continue to the goat farm and goat cheese maker Ferme Floralpe (it's on the left--north--side of the road and it's easy to miss, so keep your eyes open after Papineauville--about 5 minutes).
You can get both goat cheese and goat meat there, and of course they let you taste the cheeses. Their specialties are "Heidi", "Peter", and "Micha", either fresh or aged. All are delicious, but if you like it aged, the aged Peter is top-drawer. So is the aged Heidi, which runs like a Brie when brought nicely to room temperature. Although both Heidi and Peter are available in Ottawa (Nicastro's in the Glebe, for example), it's way cheaper at the Ferme (if you wanted to go on a country drive anyway). When we were last there (a week or so ago) they were so pleased that we had come all that way to visit them that they threw in a free Heidi ronde.
So:
Ferme Floralpe, 1700 route 148, Papineauville, Quebec.
Also:
"La Trappe a Fromage" is a store in the old "Gatineau" section, unfortunately nestled amid the malls and suburbs off 148 East, with cheeses from all over the world. They have their own "aging cellar" as well. They don't make the cheese, but they age some under perfect, hygienic conditions. They also have all kinds of gourmet items, like sea salt from the Carmargue, Maldon salt, flavoured olive oils, unusual Quebec beers, and a great baguette to go with whatever cheeses or pates you purchase.
Sorry to go on, but it's exciting to be able to tell like-minded foodies about this. And I'm not associated with these places in any way, marketing or otherwise, so I hope this helps somebody have a nice Saturday drive with a loved one who's also into food and scenery.
Return home to a fresh Beaujolais on the chilly side, and enjoy your bounty.
Cheers, Glinda
P.S. In the summer there are organic vegetable farms to visit along the route as well. And of course the "cabanes a sucres" will open soon--if the strange weather hasn't ruined the maple sap. Our personal favourite is "Brazeau", also near Papineauville.
www.outaouais.worldweb.com
I just joined today, and was very happy to find this site. Many people think Ottawa is boring, and when I moved here from Southern Ontario in the early eighties, it was: "food-boring"!
But times have changed, and we love Ottawa now. And not just the food. Great country drives, swimming, hiking, etc. in the Gatineau Hills or the Black Mountains, all within a few minutes or hours depending on how adventurous you feel. (And despite the politicians, the people are great. And even some of the politicians are, too ;-)
One thing I can recommend, for those who like a country drive, and food, is the so-called "Artisanal Tour" we first read about in the Ottawa Citizen a couple years back. Give yourself 2 or 3 hours on a weekend afternoon, to be home in time for sampling your finds before dinner (or AS dinner, as the case may be).
Before you begin your tour, I recommend that you stop at the Gatineau Tourist Bureau (near the Museum of Civilization) and pick up a pamphlet on "La Petite-Nation en Outaouais" "entreprises agroalimentaires". Be sure to also pick up a copy of "La route des fromages Leads to Quebec", a pamphlet that includes cheese makers and shops near Ottawa on the Quebec side. (There are French and English versions of both.)
Drive east on Highway 50, then turn south to Highway 148 when 50 runs out. Follow the river east to Papineauville, and continue to the goat farm and goat cheese maker Ferme Floralpe (it's on the left--north--side of the road and it's easy to miss, so keep your eyes open after Papineauville--about 5 minutes).
You can get both goat cheese and goat meat there, and of course they let you taste the cheeses. Their specialties are "Heidi", "Peter", and "Micha", either fresh or aged. All are delicious, but if you like it aged, the aged Peter is top-drawer. So is the aged Heidi, which runs like a Brie when brought nicely to room temperature. Although both Heidi and Peter are available in Ottawa (Nicastro's in the Glebe, for example), it's way cheaper at the Ferme (if you wanted to go on a country drive anyway). When we were last there (a week or so ago) they were so pleased that we had come all that way to visit them that they threw in a free Heidi ronde.
So:
Ferme Floralpe, 1700 route 148, Papineauville, Quebec.
Also:
"La Trappe a Fromage" is a store in the old "Gatineau" section, unfortunately nestled amid the malls and suburbs off 148 East, with cheeses from all over the world. They have their own "aging cellar" as well. They don't make the cheese, but they age some under perfect, hygienic conditions. They also have all kinds of gourmet items, like sea salt from the Carmargue, Maldon salt, flavoured olive oils, unusual Quebec beers, and a great baguette to go with whatever cheeses or pates you purchase.
Sorry to go on, but it's exciting to be able to tell like-minded foodies about this. And I'm not associated with these places in any way, marketing or otherwise, so I hope this helps somebody have a nice Saturday drive with a loved one who's also into food and scenery.
Return home to a fresh Beaujolais on the chilly side, and enjoy your bounty.
Cheers, Glinda
P.S. In the summer there are organic vegetable farms to visit along the route as well. And of course the "cabanes a sucres" will open soon--if the strange weather hasn't ruined the maple sap. Our personal favourite is "Brazeau", also near Papineauville.
www.outaouais.worldweb.com
2007 Jan 16
I've heard a lot about "la trappe a fromage" Glinda.. i want to go check it out soon.
The other day i was coming back from a friend's place and noticed that there's a NEW "La trappe a fromage" in Hull. It's on St-Raymond, real close to "place cartier" (the shopping mall near the casino). La trappe a Fromage is actually just up the street from the casino. I'll go check it out later this week or this weekend (whenever the weather is ok for a little walk) and let you guys know how it is and how big of a selection they have. :)
The other day i was coming back from a friend's place and noticed that there's a NEW "La trappe a fromage" in Hull. It's on St-Raymond, real close to "place cartier" (the shopping mall near the casino). La trappe a Fromage is actually just up the street from the casino. I'll go check it out later this week or this weekend (whenever the weather is ok for a little walk) and let you guys know how it is and how big of a selection they have. :)
2007 Jan 17
Welcome Cindy,
I also found this site while browsing Ottawa Restaraunts. I have to admit that my motives are partially curiosity, and partially self-congratulatory, as the some of the best rated restarants here are my favourites. Hopefully I will not start a flame war by suggesting I've never been to Beckta, but I can say I intend to.. someday... I consider myself a food-lover, with aspirations of being a foodie verite. I am interested more in the best lunch experience, ( less than 4 martini ;-) ) as this is when I try the most new places. Suggestions anyone?
I also found this site while browsing Ottawa Restaraunts. I have to admit that my motives are partially curiosity, and partially self-congratulatory, as the some of the best rated restarants here are my favourites. Hopefully I will not start a flame war by suggesting I've never been to Beckta, but I can say I intend to.. someday... I consider myself a food-lover, with aspirations of being a foodie verite. I am interested more in the best lunch experience, ( less than 4 martini ;-) ) as this is when I try the most new places. Suggestions anyone?
Cindy