Where are you going for the holidays? (Restaurant-edition) [General]
2009 Dec 7
monkey feet: You are lucky! Do you know ensaymada? It is Filipino sweet bread that taste like brioche,topped with creamed butter, sugar and shredded chedder.
So tasty!!! I am addicted. When my filipino neighbour made them for me, I pigged out everything, I didn't share with my family... I asked her to give me a recipe. However, ensaymada is on my "do not make" list now. It is too tasty to stop eating. I would gain 10 lbs within a week for sure.
So tasty!!! I am addicted. When my filipino neighbour made them for me, I pigged out everything, I didn't share with my family... I asked her to give me a recipe. However, ensaymada is on my "do not make" list now. It is too tasty to stop eating. I would gain 10 lbs within a week for sure.
2009 Dec 7
Qster - First off gotta say I love the picture (perfect choice)... I've discovered there are a lot of Muppets Fans here on OF... can only imagine what that Holiday Meal would be like.
Also when it comes to Atelier - did you check for New Year's Eve? Evidently according to Ottawa At Home Magazine they are having two seatings that night... but I couldn't find any info on their Website... think one has to call them and ask specifically. Event doesn't seem to be well advertised.
As for us... "The Man" and I have grown kids with their own lives now, so Christmas tends to be a relatively quiet affair. Although we do all get together for a homecooked meal at some point usually around New Years (we host).
Among our group of Friends someone typically has a Holiday Cocktail Party at some point (not our year to host).
And we go out perhaps once or twice with another couple we are close with. As of yet we don't have any plans... although we like to try someplace new, we oftentimes will end up at an old favourite.
To be honest, we don't do that much at Christmas... we find it hectic enough, so we use the time to relax as a couple. We tend to go out more in the new year, which is a good thing, because someone has to support the Restaurant Biz in the dead-of-winter and economically depressed January :-)
Also when it comes to Atelier - did you check for New Year's Eve? Evidently according to Ottawa At Home Magazine they are having two seatings that night... but I couldn't find any info on their Website... think one has to call them and ask specifically. Event doesn't seem to be well advertised.
As for us... "The Man" and I have grown kids with their own lives now, so Christmas tends to be a relatively quiet affair. Although we do all get together for a homecooked meal at some point usually around New Years (we host).
Among our group of Friends someone typically has a Holiday Cocktail Party at some point (not our year to host).
And we go out perhaps once or twice with another couple we are close with. As of yet we don't have any plans... although we like to try someplace new, we oftentimes will end up at an old favourite.
To be honest, we don't do that much at Christmas... we find it hectic enough, so we use the time to relax as a couple. We tend to go out more in the new year, which is a good thing, because someone has to support the Restaurant Biz in the dead-of-winter and economically depressed January :-)
2009 Dec 8
one or two selected-at-random S. Asian restaurants in the strip-malls of Brampton / Mississauga while visiting folks n friends -- ideally one of the areas Hakka restaurant (recs, anyone?). Closer to home, a visit (or 2) to Pookie's, maybe Chahaya, Mugena (for roti fix).
and like Momo, good eats at home, supplemented (i hope) by an Aventinus Eisenboch & other similar LCBO seasonal specials.
and like Momo, good eats at home, supplemented (i hope) by an Aventinus Eisenboch & other similar LCBO seasonal specials.
2009 Dec 8
So far I've hit up Whalesbone, Allium and The Keg Manor. The Keg Manor had outstanding service, unreal actually. It would be a great place for a private function - too bad the menu is so... Keg-like. Both Whalesbone and Allium were amazing as usual. I have Juniper and Play to come within the next week!
2009 Dec 9
F&T I have to watch the Muppet's Christmas Carol at least once during the holidays or I feel I don't have any Christmas spirit :P Thanks for letting me know about the Atelier event, though unfortunately I will be spending New Years with a big group of friends and family so I doubt I can go. I'll have to pencil it in for January or February when there's nothing else to look forward to :D
itchy feet Are there really Hakka restaurants around here? If so, that would be a great little family adventure that I could take my parents to do! They're both Hakka, but we've never been to an actual Hakka restaurant before!
Chimi I envy you...
itchy feet Are there really Hakka restaurants around here? If so, that would be a great little family adventure that I could take my parents to do! They're both Hakka, but we've never been to an actual Hakka restaurant before!
Chimi I envy you...
2009 Dec 9
Looks like I'm celebraing Festivus this year (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festivus).
The original Festivus featured a home meal of turkey and/or ham, but the Seinfeld version featured some kind of meat loaf.
Since I have less resources than The Cratchettes this year, there's not gonna be any trips to restaurants but some kind of meat loaf at home.
.... now I'm off to prepare the pole and to start making my list of grievences.
The original Festivus featured a home meal of turkey and/or ham, but the Seinfeld version featured some kind of meat loaf.
Since I have less resources than The Cratchettes this year, there's not gonna be any trips to restaurants but some kind of meat loaf at home.
.... now I'm off to prepare the pole and to start making my list of grievences.
2009 Dec 9
hi Qster, none (to my knowledge) in the Ottawa area -- I guess your folks would have the inside-scoop if there were, eh? Among all the Chinese restaurants, there must be some owned by people of Hakka descent ... no / maybe?
anyway, i'm thinking more of the Brampton / Mississauga areas, where nestled in amongst the many strip-malls are a variety of restaurants self-described as Hakka, including ones operated by people of Chinese descent via India, etc. If you're interested, Toronto's Chowhound has a number of threads -- just search "hakka": chowhound.chow.com/boards/23
anyway, i'm thinking more of the Brampton / Mississauga areas, where nestled in amongst the many strip-malls are a variety of restaurants self-described as Hakka, including ones operated by people of Chinese descent via India, etc. If you're interested, Toronto's Chowhound has a number of threads -- just search "hakka": chowhound.chow.com/boards/23
2009 Dec 12
I'm just going to drop this bombshell...
On January 2nd I have a reservation at Table 28, the Paris restaurant (9ieme arrondisement) owned by American ex-pat chef Daniel Rose. He is the head chef of Spring, which is currently being relocated to near Les Halles, but won't open until Spring (hehe). Table 28 is the only restaurant open right now with a menu designed by Chef Rose. While its menu is a bit less inventive than Spring, it has shades of Fat Duck -but much cheaper!
On January 2nd I have a reservation at Table 28, the Paris restaurant (9ieme arrondisement) owned by American ex-pat chef Daniel Rose. He is the head chef of Spring, which is currently being relocated to near Les Halles, but won't open until Spring (hehe). Table 28 is the only restaurant open right now with a menu designed by Chef Rose. While its menu is a bit less inventive than Spring, it has shades of Fat Duck -but much cheaper!
2009 Dec 13
I had a work holiday luncheon at the Market Milestones on Friday, and I must say it was quite good. There was about 40 of us and we were put in the lounge area and offered the set menu (limited choices but included an app per table of four, choice between two salads, and four mains). Dessert was not included, but they let us bring in our own cake. The service was average but acceptable, and the general consensus was that the food was enjoyable. I had the salmon as a main and it was nicely prepared with an interesting glaze.
My one gripe would be about the table size; those little round things were too small for four people at each.
It's perhaps not the "foodiest" of places to go, but it's definitely a safe bet if you're trying to please a large group with tastes ranging from very conservative to adventurous.
My one gripe would be about the table size; those little round things were too small for four people at each.
It's perhaps not the "foodiest" of places to go, but it's definitely a safe bet if you're trying to please a large group with tastes ranging from very conservative to adventurous.
2009 Dec 17
We went to:
- Le Cordon Bleu Bistro @ Signatures (Excellent!!!! Highly recommended)
- Perspectives Restaurant @ Brookstreet (Service was terrible! Terrible bread and food was average)
- Wellington Gastro Pub (good portion! Hit and miss)
- Arome Restaurant @ Hilton Lac-Leamy (Food is going downhill. Don't like the dessert bar!)
When I have more free time, I will submit my review.
- Le Cordon Bleu Bistro @ Signatures (Excellent!!!! Highly recommended)
- Perspectives Restaurant @ Brookstreet (Service was terrible! Terrible bread and food was average)
- Wellington Gastro Pub (good portion! Hit and miss)
- Arome Restaurant @ Hilton Lac-Leamy (Food is going downhill. Don't like the dessert bar!)
When I have more free time, I will submit my review.
2009 Dec 21
So far in December we've done:
1. La Piazza Courtyard - La Piazza Courtyard & Lounge (Manotick) (with Friends)
2. An out of town Brunch (with Family)
3. Fiamma - Fiamma (with Friends)
4. Mongolian Village - Mongolian Village (with Family)
5. Main Street Cellar - Main Street Cellar (with Friends)
6. Early Christmas Dinner (with Family)
7. Pot Luck Party (with Friends)
Like I said in my earlier post... typically a lot of old family favourites (and stand-bys). Looking forward to January when we typically are more adventurous... and give the Entertainment Book a work-out.
1. La Piazza Courtyard - La Piazza Courtyard & Lounge (Manotick) (with Friends)
2. An out of town Brunch (with Family)
3. Fiamma - Fiamma (with Friends)
4. Mongolian Village - Mongolian Village (with Family)
5. Main Street Cellar - Main Street Cellar (with Friends)
6. Early Christmas Dinner (with Family)
7. Pot Luck Party (with Friends)
Like I said in my earlier post... typically a lot of old family favourites (and stand-bys). Looking forward to January when we typically are more adventurous... and give the Entertainment Book a work-out.
2009 Dec 21
Qster - Mongolian Village is a family favourite, and has been since the day it opened in Bells Corners... if you take a look at the Vendor Page - Mongolian Village you'll find a Review for it I did back in June 2008... Lol, not much has changed (which is probably why it is still a winner after all these years... 15 or so I reckon).
2009 Dec 22
pretty Ottawa-centric here. hoping to hit up some (or all!) of the following in TO over the holidays.
Black Hoof or the Hoof Cafe (charcuterie)
Guu (izakaya)
Mexitaco (dirty mex)
itchy - re: hakka, a little out of your way but i like Federick's on Ellesmere. here's the menu. note the veg section is slightly illegible :\
www.urbanspoon.com
and yes, it's Federick's (not Frederick's) despite what the website entry says.
Black Hoof or the Hoof Cafe (charcuterie)
Guu (izakaya)
Mexitaco (dirty mex)
itchy - re: hakka, a little out of your way but i like Federick's on Ellesmere. here's the menu. note the veg section is slightly illegible :\
www.urbanspoon.com
and yes, it's Federick's (not Frederick's) despite what the website entry says.
2009 Dec 23
My lunch list for the holliday,
Wellington Gastro Pub - Best scallops ever. Cooked to perfection
Petit bill's today... Probably just missed Chimichimi! Had a lobster Club with prosciutto cooked like bacon almost!
Prime 360 - 17$ parking in the governement buildings turned me off.
Pho Vanvan's - Best vietnamese place near my work.
Wellington Gastro Pub - Best scallops ever. Cooked to perfection
Petit bill's today... Probably just missed Chimichimi! Had a lobster Club with prosciutto cooked like bacon almost!
Prime 360 - 17$ parking in the governement buildings turned me off.
Pho Vanvan's - Best vietnamese place near my work.
2009 Dec 25
Mostly dining at home, relaxing, feet up. Started last nite w trad turkey dinner. The hits were: 1) the turkey dressing - they wanted my recipe but I use fresh sage & go by feel & taste, which was "no help" to them, 2)my simple make-ahead sweet potato/squash puree made with heavy cream, nutmeg, maple syrup, 3)my pear and apple pies.
May venture out to our favourites ...
- Little Turkish Village in Orleans - Fri @ Sat nite their roast lamb is special; we often finish with a free sambucca. Yum.
- Jadeland on Somerset
- Passage to India - Rideau @ Charlotte - They cook from scratch, unlike some of their compatriots
I see LTV mentionned by others. I consider it one of the best restaurants in the area.
May venture out to our favourites ...
- Little Turkish Village in Orleans - Fri @ Sat nite their roast lamb is special; we often finish with a free sambucca. Yum.
- Jadeland on Somerset
- Passage to India - Rideau @ Charlotte - They cook from scratch, unlike some of their compatriots
I see LTV mentionned by others. I consider it one of the best restaurants in the area.
2009 Dec 25
Spud Guy - Check out my reply to Moltar in his recent topic entitled What`s Open Today = www.ottawafoodies.com
2009 Dec 27
In search of an xmas-dinner / boxing-day antidote, dragged my parents to the pub/restaurant Monty mentions above - Guu Izakaya in Toronto. A testament to Guu's boisterous and enervating spirit / delivery, we left completely satiated, un-poor and w/ parents grinning amongst a crowd 1/3 their median age. Recommended for any who land in TO, depressed by winter blahs, looking to whet the whistle and intrigued by the idea of tapas done Japanese-style. I could (and may) go back next week.
2009 Dec 30
Definitely adding Guu Izakaya on my list of places to go in Toronto. Side note: Porter Airlines is having a 30% sale until today if anyone is interested in flying out of the city to beat the post-holiday blues! (Just triggered my memory because I booked my flight into Toronto)
Norski - Have you been to Topkapi? I've been meaning to go to both Topkapi and Little Turkish Village but was wondering which one I should try first!
Norski - Have you been to Topkapi? I've been meaning to go to both Topkapi and Little Turkish Village but was wondering which one I should try first!
Qster
Unfortunately, trying to make reservations for the restaurant on the top of my to-go list, Atelier, turned out to be a bust since they were booked full way in advance. Well, at least it gives me something to look forward to in the bleak months of January and February.
To compensate myself for this little set-back however, I've since made a slew of reservations at other restaurants on my to-go list and am here now to share in my excitement. During the holidays this year, I will be going to:
- Black Cat Bistro
- Zenkitchen
- Petit Bill's Bistro
- L'Oree du Bois
Now I just need to find someone to go to Whalesbone with me...
So where are you going this holiday season?