ottawa foodies

Dear fellow foodies,

I would like to wish everyone a happy Canada Day long weekend. I hope you all get to eat interesting things with family, friends, and colleagues. However, as you do so, I would also like you to think about two things:

1. When would you like to have our 3rd annual potluck? (I think moving it back to summer is a good choice). Specifically, take a look at your Saturday schedules from late July to late August.

2. Where would you like it to be held? From experience, here are a few recommended conditions:
The location should have
- some on- or off-street vehicle parking in the vicinity
- easy access to public transit and bike routes
- accessible washrooms nearby
- one or more barbeques (definitely!!)
- a kitchen or place to plug in portable kitchen appliances (this would be nice but is not mandatory)
- not-too-onerous rules for serving alcohol
- some sort of tables or space to put picnic blankets

Please enjoy your weekend and when we all return to our usual routines next week, I'd be curious as to your replies.

FFD (Adam)

Sounds like fun.

I've only joined the group recently so it would be nice to meet you all.

August works best for me.

Food Film Director Thanks for taking the lead on this - you rock!-;) Any time in July or August works for me. Unfortunately I will not be able to host due to a tiny apartment and no party facilities. But I am willing to bring ample food to share.

How many people are likely to attend?

My condo has a party room that I can rent, its got a full kitchen, and is at ground level. I'm located in Westboro and the condo is right beside the Dominion Station transit stop. Massive outdoor charcoal bbq is adjacent to the Party room and available for use. All your listed requirements are met, bathrooms, accessible via bike/transit, electrical etc. Alcohol also wouldn't be an issue as it's not being sold and is a private party. There's a large outdoor area outside the room between the bbq where tables/chairs etc can be setup. And regularly is for functions here.. not that I've attended any but just sayin. :)

Ravi,

Last year we had 20. But that was in late autumn. Two years ago we had 30 to 40 people. Your condo seems like a good location. As someone who used to live around there, I'm quite familiar with that building. Before we 'officially' list your place as a possibility, do you know if there are any weird rules (i.e. outdoor cooking restrictions, etc.) we should know about it and its availability for weekends in late July to late August?

FFD.

I can find out about the dates on Monday.. I'm out of town last weekend of July. What sort of outdoor cooking would be done outside of bbqing?? lol. There's a massive 4ft wide bbq grill outside. And the party room is meant to be used in conjunction with the bbq and open area outside of it.

I was just thinking about it in comparison to last year when we discovered we couldn't put a giant grill on the patio near the party room. I was just trying to anticipate any limitations that may arise regarding how your charcoal BBQ is used.

Well let me know if you think of something in particular.. they're pretty stuffy here.

You'll have to ask user "Grilling Gourmet" because if he comes, he'll probably have the most specific barbequing needs.

Here's a shot of the area. You can see the party room in the far end. It's not much of a 'party' room but more a room. I've pinged Grilling Gourmet on his input.

The bbq on the right is some 4'x2' large.

August is fully open

I'd be in if the date works. Keep me posted, looks like a pretty nice spot.

I was at Lac Le Peche on the weekend and I have to say, if you get their early enough to commandeer a table or two the picnic spots can be pretty nice for a group of 15-30. You'd have to plan well and bring chairs, utensils and food that traveled well, but it's certainly not a bad spot to have a BBQ/picnic...and it's easy from a clean up/hosting perspective. Lac Philippe has those huge charcoal pit-style BBQ's which are even better for a group, but the recent flooding washed the beach away and I don't anticipate Lac Philippe being open any time soon unfortunately.

I am available in mid-July and Mid-August potentially. I would love to participate in a potluck!

If the invite is open I would love to come out and meet the Foodies :-) August weekends are pretty booked with Festivals and Events but I'll try to make it... Saturday Aug 21 is good at the moment.

I like the look of Ravi's spot.

-Chutney Guy (Andrew Craig - Major Craig's Chutney and Specialty food distributor)

Would love to come, especially since I haven't been able to get out to either of the other ones!

That having been said, the summer's pretty hairy for me so far: I think that the Saturdays of August 13th and 27th are free for me right now?

Would love to come if the dates work, but am frequently away in the summer. Also a bit terrified to bring something that would be worthy of this crowd.

I feel exactly the same as you, blubarry!

Bring a family-sized can of Chef Boyardee if you like, and I bet somebody will say, "Cool! I've always wanted to try one of those." OK, that person would be me. :-)

Seriously though, there's no need to feel any trepidation about culinary judgement. You'll find that the food at these events covers a large spectrum and everyone is appreciative. Enjoyment of food is a personal thing and you can't please everyone. The most important fact is that it is a gift.

Adam,
August 6 and 20 work best for me, but I'll suck it up and get a sitter if the date is a less convenient one for me.
I think I will have to bring both daughters this year, there were some ruffled feathers last year when I brought Em and not Erin!

I'd be interested in making it there this year, but my dates would be at the end of August.

blubarry and caperbeach, let me assure you as well, I can't cook gourmet at all and managed to do just fine. I mean, I had a fairly simple pie on the first time, and it was quite appreciated, and I nearly ruined my dish the second time - the sharing is the important part. (Also, don't eat for two days beforehand. No, like, almost seriously. I may try that this time.)

Ravi, that location would be pretty sweet for all the accessibility.

Adam, I'm here all summer and don't expect to go to many festivals except maybe late August.

Who had done the survey for dates last time?

The option of grilling again is tentalising. I still remember the cherry marinade of two years ago. Mmmmmm.

I would love to come and meet everyone but will be away all August and part of September. Avalable in July but it most likely not happen so quickly.

Sounds neat, would be interested in going.
In Ottawa most of the summer.

No idea what I could bring- fudge, cookies or a wild rice salad I guess?

So unless anyone has any serious objections, I'm going to recommend we use Ravi's party room just because it's very accessible for people from all parts of the city (literally 2 minute walk from Dominion Station!), it has a kitchen and washrooms, an outdoor and indoor area, and a big-ass charcoal BBQ!

Now we move onto the next step -choosing the date. Ravi and I came up with 2 options. Please choose one of the following:

Option A:
Event date: Saturday, August 13th
Rain date: Saturday, August 20th

Option B:
Event date: Saturday, August 20th
Rain date: Saturday, August 27th

Regardless of the day, the potluck would begin around 5 PM.

Please post your preferences here ASAP so that Ravi can confirm the room booking. I'll post the date here by Friday, July 22nd.

My preference is Option B.

Option B would work for me...particularly if bringing my 7 and 9 year olds would be okay.
Would be great to put some faces to names!

Oh yes this will be a child-friendly event. Members have brought their kids to past potlucks.

Option B for me. Are partners/spouses as welcome as children?

Yes. You're welcome to bring friends and family.

Option B

Option A. So outvoted :(

Assuming i can sort out the dates, is there a problem with me arriving the day before and digging a large pit to slow roast an entire goat?

...I should mention that the smell of charcoal and cumin may linger for a few weeks....

Eighty thumbs up, man.

Ummm...you're going to have to ask user RaviShanghavi because he's the host living in that condo building.

Momo, I'm with you on option A. August 20 is the Lumiere festival. I'd rather not have to miss one or leave early. We seem to be in the minority though. Also on board for the roasted goat!

@OSoloMeal The goat is a no go. Though I see no issue the board and the buildings residents aren't exactly accomodating. Not sure if you're able to do it at your place and finish it on the bbq. The bbq is approximately 4feet wide by 2feet.

I'm probably not being terribly helpful but both dates are good for me-;) I tend to stay in Ottawa all summer...

I'm sorry that I will miss this event and the chance to meet you all and try some amazing new food. Won't be back in the city in time.

Thanks Ravi, but the logistics of moving an entire mostly roasted goat from
place to place would be somewhat daunting (but comical).

Also, i WAS joking. A little. Clearly no one else here has seen 'Best in Show'... but seriously what if i promise to put back the flagstones nicely and everything...? :)

Option B works for me; thanks for organizing FFD, and thanks for the space Ravi.

August 20 works for me. So, Option A, if there is rain and Option B if there is not.

Option B works better here.

Likely to be huddled amongst the chef-boyardee-bearing minorities. :-}

I say YES to the goat !!

With the flag stones back in place , what could they say after the fact ?

Sometimes it's better to ask for forgiveness than for permission.

"Mr. Shanghavi, would you know anything about someone sneaking onto the property yesterday, digging up the back patio, building a raging fire, then burying an entire goat carcass over the still smoking coals?"

"Why no mister landlord sir, i wouldn't. Now if you'll excuse me i have to go join a whole bunch of complete strangers i met on the internet for dinner. By the way if you notice a pervasive smell of cumin I don't know anything about thsat either."

I would like to point out that the property backs onto NCC lands and a small wooded area. If a goat suddenly appears from a pit in that woodlot, I wouldn't say anything ;p.

As the NCC is always reasonable about stuff that involves nature and/or food, that should work!

[/doubleplussarcasm]

Option A for me, if it's not too late.

If it's not too late for me too, I vote Option A as well. The weekend of the 20th I'm going to game summit (Which if there any meganerds here, they'll likely go too). But yeah, I'll bring my family's cherry Cucumber mint salad. Refreshing for the summer.

if it is not too later, I am interested as well. At the moment both dates work for me.

Just seeing this topic now. Would be nice to meet all of you. Weekends tend to be busy so I don't know if it's fair for me to vote ... as I don't even know if I could make it. If I could it would be for Aug. 20 so that would be Option B. Also, I know people said family (partners & children) would be welcome but would this include 2 year olds who are holy terrors at the moment? Just joking. We live nearby so it wouldn't be hard to take them home. Also, didn't notice if anyone asked Ravi Shanghavi if there was a cost associated with using his condo's party room?

Hmm, I'm away for the summer, but would love to come if you end up holding it on the 27th. I will be coming from Montreal that day, so will pick up some grub there.

I know this is a rain date, but 27th works for me.
I did go to the potluck last year and it was a lot of fun. My sister and I met other foodies had great conversations about food, travel, wines and blogs for awhile.
I did fret a bit about what to bring to a "foodie potluck" but once there I shouldn't have worried so much about it.
Most of my time was spent on thinking what to bring and the logistics of getting it hot once there.
I hope there are pictures and recipes after. I'm still trying to recreate Nialls wonderful risotto.

This sounds incredible! I am easy, and both dates work for me!
What to bring, what to bring?

I vote for option A...

Seeing as how there is not a clear consensus, would people prefer August 27th and since there's indoor space, we don't worry about a separate rain date?

Sounds good to me!

Unless anyone has any serious objections, Ravi has confirmed the booking for August 27th. Here is the formal invite:

Ottawafoodies.com 3rd Annual Potluck

TIME AND LOCATION:
Saturday, August 27th 2011
5:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Party room and patio of 370 Dominion Avenue, Ottawa

WHAT TO BRING:
One or more dishes or drinks that could be any combination of the following:
appetizer, soup, salad, main course, vegetarian or vegan main, dessert, fruit, alcoholic drink, and non-alcoholic drink. For food, please list the ingredients on a note card placed near your dish. Also to avoid waste, please bring your own cutlery, cups, plates, etc. If you plan to use the stove, please bring your own pots and pans.

COMMON ITEMS: Here are some items I hope someone could bring that we can all share:
- Coffee & tea (hopefully with a big coffee warmer and kettle)
- Condiments: milk, sugar, cream, ketchup, mustard, relish, mayonnaise, salt, pepper, butter, etc.
- Charcoal, tin foil, and BBQ utensils
- Anything else you think we may need

DIRECTIONS:
By Public Transit: From all directions, take OC Transpo routes 87, 94, 95, 96, or 97 to Dominion Station. Walk southeast (away from river) on path through fence gap to Dominion Avenue. Turn right and walk south about 50 metres until you see a large charcoal barbeque on the patio of the adjacent condo tower. We'll be on that patio. The party room can be accessed from that patio too.

If you're coming via route 2, from the east, get off the bus at stop Richmond/Golden, turn right (east) on Richmond, then left on Berkley, left on Tay, and right on Dominion. Keep walking about 100 metres until you see the charcoal barbeque on your left. From the west, exit the bus at stop Richmond/Roosevelt. Turn right (west) on Richmond, right on Berkley, and follow the same directions from Berkley as if coming from the east.

By Bicycle: From east or west, take the NCC pathway to where the Transitway meets the Ottawa River Parkway or from the east, take the Scott Street path to Dominion Avenue. Then follow the walking directions for public transit.

By car: From the Ottawa River Parkway, if exiting at Woodroffe, go south on Woodroffe, then turn left on Richmond. Keep going a few kilometres until you must turn north (left from the west) on Berkley. If exiting at Island Park Drive, go south until Richmond, then turn right. Keep going a few kilometres until you reach Berkley.

From the Queensway, if exiting at Maitland, go north until Carling Avenue, turn right on Carling, then left on Broadview, then right on Richmond, finally left on Berkley. If exiting at Carling/Kirkwood, turn north immediately onto Kirkwood, then turn left on Richmond, and right on Berkley.

Parking a car: Find a spot on Berkley, Tay, Dominion, or Richmond, then follow the Berkley walking instructions for coming via OC Transpo route 2. If you can't find parking on those streets, park on Lochaber, Kirkhoffer, Workman, or Duchess and cross the Transitway at Dominion Station or the pedestrian bridge between Workman and Roosevelt. Follow the related walking or biknig instructions.

RSVP:
Please respond as soon as possible. You may confirm your attendance until Thursday, August 25th, giving us enough time so we all know how many portions to make. You can confirm your details at www.surveymonkey.com/s/Z3YXS73

I hope to see you all there!

Very sad to miss this, but will be away. Hope there are lots of pics posted!

blubarry, I second that.

great directions, and hope to be there. Haven't figured out what to bring yet, but working on it.

I just wanted to give you an update on the RSVP situation. So far, 11 people are expected to attend. Keep those responses coming at www.surveymonkey.com/s/Z3YXS73

It appears that I will unfortunately have to work the weekend of the potluck. I'll continue to manage RSVPs but would anyone be interested in coming around 5:00 PM to set up? All that's required is unfolding some tables and chairs that are already in the party room and putting up a sign directing people to the potluck.

Food Film Director - I would do it but I'm away that day - too bad, enjoying reading about people reminiscing about restaurants of the past, etc. Someone out there please volunteer for this ...!

I won't be able to attend after all. A last minute work thing has come up, meaning I'll be in Ecuador for 6 weeks. At least I'll have some interesting things to eat there.

In light of my schedule and not enough interest, would anyone seriously object to postponing the event until September?

Food Film Director Personally I would really appreciate that. It looks like my friend in Kingston will be in Ottawa that weekend since her Dad has heart surgery scheduled around that time. She may be staying with me. It would be tricky honouring any social commitments that weekend...

Food Film Director, sounds like a good idea! I'd suggest starting a new discussion to track the postponed event. I can update the name of this one to reflect the postponement.

Postponing would work for me (I still don't kow what to do!), though only Saturdays would be possible in September except the 10th for me. (Between orienteering and curling, Sundays will be pretty busy...)

Has a new date been selected yet?

Not Yet. Could anyone interested in participating please send me the date of every Saturday they're available in September and early October?

Alright so I'm going to make a second attempt at organizing a potluck. The suggested date is Saturday, October 15th, beginning at 5:30 PM and at the original location near Dominion Station. That is 1 week after Thanksgiving. What does everyone think of that day?

I'll be moving into a new place (yet to be determined) as of October 1st. Dunno how functioning our kitchen will be by then (I think it should be) but I would like to be there.

The 15th is good! Now I can panic about what to bring...

Should we start a new thread for added visibility?

Sounds good for me.

The same party room has been officially booked for October 15th. Please RSVP to the event here: www.surveymonkey.com/s/Z3YXS73

If you RSVP'd to the original event, please re-RSVP as I reset the responses.

I will respond when I figure out what the heck to bring. Looking forward to it.

I did RSVP but will have to cancel...just got my kids hockey schedule and Oct 15 is his first game.
Maybe next time.

:( We're in Niagara that weekend :(

out of town too - happy cooking/eating.

Arriving back from the east coast a day too late.

I'll be there, haven't RSVPed yet because I also need to find something to do. Gotta top my risotto somehow. :)

I'd like to attend this if possible. Is it still on Oct 15? Is there a theme for the pot luck?

I was just offered a job in Edmonton and will move out there October 5th. Therefore I will be unable to organize the potluck. If anyone wants to take over, please let me know ASAP.

Congrats for the job in Edmonton!

It would be really fun to meet everyone. If the potluck doesn't happen, should we make a restaurant reservation instead for anyone who is interested?

Well I've the location still reserved. But not sure what else past that needs organizing?

Nothing else really. Just so long as someone is there to set up tables ahead of time and direct people to the back entry.

For this I think I am going to sneak out of work early.
I am not sure how early I can sneak out though, but if I can get there early enough, I am happy to help out.

The place to RSVP is still www.surveymonkey.com/s/Z3YXS73

Is the event still on?
Is there enough people? How many people are planning on attending?

Is the time still from 5:30-10:30?

I'm interested, but haven't RSVPed since I haven't decided what to bring.
Interested in what other people are bringing.

Won't be attending and sad to miss it!

Perhaps a post with a list of those attending, or even the current stats of such would be helpful.

I'm thinking of doing Chicken sous vide and finishing it on the BBQ.

If I can attend, I'm thinking of doing pork tenderloin vacuum marinaded and sous vide.

I will be attending and bringing a coconut curry.

I am currently sitting in Remedy Cafe (apparently a popular hang out for Edmonton foodies). Here's the list of attendees:

bonnste

Joe Mc Jody

Jo-An

Pasta lover

Mousseline

flexie

Adam,

you didn't read the entire thread. Oct 15 is my son's first night of hockey this year. I won't be able to go.
Sorry,

Teri

I am still able to attend if no one objects to me arriving around 7:00 at the latest. (I will be at another engagement in the east end until 5:30 then have to bus it home for my potluck dish then bus it over to Westboro.) Tomorrow I start fasting-;)

I've RSVP'd but unfortunate, I dont think I will be able to make it....

Ok so there is six foodies attending
flexie
Pasta Lover *@7pm
Jo-An
Joe Mc Jody
bonnste
Francis

myself.

I could invite a few friends. Might flush it out to 10 people.. is that enough to be of interest to everyone still?

when is the deadline? I just noticed this :-|

Chopper, no deadline. But it looks like there's only the 7 people. Folks I invited are out of town.

Sorry guys, did I say I was going to go? Not sure I can make it, I would have to bring my young children (2.5 year old twins) as my husband is working over the dinner time and I'd have to think about transport (it's supposed to rain). Great idea though!

Hi,
I might have a friend of mine coming, and she has offered to bring a dish if she is able to, but it will be a last minute thing to know if she is able to.

I haven't met anyone in the group, so big or large group is fine for me.

Jo

I'm in! I finally figured out, with the weather, a nice bowl of chili might hit the spot. Will be my first time doing it, but chili isn't that difficult to do, and after my risotto success, I feel confident. :)

At six attendees it makes sense to cancel. Not all are likely to come, so this makes for too wee an event for the party room. Id just have it at my place but am renoing entrance way... Too much mess... Sigh. Really wanted this to work out. Do we reschedule or? Adam mentioned previous years had a 25+ turnout

I think it's a case of scheduling conflicts - it always happens, but we hit a bad time for it. I'm still game with a smaller crowd. I'm still making my chili, ingredients are bought. Just for fewer. :)

If rescheduling, colder weather makes for more difficulty bringing things around, but not impossible.

I vote to reschedule.

I vote to reschedule.

I just changed the forum title to "Defunct" to remove the October 15th date. I also had conflicts that prevented me from making it this Saturday...

I suggest starting a new forum topic if there's interest in rescheduling.

Horray! I might actually be able to make one of these.

I am taking the Cub Scouts to camp this weekend so could not make this one.

I really want to attend, and hope we can reschedule. I had conflicts too.

I am all for rescheduling too.
I guess I will try to make it out for some hot sauce tomorrow night instead..lol