Rendez vous des Saveurs - 2007 [Events]
2007 Aug 22
Steff have you ever been to the Rendezvous des saveurs? I have heard good things about it so I might like to take it in this year. Do you have to pay admission to get in or just buy tickets? And do you know if the line ups are long? I was hoping to go to the wine festival in Ottawa last winter but heard about the two hour line ups to get in so I didn't go. I'm just wondering if I should expect the same long line ups for the Rendezvous des saveurs...
2007 Sep 29
i visited le "rendez vous" yesterday afternoon and i must say i was really impressed! Entrance is free, and tickets are 50 cents a pop.. i started off with 20$ worth of tickets and by the end of them i had tasted a lot of different things.
My favorite was an "escargot cake with blue cheese sauce" at the "Sans-Pareil" restaurant booth. I've never been to that restaurant, but might check it out now.
I definitely recommend this rendez vous.
My favorite was an "escargot cake with blue cheese sauce" at the "Sans-Pareil" restaurant booth. I've never been to that restaurant, but might check it out now.
I definitely recommend this rendez vous.
2007 Sep 30
After the hiking trip at Gatineau Park this morning, we went straight to La Maison du Citoyen de Gatineau (25 Laurier Street, closed to Museum of Civilization) to check out the event. (The website's "How to get there" direction should mention the reference point to make it easier for people to locate the place.)
Anyway, our group bought about $70 coupons to sample the food. I was so easy to use up the coupons since the food wasn't cheap given the portion size. (I remember I tried a slice of baguette with melted cheese for 1 coupon. The size was equivalent to those sample size given out at Costco.)
After the dessert, I thought I was full. But when I went home, I felt hungry already. But the experience was to try differnt bite size food from different restaurant/food establishments at the same time. It was a good experience.
Among all the restaurant food that I tried, I like the salmon on top of mashed potato from Le Tartuffe the most (see photo).
Anyway, our group bought about $70 coupons to sample the food. I was so easy to use up the coupons since the food wasn't cheap given the portion size. (I remember I tried a slice of baguette with melted cheese for 1 coupon. The size was equivalent to those sample size given out at Costco.)
After the dessert, I thought I was full. But when I went home, I felt hungry already. But the experience was to try differnt bite size food from different restaurant/food establishments at the same time. It was a good experience.
Among all the restaurant food that I tried, I like the salmon on top of mashed potato from Le Tartuffe the most (see photo).
2007 Sep 30
My husband also tried the red deer from Le Tartuffe (see photo) and I tried the red deer from L'Aubergine. The taste of the red deer from L'Aubergine (6 coupons, $3.00) was bland and the red deer from Le Tartuffe was way better.
Note: Le Tartuffe offered a full course meal for 48 coupons (or 26 coupons). I think this has the best value.
Note: Le Tartuffe offered a full course meal for 48 coupons (or 26 coupons). I think this has the best value.
2007 Sep 30
The best merit point for us to go to this event is to know about Pâtisserie Fine Fidélice, Pâtisserie Fine Fidélice. Their desserts got our best dessert votes.
Their apple pastry (don't know what it is called, see photo, $5, 10 coupons) was very delicious. (My friend said she will go to their store to buy this pastry again.) The mango tart and creme brulée were very good (I tried one bite from my friend's order). But the chocolate mousse I got was okay.
Anyway, I know where I can order good cakes now.
Their apple pastry (don't know what it is called, see photo, $5, 10 coupons) was very delicious. (My friend said she will go to their store to buy this pastry again.) The mango tart and creme brulée were very good (I tried one bite from my friend's order). But the chocolate mousse I got was okay.
Anyway, I know where I can order good cakes now.
2007 Oct 1
Had a great time Saturday! We were at the festival between 7 and 9pm and although it seemed like it was crowded, line-ups were never a problem and we always managed to find a spot to eat our food as we browsed the vendors.
I'll see if I can remember what I tried:
- Bison stew w/white rice from St-Estephe
- Escargot cake from Sans Pareil (on Steff's recommendation -- it was good!)
- Salmon from Sans Pareil
- Fois gras creme de brulée from Aubergine
- some sort of clam from the cooking school, can't remember the name... this dish was labelled as some sort of "pétoncle", which I thought was scallops... do scallops come in shells? (Exposing my ignorance here!)
- Grand Marnier in edible chocolate shooter
- Beer from McAuslan (the stout was flat!)
- Wine from Quebec, can't remember the name!
It cost me roughly $30 for all of that. A little pricey but well worth it for the variety and atmosphere.
I love food festivals!! This really got me excited for the big one at the Congress Centre in November, as much as there is to complain about it.
Thank you for bringing this to my attention Steff! I already can't wait for next year.
I'll see if I can remember what I tried:
- Bison stew w/white rice from St-Estephe
- Escargot cake from Sans Pareil (on Steff's recommendation -- it was good!)
- Salmon from Sans Pareil
- Fois gras creme de brulée from Aubergine
- some sort of clam from the cooking school, can't remember the name... this dish was labelled as some sort of "pétoncle", which I thought was scallops... do scallops come in shells? (Exposing my ignorance here!)
- Grand Marnier in edible chocolate shooter
- Beer from McAuslan (the stout was flat!)
- Wine from Quebec, can't remember the name!
It cost me roughly $30 for all of that. A little pricey but well worth it for the variety and atmosphere.
I love food festivals!! This really got me excited for the big one at the Congress Centre in November, as much as there is to complain about it.
Thank you for bringing this to my attention Steff! I already can't wait for next year.
2007 Oct 2
I went on Friday between 4 and 6pm and probably dropped around $40 but I ate alot! I some nice wine, some nice cheese and some great dishes. Really enjoyed it. Unlike Ashley I did not bring a camera but enjoyed looking at her pictures! I did not have the cake she glowed about and I am jealous!
cheers
cheers
2007 Oct 3
The big one at the Congress Centre will be held on Nov. 2, 3 & 4. Entrance fee is not free - $15.00 per adult (19 years old and over). You still need to buy coupons in order to try out the variety of food samples.
More information can be found at:
www.playerexpo.com
More information can be found at:
www.playerexpo.com
2007 Oct 3
One of my colleagues from work bought tickets last year and never went in. It sounds like advanced ticket sales doesn't guarantee admission - you still have to stand in line like everyone else. I have been advised to expect a two hour wait. This is the problem my friend encountered - she showed up at 6:00 on the Sunday expecting a shorter line up than one would expect on a Friday or Saturday night. So she arrived with tickets in hand expecting to just walk in but she was directed to the line up. By the time she got to the door it was 8:00 and the show closes at 9:00. She felt it wasn't worth staying for an hour. I'm not sure if you get any coupons with the $15 entrance.
2007 Oct 3
When I went last year there were definitely two lines: one for ticket holders and one for those without. After they closed the line for those without tickets (at about 6pm on Saturday) the line for ticket holders was still moving. Your colleague technically could have got in so I don't think it's completely accurate to say that ticket holders aren't guaranteed entrance.
Regardless, let me add to my caveat -- buy tickets in advance and get there early.
Regardless, let me add to my caveat -- buy tickets in advance and get there early.
2007 Oct 3
I sit corrected! According to the info page on TicketMaster:
"Tickets are valid for one day only
Tickets do not guarantee entry
EXPECT LONG LINE-UPS DURING PEAK HOURS"
www.ticketmaster.ca
Really enticing copy isn't it? ;)
"Tickets are valid for one day only
Tickets do not guarantee entry
EXPECT LONG LINE-UPS DURING PEAK HOURS"
www.ticketmaster.ca
Really enticing copy isn't it? ;)
2007 Oct 3
You would think so. This is why I am still dithering over whether or not I will go this year. One of my friends goes religiously every year and assures me she samples some nice wines and gets well fed despite of the line ups and the cost of the ticket. I forgot to ask if the $15 includes a coupon or two. I sure hope so for that price. I may just take the Friday afternoon off work and get there really early and will probably buy my ticket when I get there - for fifteen bucks I wanna be sure I'm gonna get in!
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The website is still under construction, but it does mention the dates, and there are pictures of last year's event.