FoodMODE Gastronomical

There is a new restaurant in town that you have to check out.

TRELLA Mediterranean Grill on Preston Street opened about a month ago and it really is one of the best spots we've found in a long time.  Owned by Billy & Bobby Papadakis, (the brothers that owned Nickels in the market), and their partner Chef Dennis Analytis - this space is one of the most sleek looking restaurants in the city.

It is located at 345A Preston Street - in the new building that just went up immediately south of the Queensway. When you arrive out front you see the beautiful spacious patio that curves around the building.  It will be the perfect spot to people-watch once the construction is finished on the street this fall.  The front of the restaurant has a lovely bar area and a massive wall of glass.  Their wines are stored in a floor to ceiling cabinet that separates the bar from the entrance area.

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Epicurean Awards are organized locally by a brigade of volunteers including restaurant and hospitality professionals. The awards are a unique feature of the National Capital Region's restaurant scene, and focus a spotlight on the exceptional restaurants of the Region.

When started in 1998, the Epicurean Awards recognized the top three wine lists. Over the years, the Epicurean Awards have evolved. They now recognize and reward all three essential elements of restaurants: the cuisine, the wine experience and the dining experience.

The mission of the Epicurean Awards is to improve the overall dining experience of the general public in the National Capital Region by honouring the individuals and organizations who have excelled in their field, and by providing valuable survey information to consumers and restaurants.

HERE'S WHERE YOU COME IN!

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Hello everyone.

I am sorry that I have been so silent, (that may not be a bad thing for some people), but things have been absolutely crazy recently.

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Sorry it's been so long since my last blog, but things are pretty crazy around here lately.

We've decided to up the scheduling of our magazine to bring you more timely information. Thanks for your support. It couldn't have happened without the help of everyone who has responded to our advertisers and patronized the restaurants we feature. More on that later...

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This post is going to be a biggie.

Sunday morning. Bright and early. I headed over to Landsdown Park to visit the Ottawa Farmer's Market.

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We all need a mentor.

In my business, that's difficult, because most of the people in the wine and food world here, keep their stuff pretty tight to their chest.

I've met someone and we're trying to change all of that.

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You either love it or you hate it. Canada Day in Ottawa is quite the experience either way. It was hard to find something wrong with today though. It was one of the most beautiful Canada Days I can remember. For the past seven or eight years, it's been gloomy or raining.

I ventured out early in the day to the market to watch them prepare for the onslaught. Everyone was in an upbeat mood and anxious to see what the day would bring.

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Juniper Kitchen and Wine Bar

245 Richmond Road, Ottawa

613 728 0220

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Every year since 2003, Caroline Gosselin, owner of Restaurant 18, holds a fund raiser for the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, in honour of her father Edgar who passed away from heart disease. My own father passed away last year, so I know the significance of doing something to keep a loved one's memory alive and I thought today was a great day to talk about this wonderful event.

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Believe it or not - I've only been to Beckta twice - in the same week - within the past three days. That's right. One of the best restaurants in Ottawa and I, the publisher of a food magazine haven't had dinner there until just now.

There's a few reasons for that. One being that Beckta has been at the forefront of the culinary scene in Ottawa for five years. When we started the magazine, we wanted to bring a voice to those that haven't been heard from. It wasn't because we didn't think Beckta was worthy of our attention - quite the contrary. One of my personal favorite culinary professionals in the city works there. Pieter Van den weghe is one of the Service Managers at Beckta and he has, over the years, helped me develop my taste in wine and food and I credit him as one of my tutors in all things tasty. I think Peter is one of the most distinguished people working in the food industry in Ottawa. He has a genuine friendliness about him and his advice is golden.

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