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Restaurant News
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Restaurant News Fall 08 |
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Written by Editor
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LUNCH: There is a great new sandwich shop that opened a few months ago on Bank Street. LUNCH is located at 121 Bank Street in the new Telus building, (between Slater and Albert). The store is owned by two eco-friendly entrepreneurs and their food is fantastic. Fresh soups, amazing sandwiches, (try the Canadian -- peameal bacon, white aged cheddar, caramelized green apple, Mrs. McGarrigle’s Canadian Maple Mustard and romaine spears -- simply delicious). They have a selection of about 12 sandwiches, ranging from egg to jerk tofu, vegetarian chili, as well as an interesting assortment of salads. They even serve hot oatmeal with various toppings for breakfast. LUNCH is open daily from 7am to 7pm.
Sommelier ADRIAN BOISVERT has been lured from Ottawa to Whistler, BC. The last time we spoke with Adrian, he was wrestling with the decision. He had just started his new job at Juniper Kitchen when he was contacted about the lucrative opportunities available at a Whistler hotel. With the Olympics just two years away, hotels and restaurants in this resort town are looking to step up their game, and they have been making some very enticing offers to talent from across the country. Our loss is Whistler's gain. But he won't stay there forever. He told us that if he did take their offer, he'd likely be back in the capital in a few years.
CHEF DEREK BENITZ' new small plates and wine bar should finally be open by the time we go to press. Initially planned to open in May, B/Side Wine and Food at 323 Somerset Street has had some challenges along the way. Keep in mind that he is converting a space that had never been used as a restaurant before, so the licensing and permit processes can lead to some surprises. Word is, from Ron Eade's blog Omnivore's Ottawa, that Derek will be opening the restaurant to the public on Thursday, August 27th. The space is beautiful, with a unique room in the centre where the Chef can serve the table directly from his kitchen. Good things come from this man's kitchen, so stop by and see what he's offering. It's a welcome addition to Somerset Village.
PRESTON STREET - With the construction season still booming, we wanted to remind everyone that a significant portion of Preston Street - from Somerset to Beech Street, is suffering one of the worst times in its history. On a walk through the district a couple of nights ago, five restaurant spaces were for rent. This revitalization project will have its benefits for them in a few years, but right now is a critical time for some of the region's finest eateries. One night during the next month, catch the number 14 and get off at Preston Street. We're willing to bet that you are going to be received with appreciation, and you'll be doing your part to help this distinct neighborhood weather a serious storm.Tell them FoodMODE sent you.
STEPHEN BECKTA has acquired a beautiful space at the corner of Sussex and York Street to launch his new restaurant. He takes possession of the first and second floor of One York Street in October. He will be overseeing the construction of what promises to be one of the most significant additions to Ottawa's food scene in years. I have seen the plans he has for the place, and Ottawa is in for a huge surprise. The first floor will be a more casual and open concept, with long counters for stools, window benches, and a completely convertible space that can serve lunch at a number of tables, then convert to a cocktail party space for 200 in the evening. Large display cabinets for cheeses made on site by Steve Whittaker, and Chef Moffat's take on a charcuterie, will add an interesting effect to the room. The upstairs will be a more intimate dining area, with an open kitchen serving both floors and some very interesting furniture that will make the room comfortable, yet chic and modern. Beckta plans for a January launch of the restaurant and will feature updates in the coming issues of Food Mode Magazine.
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Restaurant News Summer 2008 |
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Written by Editor
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Here’s a glimpse at what we’ve learned about the goings on in Ottawa’s food scene since our last issue...
GRAYSON McDIARMID has joined the staff at Brookstreet Hotel as their new Sommelier. Grayson has moved here from Calgary and we’ve had the opportunity to meet him a few times and can tell you that he’s a great guy and a very talented Sommelier. He joins the hotels very talented staff, led by one of the finest Chefs in our country, Michael Blackie. If you have not had the opportunity to dine at their fabulous Perspectives Restaurant – plan to go soon. You will be amazed.
STEVE WHITTAKER has joined Beckta as a new Service Manager. Steve was formerly with Oliver Bonacini Restaurants in Toronto. As part of the awesome team at Beckta, Steve will ensure that your evening at this spectacular restaurant is precise and memorable.
MARC LEPINE has finally announced the location of his new restaurant. Atelier will open in August at 540 Rochester Street, near Carling. We think his choice of location is brilliant. It’s just one block east of the Preston corridor and really one of the last downtown districts ripe for development. Marc and his Chef de Cuisine Sarah Allen have the perfect spot to showcase their unique perspectives. The restaurant will offer an ever changing 10 course tasting menu each evening. As you’ve heard before, Marc’s take on culinology brings science into the kitchen and we can’t wait to see what unfolds in this exciting new ventre. Watch our next issue for Pam Kapoor’s in depth article on Marc Lepine and what makes him work.
Chef Steve Mitton and Paddy Whalen have officially opened the doors to MURRAY STREET, an upscale Canadian Comfort Food Restaurant located in the former Bistro 115 spot. Their menu is tantalizing and full of good old fashioned comforts but with a twist. The Charcuterie is amazing. Several tall bar stools surrounding a beautiful bar with all kinds of scrumptious things to nibble on. Many different cheeses, cured meats, terrines and pates, house made pickles and chutneys. The bar is quite lovely and another bonus is that they prepare all of their own juices – even Clamato. Their wine list is extensive and the cocktails original. At the back of the restaurant sits their patio – an oasis of calm amidst the hustle of the market. Stop by and find out for yourself what a unique spot Murray Street is.
Chef Derek Benitz will soon open his new Wine and Small Bites Restaurant directly next door to their Somerset restaurant. They have been busy renovating for the past few months and this new addition should be a tremendous success. We’ll keep you updated as more is revealed.
Chef Rene Rodriguez has just opened his new restaurant NAVARRA on Murray Street as well. Check out our feature article on this talented Chef in this issue of Food Mode.
FOOD MODE GASTRONOMY BLOG
Check out gastronomical.foodmode.com and visit our new blog GASTRONOMICAL. We will keep you up to date on everything going on and showcase the places and events that we’ve attended between issues.
NEW! Coming soon, FoodMODE will also be adding new blogs to our extensive website.
Nutrition with Kim Fennwick
Wine Pairing with Tamara Jasek
Wine News with Allyson Bycraft.
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Ottawa Restaurant News Spring 2008 |
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Written by Editor
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RESTAURANT NEWSEmpire Grill Ten Years and Trendy
It’s hard to believe that The Empire Grill has just celebrated its 10th anniversary. It seems only a few years ago that they moved in and changed the dynamics of the Market, and it looks like Dave and his partners may have done it again.
On Wednesday March 5th, they re-launched the restaurant with a fabulous new makeover and a tasting of their new menu items. It was great to see so many familiar faces all in one place, enjoying the new surroundings and food.
Their original space was always warm and casually elegant. That hasn’t changed, but you’d hardly recognize the place now. It seems much more open, in spite of the fact that they’ve added some dramatic new seating elements and a huge new bar. At the same time, it feels much more intimate too. Lots of booth and bench seating allows people to relax and enjoy their company, while still feeling like they’re part of something bigger. Well done, Dave!
Atelier
Marc Lepine, former Executive Chef of the Courtyard Restaurant, and Canadian Culinary Federation’s Regional Chef of the Year for 2006, is busy preparing for the launch of his new restaurant - Atelier. The Centretown location is still the area’s best kept secret, but prepare for something truly unique. Many call his cooking “molecular gastronomy,” but Marc prefers the term “Culinology.” He’s made ice cream from liquid nitrogen, seared tuna with a soldering iron and even got Ron Eade high from smoking a chocolate cake. Prepare for something truly original.
Check for updates on Atelier at www.foodmode.com
The Whalesbone Oyster House
The Whalesbone has been providing area restaurants with sustainable oysters (caught using ethical and responsible fishing practices) for some time now, but now that side business has expanded to a full-fledged second storefront—Whalesbone Sustainable Oyster and Fish Supply, 504 Kent St. (at Arlington). Along with oysters, they’ll sell BC Albacore Tuna, wild and farmed Salmon and halibut, Great Lakes Wall-eye and Yellow Perch, to name a few. For now they are just open to their commercial clients, but will open to the public in June. Check their website for more details.www.thewhalesbone.com
Chef Stephen Mitton Social Restaurant and Lounge has lost their talented Chef, but soon he’ll be opening his own restaurant. We can confirm that Stephen and his partner have purchased Bistro 115 at 110 Murray Street, which recently closed after over 15 successful years. They plan to be opening their new space by June. That’s all that Stephen was willing to share at the moment, but we’ll update you as soon as we find out more.
Nate’s Not Nixxed
Legendary restaurateur and philanthropist, Dave Smith, announced last week that the developers who purchased his property last year, have delayed development of the site. That means that Nate’s will stay open for at least 2 more years and Dave will get to celebrate 50 years on Rideau Street. (And I’ll get to keep going for Corned Beef and Cabbage - YUM!) Thanks Dave! We’re not ready to see Nate’s go. DiVino Wine Studio
DiVino Wine Studio, sommelier, Antonio Mauriello has opened Enoteca Italiana, a wine bar, featuring regional Italian small plates. 225 Preston St. 613 221-9760.
Staff Shift
It’s Sommelier Musical Chairs! Has El-Gabalawy is heading to BC from Beckta leaving a spot for John Gross from Juniper which is filling their void with Adrien Boisvert, formerly of Eighteen, and Colin Davidson is taking over Adrien’s duties there. Got it? Ottawa Mission
The Ottawa Mission Food Services Training Programme gives people who rely on Ontario Works for financial support, the chance to learn new skills that will begin a new chapter in their lives. Recently, four new students have begun the programme under Ottawa Mission chef, Ric Watson. A total of 29 people have graduated from The Ottawa Mission’s Food Services Training Program in the past 3 years, for an amazing 80 percent success rate. Many have found employment in the food services industry and some have even gone on to further their cooking education. |
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