Eating my way through Ottawa

Eating out of my hands

I’ve never been to Africa. I’ve never eaten African cuisine. So when my friend suggested Habesha Restaurant on Rideau Street, I was all in.

This tiny restaurant holds 7 tables at the most. But what it lacks in size it makes up for in warmth, friendliness and amazing food. Our server was the owner and he couldn’t have been kinder. He was a good-hearted, funny and well mannered kinda of chap.

My friend’s buddy comes to this restaurant frequently and so we were well armed with a list of his favourite menu items without really knowing exactly what we were ordering. For me, that’s scary. I’m not a dolt but certainly never the first in line for the tasting menu. I like to know what I am about to eat. In this circumstance, I relied on my trusty friend and his buddy. And man am I glad I did.

Habesha Restaurant, 574 Rideau Street, Ottawa

Before us appeared a circular platter not unlike a pizza pan that acted as the serving dish. All guests eat from this one platter. The platter held an injera, the pancake-like bread of Ethiopia. On top of the injera was placed an assortment of stews, meats and salads. Extra injera bread was served on the side. You take a piece of the bread, scoop up the food and then pop it into your mouth. Traditionally, Ethiopians eat most food with their hands, no utensils required. I was more than happy to oblige.

I foolishly didn’t retain the names of the dishes. Next time I visit, I’ll get it right. Apologies.

Injera is a yeast-risen flatbread with a unique, slightly spongy texture.

The flavours of the food were outstanding. Ingredients such as red chilies, fenugreek and ginger enriched the flavours of the dishes. The bread was a standout for me. Soft and spongy, it reminded me of a crêpe. It took a little practice to eat with the injera but I eventually got the hang of it.

With a full belly and a kind handshake from the owner, my African adventure was complete. I will be going back to Habesha cause I am now a full-fledged fan.

Beer, beer and atmosphere

More than once we looked at each other and said “this place is cool.” We were sitting on the patio of the Mill St. Brewery, surrounded by trees, the nearby river, what seemed like hundreds of people and a curious rabbit. If you like beer, this is the place for you.

Mill St. is housed in the 140-year-old former Mill restaurant out on Wellington Street near the War Museum. I met up with the crew a little bit late and they were already well settled into the palates of beer. Being a brewery, this place is all about the cold ones. They have 14 taps that include Tankhouse Ale and some brews designed especially for their Ottawa patrons. While you’re there, you may want to take a free tour of the brewery or drop by the retail store to take home some beer samples and Mill St. merch. It’s like beer wonderland!

Beer palate

The food is classic pub fare. Sandwiches and burgers, some flat breads, mussels, salads and wings. The food incorporates Mill St. beer into many of the menu items. I had the daily special, the ribs and french fries. While the ribs were a little on the ordinary side the fries were definitely a standout. They were soft which is not the usual texture for fries. They tasted sweet and spicy. And they were addictive. Maybe they were also cooked in beer. I forgot to ask. Next time. The gang sampled the angus burger, fish and chips and the club. No complaints and most everyone cleaned their plates. While the food is good, it’s definitely not the draw. And that’s ok.

The Mill St. Brewery is slick and screams atmosphere. There’s no other place like it in Ottawa and because of that, it’s going to do really well. Expect long lines to get in all summer long. I’l be there for sure.

Beer-B-Que ribs & chips

Angus burger

Fish ‘n’ chips

Bite this

Food trucks are nothing new. You don’t have to stray too far from home to find a mobile vendor selling the standard fare of hotdogs, hamburgers, fries and poutine. While O-Town has yet to rival NYC for street cuisine, the capital has seen a steady rise in artisanal food trucks. Throughout the city, you can now find street food made by chefs who use quality ingredients.

At the corner of Scott and Tweedsmuir in Westboro sits Bite This. This hipster truck contains stylish visuals and trendy menu items. Sample the mango chicken curry with naan for $6.75. Or try the lemon-oregano chicken feta with grilled onions and tzatziki for $6.75. My friend and I both had the pad thai which was on par with any top thai restaurant, sold for only $7.75. Along with the above menu options, you can get burgers, sausages, fries and poutine if that’s what you’re craving.

Menu on June 11, 2012

Lots of groovy seating and cool drinks are available

“Thai-One-On” pad thai

A closer look at the pad thai

Bite This is opened mostly Mondays through Saturdays, 11-3 and closed Sundays. But be sure to read their fine print below:

“Bite This reserves the right to close early and open late or remain closed any day for any reason. This includes but is not limited to bad weather, beautiful weather, bad bicycle days, good bicycle days, exhaustion, hangover or a good party.”

Bananas for banoffee

My favourite pies are coconut cream pie (I was always more into Mary Ann than Ginger) and banoffee. My friend Ev still makes the best banofee pie I’ve ever tasted but I’ve found one that’s a close second. It’s at Alium Restaurant in Ottawa on Holland Street.

Wikipedia says that banoffee pie is an English pastry-based dessert made from bananas, cream, toffee from boiled condensed milk, served either on a pastry base or one made from crumbled biscuits and butter. I define banoffee as pure yummy goodness!

According to Wikipedia, credit for the cake’s invention is claimed by Val Hargreaves at The Hungry Monk restaurant in Jevington, East Sussex. They developed the dessert in 1972, having been inspired by an American dish known as “Blum’s Coffee Toffee Pie,” which consisted of smooth toffee topped with coffee-flavoured whipped cream. The recipe was later adapted to instead use the type of soft caramel toffee created by boiling a can of condensed milk, adding a layer of bananas. They called the dish “Banoffi” and it was an immediate success, proving so popular with their customers that they “couldn’t take it off” the menu.

You may want to try making the pie yourself. Here’s a crazy good banoffee pie recipe from Paula Dean.

Alium Restaurant’s banoffee pie.

Get their minds off of work: Day 3

On Wednesday I needed to take a step back from the cooking. I also play tennis on Tuesday nights. Not to worry. I had a plan. Di Rienzo’s! Located on Beech street in Little Italy, it’s an Ottawa institution that benefits highly from word-of-mouth marketing. Known for their homemade pastas and biggish $5 sandwiches, they pack an unreal amount of fixings into every meal. You’re guaranteed never to be left hungry. I had the #1 (turkey, hot capicollo, herbed havarti, tomato, lettuce and mayo). Scrumptious. I hear their chicken parm is the best in town.

Photo by Sheltered Girl Meets World

Don’t be put off by this rundown corner food store. Don’t be intimidated by the line that wraps around the grocery shelves. It moves in a hurry. They’ve been doing this for a while and have got the mechanics down pat. My gang got to choose their own lunches. The order was faxed in, we drove to pick up lunch and hand delivered the deliciousness to the gang waiting at a nearby picnic table. A beautiful sunny day, a Di Rienzo sandwich. Doesn’t get much better than this!

Restaurant Review: Town.

Go to Town! No, seriously. Go to Town. It’s one of the most “with it” restaurants I’ve frequented of late. It’s got it’s act together for sure. Of note is their service. Attentive yet not overly so. The servers are knowledgeable and serve without hovering. I love that.

The food was quite impressive. Don’t be put off by my poor photography skills. I had their trout ala nonna. Pan seared trout with lentils, bacon, pearl onions, tomatoes, enochi mushrooms with a guanciale (bacon) vinaigrette for $24.

My pal had the half-chicken under a brick. Black garlic jus, mascarpone mash potatoes, butternut squash, Brussel sprouts and chestnuts for $25. I was graciously allowed a sample and found it to be quite delicious. I might order the chicken next time.

You’ll need a reservation. They have 5:00 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. slots available. When I made the reservation, I was told that we would need to leave before 7:15 (annoying). But we managed to eat, drink and talk plenty before finally leaving at 7:30 pm. There was nary a peep from server. I would definitely recommend Town. I hope to go back soon to sample the chicken and maybe the ricotta stuffed meatballs. It’s supposed to be their signature dish.

Town is located at 296 Elgin in between Browns Cleaners and Money Mart.