Benny's Bistro - my favorite Ottawa brunch spot!

Benny's Bistro has been a hidden gem in Ottawa's Byward Market for years. It's a restaurant I recommend to visitors (and many unknowing locals) that want to have REAL food - not the mainly disappointing fare to be found in the Market these days.

Benny is the name of the original owners' daschund, who was known to show up in the bakery from time to time.  Tucked inside The French Baker (119 Murray Street), you follow a long corridor into a cozy room with a black and white checkerboard floor, filled with colourful walls and photos - a perfect spot for an overcast or chilly day. 

Besides the wonderful pastries that you can order from the bakery up front, Benny's has a consistently strong seasonal brunch/lunch menu that always leaves me reading and rereading the list of options (never mind the specials!), agonizing on having to select one lovely meal over another.  Chef Scott Adams is a master at complex combinations of flavours that burst onto your taste buds - it's difficult not to savour each mouthful as you sadly get nearer to that last bite... thank goodness for the never ending bread to soak up every last drop!

 Winter menu 2013







On my most recent visit, I had the roasted quail with parsnip puree, beet and apple salad with crispy brussel sprout leaves and arugula in a duck reduction.  A lovely slow food creation!

My friend had the roasted organic mushrooms served with spinach and ricotta tortellini, baby peas with wild garlic pesto, and lemon creme fraiche... she loved every bite. 

I also love the gravlax and pickerel dishes on this winter's menu - something for everyone!  Great wine list, no nonsense service, fantastic food - what more could you ask for?!?!

Les 400 Coups - April 2012

Okay, this is a year late, but wanted to post this review of Les 400 Coups, a fabulous resto in Old Montreal that was one of En Route's top ten in 2011.  A hot ticket in spring 2012 - booked solid - but I scored a cancellation for lunch (it never hurts to inquire!).   

The resto is at 400 Notre-Dame Est.

Gorgeous interior, great full wall photo of St-Germain-des-Pres



Lovely 2 or 3 course menu, fine wines, discreet service.

My appetizer - the cauliflour soup with shrimp & sea asparagus was mind blowing.  So simple, yet absolutely delicious.  Would have licked the bowl if I could have!

Donald's appie - tomato and kohlrabi salad with goat cheese.  Also delicious.

Seared walleye with fennel, mushrooms, cippolini onions in a ramp sauce 

Arctic char with jerusalem artichokes, brussel sprouts, mushrooms in a red beet sauce

The dessert was magnificent - chocolate pot de creme topped with tasty chocolate bits, and a caramel/maldon salt topping... served in this cute mason jar! 

This is me, feeling happier than I had in months - in the midst of my treatment, I had forgotten how important it was to treat myself and be pampered, especially with fine food and service.  Looking forward to our next visit!

Kazu Izakaya - April 2012

Oh my, how time does fly.  These are photos from about a year ago from our first visit to Kazu, hot then, still hot now.   

 An izakaya is a traditional Japanese restaurant that serves small plates and alcohol, and often has communal seating so get ready to get cozy!  Kind of a Japanese tapas restaurant.  

I think this was the sashimi salad

Grilled salmon belly.... mmmmm....

Gyoza!

48-hour pork!

 

Long wait to get in, but worth it.  Had the noisy, crowded atmosphere down, yummy food, cold beer...  We were twice (and for some of us 3 times!) the age of most of the clientele, but that didn't dampen our enjoyment.  Highly recommended and dying to try their ramen.

Crudessence - rawlicious!

I recently learned the difference between raw and live food... either way - lots of enzymes and nutrients - and bonus - you never get served food that isn't hot enough!  Discovered the restaurant Crudessence in Montreal (we ate at the one on Rachel, another location on Mackay).   They also cater, give workshops & classes, and sell a variety of products from their shops and online.

Groovy menu with all sorts of unusual combos of vegetables, sprouts, and grains.  All organic and vegan.

Pesto spaghetti

Fine zucchini noodles, with pistachio pesto, spinach, apple and marinated mushrooms, sprinkled with Crumesan and served with onion bread

 Sandwich

Pad thai bowl

Banan Split (with brownies!)

 Mousse au chocolat

Brownie with pistachio ice cream

A grand selection of teas and juices as well.

I find the textures of raw/live food a bit challenging at times, especially if you are used to eating dairy.  Let's just say it's ice "cream" and not ice CREAM.  Prices are a bit high, but at the same time, you're getting someone else to chop and grate all those organic veggies.... And you feel so good after you're done!  

"We want to eat Canada food...."

During a recent visit to Ottawa, my Japanese relatives asked to eat "Canadian" food....  other than maple syrup, of course.   Coming from a land of a singular, supremely awe-inspiring cuisine, it was interesting trying to explain to them what Canadian food was, having already eaten italian, chinese, korean, japanese, lebanese, greek, german, british, etc. etc. etc. 

However, they had to try poutine, especially being just next door to Quebec!  We went to my favorite spot, Jack's, a chip wagon on the south side of Rideau Street between Friel and Chapel.  The current owner has improved on Jack's gravy, which was hard to believe, but true (he tells me it is now vegetarian!)!  A very generous medium of his excellent fries, topped with squeaky cheese curds and that awesome gravy kept the three of us happy for the rest of the day (okay, they both had to sample a pogo too!).

Gatineau Favs

Where to eat out when you're visiting National Office? 

See below for my favs....

1) Bistro St. Jacques - Beautifully prepared bistro food, many entrees served with awesome frites & aioli AND salad (no guilt!). - it was selected as one of the top 10 restos in Ottawa
last year.... and not just new restaurants either!
Vincent is the perfect host.  Highly recommended!

2) Pizazza - mainly thin crust pizzas, an awesome smoked salmon salad, great wine by the
glass.

3) Fleur de Sel / L'Argoat - 2 restos (one a vegetarian, one a crepe (non
vegetarian) that have merged.

4) La Belle Verte - a little vegan/raw vegan resto - delicious and fresh
this time of year. I love the raw pizzas, and the specialty salads.  Here are some reviews.

http://ottawafoodies.com/vendor/1817
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/250/1513710/restaurant/Ottawa/La-Belle-Verte-Vegan-Restaurant-Gatineau

5) Epicerie Poukham - Thai grocery store and restaurant - amazing lunch special - you'll be in and out in 30 minutes - piping hot spring rolls served within minutes of sitting down (included in price of lunch special).  If you're ordering the pad thai, ask them to cut back on the sauce.....  Say hi to Kia when you go (104 Rue Eddy).

FYI - #'s 2 and especially 5 are good at getting you in and out quickly (if you have that 1pm teleconference....).  You should mention to the others if you need to complete and pay for your meal within an hour.

Enjoy!

Cajun Country! Partie Deux

We spent a lovely afternoon with amazing southern wildlife watching...

And enjoyment of the local libations...  Bayou Teche - a great beer company!  Had a local comment on "how strong" these beers were... not an issue for us Canadians!

March is mudbug season - a.k.a. crawfish/crayfish!  We wussed out and went for the mild - which was hot enough... 

This is the deck at McGee's Landing - try their grilled gator as well...  great spot to take it all in!