tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-194021252024-03-13T12:26:54.433-04:00Jeff JedrasIntervening from a sedentary positionUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2775125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19402125.post-15858638365360821552024-02-19T17:26:00.001-05:002024-02-19T17:26:23.562-05:00Eating off the Hill: Food with a history at Ben's Chili Bowl<p> When researching places I had to eat in Washington, DC, one that kept coming up was <a href="https://benschilibowl.com/" target="_blank">Ben's Chili Bowl</a>. A DC staple since 1958, Ben's holds a special place in the city's African American community and the civil rights movement.</p><p>The original location is on U street, in a traditionally African American community that is changing with gentrification. Ben's donated food to MLK's March on Washington in 1963 and stayed open during the DC riots of 1969 serving food to everyone. It's been visited by many famous faces -- I sat at the Obama table.</p><p>They have a few locations now, but I went to the original on U Street which is thankfully Metro-adjacent. It certainly has that old, historic diner feel. You order at the counter and then they bring it to your table.</p><p>In addition to chili, Ben's is also known for the half smoke. According to Wikipedia, it's a DC regional hot dog (I love regional hot dog specialties) that is "Larger, spicier, and with more coarsely-ground meat than a regular hot dog, the sausage is often half-pork and half-beef, smoked." </p><p>Definitely sounded better to me than a <a href="https://bcinto.blogspot.com/2023/08/eating-off-hill-my-seattle-food-roundup.html" target="_blank">Seattle dog</a>...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs41h7bA-wX2IjU4etsPdk_jE1ysqhI7vA2jqPfyNGUfwD2gNddOwZieFQ44atd7bPlhsr740PpBMrJ5hUnSnwVo-tCih4Rz13QyyvzzIhm2J4JQFzi2EyCFJfOHKYdnw-Bn7EcnJwUzOc2WaZxxa8YQIm8wCgiomW1n1ugfg2h-XthIjuvH18ow/s4032/20231208_111608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs41h7bA-wX2IjU4etsPdk_jE1ysqhI7vA2jqPfyNGUfwD2gNddOwZieFQ44atd7bPlhsr740PpBMrJ5hUnSnwVo-tCih4Rz13QyyvzzIhm2J4JQFzi2EyCFJfOHKYdnw-Bn7EcnJwUzOc2WaZxxa8YQIm8wCgiomW1n1ugfg2h-XthIjuvH18ow/w640-h288/20231208_111608.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I ordered a small bowl of chili con carne, with sour cream, onion and cheddar cheese, as well as a half smoke chili dog and a soda. This came, to my surprise when they brought it to me, with a bag of chips -- I dipped them in the chili which was probably the idea.</p><p>The chili was excellent and I could easily see why it's renowned. Rich, flavourful, complex, meaty -- I could easily have eaten a large. But I wanted to save space for my chili half smoke. It was good, but it was hard to judge the uniqueness of the hot dog when it's smothered in chili.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QPxWrCWztFlx6R1Drz7kISP-nhrZwCR3Se8x5lv-WTc2yhmhsQCecuft_W0nhW93lakWBMS92P7sxyUVhF4HRfJTK0fW76zKqYUTSr-DN_-tiKSVIC20RrpcLC8uBqdnhyPO0LZcCtrL2XDJkqwZnnwJCLqUMpZTwD4gAKfyPUsp2s6VRhLenw/s3648/20231208_110715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QPxWrCWztFlx6R1Drz7kISP-nhrZwCR3Se8x5lv-WTc2yhmhsQCecuft_W0nhW93lakWBMS92P7sxyUVhF4HRfJTK0fW76zKqYUTSr-DN_-tiKSVIC20RrpcLC8uBqdnhyPO0LZcCtrL2XDJkqwZnnwJCLqUMpZTwD4gAKfyPUsp2s6VRhLenw/w640-h480/20231208_110715.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Glad I got to try this DC landmark and would definitely go back. Chili to warm the soul.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1BrklLrWYMf93CAe6MvhFFAbt__ZxuUe9hZIUsF4aagjjHJToJ65Z8D_9AF4KIyPEa7Y1-VJG_5j1nX3w0OBqkOSboffQ4RBr8UXa6b-icngy1UWY-sAkrVIUAQF0WtGrQyEDRM2BZfQr0Q4qsBVDtExpYtFOG8K5-J4mIPhQrqOKNEGY68oWw/s2361/20231208_105100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2361" data-original-width="1554" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1BrklLrWYMf93CAe6MvhFFAbt__ZxuUe9hZIUsF4aagjjHJToJ65Z8D_9AF4KIyPEa7Y1-VJG_5j1nX3w0OBqkOSboffQ4RBr8UXa6b-icngy1UWY-sAkrVIUAQF0WtGrQyEDRM2BZfQr0Q4qsBVDtExpYtFOG8K5-J4mIPhQrqOKNEGY68oWw/w422-h640/20231208_105100.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19402125.post-23973588279013247072024-02-15T14:47:00.002-05:002024-02-15T14:47:45.836-05:00Eating off the Hill: Eating all the calories at Shahe Shack<p>Right now I am am averaging about one visit to <a href="https://shakeshack.com/" target="_blank">Shake Shack</a> a year, since they are only in the United States. I went <a href="https://bcinto.blogspot.com/2022/11/eating-in-new-york-shake-shack.html" target="_blank">a year ago November in New York City</a>, and this past December during a trip to Washington, DC. </p><p>It's good they're so far away because they are both so good and so bad for me. I hear they may be coming to Toronto though, and that would be bad news for my diet.</p><p>But until such a day they're a rare treat, and one I gladly walked several blocks on a chilly DC day to have for a late lunch. They're also not cheap; part of this could be the exchange rate between the US and Canadian dollars not being swell.</p><p>Anyways, I went to the kiosk and ordered a double bacon cheeseburger, crinkle fries with cheese, and one of their limited time Trolls shakes -- the Cinnamon Roll Shake. That's a lot but hey, once a year amiright?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1KFN8rHsfon_QMAHIMA6DuPEF4lDDjrEBhTSjapfqjnENhFyIpj_TmpfkMSFX3TKIARcxEwvd-VlaobUxdTpUKKhVUBM8kMhFFYkeEXtEC36Zgv_CZciqEwGlxnl7kjvIwFkmC5P82m0slcZzPNtaeMj68z-AAueWJbnSg-aCfCKqo5tHuBPxg/s4032/20231207_123937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1KFN8rHsfon_QMAHIMA6DuPEF4lDDjrEBhTSjapfqjnENhFyIpj_TmpfkMSFX3TKIARcxEwvd-VlaobUxdTpUKKhVUBM8kMhFFYkeEXtEC36Zgv_CZciqEwGlxnl7kjvIwFkmC5P82m0slcZzPNtaeMj68z-AAueWJbnSg-aCfCKqo5tHuBPxg/w640-h288/20231207_123937.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Holy crap it was so good. The burger was greasy cheesy goodness. Every bite you know it's bad for you but it just tastes so good. The cheese sauce makes the fries delicious. And the shake, I love cinnamon and it was just delicious. I may or may not have had a nap before going to the hockey game that night.</p><p>I do still want to try In and Out, the California rival to Shake Shack, one more time to settle the rivalry for my own view once and for all. But Shake Shack will be tough to beat. And if they do come to Toronto, tough to resist.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19402125.post-57752444174255138892024-02-14T12:29:00.000-05:002024-02-14T12:29:01.339-05:00Eating off the Hill: Bougie breakfast at KŌST in Toronto<p> During a trip a little while back to downtown Toronto, I found myself in the market for a leisurely breakfast/brunch. Not feeling the local greasy spoons, which, to be honest, aren't exactly cheap anyways, we decided to lean in to the bougie breakfast and try <a href="https://kosttoronto.com/" target="_blank">KŌST</a>.</p><p>Located inside the also bougie (based on the lobby, anyways) Bisha Hotel, KŌST is on the 44th floor and offers a very nice view of the CN Tower and downtown Toronto with floor to ceiling windows. The patio looks like a hot summer hangout, but we were there on a chilly almost winter day so were glad for the indoor heating.</p><p>There's a well-curated breakfast and brunch menu, and, of course, some boozy breakfast cocktails. I decided to put together my own breakfast by combining a few of the sides, ordering the chorizo sausage, the naturally smoked bacon, and some sourdough toast with butter.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVYC3YvHug5XT_0QpYa9fj3kBIFofv4iKYARxDC5yip43qH4vgqm_lwKK9QyuSLZx_ee_FBgkYBdMpdn2CtGHmQOZAbCYe6N-XfxIbye1u6SZmW1pZa82VezPVXjn0MGn49O5nWhkDNtzxrd7XAD9ZLzeUWvz0fSCZaTJWXiVe3tPlxNOjHHR9A/s4032/20231202_104246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVYC3YvHug5XT_0QpYa9fj3kBIFofv4iKYARxDC5yip43qH4vgqm_lwKK9QyuSLZx_ee_FBgkYBdMpdn2CtGHmQOZAbCYe6N-XfxIbye1u6SZmW1pZa82VezPVXjn0MGn49O5nWhkDNtzxrd7XAD9ZLzeUWvz0fSCZaTJWXiVe3tPlxNOjHHR9A/w640-h288/20231202_104246.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>It was all delicious. The highlight and best value was definitely the chorizo sausage. Two full-sized sausages (I had demolished half of one when I remembered to take the photo) for $10 is comparable to sausage cart pricing. And this is quality, locally-sourced butcher sausage. The side of bacon was also $10; not as good value as the sausage but still sinfully delicious. The bread was fresh and the butter quality.</p><p>Definitely recommend this spot if you're in the mood for a bougie breakfast with a view in downtown Toronto.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19402125.post-14861883038295780232024-02-13T15:16:00.007-05:002024-02-13T15:16:43.312-05:00Eating off the Hill: Restaurant Moccione in Montreal<p>My favourite meal in Montreal probably came on my last night. During my pre-trip research, <a href="https://moccione.com/">Restaurant Moccione</a> had come up a few times as one of the better restaurants in the city -- an unassuming spot in the PM's riding of Papineau. A bit of a subway trip from downtown, but I thought I would give it a try.</p><p>I'm glad I did. It's a small spot in a quiet neighborhood, tucked into a corner, but a cozy spot with an impressive walk-in wine cellar.</p><p>I wish I had come slightly hungrier, as the menu looked all good, but I did have smoked meat earlier in the day. So I decided to not go crazy and order a nice pasta dish: Agnolotti stuffed with beef, mushrooms, jus de viande, parmigiano.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLFahEASK3tctQR0Abl2MrFjGYYFh1L5-4QkraptuaRXR_tR1wU-ftWvQ_xKaqOcmvoJmNzPS5dWZv2ogm-u2Hj73K-GuyH9pgw_PJdn8qwRlgbpnDKWRRQIJgWZLWgI1coDTVW8VC3G55OXdAH78QgWIUlGD0Ld1RBqFWx2Nn14RRVYA4RfU_g/s4032/20231118_171537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLFahEASK3tctQR0Abl2MrFjGYYFh1L5-4QkraptuaRXR_tR1wU-ftWvQ_xKaqOcmvoJmNzPS5dWZv2ogm-u2Hj73K-GuyH9pgw_PJdn8qwRlgbpnDKWRRQIJgWZLWgI1coDTVW8VC3G55OXdAH78QgWIUlGD0Ld1RBqFWx2Nn14RRVYA4RfU_g/w640-h288/20231118_171537.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>It was truly excellent. Every bite rich and flavourful. The pasta cooked perfectly, the mushrooms delish, the meaty sauce rich and flavourful, the parm a nice bit of salt to complement. And it was the perfect size for my limited appetite. </p><p>I don't often order pasta when dining out, but pasta done right is a real treat and this hit the spot.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19402125.post-72029008090209910542024-02-12T13:31:00.004-05:002024-02-12T13:31:48.379-05:00Eating off the Hill: First visit to the iconic Schwartz's Deli<p>Every other time I've been to Montreal it has either been for sports, like a Habs or Expos game, or for political, like a Liberal conference. This was the first trip where I had the time to just tool around the city, and so it was the first time I made it to a Montreal landmark: <a href="https://schwartzsdeli.com/" target="_blank">Schwartz's Deli</a>.</p><p>There's one other reason I had never made it, and don't come at be y'all. But I'm not the biggest smoke meat guy. It's OK, just not a huge fan. But I had plenty of time this trip and it was high time to knock a Montreal institution off the list.</p><p>I ventured uptown on transit, and while I was trying to avoid the lunch rush I was already greeted with a line. I joined the que but was quickly pulled put and ushered in as a solo diner, with a seat having opened at the counter.</p><p>One other confession that will horrify the purists: I don't like mustard. No mustard for me. Also don't like pickles. I know you're all shaking your fists at me behind your phones.</p><p>So I ordered a smoked meat sandwich, no mustard, no side pickles. And a Diet Coke -- while I was tempted by the Black Cherry cola, I was and am trying to avoid sugar.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dxTWS6UDI7ROfNfebGiHIGzs-9Hgh03jDAYS1oAnWanQYtLj_P13RVVUU_yRZhkq7PD03F3-bTJn_ZbhXoEfkDMQ-5RajiRz0RaiipwQ2922RljaBGb0lhA9OYEvfvNn2C3etOYllT5pzE8zOeGNJgyW4tc5pm0JVycFmwLajclJteGW4GgLHw/s4032/20231118_121914.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dxTWS6UDI7ROfNfebGiHIGzs-9Hgh03jDAYS1oAnWanQYtLj_P13RVVUU_yRZhkq7PD03F3-bTJn_ZbhXoEfkDMQ-5RajiRz0RaiipwQ2922RljaBGb0lhA9OYEvfvNn2C3etOYllT5pzE8zOeGNJgyW4tc5pm0JVycFmwLajclJteGW4GgLHw/w640-h288/20231118_121914.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>It was...fine. A lot of meat, rye bread was fresh. But it was dry and kind of one note. I fully accept that's largely my fault since I held the mustard. I learned later that I I could have ordered it with fattier, juicier meat (wet, in the parlance of Texas BBQ) and would have been a less dry sandwich.</p><p>Still, I enjoyed the experience and am glad to have had this quintessential Montreal experience.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DyZtr-K09W_ozW3d-FhOPTppnD_kK7IQ3JV6Y7D9dMdcbRp9cQ_fhsNSGVYTphcZ6QDhUpY3yDlRdXWCTshu5F3FH8oAtI74BILbG9o_E1NPy8FoRBQZbzvk1wGwjkaEN6xKZPy7gI34JM7amL2AtSB-zNRCXEhpJ9xu-Q7IHnm_-QNmJy-wsQ/s2944/20231118_122116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="2208" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DyZtr-K09W_ozW3d-FhOPTppnD_kK7IQ3JV6Y7D9dMdcbRp9cQ_fhsNSGVYTphcZ6QDhUpY3yDlRdXWCTshu5F3FH8oAtI74BILbG9o_E1NPy8FoRBQZbzvk1wGwjkaEN6xKZPy7gI34JM7amL2AtSB-zNRCXEhpJ9xu-Q7IHnm_-QNmJy-wsQ/w480-h640/20231118_122116.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19402125.post-7889781738077102742024-02-08T09:26:00.001-05:002024-02-08T09:26:12.091-05:00Eating off the Hill: Prix Fixe at Pincette - Bar à Homard in Montreal<p>My last trip to Montreal coincidentally aligned with their restaurant festival, Mtl a Table, where participating nicer restaurants offer a prix fixe menu to invite people to try them out that may not usually otherwise. This brought me to <a href="https://pincettemtl.com/en/" target="_blank">Pincette - Bar à Homard</a>, which turned out to be just a few blocks away from my hotel on Old Montreal.</p><p>It did take me a bit to find because of confusing Google Maps directions, but eventually I made it inside and was seated at the bar. I was offered the regular menu but when advised I was here for the prix fixe, they brought that one. There was a choice of four appies, four mains and three deserts for $68.</p><p>I had already pre-scouted the menu, as is my habit, so I got my order in quickly and service was fairly quick at the bar.</p><p>I started with the Magdelan Island scallops, seared, vegetables, coconut milk, curry and clam juice. This was an $8 up charge to the prix fixe, but I couldn't resist the chance for some local scallops.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdcUiLdbnidhKwducmx1YaOE5PHf6Vw4b5DKkirUHhgQ10Iz9Oo95LDyW_ErHqZ876riPEXSg_jw3KZ8SwKOqOd70TR2n-6y5Be1oThwW8eYGUXP3Tw9G5SMI0Y7txFuRNo2DGGft-r7dbFbrKOwTCZv6XRc1uyLyMxEvvimhVp3SFfVFjdZ0hA/s4032/20231117_180626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdcUiLdbnidhKwducmx1YaOE5PHf6Vw4b5DKkirUHhgQ10Iz9Oo95LDyW_ErHqZ876riPEXSg_jw3KZ8SwKOqOd70TR2n-6y5Be1oThwW8eYGUXP3Tw9G5SMI0Y7txFuRNo2DGGft-r7dbFbrKOwTCZv6XRc1uyLyMxEvvimhVp3SFfVFjdZ0hA/w640-h288/20231117_180626.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>This was probably my favourite of the three dishes I had. The scallops were large, fresh and juicy, and the curry sauce and veggies wasn't a pairing I would have thought of on my own but it worked well and it was creamy and flavourful.</p><p>I stayed with local ingredients for my main, the Manicougan halibut, confit in olive oil, root vegetables, bisque and black mullet caviar.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRTDnawlWtYWNWb56HrF0XqBGUxyJMay0ng5EU3l5m8EOnncDFCjdMyHQtK_eedcXV2gl76Zb0iwggnL82XhnzJE8_0OHFsgNWUyEnafrJuy5lmR8rK6WKvWFEsTNUath0ZMQ06KBMmGguAXNt_uIYkahyDCxc0ulebhFW05D72qrIV6minEj6Q/s4032/20231117_182237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRTDnawlWtYWNWb56HrF0XqBGUxyJMay0ng5EU3l5m8EOnncDFCjdMyHQtK_eedcXV2gl76Zb0iwggnL82XhnzJE8_0OHFsgNWUyEnafrJuy5lmR8rK6WKvWFEsTNUath0ZMQ06KBMmGguAXNt_uIYkahyDCxc0ulebhFW05D72qrIV6minEj6Q/w640-h288/20231117_182237.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>I'm a big fan of halibut -- it's probably my go-to restaurant fish -- but I didn't like this execution. With the confit it was too dry and overcooked. Halibut is better grilled, or breaded and fried. The sauce and veg were fine and the plating was attractive, but it couldn't rescue the lackluster fish.</p><p>Finally, for desert I kept it simple with the mango sorbet. It was delicious.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6iuztbO0d-dtQXwiVTniKZlU2dik_YChBMToqmzyPq-kqHlqEP4kmCb_wXNrpck4GGHBVIzQYT2vsrMSdBvPWlxZaVXiYRIQyc3abv0um_3WxQ_XYz5kITXMEnrCGEZvmek0IrnrWKMwyAiOoWLdnTk1r37lukhRX-VsDEAv7y8Us-lgMGtF6pw/s4032/20231117_183635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6iuztbO0d-dtQXwiVTniKZlU2dik_YChBMToqmzyPq-kqHlqEP4kmCb_wXNrpck4GGHBVIzQYT2vsrMSdBvPWlxZaVXiYRIQyc3abv0um_3WxQ_XYz5kITXMEnrCGEZvmek0IrnrWKMwyAiOoWLdnTk1r37lukhRX-VsDEAv7y8Us-lgMGtF6pw/w640-h288/20231117_183635.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Overall, while this was an OK meal it was not my favourite of my visit and will not be on my list for a return visit when I'm next in Montreal. For the price I paid, I expect a properly cooked piece of fish.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19402125.post-46753336507752664922024-02-07T12:11:00.003-05:002024-02-09T11:51:52.865-05:00Eating off the Hill: Breakfast at Olive et Gourmando in Montreal<p>When I was looking for breakfast spots during my visit to Montreal last year, Olive et Gourmando came up a lot. And just a few blocks walk from my hotel in Old Montreal, I had to give it a try.</p><p>My sleep cycle was still a little messed up so I got there early before they opened, and ended up being first in line as people quickly began to que behind me. My timing was good as they quickly filled up the small space once they opened the doors.</p><p>I tend to lean more savory for breakfast, but looking at their menu I couldn't resist a trip to the sweet side. The item that had caught my eye in my research, and featured in many reviews, was was called Sweet Ricotta. The description was housemade ricotta, honey, orange zest, Maldon salt. Served with brioche bread. Tourist priced at $17.95, but I had to give it a try.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrIdBv9bUfSAa4lu6wb50_MRok__mBFjT1ulGBwpHanOJVSQe63ncZPY_k3BQeF0BjjJz5KdQc1sQth3aJZ5ijsXYS0R0mpQFhdiDokf_na-Qvlo7XiuaJP4srkiawl3N0Ha0DvJU8GloEtcJko3lMq3SuYR2Ah2xIbKb8VVUyg0S0QoBZAGD5w/s4032/20231117_091100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrIdBv9bUfSAa4lu6wb50_MRok__mBFjT1ulGBwpHanOJVSQe63ncZPY_k3BQeF0BjjJz5KdQc1sQth3aJZ5ijsXYS0R0mpQFhdiDokf_na-Qvlo7XiuaJP4srkiawl3N0Ha0DvJU8GloEtcJko3lMq3SuYR2Ah2xIbKb8VVUyg0S0QoBZAGD5w/w640-h288/20231117_091100.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Overall I liked it, but I did have some notes. The ricotta was very tasty and paired well with the sticky honey as well as the orange zest, which was a definite flavour enhancer. My note would be the bread, which needed more of a toast and crunch. It was too bready for my liking, and so wasn't the vessel I wanted to transport the sweet ricotta to my belly.</p><p>With better toasted bread though, this could be killer.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19402125.post-33459561679858144952023-12-27T12:16:00.000-05:002023-12-27T12:16:55.533-05:00Eating off the Hill: Steak Frites at Liverpool House in Montreal<p> In November, I took a long weekend to enjoy a few days in Montreal. It's so near to Ottawa but I'd never really had time to just explore and enjoy the city. Every other visit had been to catch a flight, go to a hockey or football game or attend a political convention. So this would be a trip to relax and enjoy some fine dining.</p><p>At the top of my list were the famed sister restaurants Joe Beef and <a href="https://liverpoolhouse.ca/" target="_blank">Liverpool House</a>, which are well known Montreal institutions but which I, like many, had become familiar with via the late Anthony Bourdain. Liverpool House is also where Justin Trudeau once took Barrack Obama for dinner once. </p><p>Joe Beef was filled up a few weeks in advance but I was able to snag a reservation for one at the bar on a Thursday evening at Liverpool House. And I figured, if it's good enough for Obama it should be OK for me.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhspuqntChmyqP8LjxRuKPrXyMOX-WUa0KJE3eAI4y3SGUDXIVhOgXjMUtM4LErku-lCbtSEJSNG8d8rJHkU_COBQ5yGpprtroRT48DSoBem2gf2kK8lsLG1639pbdX9hIw9cgDb1q1CNxaKMwqaLWyIzrS-dmo0Lu8aGAAghRtdbhSey7GFCu2-A/s4032/20231116_181639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1816" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhspuqntChmyqP8LjxRuKPrXyMOX-WUa0KJE3eAI4y3SGUDXIVhOgXjMUtM4LErku-lCbtSEJSNG8d8rJHkU_COBQ5yGpprtroRT48DSoBem2gf2kK8lsLG1639pbdX9hIw9cgDb1q1CNxaKMwqaLWyIzrS-dmo0Lu8aGAAghRtdbhSey7GFCu2-A/w180-h400/20231116_181639.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><p>They have an often-changing menu that varies with the seasons, as well as some regular specialities. They are known for the lobster spaghetti so I had my mind on that going in, but seeing the market price on this day I decided it was just too rich for my blood. I considered the Pork Belly Normandy briefly but, in the end., went with the French bistro classic of steak frites, medium-rare.</p><p>As an aside, I have decided to try to switch my steak preference from medium to medium-rare, and this as the first time actioning this. While waiting for my dinner I accepted a recommendation for a nice glass of red, made small talk with my neighbor who seemed to work in the restaurant industry and know the staff here, and politely declined the offer to do a shot with them. My neighbour lamented the chef refused to make him a ham and cheese sandwich; I suggested he order it as a Croque Monsieur instead and he thought this may work.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7niDGWb0e-Js1Tc8Wt5fq5hkxfsr8mUroyDR-wLEnULjrdpxdcj06a7Gra6XXOV5ZMukcOtZhxjGVacW-KnSxY_ayDMWXzw-3KKYEqaRLveSx7mknK9Tc-pUm2AgesftZ1fTKoS5VbYoVACO7L96SgEi4cmltamYmbdon_vU6_YFfuTOeHDr9w/s2048/IMG_3676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="2048" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7niDGWb0e-Js1Tc8Wt5fq5hkxfsr8mUroyDR-wLEnULjrdpxdcj06a7Gra6XXOV5ZMukcOtZhxjGVacW-KnSxY_ayDMWXzw-3KKYEqaRLveSx7mknK9Tc-pUm2AgesftZ1fTKoS5VbYoVACO7L96SgEi4cmltamYmbdon_vU6_YFfuTOeHDr9w/w640-h288/IMG_3676.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I'll handle the sides first. The beg was a wedge of lettuce dressed with a light vinaigrette. The dressing was good but, while it's popular in fancy restaurants, I find this a lazy way to make a salad. Im not a big fry guy. These had some crisp and were well-salted, and with the mayo I enjoyed them.</p><p>The steak was served sliced and in a sauce, and was cooked as ordered. It was flavourful and tasty and I savoured every bite. The simple things done well are enjoyable indeed.</p><p>I'll try to be back my next time in Montreal for sure. A good meal to start my culinary long weekend.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19402125.post-1782182137947082782023-12-21T14:47:00.004-05:002023-12-21T14:47:28.878-05:00Eating off the Hill: Steak in Saskatoon<p>My last meal in Saskatoon was on a Monday night, which is not a great night for many fancier restaurants as they tend to be closed Sunday/Monday to give the staff some time off. So a few of the prospects on my list had to drop. I was left though with a very nice steakhouse just a block from my hotel, <a href="https://cutcasualsteak.ca/" target="_blank">Cut Casual Steak and Tap</a>.</p><p>It was a well-appointed and high-end looking steakhouse. And it being a steakhouse I, of course, went with the steak -- NY strip being my go-to for steaks.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXU8olj2ze3NtcaXHBJ5QmFynIRR7B5D9Ds-3i5WCU1BJMDPCE9A5KECJF6F2sBGdd4wFbL4sORR265mTIrtx6Pyh7UiQ5SpbnztNRaZWXBR5UzF5Q5YNcoavDc2fzyk7piB0e2OFL1NEPLSDbuQE_jCSlXyv7htt52NgOa0GMYZvjfd9QtlIJYA/s4032/20231113_194322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXU8olj2ze3NtcaXHBJ5QmFynIRR7B5D9Ds-3i5WCU1BJMDPCE9A5KECJF6F2sBGdd4wFbL4sORR265mTIrtx6Pyh7UiQ5SpbnztNRaZWXBR5UzF5Q5YNcoavDc2fzyk7piB0e2OFL1NEPLSDbuQE_jCSlXyv7htt52NgOa0GMYZvjfd9QtlIJYA/w640-h288/20231113_194322.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Being steak it, of course, came with potatoes. I'm trying to avoid starchy carbs so I said please hold the potatoes but I'd like compensatory vegetables to make ip for it. As you can see, I don't think they did this at all.</p><p>The mushrooms were an at-cost add-on as I believe you shouldn't have steak without mushrooms. Given the fact that I did pay an extra $8 for these mushrooms I was disappointed both in quantity and quality -- it seemed like they had been sitting for awhile rather than being made fresh.</p><p>The steak itself, at least, was excellent, cooked to order, tasty and tender. I'd expect nothing less on the prairie.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19402125.post-19276133658786222222023-12-11T16:15:00.003-05:002023-12-11T16:20:17.597-05:00Eating off the Hill: Asian fusion at The Odd Couple in Saskatoon<p>The people's business took me to Saskatoon last month, and I quickly dusted off the dining recommendations I had received during <a href="https://bcinto.blogspot.com/2023/05/day-three-on-via-rails-canadian.html" target="_blank">my impromptu layover on The Canadian</a> and did some new research of my own.</p><p>Sakatoon is not without its fine dining options. It is just a short list. There are a number of very good options, and I was said that many were closed on Sunday and Monday nights. But if you searched best restaurants in the city on Yelp, Pita Pit comes in at number 7 so, yeah, it drops off a cliff.</p><p>Well recommended by both locals and Yelp though was <a href="https://oddcouple.ca/" target="_blank">The Odd Couple</a>, an Asian Fusion place a nice 15 minute walk from my downtown hotel -- just enough to work up an appetite.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwzm9azBcs1KryJBtbYmSv_lA4ezWADkkbtpgJSsf93T8pqhUB_THUKet8TdDTPYsW63dwsFyLwiq_thYwzE8ORsPS8tD1c5GmUCa1-G8K0JSDZtd4rViyuhuDOZVajNEnxjXCC-UedmIvmIc1QKOekJEavfXu32EC-IKLpStP8pbTJlyYBroYgw/s4032/20231111_173639.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwzm9azBcs1KryJBtbYmSv_lA4ezWADkkbtpgJSsf93T8pqhUB_THUKet8TdDTPYsW63dwsFyLwiq_thYwzE8ORsPS8tD1c5GmUCa1-G8K0JSDZtd4rViyuhuDOZVajNEnxjXCC-UedmIvmIc1QKOekJEavfXu32EC-IKLpStP8pbTJlyYBroYgw/w640-h288/20231111_173639.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I started with the Vietnamese Spring Rolls as my appetizer. These were four meaty and filling pork-based spring rolls. For a couple sharing this is a perfect appetizer. For me, it was a bit too much. But it was tasty and filling, and I can see why it's a popular choice. The fresh cucumber slices were a nice light contrast to the heaviness of the spring rolls.</p><p>There were a number of very interesting main options. I consider the Thai Chicken Strips and the Kung Pao Chicken 2 Ways, but in the end I went with my rule of ordering something it would be hard for me to make myself at home.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOw-iNPa1t8EuE1n4e0Si6F3guuN367KmSLEjIV13ILeFkza5x6UYhucVE9u9I6HFpRua2DNhfK7yqSOx9vzew-URY9RkTQ3ihuyzzsBKzQzryV5h06hN6eq-hknbvnPqV4gEEJer9cflxuWXfr8avUnZ2SKEg2gvEPZs2wLijvAG0_7QGqZSt7A/s4032/20231111_175427.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOw-iNPa1t8EuE1n4e0Si6F3guuN367KmSLEjIV13ILeFkza5x6UYhucVE9u9I6HFpRua2DNhfK7yqSOx9vzew-URY9RkTQ3ihuyzzsBKzQzryV5h06hN6eq-hknbvnPqV4gEEJer9cflxuWXfr8avUnZ2SKEg2gvEPZs2wLijvAG0_7QGqZSt7A/w640-h288/20231111_175427.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>That meant the Beef Tenderloin + Mango Slaw, described on the menu as Canadian Tenderloin (7oz) Wok-Fry with Thai Basil, Garlic and Thai Chilli Soy Sauce. Topped with Kaffir Lime Leaves. Mango, Jalapeño, Cilantro, House Mango Cucumber Salsa. Served with Coconut Rice. The rice was served in a side bowl and didn't make the shot but trust me, its there.</p><p>The beef was indeed tender and very flavourful, and I enjoyed the coconut rice. I love mango and the mango slaw was a big draw for this dish. It didn't mix well though, I think serving it on the side was the right call.</p><p>All in all, I walked back to my hotel unable to eat another bite and slept well my first night on the prairie. Would recommend for your next Saskatoon visit.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19402125.post-78722910946402517912023-12-04T15:53:00.003-05:002023-12-04T15:53:42.730-05:00Eating off the Hill: Gooney's in Ottawa<p>Meeting a friend for lunch in Ottawa recently and they brought me to a lunch spot I hadn't tried before: <a href="https://gooneysottawa.ca/" target="_blank">Gooney's</a>.</p><p>It's a modern-looking place at the corner of Kent and Albert in downtown Ottawa that apparently just moved from a smaller space down on Laurier, and it has a loyal lunch clientele. I joined the line one Thursday afternoon and it was pretty full with people both dining in and taking out.</p><p>They serve a selection of arepas, as well as sandwiches and bowls. An arepa is basically a South American sandwich. To quote wikipedia, "arepa is a type of food made of ground maize dough stuffed with a filling, eaten in northern parts of South America since pre-Columbian times, and notable primarily in the cuisine of Colombia and Venezuela, but also present in Bolivia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Panama."</p><p>While it was a busy place, they run an efficient operation that puts the sandwich artists at Subway to shame and I quickly had my sammy in hand, paid, and found a table.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WCDGhJ6cgrSOKfTnm1ady-dqaZ-wyT-3InY8ArAMxnXN67X3z2s7usODeFyV-di1wrm5y6ccOxEQe56HISsDCSNt_WNyarbng5xwIMDOAKA71ER7CoNgv3BUDs8072prBPH2Frc1EMg7lSqCPywZZGAsTbo3yd0FqfICj0RgDafm3_S2mmPWfg/s4032/20231103_123416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WCDGhJ6cgrSOKfTnm1ady-dqaZ-wyT-3InY8ArAMxnXN67X3z2s7usODeFyV-di1wrm5y6ccOxEQe56HISsDCSNt_WNyarbng5xwIMDOAKA71ER7CoNgv3BUDs8072prBPH2Frc1EMg7lSqCPywZZGAsTbo3yd0FqfICj0RgDafm3_S2mmPWfg/w640-h288/20231103_123416.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>After careful pre-scouting of the menu, as I usually do, I landed on the "sweet Isabella" which said menu describes as as arepas with "Roasted Pork, Coleslaw, Cheddar Cheese & our house coriander sauce." I also got a side Caesar salad, as I wasn't sure the arepas was enough to satisfy my hunger.</p><p>To dispense first with the salad. The dividing line between a good Caesar and a mediocre Caesar often comes down to the dressing. This dressing was creamy and garlicky. It was a good Caesar.</p><p>Now, the arepas. The pork was plentiful, not dry, and had tasty char. The sauce was good, and not all the arepas had slaw but this one did and I choose it because I wanted that second note to complement the meat. It did and it was good. My only note would be the cheese shread. It would have really elevated the sandwich were it melted.</p><p>Overall, a good lunch, will be back.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19402125.post-2093706126420349922023-11-29T11:30:00.007-05:002023-11-29T11:30:56.912-05:00Eating off the Hill: Ferro Bar & Cafe in Toronto<p>Meeting a friend for dinner during a recent visit to Toronto, we ended up at a place near his new workplace on St. Clair Avenue West, an area of Toronto I'm not too familiar with.</p><p><a href="https://ferrobarcafe.ca/" target="_blank">Ferro Bar & Cafe</a> was a cozy spot and pretty busy on a Friday evening, but we were seated quickly at a high top table. I find these awkward to get into and prefer a table and chairs of the usual height, but any port in a storm as they say.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8cYwLKREvSkr662CKuC4nzq8da2Od7Df7CqHgpL65o1lYhylaTRCG2lkXLXn6uoVeg5Nih5MQCyfDpG4WapDzw0LiNG3flxbo7XdTdsnTP3bSMzmEtEQsAnTy1XXNOKwy1hYSXmZVTn4uJoapTT36XXuuQ_AWlC5IE1sM5IZhWWOvNC0SMr6qQ/s4032/20231013_181139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8cYwLKREvSkr662CKuC4nzq8da2Od7Df7CqHgpL65o1lYhylaTRCG2lkXLXn6uoVeg5Nih5MQCyfDpG4WapDzw0LiNG3flxbo7XdTdsnTP3bSMzmEtEQsAnTy1XXNOKwy1hYSXmZVTn4uJoapTT36XXuuQ_AWlC5IE1sM5IZhWWOvNC0SMr6qQ/w288-h640/20231013_181139.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><br /><p>We started with the BRUSCHETTA POMODORO as an appetizer which helpfully came with four pieces -- two for each of us. It was tasty, flavorful and fresh. Sometimes bruschetta tastes like the topping was made long ago but this tasted fresh and a good start to the meal.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGTUPrLkM28gmZbLCwwr0Lyw4yQAUaPZVw2gfsv1gb3SGK1CSiKBRDoLWG_QwM58lw3Hhdngzcks33vG6hyphenhyphenqwXlGzwA3rCoH6gtXzphPZP1Tmv5j5DHf7jXG0lSXivh0u8rHvREfGab9jk8rHdszMil9fSGJ2S1XSoTZ6RG9SRv6yGFsXZzCkdCw/s4032/20231013_182319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGTUPrLkM28gmZbLCwwr0Lyw4yQAUaPZVw2gfsv1gb3SGK1CSiKBRDoLWG_QwM58lw3Hhdngzcks33vG6hyphenhyphenqwXlGzwA3rCoH6gtXzphPZP1Tmv5j5DHf7jXG0lSXivh0u8rHvREfGab9jk8rHdszMil9fSGJ2S1XSoTZ6RG9SRv6yGFsXZzCkdCw/w640-h288/20231013_182319.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I had pondered my choice of main long and hard, pre-scouting the menu online as I usually do. While I've been on a protein over carbs kick of late, being at an Italian restaurant I put this aside and ordered the GNOCCHI ALLA GORGONZOLA, described on the menu as Fresh potato gnocchi in an Italian gorgonzola-cream sauce + parmigiana + honey walnuts.<p></p><p>I like me a good gorgonzola-cream sauce and this one was rich, flavorful and delicious. The gnocchi was cooked perfectly, portion was good, and I liked the inclusion of the walnuts for a textural contrast. My only note would be that they could have been more generous with the walnuts. I broke them up so I could enjoy them more.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19402125.post-34399219394995492472023-11-22T16:22:00.005-05:002023-11-22T16:22:38.747-05:00Eating off the Hill: Pantheon in Toronto<p>During a recent visit to Toronto I has the opportunity to dine with friends at <a href="https://www.pantheondanforth.ca/" target="_blank">Pantheon in Toronto's Greek town on the Danforth</a>. I always enjoy Greek food and have been here before, although this choice was the product of careful research and due diligence amongst our friend group.</p><p>The restaurant seemed much smaller than we recalled it being from our last visit, pre-pandemic. It wasn't until we left that we realized they had given up half their floor space to a cookie bakery. Definitely not Greek, but tasty -- I had sampled it a few months prior.</p><p>Also subject to much deliberation and consideration was my entrée selection. And in the end, although I have enjoyed the Bifteki in the past, I decided on this day to get the mixed grill.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEEBrriOh_5dm_XlmOYrist55Boz9udOuWaCSsmMtEjDpzvu1rvjaE8reV-Z-ExN98E6u35Pv8Wm2snMMkIdrSz_2yALP3gE5-6R5yN-8rRihWm5OBJJ2O5vPNI4H2DXqhF-JkoosjpgzF2GLKsEttDsXd-8b3bube3hSplJRtQL0hf2OIdVdew/s4032/20231010_193310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEEBrriOh_5dm_XlmOYrist55Boz9udOuWaCSsmMtEjDpzvu1rvjaE8reV-Z-ExN98E6u35Pv8Wm2snMMkIdrSz_2yALP3gE5-6R5yN-8rRihWm5OBJJ2O5vPNI4H2DXqhF-JkoosjpgzF2GLKsEttDsXd-8b3bube3hSplJRtQL0hf2OIdVdew/w640-h288/20231010_193310.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>This includes lamb chops, chicken souvlaki and sausage as proteins. All were excellent. And quite filling; I had about half the plate and brought the other half back to the hotel for a future breakfast. The veggies were fine, very buttery, which probably reduced the healthiness a smidge.</p><p>The eagle-eyed among you may notice I haven't referenced the Greek potatoes. The Greek are renowned for their potatoes, and Pantheon is well regarded for their preparation. As my doctor wants be avoiding foods like potatoes, white pasta and rice, I asked for my potatoes on a side plate and they were enjoyed by my dining companions.</p><p>All in all, a delicious night on the Danforth.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19402125.post-55649961704601611452023-09-30T20:17:00.001-04:002023-09-30T20:17:26.717-04:00Eating on the Hill: Lobster Ravioli at Metropolitain Brasserie<p>A friend I hadn't seen in awhile was visiting Ottawa recently and, after a tour around Parliament Hill (I never miss Centre Block more than when it comes to tours as there was so much more to see and share) it was time for a good dinner.</p><p>I'm trying to be healthier these days for reasons but, after behaving myself all day, I was ready for a good but sensibly-sized meal and so we headed to the <a href="https://www.metropolitainbrasserie.com/" target="_blank">Metropolitain Brasserie</a> for their fine French fare. It was quiet as we were early and the politicos were not yet back in town and, while the French food is decadent, their portions are sensible.</p><p>There were some interesting choices and, after scanning the menu, I opted for the Lobster Ravioli with seared sea scallops,
rose sauce, chives and
crumbled chèvre.</p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiS2FK00rWyHu5JYHUqXm829KAb9xp1bpitYBlJWbNKV0CTDeLbZi-YlKUJr3RpsBernsU8wpteMcK3x5P_U7-3JsTsffM9x6lyflVKtwL6-qQSYy7ZESkIS-w4aK9tWSIblxZfcmHvxgezDTbSJQn_t7J32aEWqugjy3is0vlapkRdomCtt86g/s4032/20230913_172534.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiS2FK00rWyHu5JYHUqXm829KAb9xp1bpitYBlJWbNKV0CTDeLbZi-YlKUJr3RpsBernsU8wpteMcK3x5P_U7-3JsTsffM9x6lyflVKtwL6-qQSYy7ZESkIS-w4aK9tWSIblxZfcmHvxgezDTbSJQn_t7J32aEWqugjy3is0vlapkRdomCtt86g/w640-h288/20230913_172534.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>It was absolutely delicious. The scallops were big, juicy and perfectly seared. The ravioli was cooked perfectly, and the rich sauce was delicious and flavorful, completed well by the crumbled chèvre.</p><p>The perfect dish for catching up with a friend, who tried unsuccessfully to tempt me with her fries (which did look delicious) as she enjoyed her Croque Monsieur. And I managed to keep on track with my health goals for the day.</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19402125.post-1442240376092803342023-09-28T14:17:00.004-04:002023-09-28T14:17:43.712-04:00Eating on the Hill: McDonald's, Belgium and CPAC on the reception circuitParliament is back besides lots of headline-making news, the reception circuit is back in full force. I attended a few receptions this week and, while I am cutting back what I eat for health reasons, I did sample a few goodies for science and reportage.<div><br /></div><div>A highlight for many staffers was the McDonald's Canada reception on Tuesday, which closed down the Queen Street Fare food court for the event. I added it to my calendar mainly to see if they were catering it or using the food court tenants. And the answer was both.</div><div><br /></div><div>I say highlight because the line was literally out the door onto the street, and the inside was jam-packed with staffers. And a new MPs, namely the agriculture minister and the critics. Bur I wasn't there for speeches. There were ticketed drinks, a large station with McCafe goods, and a spring roll station at the Asian food court restaurant. But most food was pass appy style.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8aCUsd8jukjd7r1ZElANKzXcnIl_93fClsgZJxAlW5Qlr-9LMUHE3CeMH-3vDDTD-VqEGXhb7n0jXVyMBia7YD9QzZIPxLuLhErkc2xDhfj6XSHlc-g7kmfbAdMkzeyPBYt5sMZBO9JH0wQ6_ej6cfyqP4pavWy4tYMabqDmiYnQqQDB7404Mg/s4032/20230926_175606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8aCUsd8jukjd7r1ZElANKzXcnIl_93fClsgZJxAlW5Qlr-9LMUHE3CeMH-3vDDTD-VqEGXhb7n0jXVyMBia7YD9QzZIPxLuLhErkc2xDhfj6XSHlc-g7kmfbAdMkzeyPBYt5sMZBO9JH0wQ6_ej6cfyqP4pavWy4tYMabqDmiYnQqQDB7404Mg/w640-h288/20230926_175606.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Including the nugs. I saw empty nugget 4 pack boxes all over the place and couldn't find the station, but learned they were being passed out.</div><div><br /></div><div>First round I had a spring roll and what I thought at first were suspiciously-shaped nuggets, but were actually deep-friend mac and cheese wedges, Both were fine, but I had come for McDonald's finest. And actually, their reminder invite had hinted at showcasing concept menu items. I think all the staff were hoping for McPizza; sadly, I saw none.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNIKAUmGyij5cDlkrs23h97W85GBkGKOkxl7Pg1xysvtDdwLKXwV3Tdp-_du3OEmZBkd7OY22V-824AKbZA2ZEAFJ-PPeNKWZbFuPbVREQ9w3GBHHAO2SXYNfZMJxgGytG_mnxvBIKP5PLacs6-anoLzGrZ6vmidkowNmCWAXmGP9TkPlUaBzag/s4032/20230926_175923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNIKAUmGyij5cDlkrs23h97W85GBkGKOkxl7Pg1xysvtDdwLKXwV3Tdp-_du3OEmZBkd7OY22V-824AKbZA2ZEAFJ-PPeNKWZbFuPbVREQ9w3GBHHAO2SXYNfZMJxgGytG_mnxvBIKP5PLacs6-anoLzGrZ6vmidkowNmCWAXmGP9TkPlUaBzag/w640-h288/20230926_175923.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>As things were going fast I stationed myself outside the kitchen area, and soon a tray came out of the McDonalds (small) cheese burgers and 4-pack nuggets with sauces. Confirming the burgers had mustard, I passed and grabbed a pack of nuggets but skipped the sauce. They were good, as nuggets (when hot) usually are.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcv_tGfhjpDQjAIAyxXYwgnUTUa7bSSlolUITnCkmlHLFkUtiMEbNfrnoGc_gn7uP3XyHDRdVrqorvMlbIUJ-8pJaATdf2P0lIvbVt_JMnK0bqiB-cwpwzIco8EiN_QdLUcR5McHHAbJGJfA5D0MFItGJHwwawUksOCu1Fcby5RsjrXH80HZ-4Q/s4032/20230926_180551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcv_tGfhjpDQjAIAyxXYwgnUTUa7bSSlolUITnCkmlHLFkUtiMEbNfrnoGc_gn7uP3XyHDRdVrqorvMlbIUJ-8pJaATdf2P0lIvbVt_JMnK0bqiB-cwpwzIco8EiN_QdLUcR5McHHAbJGJfA5D0MFItGJHwwawUksOCu1Fcby5RsjrXH80HZ-4Q/w640-h288/20230926_180551.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>With the nuggets consumed, I wove through the crowd to the doors and headed up to SJAM, where Belgium Night was being hosted by their embassy. It's a bigger venue, so was far less crowded than the McD's shindig. A couple of years ago I got a swanky Stella Artois glass at this shindig; I didn't see any on offer this time thought they were serving the beer at the bar in these proper glasses.</div><div><br /></div><div>Other than some chacuterie I didn't eat at this reception, but they were appropriately Belgium themed with two food stations. The first was a cone of French Fried drizzled with mayo, in the Belgian style. I overheard a guest ask for one minus the mayo; hopefully the Belgians did not overhear.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdPyxMr465g9QbeSOvGT54Te6EpHX4Me9VVp7KDUFI1joqEeHqsu-QBE6pu5lUPkvahocBD8fE8wo9w335KpVBjYpGeHz5mJiItKMln3O8DoQvoQr7C-shNxlDxHTQo_PO1Oz6zC_Q6tlcYhRmxdbo6zqdXMWQPhqlnh4HLH4hO4fvglQpzd1Gw/s4032/20230926_181357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdPyxMr465g9QbeSOvGT54Te6EpHX4Me9VVp7KDUFI1joqEeHqsu-QBE6pu5lUPkvahocBD8fE8wo9w335KpVBjYpGeHz5mJiItKMln3O8DoQvoQr7C-shNxlDxHTQo_PO1Oz6zC_Q6tlcYhRmxdbo6zqdXMWQPhqlnh4HLH4hO4fvglQpzd1Gw/w640-h288/20230926_181357.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>And next door were either clams or muscles, I'm not sure. So perhaps recreating the moules en frites Belgian classic.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzlWPOlWYS_ugNzLrWQlJ8b4PmKY2BwszO_VfE8sNc6_7tpnuxP8TgKhZbhYaVQj95ha2JsT4P31DRQSdJH2HFk_R_uh4iYnxmPUOGUOnCrYRSqwlaYvOVuDqH8xlI2J6697dxbro7ZLDvFaH5M5dpgL9hDoRzm-wQR1U5d__LOODyZ03Wx6BXg/s4032/20230926_181411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzlWPOlWYS_ugNzLrWQlJ8b4PmKY2BwszO_VfE8sNc6_7tpnuxP8TgKhZbhYaVQj95ha2JsT4P31DRQSdJH2HFk_R_uh4iYnxmPUOGUOnCrYRSqwlaYvOVuDqH8xlI2J6697dxbro7ZLDvFaH5M5dpgL9hDoRzm-wQR1U5d__LOODyZ03Wx6BXg/w640-h288/20230926_181411.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>And rounding it out, tables offered a selection of Belgian chocolates. I went for the white, as it's supposed to be the least sugary of those on offer and I need to stay away from the sweets but not sampling their chocolate would have just been rude.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVabpKh33LLeUBESJMYanVphq9NmKpq5Jg2EdR9RqgWp8ls7GHfegPw6OUR3Vp9h2zDBFwrpLRZA6p749xtDgM4o8FSJjmjJTPddpx0bF7hUHFOUOdf6sArd4_M-GFaYXcTuKuzbUNgo_RLzhghLnuuoGC9cF-oz-ohKOBOuapZ2CBhjqMqus2sg/s4032/20230926_181457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVabpKh33LLeUBESJMYanVphq9NmKpq5Jg2EdR9RqgWp8ls7GHfegPw6OUR3Vp9h2zDBFwrpLRZA6p749xtDgM4o8FSJjmjJTPddpx0bF7hUHFOUOdf6sArd4_M-GFaYXcTuKuzbUNgo_RLzhghLnuuoGC9cF-oz-ohKOBOuapZ2CBhjqMqus2sg/w640-h288/20230926_181457.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Finally, the next night I was back in SJAM for the CPAC reception. I again only had a few cheese and cracker combos from the chacuts station, but the highlight for the more adventurous was undoubtedly the raw oyster station.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjPxzsPTMtbaRdxBmsnRqelleFG1NJfMbRe8sFBYqcK3KbrUpWS2nAZ-qVmT8fEXGdm1SZuKgFbnn4UHtnQWnOAdq2AXBfdWwZrHoKPKBWih0m9dEI702FiY9JwcEAedwWp3YVFDLNvZYCX094vZZhmduCmHy5kvB1aeTVp1byGxhaizjwNKKHQ/s4032/20230927_181536.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjPxzsPTMtbaRdxBmsnRqelleFG1NJfMbRe8sFBYqcK3KbrUpWS2nAZ-qVmT8fEXGdm1SZuKgFbnn4UHtnQWnOAdq2AXBfdWwZrHoKPKBWih0m9dEI702FiY9JwcEAedwWp3YVFDLNvZYCX094vZZhmduCmHy5kvB1aeTVp1byGxhaizjwNKKHQ/w640-h288/20230927_181536.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>There are a few interesting receptions next week, so stay tuned...</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19402125.post-53254619751629037412023-09-05T12:56:00.003-04:002023-09-05T12:56:17.175-04:00Eating off the Hill: Air Canada's new Jérôme Ferrer, meal box<p> Even if I'm not always hungry during the flight, if I'm going cross-country in particular I find a little nosh helps to pass the flight. And I'm a planner, so I will often pre-order my meal when I book my ticket to save a few bucks. This is what led me to have Air Canada's new meal box on a recent flight from Vancouver back to Ottawa that they've developed in partnership with Montreal chef Jérôme Ferrer.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZVvvReXiWtH367ZtayI6QHLjeFIbYw1VlB_ojR2h5v4kEaYuEHbJgwSgAMQe01ub3YDHRW9UfjX84EA4U9FDDoSjZe_Cy-rmx9qPduKgpe_EJAEufSEGaDD4t30ChQAiPOTY9pgaeykxAFiZqnK1z4cQaVGgpfQphP8xybCFzpSrVf8aloFv_g/s4032/20230802_141009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZVvvReXiWtH367ZtayI6QHLjeFIbYw1VlB_ojR2h5v4kEaYuEHbJgwSgAMQe01ub3YDHRW9UfjX84EA4U9FDDoSjZe_Cy-rmx9qPduKgpe_EJAEufSEGaDD4t30ChQAiPOTY9pgaeykxAFiZqnK1z4cQaVGgpfQphP8xybCFzpSrVf8aloFv_g/w640-h288/20230802_141009.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Honestly, by the time the flight came around I had forgotten just what I had ordered, just that I had ordered something. When we settled into our cruising altitude the flight attendant came around w\ith an armful of long, thin boxes and one was for me.</p><p>Curious to see what I had ordered, I broke the seal and opened the box -- and was immediately underwhelmed. Inside the box was a vacuum-packed sandwich, a couscous salad and a slice of cranberry load.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2O-U51xVuFUKg3Xmzy4vguS3v-YN_NEit2sLrfpI6YeKQn_KHkR-uXxjjW7C3myaJY0FaTzxpHw-elfIqCpNFMtBDgs13FFxaW6GdC5vCnMXUWGs958o3QM2ZgdtmhmQMJXFBhsHBczhcVOJJYOTDy9IJy3BZNY6EOw1LxfXOcs-gbmrlYnx0BQ/s4032/20230802_141057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2O-U51xVuFUKg3Xmzy4vguS3v-YN_NEit2sLrfpI6YeKQn_KHkR-uXxjjW7C3myaJY0FaTzxpHw-elfIqCpNFMtBDgs13FFxaW6GdC5vCnMXUWGs958o3QM2ZgdtmhmQMJXFBhsHBczhcVOJJYOTDy9IJy3BZNY6EOw1LxfXOcs-gbmrlYnx0BQ/w640-h288/20230802_141057.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The sandwich was not easy to open as there seemed to be no seam but, eventually, I did get the plastic off. And again, underwhelmed. I wish I had the presence of mind to take a photo. It was supposed to be a chicken salad sandwich, but they dolled out the filling so sparingly that the bread to stuff ratio was almost all bread. It was fresh enough but not great at all.</p><p>I didn't finish the quinoa salad. It needed more flavour and was just kind of meh.</p><p>The standout, surprisingly, was the cranberry load. Very tasty with the tart fruit.</p><p>All in all, I prefer the regular Air Canada bistro offerings like the cheese and fruit plate or the macaroni and cheese. If I was Jérôme, and I know nothing about him, I would not want to put my name on this. 4/10.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19402125.post-25581831912802653192023-08-13T21:44:00.002-04:002023-10-01T12:25:27.667-04:00Eating off the Hill: My Seattle food roundup<p> I spent a lot of time on ferries during my Seattle trip as, in search of semi-reasonable hotel prices, the Swifties made me flee town for Bremerton. But all my extensive pre-trip research wasn't entirely wasted as I did get to try some local delicacies and culinary specialties. It's a far from comprehensive review of the Seattle food scene, but here's what I did manage.</p><p><b>Piroshky </b><b>Piroshky </b><b>Bakery, Pike Place Market</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0QtT_YHF60K8faBonY3QLtGKQF2fSk1ehDdjx1lhm0h6JRLrROVbg6_OndOA2p09NRQZ1li2km3aGe8Br4dXpOdVuqNmwUCtu5bBJEr6GWuDeMg6zm_kqIwmEdFqJJyv55rs6flCcvXZbRP7ZA936S8rPi0JakMCyPXRPQSNehbDeNBPZ57vPEA/s512/%5Bitoshky.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="512" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0QtT_YHF60K8faBonY3QLtGKQF2fSk1ehDdjx1lhm0h6JRLrROVbg6_OndOA2p09NRQZ1li2km3aGe8Br4dXpOdVuqNmwUCtu5bBJEr6GWuDeMg6zm_kqIwmEdFqJJyv55rs6flCcvXZbRP7ZA936S8rPi0JakMCyPXRPQSNehbDeNBPZ57vPEA/w640-h482/%5Bitoshky.png" width="640" /></a></div><p>I was a little apprehensive to go to this tourist mecca on a Saturday when Seattle was invaded both by baseball fans and Swifties, but it's a foodie must-visit and I was determined to start the day at <a href="https://piroshkybakery.com/?" target="_blank">Piroshky Piroshky Bakery</a>, a Russian bakery known for its selection of sweet and savoury piroshky -- basically, a version of the famous Scarborough patties.</p><p></p><p>There was a deceptively long line outside but it moved quickly and efficiently. There was a staff member keeping it moving and telling jokes. And there were menus outside so you could just step into the very small establishment, get your pastry and move along. On my way I did pass by another location, but it was closed and seemed designed to cater to the local breakfast business crowd.</p><p>They have many different varieties but I decided on one of the classics, the beef and cheese. It was tourist priced, but it was warn am and fluffy and flavourful, and got my day started off right. I wouldn't have objected to some spice, but this was Seattle and not Scarborough.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>Jackson's Catfish Corner</b><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5Qj9CIhD8TGLdW162TF74OzuSxFBMEMsLUhs1J4vt3RxwUREFjqKHAjvlLu7e7iT0tb5DXpcjFnsS6u0owLZ4uTA1R4p5hZ4ivGO2VCOllXgDRtjYhUL4ixooXn-zK7rQd-k0LkVa1mlr6Rd5DPUdlECXhlTn1P0rFfXaDT55cby_mB8wcel1g/s4032/20230722_180514.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5Qj9CIhD8TGLdW162TF74OzuSxFBMEMsLUhs1J4vt3RxwUREFjqKHAjvlLu7e7iT0tb5DXpcjFnsS6u0owLZ4uTA1R4p5hZ4ivGO2VCOllXgDRtjYhUL4ixooXn-zK7rQd-k0LkVa1mlr6Rd5DPUdlECXhlTn1P0rFfXaDT55cby_mB8wcel1g/w640-h288/20230722_180514.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>A lot of my Seattle food research focused on fish and seafood, as it often does when I'm visiting somewhere ocean adjacent. And that led me to<a href="https://jacksonscatfishcorner.com/" target="_blank"> Jackson's Catfish Corner</a>, which was well recommended for catfish and other authentic southern specialties. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's outside of downtown proper and the wait for transit was too long, so I hopped in an Uber for the drive. It's an unassuming place on a street corner across from a strip mall and was fairly empty, although it was doing a steady take-out business on a Saturday evening. </div><div><br /></div><div>I decided to dine in, of course, being a long ways from my distant hotel, and ordered the half-pound of catfish strips with hush puppies and cole slaw. There were other fish on offer -- I do enjoy snapper -- but it wasn't Snapper Corner so I went with the namesake.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was fried fresh and they were kind enough to bring the tray to my table. I passed on the tartar in favour of ketchup, although I did sample them naked first. The cole slaw was cool and crispy and mayo-based. The fish and hush puppies were fried in a corn meal batter. It was definitely a generous portion of cat fish.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was OK, but I think I'm not a big cat fish guy. Was a little bready and could have used more flavour. But it was an enjoyable dinner off the tourist path.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Seattle Dog # 1</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_X9CmfiXq2MnJjoGqwIFkT-S7pM41DP0tQqcLA0QolvVK3ja_HtF2OxDmRMNEjHz38fZoqWm_TVVrbtMnX4a2kI_j5Fy-KSOz3q2cBYxMWIVf_9GJkqIllVeV2otc9vtu98ld9udyNHegZXnnnCi4pn9mEfQoZ6Hv9T6YarPmVNorl2CjPkmhA/s4032/20230723_103839.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_X9CmfiXq2MnJjoGqwIFkT-S7pM41DP0tQqcLA0QolvVK3ja_HtF2OxDmRMNEjHz38fZoqWm_TVVrbtMnX4a2kI_j5Fy-KSOz3q2cBYxMWIVf_9GJkqIllVeV2otc9vtu98ld9udyNHegZXnnnCi4pn9mEfQoZ6Hv9T6YarPmVNorl2CjPkmhA/w640-h288/20230723_103839.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div>Many cities have their own take on the classic American hot dog. And in Seattle, apparently that's their namesake Seattle dog. Based on my food research, the Seattle dog is a classic hot hod on a bun with some toast served with fried vegetables and cream cheese. I know, right, cream cheese? The Chicago people must be losing their minds. But when in Rome...</div><div><br /></div><div>I decided to grab one on a Sunday morning when I had time to kill before the ball park opened. There's a long long of food stands outside the stadium, some offering seating, so I ordered a Seattle dog and a water and plopped myself down on a picnic table.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have to say, this was not a good introduction to Seattle's namesake hot dog. The toast was minimal, the bun was falling apart, and the mixed veg was only onion -- usually peppers are included as well. But they had a cream cheese gun, which was really cool. And the cream cheese did add an interesting creamy element. More a single than a home run -- I would need to try again somewhere else.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Ivar's ballpark fish and chips -- hold the chips</b></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNlauGurL90LWNOb87IpIonlOeq08_BjLcKZZTBioRzP4K6JAOQD8n3iW_ZENf7ZXSiGwKAgB2JP1yqPB7kem52XGQ8NP47hFrqsqvovcxHJi_p0HrEYVlQJIRN9e7u3nQ-YvYHgYw8_wPbECC7qXXt1T3KTPiZWXOO0l0wZ606eO8T7hSA-Djg/s2581/20230723_113321.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="2581" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNlauGurL90LWNOb87IpIonlOeq08_BjLcKZZTBioRzP4K6JAOQD8n3iW_ZENf7ZXSiGwKAgB2JP1yqPB7kem52XGQ8NP47hFrqsqvovcxHJi_p0HrEYVlQJIRN9e7u3nQ-YvYHgYw8_wPbECC7qXXt1T3KTPiZWXOO0l0wZ606eO8T7hSA-Djg/w640-h450/20230723_113321.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.ivars.com/" target="_blank">Ivar's</a> is a Seattle-based fish and chips chain with a few locations in the city and stands at the ball park and the football stadium next door. Not being wholly satisfied by the pre-game Seattle dog, I decided some fish and chips were in order.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hold the chips, though. No need to again belabor my lack of enthusiasm for french fries. They are empty carbs I can do without. I get annoyed when, if I want chicken strips, I need to pay for the fries as well. So this day I decided they can charge me if they want but I do not want the fries, and I made this clear on ordering.</div><div><br /></div><div>To my delight and surprise, they told me well then you get an extra piece of fish. I declared that a great idea and gladly accepted. For ball park fish these were pretty good. Probably cod if I had to guess. And there were even a few rouge fried included. Definitely a welcome change from strips, and I would trade the fries for more fish any day and twice on Sundays.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /><b>Ivar's on the pier for chowder</b></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGowkyfHbN9VOQSelVaxMV_RFXTsTFarSUfyW8bHec6011v5131SsE80LKsJKHfdmpXHwYtrJMyXk2gS21b7rostVVS3pnIjTAXJ_5q0_XOPfSYutHu3xh1GIZ8SW5TDp5cROi4W5NDM58rU6T2xPJFtHcKEe64Rt_iKRaBnxE21FRlCmvW7BIg/s4032/20230723_174013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGowkyfHbN9VOQSelVaxMV_RFXTsTFarSUfyW8bHec6011v5131SsE80LKsJKHfdmpXHwYtrJMyXk2gS21b7rostVVS3pnIjTAXJ_5q0_XOPfSYutHu3xh1GIZ8SW5TDp5cROi4W5NDM58rU6T2xPJFtHcKEe64Rt_iKRaBnxE21FRlCmvW7BIg/w640-h288/20230723_174013.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Long story short, getting out of Seattle's stadium district on Sunday afternoon was a nightmare. I had planned to dine at a fancy seafood place back in Bremerton, but I missed the ferry I wanted. So with a long wait for the next state ferry, I went down the waterfront to <a href="https://www.ivars.com/" target="_blank">another Ivar's location</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>I ordered a cup of chowder and a water, as hydration is important, and took it to the glass-enclosed pier-side table area to enjoy. It was enclosed to protect from the seagulls but also made it feel like a greenhouse, which probably did help with table turnover.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, the chowder was creamy but not overly chunky and seemed pretty processed coming out of a big bag. Still, it was tasty.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Seattle dog #2</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5GPVbo6zNStVN2IxqFzs-WXhfn7qTxrq7-n3jrN2bPvO71g61u09T_hor9zm_lIHmvBp8MDX4PI8mX6y2rAghrd-LNjVq5s6H1YmIz-CnnCEZJtq74D6kKUoAxNk2gCgKo4EMuGKJPSP8TIzDAS8dc4njW4Q78qw1orCHslk8nUHEvTfugmygg/s4032/20230724_115148.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5GPVbo6zNStVN2IxqFzs-WXhfn7qTxrq7-n3jrN2bPvO71g61u09T_hor9zm_lIHmvBp8MDX4PI8mX6y2rAghrd-LNjVq5s6H1YmIz-CnnCEZJtq74D6kKUoAxNk2gCgKo4EMuGKJPSP8TIzDAS8dc4njW4Q78qw1orCHslk8nUHEvTfugmygg/w640-h288/20230724_115148.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></div><div>On my last day in Seattle, an overcast Monday, I dropped my bag at the clipper terminal so I didn't have to drag it around until my afternoon ferry and went to the Space Needle area to check things out. Most of the ticket machines were out of order, but finding a functioning one the price to go up was more than I was willing to pay. So it was on to plan two.</div><div><br /></div><div>The claimed originator of the Seattle Dog was supposedly a Space Needle-adjacent hot dog stand, and I found it next to a souvenir store between the Space Needle and the Museum of Pop Culture. Conforming that they had proper grilled veg, I ordered the namesake Seattle Dog.</div><div><br /></div><div>I still don't feel like they executive it perfectly. The bun held somewhat together bit just barely and needed more toast. While there was a variety of grilled veg it was a little overdone. No cream cheese gun this time; they smeared it on the bun. All together though, s satisfying lunch but not one I will seek to replicate at home.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Pike Place Chowder at Pacific Place Center</b></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxDlXlKShJuN8bDcRtGPANDbITl0CcMV0AVRuc-T7VdbJs4S8WEDX3UTqvcdRh5H6GskCLqZGOYqPR7l8C1gt7ZL3w2S1zbaDie1xy-n_ZGb0Xt11_39OFw8srJM-IMiTKS_I9jp7m5xfJnvNHLUVcjsg9lBiNsGvVA1Lg8Zo2dmObnRRCquLrA/s4032/20230724_123429.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxDlXlKShJuN8bDcRtGPANDbITl0CcMV0AVRuc-T7VdbJs4S8WEDX3UTqvcdRh5H6GskCLqZGOYqPR7l8C1gt7ZL3w2S1zbaDie1xy-n_ZGb0Xt11_39OFw8srJM-IMiTKS_I9jp7m5xfJnvNHLUVcjsg9lBiNsGvVA1Lg8Zo2dmObnRRCquLrA/w640-h288/20230724_123429.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Finally on Monday, before heading back to the clipper terminal I had to try what my research claimed was the city's best chowder: <a href="https://www.pikeplacechowder.com/" target="_blank">Pike Place Chowder</a>. And rather than brave the masses at the Pike Place Market, I took the monorail to the Pacific Place Center Mall in the heart of the commercial district.</div><div><br /></div><div>The mall was dead but the top floor, with an AMC Cinema and several restaurants and food stands, was not. It was around lunch time on a work day and working Seattleans were hungry for chowder.</div><div><br /></div><div>They have a few different varieties but I went for the original clam chowder, which came with a slice of plain sourdough bead. I could have gotten it with a sourdough bread bowl but honestly, that's just a mess.</div><div><br /></div><div>The slice of bread did nothing for me. I'm not a dipper, so I could have used some butter. But the chowder itself was excellent. Miles ahead of Ivar's the day before. Rich, creamy, and more substantive. I polished it off and turned for the ferry in a satisfied stupor.</div><div><br /></div><div>So that was the food I managed in Seattle. I only really scratched the surface, but I did have some good chowder.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AxniH2fN1jwMWoummJjY4WiEHa8-EIM3BKo6pI4g-g6pdVX9YHWStIEx2txFIanG8JOZSbKPcmFKjIC4Qd7hFpcCOiO-m2gEtfiMTk_bbp_GPsAXnTeWj4a-wmuIXVybvb-otFCQkd8BAlJkUySia1WvucooPBmXNKKqT8c80fLSrvTlrBXDGQ/s4032/20230724_123615.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AxniH2fN1jwMWoummJjY4WiEHa8-EIM3BKo6pI4g-g6pdVX9YHWStIEx2txFIanG8JOZSbKPcmFKjIC4Qd7hFpcCOiO-m2gEtfiMTk_bbp_GPsAXnTeWj4a-wmuIXVybvb-otFCQkd8BAlJkUySia1WvucooPBmXNKKqT8c80fLSrvTlrBXDGQ/w288-h640/20230724_123615.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19402125.post-27798723043027475872023-08-06T21:31:00.005-04:002023-08-06T21:31:57.284-04:00Eating off the Hill: Is VIA finally upping its catering game?<p> As I've mentioned I am a frequent train traveler, usually between Ottawa and Toronto. With them extending the eligibility during COVID I was able to achieve the highest tier of VIA's frequent traveler program this year. One of the perks? We get to choose our meal selection before everyone else so we allays get our first choice.</p><p>Seems like a small perk, but it is disappointing to get stuck with the pasta. I have noticed a lot of repetition in their menu offerings -- the same baked hake or cold chicken offerings seem to come up a lot. But while we're still waiting for the new train cars on this route, a new menu option was offered on a recent trip that I just had to try -- BBQ brisket with mac and cheese.</p><p>Now, I went into this with expectations properly aligned. Beef is hard to reheat on a train, and brisket is best served fresh at a bbq smokehouse. But this was so different from the usual options I had to give it a shot.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitbVNTFDUkuLmhPOOaq-Yu47rtwtyxcvLxf-wCpw50tN3s0Dy6M5wgCZq0ieii_tC2sqCRsibYGzwVbCCeKsPxulrt2BKd2tjo6GmFJuQhVaJ5Tr0E8VU6W1nZNOCF7J13YmB-wW_F_NGfXwqa9Sh79Ouu1iBP7xcdV2thVYrRiYVPWJ07JBPlg/s4032/20230521_162516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitbVNTFDUkuLmhPOOaq-Yu47rtwtyxcvLxf-wCpw50tN3s0Dy6M5wgCZq0ieii_tC2sqCRsibYGzwVbCCeKsPxulrt2BKd2tjo6GmFJuQhVaJ5Tr0E8VU6W1nZNOCF7J13YmB-wW_F_NGfXwqa9Sh79Ouu1iBP7xcdV2thVYrRiYVPWJ07JBPlg/w640-h288/20230521_162516.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Let's dispense with the sides first. Bread selection as per normal, good. Pudding with grilled pineapple, meh. Burrata cheese with cherry tomatoes, new and excellent, refreshing. I passed on the olives.</p><p>On to the main. The brussel sprouts were a surprise but went well with the rest of the dish. The macaroni and cheese was actually macaroni, and it was hot and reasonably cheesy. The brisket, while a little overcooked and not to smokehouse standards, was within train standards, had some nice bark, and a tasty BBQ sauce.<br /><br />All in all, a worthy addition to VIA's menu rotation. Would definitely order again.</p><p>On the other end of the new menu spectrum, on a recent trip I was offered a beef noddle stir fry. Recognizing another new menu offering I again decided to give it a chance. This time, it was not the home run the brisket mac and cheese was.</p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_bicKxkQvRpww1n1xxzxoXY-RRFSq1sPPlNcwtEKuU4eXXYtT4yOlv8IyftTfQvs1nDBp0bouovkIAOtOhsIOmRQNOPBXPR4paD9sKHR_PBZlRLtGqyYgjwJO40d4J-_VNWjxoWyLIpDWflBfMMKbcvWcZC6J-LHW89prNou48XyWDJZnBMEX8A/s4032/20230715_173445.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_bicKxkQvRpww1n1xxzxoXY-RRFSq1sPPlNcwtEKuU4eXXYtT4yOlv8IyftTfQvs1nDBp0bouovkIAOtOhsIOmRQNOPBXPR4paD9sKHR_PBZlRLtGqyYgjwJO40d4J-_VNWjxoWyLIpDWflBfMMKbcvWcZC6J-LHW89prNou48XyWDJZnBMEX8A/w640-h288/20230715_173445.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Again, let's dispense with the sides. Bun good. Two cheeses with grapes, delish. I'm hazy on the dessert. I think it was the apple pie; I have had that a few times and it was delish. They don't skimp on the cinnamon, or the apples. </p><p>On to the mains. I had an excellent crispy beef stir fry on The Canadian for lunch. This was definitely not that. Chunks of unseasoned and overcooked tough beef. The noodles were good and sauces though I would have liked the beg mixed in. And lima beans in a stir fry? Was there a sale?<br /><br />Anyway, not on my have again any time soon list. But keep the cheese in the rotation please.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19402125.post-20581748868727081662023-08-04T16:53:00.001-04:002023-08-04T16:53:08.171-04:00Eating up the Hill: The very Canadian catch of the day<p> I don't find myself in the <a href="https://bcinto.blogspot.com/2019/01/eating-up-hill-lunching-at-new-west.html" target="_blank">Parliamentary Dining Room</a> very often -- I'm more of a cafeteria guy -- but back in May the boss and I were entertaining a visiting group of constituents and so I had the opportunity to enjoy a fancy lunch.</p><p>Usually I go for one of a few old stand-bys but, on this day, the special caught my interest: Crispy pickerel in an orange beurre blanc with fingerling potatoes and fiddle heads.</p><p>A very Canadian offering indeed, well fit for the dining room of the Parliament of Canada, and so I placed my order.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuEDE2Y0nOPO8AVpDIiFLRlAWpN5D3EL7jbYRIhesoenJZ3pCzrYDtZee2c8daWvvqwctfIC7bSZ4xYYALWSIBoGvYqfiVeHyS34Zud9aW6kRQ_yo-5RDYpr5VKcm6z_JacBqN-6a8dSNsxBBQy5Q4dk73iWzQuYaOaSvG_kVNiHnXbHUSuSUOw/s4032/20230509_124450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuEDE2Y0nOPO8AVpDIiFLRlAWpN5D3EL7jbYRIhesoenJZ3pCzrYDtZee2c8daWvvqwctfIC7bSZ4xYYALWSIBoGvYqfiVeHyS34Zud9aW6kRQ_yo-5RDYpr5VKcm6z_JacBqN-6a8dSNsxBBQy5Q4dk73iWzQuYaOaSvG_kVNiHnXbHUSuSUOw/w640-h288/20230509_124450.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>And a tasty piece of Canadiana it was. I remember often fishing for pickerel with my Grand Father and watching him fry it up at home, to the annoyance of my Grand Mother for stinking up her kitchen.</p><p>This wasn't quite how Papa used to make it, but it was quite tasty, cooked well with a crispy skin and served in a generous portion. The fiddleheads were a fresh local delicacy and, while I'm not usually a potato guy, the thin cut fingerings with some crisp combined with the beurre blanc made them quite tasty.</p><p>All in all, as good a lunch as I have had in some time. Can't wait for my next excuse to visit.</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19402125.post-16026209894435131502023-07-15T19:29:00.007-04:002023-07-15T19:30:01.450-04:00Up in the air: Porter’s new transcontinental service<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjfS3AvmAohxgQgNpG-_fcR-tX47UBIvEzEa3yazmCBdN_EEAgVy6fZ3ndJdxfKHHNP4JbD5bYo99_bx2AhlGRS4zggdojWbdRpG6kpCjoP4G_44NO_k9hPhnDkuDX2BG9hsxVGlbc_ee1CbDiBs_2Ql38NMoLPTsVfZiyXts8D1fqW09aGcZXg/s4032/20230415_172758.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjfS3AvmAohxgQgNpG-_fcR-tX47UBIvEzEa3yazmCBdN_EEAgVy6fZ3ndJdxfKHHNP4JbD5bYo99_bx2AhlGRS4zggdojWbdRpG6kpCjoP4G_44NO_k9hPhnDkuDX2BG9hsxVGlbc_ee1CbDiBs_2Ql38NMoLPTsVfZiyXts8D1fqW09aGcZXg/w640-h288/20230415_172758.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Many people “back East” as we westerners call Ontario will
be familiar with Porter Airways. They fly turboprop Q400s out of the Billy Bishop
(Island) Airport to nearby points in Eastern Canada and the Northeastern US. I’ve
flown them many times between Toronto and Ottawa, as well as to Halifax and
Newark. Besides the ease of the Island Airport compared to Pearson, they’re
known for their free booze and snacks and planes with no middle seats.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Far less known is their expansion to the West Coast with their
new Embraer E195-E2 Jets, which they operate out of Pearson’s Terminal Three and
an Ottawa base. Whenever I mentioned them to Vancouver friends they’re like,
what, Porter flies here now?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They are really having a hard time getting the word out. I
booked a red-eye flight back after spending some time in Courtenay following my
cross-county VIA Rail trip in April. This flight ended up being cancelled and I
was moved to an earlier flight, cutting into my limited Vancouver time. I
assume because of lack of passengers. Still, my merged flight was less than
half full, and I had a pair of seats to myself which was nice.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The experience was a bit uneven. I took the Canada Line to
YVR which is awesome, and headed over to the domestic terminal only to find out
that Porter was checking in from the international terminal. OK, fine. Not good
signage when I got there though. I just had to bag drop but that didn’t seem to
be an option.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXhCsxDl-JMLiZ0QuQvmowIvL_tAzAVcCaXcdxKgRsRG2zGmVeJAbETWABC6xNM9pSWCcoY3HPeBgvm9lOk5KcBbolrI-YcRAFcbVR_XVMzzOAZzCr7WveKnJqXbp9i8vf6zHZR6HxynND8v_NBe1hB7oQ7o3_bJTVZrt7xTtO66QdmeBC5GIxw/s4032/20230415_151915.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXhCsxDl-JMLiZ0QuQvmowIvL_tAzAVcCaXcdxKgRsRG2zGmVeJAbETWABC6xNM9pSWCcoY3HPeBgvm9lOk5KcBbolrI-YcRAFcbVR_XVMzzOAZzCr7WveKnJqXbp9i8vf6zHZR6HxynND8v_NBe1hB7oQ7o3_bJTVZrt7xTtO66QdmeBC5GIxw/w640-h288/20230415_151915.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Still, I’m an early bird so I got checked in, ate at Carl’s
Jr. and got to my gate. They offer a Porter Reserve service with slightly more pitch
and other perks, but I opted for the regular seats. Which, with no seat mate,
were more than adequate.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They’re brand-new planes, still bright and shiny, seats
familiar to Porter's regular customers. But in addition to in-seat power there’s
also free WiFi, which was fast and easy to use. Just make sure you have your
Porter frequent flier details handy. I was able to stream YouTube with no
troubles. I am curious if this would hold on a fuller plane.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5BKf2sLbTKLmOOaL955EQFdludA179WoF6VhAkncwL0lOb0Ax_eA3DdEYjNb8Z09VOAZIjkRj3iDoIBihCHMYdR-bQow_tUTUnlcEWjQuYpFwThDRwd-LpnLEsgWGTFhTDDBWOT1StIzcHHiHCpSyXw11E4H89coOOQ9ThwU94XRBz2JhA5PfQ/s4032/20230415_151826.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5BKf2sLbTKLmOOaL955EQFdludA179WoF6VhAkncwL0lOb0Ax_eA3DdEYjNb8Z09VOAZIjkRj3iDoIBihCHMYdR-bQow_tUTUnlcEWjQuYpFwThDRwd-LpnLEsgWGTFhTDDBWOT1StIzcHHiHCpSyXw11E4H89coOOQ9ThwU94XRBz2JhA5PfQ/w640-h288/20230415_151826.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">The roots of Porter’s service was there. There was a healthy
complement of crew, and they did a drink service with the usual choice of snacks,
as well as beer and wine served in glass. They also offered free selections
from Porter’s cold meal service that are usually for charge, except for Porter
Reserve passengers. I had the mango chicken; it wasn’t bad but wasn’t great.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPc-mkFAOune6t29mmsllTNNz4Y5wI93X2tq7VZn73wXbhrQWUioUnxoUtcIhTN3diXcGLodbE_VaXSKvGMdnLidHwE8eztANcV1BjIHxYUuiGGoKb9H6Q53tvsbYKeM7_2qjQJbN8724NQjnyDheHa9ha92ErFhq5uT_Rmr5wDgHQB8YUVsU9bA/s4032/20230415_152915.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPc-mkFAOune6t29mmsllTNNz4Y5wI93X2tq7VZn73wXbhrQWUioUnxoUtcIhTN3diXcGLodbE_VaXSKvGMdnLidHwE8eztANcV1BjIHxYUuiGGoKb9H6Q53tvsbYKeM7_2qjQJbN8724NQjnyDheHa9ha92ErFhq5uT_Rmr5wDgHQB8YUVsU9bA/w640-h288/20230415_152915.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGv-bga9jbi-YWbhC3aSatfIoE3NDDeESqmxxdDneUO2uxeQi1m2sYuaJTjrz3fc2OVgt9Ox-9ius8O7ic1a-lC23RRtZR_lrpe7V14vtjwgX97KxF5ZvbCR2l5gVN5nslwKkYguR8JpHjGjFFzb2HUbsflwmMdzTdUq6mAstQTzMESUQ6ufYahg/s4032/20230415_153535.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGv-bga9jbi-YWbhC3aSatfIoE3NDDeESqmxxdDneUO2uxeQi1m2sYuaJTjrz3fc2OVgt9Ox-9ius8O7ic1a-lC23RRtZR_lrpe7V14vtjwgX97KxF5ZvbCR2l5gVN5nslwKkYguR8JpHjGjFFzb2HUbsflwmMdzTdUq6mAstQTzMESUQ6ufYahg/w640-h288/20230415_153535.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">But then that was it for the famed Porter service. I didn’t see
most of the crew again – no idea where they went. I sat with my garbage for a good
two hours. Eventually, one attendant came by to collect refuse. She did the front
third, and then the back third – I was in the middle so had a long wait. She
was working hard but her crewmates were MIA.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAIA5cthmAeyD1UX2J52ovxnBbzKRoI_VGTFgQklsoYnEwq5yAL47UqoGW7Tm78CHNcw4nzEhsOHiO5oaTNEIwWjiDaMS2pbgCAWsGtB6-KgjEKK2_9qChFtJQw1xhZaTyBxswT3_Rnh71Hdqfqdl2M-2h8TX4XdXkV0hrsr_KoFBqiASqCUfwQ/s4032/20230415_151839.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1816" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAIA5cthmAeyD1UX2J52ovxnBbzKRoI_VGTFgQklsoYnEwq5yAL47UqoGW7Tm78CHNcw4nzEhsOHiO5oaTNEIwWjiDaMS2pbgCAWsGtB6-KgjEKK2_9qChFtJQw1xhZaTyBxswT3_Rnh71Hdqfqdl2M-2h8TX4XdXkV0hrsr_KoFBqiASqCUfwQ/w180-h400/20230415_151839.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>I expected much better from Porter. Air Canada or WestJet
would have done two drink services – at the very least, a late flight water
service. Porter needs to do better.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I few into Pearson’s Terminal Three for my connecting flight
on to Ottawa, which ended up being on the same plane with a new crew. I
received an op-up into their Porter Reserve seats, which did indeed have a
little more pitch. This flight was quiet and uneventful.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Overall, Porter’s transcontinental service holds promise.
They have good planes, and if they can provide the expected Porter service,
they can capture a piece of the market less worried about chasing Aeroplan points.
And right now they’re dirt cheap – I paid under $300 for one-way Vancouver-Toronto-Ottawa.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But they need to improve the YVR experience and the in-flight
service and get the word out in Western markets. They’re a better bet than the
shaky low-cost carriers but less well known.<o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19402125.post-5382022433135700502023-07-03T12:49:00.000-04:002023-07-03T12:49:06.763-04:00Up in the air: Flying Harbour Air from Comox Harbour to Vancouver Harbour<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VeLl_mvrRWM" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Usually I take the ferry between the Comox Valley and Vancouver when I'm not flying directly back East, but on this trip I wanted to maximize my time in Vancouver without the half-day it takes to get to Nanaimo, make the crossing and get downtown from Horseshoe Bay. Researching, I learned that <a href="https://harbourair.com/" target="_blank">Harbour Air</a><span> flies harbour to harbour from Comox to Vancouver. The price was right enough, so I booked the first departure of the morning.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div>I found the <a href="https://harbourair.com/flight-info/book/gofares/#1656452706620-19775c03-74bb" target="_blank">pricing and fare structure a little confusing</a> and the web site verbiage wasn't a big help. Basically, it comes down to how much your luggage weighs an seat selection. But on my flight all the seats were basically the same and I didn't have a huge amount of luggage so it didn't really matter. I bought the upper fare to be safe but it wasn't really needed. I did get a coupon for a free drink in the Vancouver lounge I'll need to use on a future trip as it was too early to drink on arrival.</div><div><br /></div><div>We had a little trouble finding the Comox terminal, a little trailer on the far side of the park from where you usually go if you're visiting. I did like that they had a terminal doggo, who sat on my lap for a bit after the check-in formalities, and there was also another travelling doggo making the trip. They took our bags and then the pilot took us on a bit of a hike amongst the boats in the harbour to reach our place on the far side.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgs9wF1jnCTrtR7-ZDSI9--xylkwdRepsxRlfVU2GSUV1JzyFJUolekftrHxOBRS27eo4J8bBJ017OXtpQX_1I-DQNG7HCXneUPA0OSjDa96cLI8zMXp4RlT1YvOGeULM3QqeooW6A_ZTRwBKUZPCYz3BHzxDGUHkLFagbzeP5ltixBQHPaKeZ6w/s2728/20230414_085607.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="2728" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgs9wF1jnCTrtR7-ZDSI9--xylkwdRepsxRlfVU2GSUV1JzyFJUolekftrHxOBRS27eo4J8bBJ017OXtpQX_1I-DQNG7HCXneUPA0OSjDa96cLI8zMXp4RlT1YvOGeULM3QqeooW6A_ZTRwBKUZPCYz3BHzxDGUHkLFagbzeP5ltixBQHPaKeZ6w/w640-h426/20230414_085607.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Boarding was fairly quick, strapping on a seat belt and a flotation device in case of water landing, and after a safety briefing the engines were fired up and we began our takeoff roll in the harbour, giving me a good view of HMCS Quadra and out towards CFB Comox. The other side of the plane had the Courtenay view before we turned down the Straight of Georgia.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was a scenic view at a low altitude down the straight, offering a much better view than the same trip on one of the Air Canada or Pacific Coastal regional jets or Beech Airs at higher altitudes. </div><div><br /></div><div>Before too long we made our approach into Vancouver's Harbour, flying over Stanley Park and past the Lion's Gate Bridge and splashing down in the busy harbour before taxiing to the float plane terminal right behind the convention centre at Canada Place. I grabbed my bags and was a short walk from my downtown hotel.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEv2j8kCDpTJ6in0tNLwjUqnoDOKeCB4L0hr1qA6kdtGqAuFUG87jhWS778qV-OY78ZQhi_OFjqye0LnUs5pPT6T5shNnzT1j02Ytvym7btfZx-dlBXaMT5kE6xlDXDqpVGTj3GyOnaZ-bTbgynTL6coN-mvShfAZnJ870z2E2nkrnLv0CyjJ8A/s4032/20230414_094950.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEv2j8kCDpTJ6in0tNLwjUqnoDOKeCB4L0hr1qA6kdtGqAuFUG87jhWS778qV-OY78ZQhi_OFjqye0LnUs5pPT6T5shNnzT1j02Ytvym7btfZx-dlBXaMT5kE6xlDXDqpVGTj3GyOnaZ-bTbgynTL6coN-mvShfAZnJ870z2E2nkrnLv0CyjJ8A/w640-h288/20230414_094950.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>All in all, I enjoyed the experience -- definitely beat getting a ride to Nanaimo, and hour and a half on the ferry, and a long bus side downtown from Horseshoe Bay. And spectacular scenery. Though it does come at a cost premium.</div><div><br /></div><div>It worked for me this day was I didn't have a ton of baggage (shoulder bag and carry-on sized suitcase) and was staying downtown. If I had more bags or was going right to YVR it wouldn't have worked. But I hope circumstances align for me to try it again one day. After all, have that drink coupon to use...</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19402125.post-82751601118730522352023-06-03T23:39:00.000-04:002023-06-03T23:39:08.267-04:00Eating off the Hill: Sophie's Cosmic Cafe in Kitsilano<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvmfhh9vsguBGaTl0dtVY0k91fVIZ0q6vHshEz9X7xuoOHrmWlmrUvVJwPeuz1n9Df1FikzJmCUQ_TzH_egZ_Wy8nQhqtTBAW4JYpVGlXxAwlz9JcNcwdyenKS1v6lD_-mPs9XYqULL9Bfc_FvgldZ63Ca7Wkl-zYz3tfF3AZN8_97qHA8A4/s4032/20230414_124454.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvmfhh9vsguBGaTl0dtVY0k91fVIZ0q6vHshEz9X7xuoOHrmWlmrUvVJwPeuz1n9Df1FikzJmCUQ_TzH_egZ_Wy8nQhqtTBAW4JYpVGlXxAwlz9JcNcwdyenKS1v6lD_-mPs9XYqULL9Bfc_FvgldZ63Ca7Wkl-zYz3tfF3AZN8_97qHA8A4/w495-h223/20230414_124454.jpg" width="495" /></a></div>After my train journey back in April and a few days in the Comox Valley, I had some time in Vancouver my flight back to Ottawa. <p></p><p>It was a chance to have lunch with an old friend and, rather than dining downtown, he coaxed me out to Kitsilano for lunch at a popular neighbourhood spot: <a href="https://sophiescosmiccafe.com/" target="_blank">Sophie's Cosmic Cafe</a>.</p><p></p><p>I got there first thanks to Uber and grabbed a booth; I had been worried it would be hard to get a table but while it was busy, I got there before the lunch for got a spot no problem. </p><p>They have an extensive brunch menu but, as you know, I'm not a big breakfast guy, and had enough eggs on the train to last me for awhile. The lunch menu is a little more limited, but the Sophie's Cosmic Workout Burger calls my name. It's described as a 6oz lean beef patty topped with mushrooms, bacon, tomato, lettuce, mayo, with your choice of cheese. Served with fries and house salad.</p><p>I eyeball their fries on another table and decide just salad -- Caesar -- for me please. My friend gets the same burger but passes on the salad for fries-only, so I tell the waitress that he's welcome to my ration of fries. He also gets a milk shake, which he says they are known more. I stick with Diet Coke.</p><p>Service is efficient and we don't need to wait too long for our meals to arrive. I am advised to report the milk shake is excellent. The Diet Coke was, well, it was Diet Coke.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmPkVZtOkO5XPnlDYKEo58MxGvWSSao8D4YVJuFOROuY3tVMh-HkCCs3RzHkppEvZkvE-WBq5b7K7V16W4FskPN_zXWcrd_9obJnMyPDtJG_rr9TxJem0botewaoWgQDv8-QwO9kfTmo5V22vv9A18vwk24z4VzcoXgV6LK3hOyMQkHVXwGE/s4032/20230414_120654.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmPkVZtOkO5XPnlDYKEo58MxGvWSSao8D4YVJuFOROuY3tVMh-HkCCs3RzHkppEvZkvE-WBq5b7K7V16W4FskPN_zXWcrd_9obJnMyPDtJG_rr9TxJem0botewaoWgQDv8-QwO9kfTmo5V22vv9A18vwk24z4VzcoXgV6LK3hOyMQkHVXwGE/w640-h288/20230414_120654.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The salad was creamy and garlicky and I certainly didn't need the fries to go with it. The burger was cooked well, the bacon crispy and mushrooms sauteed nicely. Lunch filled me up so I didn't need to buy any disappointing ball park food at the Canadians matinee at the Nat that afternoon.</p><p>All in all, a good lunch with good company at a local greasy spoon. Perhaps a smidge more bougie than your typical greasy spoon (shows more in the breakfast menu) but on point for the Kits neighbourhood.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQ8DO4N15aBYSsjopBv8hb1-bL90PMslSrDm8_CGcCBbS9c4iNa-45zR8g_Q7IfUBl7CZhK5ksev4FrKtRAoim4MfSFpKmXbMwgVL8Z_KjV_pNxJ1uIUg9K_rcO4NOIIPNJ4MS3F0JJwtX2CcQGqPQBdRYhAKhnC-4TKFbW85AXIAVlosd6E/s721/341225514_754655456040501_9151752929027277171_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="721" height="604" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQ8DO4N15aBYSsjopBv8hb1-bL90PMslSrDm8_CGcCBbS9c4iNa-45zR8g_Q7IfUBl7CZhK5ksev4FrKtRAoim4MfSFpKmXbMwgVL8Z_KjV_pNxJ1uIUg9K_rcO4NOIIPNJ4MS3F0JJwtX2CcQGqPQBdRYhAKhnC-4TKFbW85AXIAVlosd6E/w640-h604/341225514_754655456040501_9151752929027277171_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19402125.post-71442225181527513052023-06-02T10:23:00.003-04:002023-06-02T10:23:35.236-04:00Eating off the Hill: Fish and Chips at Surfside in Comox<p> I always
say when you’re having fish, get as close to the ocean as possible. If you can
dine outside and smell the salt air, even better.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Whenever I’m
back home in the Comox Valley I always get fish and chips. Usually I’m back in
the winter, but recently during a spring visit I was back in time for the
opening for the season of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SurfsideFishAndChips/" target="_blank">Surfside</a>, a fish and chip truck in the part next to the
Comox Harbour.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">They have
an extensive menu, from traditional fish & chops to po’ boys, tacos and
oysters. I’ll have to try a po’ boy on a future visit to see how they compare
to New Orleans, but on my first visit I stuck to my standard: halibut and
chips, sub onion rings for the chips. I also got a cup of chowder, which came
with grilled garlic bread.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOIgcUxvQp_83XSEkFGUWiZ0KNVHmQ8OxgkKeDsDvFK-YoUoROuh7YwOkBjlXRviUY3UCJBjMtYmyfBPi1vlu0GyHuB2MBChdzGcLMqsTTXJlWWEd7i7Zi_wCz_zQ8a5zC1CIsHvCt8jWb1fCBe15GmcFzsND2bZ0zJ4V50f_dlageuAZOJk/s4032/20230411_122644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOIgcUxvQp_83XSEkFGUWiZ0KNVHmQ8OxgkKeDsDvFK-YoUoROuh7YwOkBjlXRviUY3UCJBjMtYmyfBPi1vlu0GyHuB2MBChdzGcLMqsTTXJlWWEd7i7Zi_wCz_zQ8a5zC1CIsHvCt8jWb1fCBe15GmcFzsND2bZ0zJ4V50f_dlageuAZOJk/w640-h288/20230411_122644.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>They cook
it fresh, which was fine because I wasn’t early. It also gave me time to check
their math, as even with tax it didn’t seem to add up. I wasn’t expecting it to
be cheap, but this was a little crazy. Turns out they did get the math wrong by
almost $10, which I got back when I asked them to run the numbers again. So do
check their math, as that’s too much to let go.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Only other negative
was Diet Pepsi instead of Diet Coke, but we can live with that.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJp20l101441c2Y2iee3Eoi86gRT3GF8Ych68ZIwobbzBbf7_Bf15ANmqNeCbx-YWsQP5naA6Y751y1FpRlEpnhThZQQvSOnxYGMRxW7znsPsLgEH2dmz0VFW3wpfZeUrxbYIX4ZrHbQs_YVgxtaxm6yp5iodrQxEjihnmMa27MLxLQSHwoic/s4032/20230411_122652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJp20l101441c2Y2iee3Eoi86gRT3GF8Ych68ZIwobbzBbf7_Bf15ANmqNeCbx-YWsQP5naA6Y751y1FpRlEpnhThZQQvSOnxYGMRxW7znsPsLgEH2dmz0VFW3wpfZeUrxbYIX4ZrHbQs_YVgxtaxm6yp5iodrQxEjihnmMa27MLxLQSHwoic/w640-h288/20230411_122652.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">I took my
food to a picnic table in the park and dug in. The chowder was tasty and warmed
the heart. The onion rings were thin and crunch, as I like them. Some places go
too heavy on the batter; they did not. Slaw was slaw. Halibut was delicious,
flaky, yummy. My favourite for fish and chips.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A good
lunch on a nice day in the park with a breeze off the harbour, but not cheap
and check their math.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEOrHdbj2CLCmUw4w7m9pqAWBZkSv4UBohBWIrT6PVMKmuwYY8oXZXD8HfqMM2gS_NfajmBBsvQt5f5lmnyT2QOYOPZr1joaHisBz2CvxHVd_mJ5J_nsk-ar-GshrhN9U_SmUyo8mKXnFbznmRzpnJnhjrLs6i5Sci3Oq2Q8QYUjqUaQ7IWQ/s4032/20230411_122029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEOrHdbj2CLCmUw4w7m9pqAWBZkSv4UBohBWIrT6PVMKmuwYY8oXZXD8HfqMM2gS_NfajmBBsvQt5f5lmnyT2QOYOPZr1joaHisBz2CvxHVd_mJ5J_nsk-ar-GshrhN9U_SmUyo8mKXnFbznmRzpnJnhjrLs6i5Sci3Oq2Q8QYUjqUaQ7IWQ/w640-h288/20230411_122029.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Comox Harbour, Comox Valley, BC, Canada49.662041268536314 -124.941424549464621.351807432357468 -160.09767454946461 77.972275104715152 -89.7851745494646tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19402125.post-15695702709992326402023-05-30T16:44:00.000-04:002023-05-30T16:44:00.292-04:007th Inning Stretch at the Blue Jays Game in 2023<div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z1aRlrjrG5A" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>On May 20, 2023, Blue Jays fans sing OK Blue Jays and Take Me Out to the Ball Game during the seventh inning stretch at Rogers Centre in Toronto.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19402125.post-66845709436763195732023-05-16T22:42:00.001-04:002023-05-16T22:42:20.933-04:00Day 5 on VIA Rail's The Canadian: Vancouver at last<div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hzS3sT46qCU" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>Day five of my transcontinental journey began in my home province of British Columbia, with the Rocky Mountains having passed behind us in the darkness of night. Which, without any city lights, is really dark. As I lifted the shades for my glimpse of home I was greeted with -- a graffiti-emblazoned freight train in the Kamloops rail yard.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thankfully, it would get better. This part of BC always reminds me of Montana, and as we chugged out of the yard I was greeted by the hilly, rocky, brown terrain of the BC Interior. And lots of water, from lakes to the Thompson River, which flows into the Fraser River all the way to the Lower Mainland.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQ8e1cKT5JMzB5NhqwENpKg4mOEQZfnx7gERjVLlUWYQJU2mUlCpTzTsda29mDQAphfSH-piXa5RhOvhfXB-46KL06bQnlYhg2kA-zXL42OUlK9VlDAMljLn11q-eafq93OL-wEOXXvSOWO6JiBb_DEvNeLm_Te1bjfsOnYibzVKT52_uThc/s4032/20230409_083843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQ8e1cKT5JMzB5NhqwENpKg4mOEQZfnx7gERjVLlUWYQJU2mUlCpTzTsda29mDQAphfSH-piXa5RhOvhfXB-46KL06bQnlYhg2kA-zXL42OUlK9VlDAMljLn11q-eafq93OL-wEOXXvSOWO6JiBb_DEvNeLm_Te1bjfsOnYibzVKT52_uThc/w640-h288/20230409_083843.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>I went down the train for one last breakfast -- usually its served almost on arrival to Vancouver early morning. But we're still about eight hours behind schedule, so we'd get one more meal after this. I opted for the banana pecan pancakes with real maple syrup. Inexplicably they had no pecans, but the pancakes were still banana-y and delish. And as it was my last breakfast onboard I got two proteins -- bacon AND sausage. Living the dream. Train calories don't count, right?</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1z0Ct2KGs3XDLc4-_Ppwudx99ph4IFdV__bYEe-Hhzby-H5Ief2iARqj4MWuXgCSSBy8MGPRkR1MBp5iWLxj0m7P8eV2zjlP0NP1EEG4EfOPSrrryByAXoq7x_Irvri-PPUz6D-fVNzFjkEF4elFv9mOI8uCGvVMzRb5ytyoVemyTxmqAvQ8/s4032/20230409_075436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1z0Ct2KGs3XDLc4-_Ppwudx99ph4IFdV__bYEe-Hhzby-H5Ief2iARqj4MWuXgCSSBy8MGPRkR1MBp5iWLxj0m7P8eV2zjlP0NP1EEG4EfOPSrrryByAXoq7x_Irvri-PPUz6D-fVNzFjkEF4elFv9mOI8uCGvVMzRb5ytyoVemyTxmqAvQ8/w640-h288/20230409_075436.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>While bummed to have missed most of the Rockies, usually this stretch through BC would be in the dark Westbound, with arrival in Vancouver around 8AM. So to see BC in the day was an opportunity, and really was a treat.</div><div><br /></div><div>We followed the Thompson River until it flowed into the Fraser -- these are the rivers that built BC. They spawn the salmon that supported Indigenous communities and later vibrant commercial and spots industries as well. They supported the mighty BC forestry sector, floating logs downriver in the early days.</div><div><br /></div><div>We got to see where the Thompson flows into the Fraser, each river a different colour as they meet before eventually blending together further downstream.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpjsKVSzBztvXx8pLh_ArGAEj86RyVcSfQR-0V8cXUEZyEdgjUtVG_Ocz94BeaXKlF2_zio2o54N9Ki3YhNsn_hromUWP5LNcOIOEUOLu3p4WExetaojuYqIPtDWsI6LKIxSvO9WuSODAoVIRxeJ5q_psgT1BMDLIln_5njQZvhsf4odBU0Q/s4032/20230409_095445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpjsKVSzBztvXx8pLh_ArGAEj86RyVcSfQR-0V8cXUEZyEdgjUtVG_Ocz94BeaXKlF2_zio2o54N9Ki3YhNsn_hromUWP5LNcOIOEUOLu3p4WExetaojuYqIPtDWsI6LKIxSvO9WuSODAoVIRxeJ5q_psgT1BMDLIln_5njQZvhsf4odBU0Q/w640-h288/20230409_095445.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>For many miles, the CN and CPR tracks ran on parallel sides of the river. We went through tunnels and by water falls. We passed by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hells_Gate_(British_Columbia)" target="_blank">Hell's Gate</a>, where a sudden narrowing of the river due to a rock slide caused by track construction was an early ecological disaster, at a heavy cost to salmon migration. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JLdl9W2Uw6mxikHjeEWwGZvf-fOS6fEkeTHps8zyc6abwSP9FzbsNFPJxfHxQpzMYUnC42wAhrRBS0YPwJkSoR5xxP5b5l4iSraO0S1dFB5H9U8vp9XuaHfoR6PPjbQyv1MIE-s88RDmy7ihG_K4RSrAH3EI7cpvcP4W1FGbtjFDfkNOOqk/s4032/20230409_111324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JLdl9W2Uw6mxikHjeEWwGZvf-fOS6fEkeTHps8zyc6abwSP9FzbsNFPJxfHxQpzMYUnC42wAhrRBS0YPwJkSoR5xxP5b5l4iSraO0S1dFB5H9U8vp9XuaHfoR6PPjbQyv1MIE-s88RDmy7ihG_K4RSrAH3EI7cpvcP4W1FGbtjFDfkNOOqk/w640-h288/20230409_111324.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>It was a pleasure to watch as the landscape changed from barren to forested, from brown to green, reminding me of the diversity of my home province. </div><div><br /></div><div>We had a bonus lunch, as this was an unplanned for meal. During our extended stop in Saskatoon the chef went foraging for extra supplies, and we were presented with an impromptu menu to our amusement.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDq1M10G-i2BdYlI3WGr2xmntYT2yOVM1_FpIqO5jszW8qemOBZDzAJTWjsCwa3GAYYPHByEpIVbef5swgWacbEnRJslG4W5xZnvRhtye52Gb5gQcnzHMgnI40vW9YG6HciUn9ZdHmw9941LsJTgYGR1KKSctxr_KElomWbB41kjN4L5_EiYQ/s4032/20230409_113515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDq1M10G-i2BdYlI3WGr2xmntYT2yOVM1_FpIqO5jszW8qemOBZDzAJTWjsCwa3GAYYPHByEpIVbef5swgWacbEnRJslG4W5xZnvRhtye52Gb5gQcnzHMgnI40vW9YG6HciUn9ZdHmw9941LsJTgYGR1KKSctxr_KElomWbB41kjN4L5_EiYQ/w288-h640/20230409_113515.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><br /><div>They had lunch covered, though they told me with a laugh they'd have had a hard time if they had to serve dinner as well. Impressive though they could still provide four options, including a veg. I went with the beef on a bun -- the cheese shred was an interesting choice but overall I enjoyed it a lot. Both our dining car crews were amazing, from the chefs to the wait staff, and they all earned their optional tips.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDa_BktXnxUcDn3SgXqxdXnDNN70EVUbDbcERDeb-_U5KygQ8ShzX5E6tmSGN6FXKcWFHFiCY-sqUb06eRMhxSWd-Un1ivVjtwfHEWEozKpE948PDd8dKV4cBbSe4lQj8e_dxRO5HoAeEGQmzn13kF0Jk0L28sVw4xbbXaU1jADIpbJoUGfI/s3070/20230409_120658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="3070" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDa_BktXnxUcDn3SgXqxdXnDNN70EVUbDbcERDeb-_U5KygQ8ShzX5E6tmSGN6FXKcWFHFiCY-sqUb06eRMhxSWd-Un1ivVjtwfHEWEozKpE948PDd8dKV4cBbSe4lQj8e_dxRO5HoAeEGQmzn13kF0Jk0L28sVw4xbbXaU1jADIpbJoUGfI/w640-h378/20230409_120658.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Over lunch we made it to the Fraser Valley, passing through Chilliwack and into BC's agricultural heartland. Farm fields would give way to signs of the forestry industry coming into Surrey, crossing the Fraser into New Westminster and finally a round about route to back into Vancouver station around 4PM. </div><div><br /></div><div>And just like that it was over as I deboarded the train for the final time, looking back before I went to get an Uber to Horseshoe Bay and a ferry to Vancouver Island. Rushing to catch a sailing, like all good BCers do.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm so glad I had this experience. I'm not sure I would do it at the cash price, but if circumstances allowed I would totally do it again. Despite all my research and videos watched, it still defied my expectations.</div><div><br /></div><div>I brought many snacks and podcasts and e-books to entertain me. Didn't need them. First of all, they fed us so much I was never hungry. Time slows down on the train. You'd linger over a meal, talking with the strangers you're sat with, not realizing nearly two hours have passed. And it's amazing how the days can fly by just enjoying the scenery out the window. </div><div><br /></div><div>From the lakes of cottage country to the woods of Northern Ontario, from the plains of the prairies to the snow-capped peaks of the Rockies, on down along the mighty rivers of BC, Canada is a huge and varied and beautiful country.</div><div><br /></div><div>And I met many interesting people, and managed to avoid any political debates despite the first part of every new conversation being what do you do, and the answer being I work for an MP. I didn't offer what party, and no one asked. </div><div><br /></div><div><br />I talked about clean energy with a businessperson travelling from Winnipeg to Saskatoon. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuP3hEV2jUcxjaj_RQWv5Fjk54tT8qZGR3PMeKrYWvcBFIIdDxuYDGNNLuMu1sYyGSFZxfeFvSPc5V2IjVU1WNwUNeocm8HJGiCBEDP1_Ym_ixrR-ifJOXnz77bk7Sh-kIoBCMSFnYkMMZej4zC8JngziekQakjccEGgJar5uxUKDoi9h_9lk/s2944/20230409_181638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="2208" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuP3hEV2jUcxjaj_RQWv5Fjk54tT8qZGR3PMeKrYWvcBFIIdDxuYDGNNLuMu1sYyGSFZxfeFvSPc5V2IjVU1WNwUNeocm8HJGiCBEDP1_Ym_ixrR-ifJOXnz77bk7Sh-kIoBCMSFnYkMMZej4zC8JngziekQakjccEGgJar5uxUKDoi9h_9lk/w300-h400/20230409_181638.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>About teaching and support for special needs teachers with a retired teacher from Northern Ontario. </div><div><br /></div><div>About the skilled trades with a guy from Edmonton. </div><div><br /></div><div>One retired gentleman told me he reminded me of a former mayor of Calgary -- I think he met Naheed Nenshi? He assured me it was a compliment and I took it as such. Must be the glasses?</div><div><br /></div><div>I had two meals with a woman from Quebec City who has taken this trip nearly 200 times and speaks no English. We managed to communicate despite my atrocious grammar and limited vocabulary. She too generously complimented by French -- it made me more determined to do the French lessons we're offered at work.</div><div><br /></div><div>I didn't care that we were late. As I said, it was about the journey. And what a journey it was. I'd do it again, though in a bedroom rather than the cabin for one. I wouldn't mind redoing Jasper onward in daylight.</div><div><br /></div><div>Until then, a business trip to Toronto awaits. By train, of course. </div><div><br /></div><div>But next epic journey will be The Ocean to Halifax, to complete my coast to coast train journey. Hopefully one day soon. </div><div><br /></div><div>Can't wait.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0