Reviewing the noshes at the Laurier Club summer thingy

It's garden party season in Ottawa. And while there's usually no garden, there are usually nibbles. As there was on Monday as Liberal Party donors gathered at the Canadian War Museum.

It was packed and the mood was ebullient, a start contrast to the mood at the Holiday party just six months ago across the river at the Canadian Museum of History. This meant Liberal fortunes have improved, and food lines would probably be longer.

Thankfully though, the lines were just at the bars and I was able to make the food rounds easily. There were pass appies and the usual charcuterie on offer, but I'll focus on the three food stations.

Up first was the bao station. At first, I was told it would be tofu bao and I was displeased. Then, that was corrected -- hey, there's also fried chicken -- and like Liberal poll numbers since February, my spirits were immediately lifted. 

The bao was fresh, the veggies crisp, and the fried chicken crunchy and juicy. A bit messy with the sauce, but delicious nonetheless.

After finishing my first glass of wine (a light pour, to be fair) I went off to find the source of what I thought, based on a discarded empty bowl, would be a risotto station. But I would soon learn that on offer was actually Ahi Tuna Poke bowls.

I was faced with a dilemma because I have always turned my nose up at tuna. I like fish, but the smell of tuna always put me off. It was put to me recently though that that's canned tuna, and I should try the higher end and fresh variety. So I decided to take a shot.

This was raw tuna, but just little bits and mixed with other things. I tried it. No off putting smell. Not saying I'm going to suddenly start eating sushi. But with sticky rice, fancy mayo and veg, this worked.

Venturing outside to refresh my wine as the outside bar was far more accessible, I found that there was a chip truck offering poutine. In the interest of food review science, I had to give it a try.

I liked the green onions, the gravy was fine, and the fries were shoestring -- regular readers will know I don't care for potato-heavy fries. My one note would be the curds. While there was plenty, I think they could have been fresher. Curd aficionados will know the freshest curds are squeaky when chewed. That was missing here. But as far as poutine goes, it was fine.

So my rankings would be in the order I ate them actually: bao, then poke bowl, then poutine.

Wine refreshed, a speech from the leader who filled the room and brightened the vibes, and then it was home to rest up for the next garden party.

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Eating up the Hill: Possible Cinnamon pasta at likely my last Hill reception for awhile

Didn't realize it at the time, but the Women Entrepreneurs on the Hill reception last Wednesday was, with a possible extended recess looming, likely my last Hill reception for a little while. So thankfully, I got some pictures.

The catering at this reception was actually pretty on point. Right upon entry, the smell of garlic and pasta greeted me and led be to a table where two pasta dishes were being prepared and plated (bowled?) After an explanation from the chef, I took one of each.

The veggie risotto was well-cooked and hearty, with nice flavour. Mushrooms, carrots, herbs, all good. But the penne, omg it was so good. Rich flavour, shaved cheese, tasty tasty, but there was a secret unexpected ingredient -- pretty sure it was cinnamon -- that made it so good. Reminds me of when, in my youth, I did potatoes on the bbq with cinamon (cooked in foil with butter). Fam was skeptical until they tasted it - delish. I may need to try to replicate this pasta myself at home. A light touch will be key. But well done and a nice treat.

Some pass appies came by, including a shrimp spring roll and beef on a bun.

On my second trip to the food table, I passed on the poutine being assembled on site but talked the chef into putting some curds on a mini-bratwurst for me -- and got agreement without hesitation. Some of the millenials will call it a food hack but that's stupid -- hacking is for computers. This isn't just putting cheese on a brat. Chicago has been doing that for generations. It was good. And a quality bun too with some chew, which was a pleasant surprise.

I stopped by the Canadian Foodgrains Bank Reception but didn't get any shots of the pass appies. And the Canadian Cattleman were down the street at SJAM for their annual beefy reception, but alas, I had filled up already.

Here's hoping everyone listens to the medical professionals and we're all back to normal again soon. I still have some past meals to blog, and then I guess it will be more home cooking reviews. Be well, my foodie friends.

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Eating OFF the Hill: Day Three in Quebec City

Breakfast on Thursday was the rest of yesterday's leftover tossard from Paillard, so for lunch I took the funicular down to lower town and managed to duck into Cochon Dingue just before the skies opened up.

Cochon Dingue

I was excited about both my choices at Cochon Dingue, but what really cemented the choice for me was the Charlevoix three cheese fondue appetizer. Haven't had fondue in forever, and was really looking forward to it. The menu description: three cheese fondues, Charlevoix cheese. Unfortunately, something may have been misunderstood in the translation, as here's what I got:

I was expecting a pot of hot melted Charlevoix three-cheese blend, and some bread on the side for dipping in said piping hot cheese. When the waitress placed this in front of me, I asked "is this the foundue" thinking perhaps there had been a mistake. But oui, I was told, c'est la fondue. Does fondue mean croquette? Isn't that also a french word?

Anyway, a bit disappointed, I dug in. There was at least melty tasty cheese on the inside, although not as piping hot as I would have liked. The accompanying berries were nice, but perhaps a bit strong in taste, almost overwhelming that of the cheese. A tasty enough appy, but overpriced for what you got and not the fondue I was looking for.

Thankfully, the main did not disappoint. When I saw the fish that Brian Tobin almost went to war with Spain over on the menu, I knew I had to see what the fuss was about and order the blackened local turbot with hollandaise sauce, veggies and rice. I love blackened fish, and this was not far behind my favourite ever blackened fish dish: the blackened drum I had at K-Paul's in New Orleans, where they invented the process.

This turbot didn't melt like butter the way the drum did, but it was tender, had a nice flavour, and the right amount of delicious crisp. The veggies were fine, the rice was plain but that was solved by mixing it with the hollandaise.

No room for dessert, the rain was finished and I had plans for a city and river tour.

Chez AshTon

Having gone on the fancier side for lunch, after my afternoon and evening of multi-modal touring I decided to finally hit the recommended fast food joint for a late dinner before heading back to the AirBNB. After all, I was told the trip would be a waste if I didn't hit Chez AshTon.

Rather than a Quebec McDonald's, I would say it's more like a Quebec Harvey's, with a dash of Arby's. Burgers, hot dogs, roast beef sandwiches and poutine are most of the menu.

I went with their signature double Ashton burger, which is a basic cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, and a thousand island dressing. The double patties are a must, as each aren't very big at all. It was a reasonable fast food burger.

Also had the regular style poutine (they have a bunch of fancier ones, but I went traditional). This is the bebe/baby size, they have two larger sizes. It was pretty good. I'm not usually a big poutine or fries guys, but the gravy was plentiful and tasty, as were the squeaky curds, and I finished it all off.

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