Winter is definitely a key season for comfort food, and after just a few months in K-W, it's looking like schnitzel might become one of mine. To be fair, tonkatsu is more or less its Japanese equivalent, and I lived off of that for a while in Japan...
That said, the Lion Brewery's Schnitzel Parmesan was worth the stop: it's a lot of food, but leftovers are nothing to complain about! The side of applesauce puzzled me momentarily(I get that pork and apple products are commonly served together, but was it a dipping sauce? Mini dessert?) but it was ultimately enjoyed along with the other sides: tart wine sauerkraut and perfectly roasted potatoes. (The seasonal veggies were crisp and fresh, but when presented with this much food, a girl's got to have priorities!)
The schnitzel itself was perched on top of the sides, and topped with halved cherry tomatoes, tomato sauce, and parmesan & mozzarella cheese - yum. Definitely decadent, and happily not fried to a crisp.
Several menu items play off of leonine/safari themes: salads are "from the grassy plains", and the falafel is "ferocious" which led to a grin or two as M and a friend of ours ordered the Predator's Spare Ribs. The ribs were falling off the bones, and covered in a sweet-smoky barbecue sauce; I liked the mashed yams - a simple twist from the usual potato side - and the campfire beans had a hint of something that could have been molasses which made them more memorable.
Our friends ordered the Salmon Machungwa (Google tells me that Machungwa is Swahili for "orange") with braised leeks; it looked delicious and disappeared quickly, as did the Chicken Pub Pie, which was smaller than most offerings I've seen in pubs, but the side of fries or salad makes it a solid meal.
Somewhat blasphemously, none of us tried any of the beer (considering it's a brewery...) but I can vouch for their honey brown lager from past experience.
As an aside, if you're looking this place up and are new to the area, the brewery is in the basement of the Huether Hotel; Cafe 1842 occupies the main floor (mostly serving coffees, bagels, desserts, and ice cream) and Barley Works (fun pub atmosphere with a great summer patio) is on the top floor.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Review: 41
41 can't help but make a good first impression. From the stylish, warm interior characterized by exposed brick, high ceilings, plush booths and fresh alstroemeria on every table to the way the maitre d' put a commendable amount of work into finding my family a table (that said, dinner reservations are recommended!), it's easy to tell that this place was created as a labour of love.
41 is a revisioning of a classic kid on the block - it opened on April 15, 2010 - although head chef and proprietor Peter Martin stayed on board from when it was known as Peter Martin's 20 King. From a quick menu survey, 41 has kept 20 King's focus on gourmet dining featuring a variety of meats while expanding in the direction of "gourmet comfort food".
That said, while the food is delicious, the wine list solid (Dad was pleased to note a favorite Malbec), the fries addictive, and I wish I could adopt or learn the secrets of the person who makes their smoky, chipotle-tinged ketchup or spicy blueberry mustard (the latter sounds crazy but it is a thing of beauty) there is room for improvement.
Firstly, the website is in need of updating; most of the dinner menu entrees are listed on the website as anywhere from 1-4 dollars less than what we paid during our visit, and the dessert menu "singles" are around $7 (although a chocolate/vanilla cookie has been added). Prices go up; that's part of the business. But when they do, I believe it should be the restaurant's responsibility to let potential customers know what they're in for.
Service for the most part was solid, and everyone has their rushed days, but literally dropping a soup spoon on the table in front of my dad before rushing away without a word? Not so much. And at least tonight, 41 suffered from unattractive side plating and a minimal serving of sides on the Wild Boar Schnitzel (which three of us ordered; my siblings did much better with the buttermilk mashed potatoes and fries that came with their dishes.) Also, I'm naive enough (and visit St. Jacobs' market enough, where they're readily available and not that expensive) to expect that when a menu says a $25 entree is served with fingerling potatoes, there will be more than two or three, and they'll be plated attractively. The fennel and beets served with the potatoes were a sweet-sharp counterpoint, but I couldn't help but want a little more.
My favorite main course was the chicken Kiev - a great mix of flavours and the chicken was perfectly cooked; as well, the sarsaparilla short ribs had the best plating and melted off the bone (yum to the root beer jus; another unlikely mix that turned out deliciously!) The wild boar schnitzel was good and filling, but pounded thin enough that it was hard to discern any boary flavour; M enjoyed it, but he noted quietly that "it could have been anything."
(We're coming back for the 20Kinger burgers and fries - we watched way too many emerge from the kitchen to not give them a try!)
And the evening ended on a positive note: dessert!
My sister's sweet tooth is legendary, and she closed in on the creme brulee; rich, creamy, and with a smooth, strong vanilla flavour... I almost kept it upon my chance to try it. I chose the lemon tart, which was a knockout too, nicely contrasted by a small bowl of raspberry sorbet. M was the only guy at our table to join us in dessert, and chose the triple chocolate tower with Bailey's cream on the side; I'm not much of a chocolate dessert girl, but with a white, milk, and dark chocolate layer, it was beautifully presented and not too heavy (key, as schnitzel is sneaky; it doesn't look like a lot, but we were both very full at the end of the night!)
Having awesome desserts swayed me, in the end; 41 has a ton of potential, and there's something to be said for supporting locally owned and operated businesses, too. I just hope they update their website between now and then.
41 is a revisioning of a classic kid on the block - it opened on April 15, 2010 - although head chef and proprietor Peter Martin stayed on board from when it was known as Peter Martin's 20 King. From a quick menu survey, 41 has kept 20 King's focus on gourmet dining featuring a variety of meats while expanding in the direction of "gourmet comfort food".
That said, while the food is delicious, the wine list solid (Dad was pleased to note a favorite Malbec), the fries addictive, and I wish I could adopt or learn the secrets of the person who makes their smoky, chipotle-tinged ketchup or spicy blueberry mustard (the latter sounds crazy but it is a thing of beauty) there is room for improvement.
Firstly, the website is in need of updating; most of the dinner menu entrees are listed on the website as anywhere from 1-4 dollars less than what we paid during our visit, and the dessert menu "singles" are around $7 (although a chocolate/vanilla cookie has been added). Prices go up; that's part of the business. But when they do, I believe it should be the restaurant's responsibility to let potential customers know what they're in for.
Service for the most part was solid, and everyone has their rushed days, but literally dropping a soup spoon on the table in front of my dad before rushing away without a word? Not so much. And at least tonight, 41 suffered from unattractive side plating and a minimal serving of sides on the Wild Boar Schnitzel (which three of us ordered; my siblings did much better with the buttermilk mashed potatoes and fries that came with their dishes.) Also, I'm naive enough (and visit St. Jacobs' market enough, where they're readily available and not that expensive) to expect that when a menu says a $25 entree is served with fingerling potatoes, there will be more than two or three, and they'll be plated attractively. The fennel and beets served with the potatoes were a sweet-sharp counterpoint, but I couldn't help but want a little more.
My favorite main course was the chicken Kiev - a great mix of flavours and the chicken was perfectly cooked; as well, the sarsaparilla short ribs had the best plating and melted off the bone (yum to the root beer jus; another unlikely mix that turned out deliciously!) The wild boar schnitzel was good and filling, but pounded thin enough that it was hard to discern any boary flavour; M enjoyed it, but he noted quietly that "it could have been anything."
(We're coming back for the 20Kinger burgers and fries - we watched way too many emerge from the kitchen to not give them a try!)
And the evening ended on a positive note: dessert!
My sister's sweet tooth is legendary, and she closed in on the creme brulee; rich, creamy, and with a smooth, strong vanilla flavour... I almost kept it upon my chance to try it. I chose the lemon tart, which was a knockout too, nicely contrasted by a small bowl of raspberry sorbet. M was the only guy at our table to join us in dessert, and chose the triple chocolate tower with Bailey's cream on the side; I'm not much of a chocolate dessert girl, but with a white, milk, and dark chocolate layer, it was beautifully presented and not too heavy (key, as schnitzel is sneaky; it doesn't look like a lot, but we were both very full at the end of the night!)
Having awesome desserts swayed me, in the end; 41 has a ton of potential, and there's something to be said for supporting locally owned and operated businesses, too. I just hope they update their website between now and then.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Review: Hometown Eatery
I should say that I've been to Hometown Eatery before - it was the first restaurant that I visited upon moving to the KW area - but when dining out, it's inevitable that certain things on the menu will catch your eye.
And so it was with Yukiko's lemon poppyseed slaw and the Polenta Lasagna; though happily distracted by the burger selection (which has got great variety and taste), something told me that these would be worth trying.
So, book in hand, I wandered back. I was on the late side of lunch, but the cafe was bustling with friends and coworkers out for dessert or a more substantial meal. I enjoy eating out on my own every so often (it's a great way to people-watch and to get in some writing) and it's always interesting to see how servers/hostesses treat you upon realizing your singledom. Props to the server at Hometown, who smiled genuinely with her "for one?" and bustled me over to my choice of two tables.
Hometown Eatery, or Yukiko's, as some locals still call it, is bright and whimsical; well-lit with a mix of abstract canvas art and pop-art-esque depictions of food nestled beside chalkboard lists of beer on tap (considerable; lots of in-province breweries) and daily specials. I was disappointed to see a lack of Ontario wines on the winelist, but think that this has more to do with liquor laws than Hometown's interest in having them on the list. Plus, although it was 5:00 somewhere, I stuck to water.
My lemon poppyseed slaw arrived first; the dressing was crisp and refreshing with lots of poppyseeds, and while the slaw was crisp and not pre-packaged, I couldn't help but wish for a bit more of a punch in flavour and texture (sliced almonds? red cabbage?) Still, it was enjoyable, and a good precursor to...
Lasagna! It's one of my favorite comfort foods, and appeared in an oblong baked-pasta bowl with two slices of in-house rosemary bread (YUM). The bread was handy for soaking up the pasta sauce, and the lasagna itself was a yummy twist on the traditional version. The veggies (mushrooms, cauliflower, zucchini, onions, and peppers) and generous amount of melted mozzarella made a tasty counterpoint to the discs of polenta; I'm not certain I've been fully seduced away from the traditional combination of noodles/mozza/meat, but this was a delicious alternative!
...It's not necessarily lighter, though - I was still pretty full at dinner.
Service at Hometown can be uneven (read: slow, although always friendly) but today my server was excellent, even though she was doubling as hostess. With tax and tip, my bill was close to $20, which is on the expensive side, but with most of the dishes, a side is included, and the polenta's one of the more expensive items. I'd save it for dinner in future, but I'm sure I'll be back.
And so it was with Yukiko's lemon poppyseed slaw and the Polenta Lasagna; though happily distracted by the burger selection (which has got great variety and taste), something told me that these would be worth trying.
So, book in hand, I wandered back. I was on the late side of lunch, but the cafe was bustling with friends and coworkers out for dessert or a more substantial meal. I enjoy eating out on my own every so often (it's a great way to people-watch and to get in some writing) and it's always interesting to see how servers/hostesses treat you upon realizing your singledom. Props to the server at Hometown, who smiled genuinely with her "for one?" and bustled me over to my choice of two tables.
Hometown Eatery, or Yukiko's, as some locals still call it, is bright and whimsical; well-lit with a mix of abstract canvas art and pop-art-esque depictions of food nestled beside chalkboard lists of beer on tap (considerable; lots of in-province breweries) and daily specials. I was disappointed to see a lack of Ontario wines on the winelist, but think that this has more to do with liquor laws than Hometown's interest in having them on the list. Plus, although it was 5:00 somewhere, I stuck to water.
My lemon poppyseed slaw arrived first; the dressing was crisp and refreshing with lots of poppyseeds, and while the slaw was crisp and not pre-packaged, I couldn't help but wish for a bit more of a punch in flavour and texture (sliced almonds? red cabbage?) Still, it was enjoyable, and a good precursor to...
Lasagna! It's one of my favorite comfort foods, and appeared in an oblong baked-pasta bowl with two slices of in-house rosemary bread (YUM). The bread was handy for soaking up the pasta sauce, and the lasagna itself was a yummy twist on the traditional version. The veggies (mushrooms, cauliflower, zucchini, onions, and peppers) and generous amount of melted mozzarella made a tasty counterpoint to the discs of polenta; I'm not certain I've been fully seduced away from the traditional combination of noodles/mozza/meat, but this was a delicious alternative!...It's not necessarily lighter, though - I was still pretty full at dinner.
Service at Hometown can be uneven (read: slow, although always friendly) but today my server was excellent, even though she was doubling as hostess. With tax and tip, my bill was close to $20, which is on the expensive side, but with most of the dishes, a side is included, and the polenta's one of the more expensive items. I'd save it for dinner in future, but I'm sure I'll be back.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Review: Puck 'n Wings
Puck 'n Wings is the kind of place that you almost don't want to recommend for fear of jinxing it. Almost.
But their $5/pound wing special on Monday nights is a great way to grab cheap eats in the Annex, and the place is worth it for the wings alone. I'm not a huge wing fan, as they're usually a lot of bone and fat for the price, but Puck's wings were meaty and covered in sauce; not for anyone on a diet, by a long shot, but I also spied a "make your own salad" menu, so there is at least one veggie-friendly dish available (aside from the edamame appetizer).
My table and I ordered three pounds of wings to share, after enjoying the tongue-in-cheek menu (filled with hockey puns and tie-ins). We ordered one pound of sauce-covered maple BBQ, another of red thai chili, and a caribbean jerk spice rub. The dry rub was our favorite but the other two were solid contenders. Wings come with a dipping sauce and carrot/celery sticks on every other night of the week (when they're $10/pound) but our server explained that due to the special, the wings came straight up on Mondays without the extra fixings. Truthfully? We didn't miss them.
The wings were hearty, so the MVP fries that we ordered on the side were poked at, found tasty, but ultimately abandoned in lieu of the wings. I liked the honey-mustard sauce they were served with, though!
The atmosphere is low-key, comfortable, and fast-paced, with lots of screens to watch a variety of sports (hockey and European football seemed to dominate), and lots of windows for people-watching if that's more your speed. The server staff seemed a little understaffed, but everyone was friendly and knowledgeable, and moved quickly to make sure that the diners were taken care of. Not an easy task - we got in before 6 PM, and the place was almost full.
I know I'll be back - maybe not to brave the inferno wings that rate a 6 on the 1-5 scale of heat - but maybe for another new flavour of wings and to catch the latest game.
Note: This was first posted on urbanspoon on Oct. 28, 2010.
But their $5/pound wing special on Monday nights is a great way to grab cheap eats in the Annex, and the place is worth it for the wings alone. I'm not a huge wing fan, as they're usually a lot of bone and fat for the price, but Puck's wings were meaty and covered in sauce; not for anyone on a diet, by a long shot, but I also spied a "make your own salad" menu, so there is at least one veggie-friendly dish available (aside from the edamame appetizer).
My table and I ordered three pounds of wings to share, after enjoying the tongue-in-cheek menu (filled with hockey puns and tie-ins). We ordered one pound of sauce-covered maple BBQ, another of red thai chili, and a caribbean jerk spice rub. The dry rub was our favorite but the other two were solid contenders. Wings come with a dipping sauce and carrot/celery sticks on every other night of the week (when they're $10/pound) but our server explained that due to the special, the wings came straight up on Mondays without the extra fixings. Truthfully? We didn't miss them.
The wings were hearty, so the MVP fries that we ordered on the side were poked at, found tasty, but ultimately abandoned in lieu of the wings. I liked the honey-mustard sauce they were served with, though!
The atmosphere is low-key, comfortable, and fast-paced, with lots of screens to watch a variety of sports (hockey and European football seemed to dominate), and lots of windows for people-watching if that's more your speed. The server staff seemed a little understaffed, but everyone was friendly and knowledgeable, and moved quickly to make sure that the diners were taken care of. Not an easy task - we got in before 6 PM, and the place was almost full.
I know I'll be back - maybe not to brave the inferno wings that rate a 6 on the 1-5 scale of heat - but maybe for another new flavour of wings and to catch the latest game.
Note: This was first posted on urbanspoon on Oct. 28, 2010.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Review: Cafe O
Much like seasons, some foods are tied to times in your life. We can't help it; pairing certain foods with certain occasions comes naturally (it's what's in season) or sometimes with help from local vendors (it's what's available at the sporting venue; hello there, arena beer).
Short story long, almond-paste desserts will always hearken back to elementary school Christmas concerts; one of the moms at the school also ran a bakery, and would bring these amazing desserts with puffed pastry, slivered almonds, and almond paste in the middle in large rings of delicious to help fundraise for the school. Every year, my family would buy one, and my siblings and I would be on rations, lest we eat it all in one sitting. (It happened. Once.)
Since then, I've looked for something with a similar taste, having never been able to find its equal (or the name of the original). Last Saturday, I was delighted to find that Cafe O's almond croissant was one of the closest matches to date.
Light yet substantial, sweet yet not cloying, the crispy pastry complimented the smooth, almondy filling perfectly. I'm no pastry expert, but I was a very happy camper from my first bite on! M's cinnamon twist looked delicious, too.
My Mont Blanc chai was, perhaps, ambitious, but I have a weakness for chai and candied chestnuts (and the Symposium amaretto chai had been delicious) so I went for it. Unfortunately, while enjoyable, it KO'd my considerable sweet tooth and lacked the richness I had been hoping for from the chestnuts, or the spice-heavy aromas that I've been hooked on since Remedy Cafe first introduced me to chai. Maybe chai is milder on this side of the Canadian Shield?
The experience in overall was really lovely. Cafe O will see us again; they serve an array of impressive sweets, tarts, and cakes that all but ask to be sampled. The staff are all welcoming, friendly, and knowledgeable (and seem like family). As a plus, the wi-fi worked well, much to M's delight (but they have limited outlets, so stake out your table if that's why you're there!) and the atmosphere is comfortable, well-lit, and quietly stylish. Points for the deep-set, swiveling armchairs.
If you're looking for a chill place to catch up with friends over coffee and a pastry, Cafe O is a great addition to the options that K-W offers.
Short story long, almond-paste desserts will always hearken back to elementary school Christmas concerts; one of the moms at the school also ran a bakery, and would bring these amazing desserts with puffed pastry, slivered almonds, and almond paste in the middle in large rings of delicious to help fundraise for the school. Every year, my family would buy one, and my siblings and I would be on rations, lest we eat it all in one sitting. (It happened. Once.)
Since then, I've looked for something with a similar taste, having never been able to find its equal (or the name of the original). Last Saturday, I was delighted to find that Cafe O's almond croissant was one of the closest matches to date.
Light yet substantial, sweet yet not cloying, the crispy pastry complimented the smooth, almondy filling perfectly. I'm no pastry expert, but I was a very happy camper from my first bite on! M's cinnamon twist looked delicious, too.
My Mont Blanc chai was, perhaps, ambitious, but I have a weakness for chai and candied chestnuts (and the Symposium amaretto chai had been delicious) so I went for it. Unfortunately, while enjoyable, it KO'd my considerable sweet tooth and lacked the richness I had been hoping for from the chestnuts, or the spice-heavy aromas that I've been hooked on since Remedy Cafe first introduced me to chai. Maybe chai is milder on this side of the Canadian Shield?
The experience in overall was really lovely. Cafe O will see us again; they serve an array of impressive sweets, tarts, and cakes that all but ask to be sampled. The staff are all welcoming, friendly, and knowledgeable (and seem like family). As a plus, the wi-fi worked well, much to M's delight (but they have limited outlets, so stake out your table if that's why you're there!) and the atmosphere is comfortable, well-lit, and quietly stylish. Points for the deep-set, swiveling armchairs.
If you're looking for a chill place to catch up with friends over coffee and a pastry, Cafe O is a great addition to the options that K-W offers.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
turn to gold and to cold - for autumn is coming
It's that season again.
It's funny how fall can bring out different behaviors - at least in me, it heralds a sense of frugality, of cherishing the last of the brilliant summer berries and bright peppers before they disappear from market shelves and become very expensive imports.
I remember, when I was younger, picking raspberries from a neighbour's yard and putting them on wax paper-lined cookie sheets to be frozen. I'm fairly sure that I ate at least half of the number that was intended for the trays! But here I am, timezones and years away and in a place of my own, but making the same move to freeze the berries. (This time, only stealing a few along the way; when you have to pay for them it's hard to eat half a pint in a sitting!)
So too, zucchini are being submitted to the grater and packed away in ziplocked 2-cup rations; fall is also a time for quiche-making and other comfort foods. Maybe it's the cold; maybe it's the whispers of winter that are already making their way through this town.
I'm planning to make an apple impossible pie (an old family standby) tomorrow; the Cortland apples on our table look very pretty, but it's their turn to turn into something delicious. And somewhere in there, M and I plan to tackle a pumpkin - carve it into something awesome for Halloween and turn its brilliant orange flesh into pies and soups and other delights. Recipes to follow? Maybe!
...oh, fall. Moments like this are what help me to remember that the season of cold isn't so bad!
It's funny how fall can bring out different behaviors - at least in me, it heralds a sense of frugality, of cherishing the last of the brilliant summer berries and bright peppers before they disappear from market shelves and become very expensive imports.
I remember, when I was younger, picking raspberries from a neighbour's yard and putting them on wax paper-lined cookie sheets to be frozen. I'm fairly sure that I ate at least half of the number that was intended for the trays! But here I am, timezones and years away and in a place of my own, but making the same move to freeze the berries. (This time, only stealing a few along the way; when you have to pay for them it's hard to eat half a pint in a sitting!)
So too, zucchini are being submitted to the grater and packed away in ziplocked 2-cup rations; fall is also a time for quiche-making and other comfort foods. Maybe it's the cold; maybe it's the whispers of winter that are already making their way through this town.
I'm planning to make an apple impossible pie (an old family standby) tomorrow; the Cortland apples on our table look very pretty, but it's their turn to turn into something delicious. And somewhere in there, M and I plan to tackle a pumpkin - carve it into something awesome for Halloween and turn its brilliant orange flesh into pies and soups and other delights. Recipes to follow? Maybe!
...oh, fall. Moments like this are what help me to remember that the season of cold isn't so bad!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Review: Masala Bay
After hearing about this restaurant for close to a month, I stopped by Masala Bay one evening, and lucked into the dinner buffet. I was pleasantly surprised by how affordable it was, and by the number of what (to a omnivore's eyes) looked like a lot of vegetarian-friendly dishes - definitely try the eggplant masala; the dal (sp?) was also really tasty.
Meativores won't be disappointed, either - the tandoori chicken is spicy and succulent (not overcooked = YAY!) and while the goat curry was bony (as per its nature) it was really well-seasoned. And, mmmmmm, rice pudding. I'm not sure if said dish has a fancier name but it sure was a sweet ending to a tasty meal.
As others have said, the place is small, and it gets busy quickly, so reservations are a good idea if you're not showing up right as it opens for dinner!
Note: This review was first posted on urbanspoon on August 28, 2010.
Meativores won't be disappointed, either - the tandoori chicken is spicy and succulent (not overcooked = YAY!) and while the goat curry was bony (as per its nature) it was really well-seasoned. And, mmmmmm, rice pudding. I'm not sure if said dish has a fancier name but it sure was a sweet ending to a tasty meal.
As others have said, the place is small, and it gets busy quickly, so reservations are a good idea if you're not showing up right as it opens for dinner!
Note: This review was first posted on urbanspoon on August 28, 2010.
Review: Margarita's
On a recent trip to Mexico, I had the chance to try foods beyond the typical Tex-Mex offered north of the 49th, and was looking forward to tasting them again at Margarita's.
The patio is much more casual than the inside of the restaurant, and was conspicuously lacking ambient music. Perhaps this was so it wouldn't clash with the mariachi band that others mentioned. If they were playing that Sunday, we patio-dwellers never saw them, which was too bad; it's a fun addition, and I'm a junkie for live music.
First impressions were good - my date and I ordered lime margaritas ($7) which arrived promptly in massive glasses. It was a hot day, so this concoction of ice, lime, and tequila was perfect. Less so the gratis chips and salsa, the latter of which would have benefited from some texture and/or spice. But hey, free food is free food.
After a quick Google search, I can say entree prices are on par with similar food at a chain like Chili's or Montana's; not cheap, but not outrageous. M ordered the chicken enchiladas with mole sauce, and I opted for the enchiladas camarones with pipian sauce (aka mole verde, made of pumpkin seeds - the idea piqued my interest, and turned out to have a mild, savoury flavour. Still, the enchiladas, while tasty, weren't memorable; if we go back, I'd choose a sauce with more flavour contrast). Both dishes came with lots of beans and rice - enough to tame my boyfriend's considerable appetite! My dish also came with yucca "fries" and a small pico de gallo-esque salad, which we enjoyed. Service, while impersonal, was professional.
I'd like to return one day (there is avocado soup and churros to try!), but both of us were feeling ill the day afterwards, so we're avoiding Mexican food for a while.
Note: First published on urbanspoon on September 2, 2010.
The patio is much more casual than the inside of the restaurant, and was conspicuously lacking ambient music. Perhaps this was so it wouldn't clash with the mariachi band that others mentioned. If they were playing that Sunday, we patio-dwellers never saw them, which was too bad; it's a fun addition, and I'm a junkie for live music.
First impressions were good - my date and I ordered lime margaritas ($7) which arrived promptly in massive glasses. It was a hot day, so this concoction of ice, lime, and tequila was perfect. Less so the gratis chips and salsa, the latter of which would have benefited from some texture and/or spice. But hey, free food is free food.
After a quick Google search, I can say entree prices are on par with similar food at a chain like Chili's or Montana's; not cheap, but not outrageous. M ordered the chicken enchiladas with mole sauce, and I opted for the enchiladas camarones with pipian sauce (aka mole verde, made of pumpkin seeds - the idea piqued my interest, and turned out to have a mild, savoury flavour. Still, the enchiladas, while tasty, weren't memorable; if we go back, I'd choose a sauce with more flavour contrast). Both dishes came with lots of beans and rice - enough to tame my boyfriend's considerable appetite! My dish also came with yucca "fries" and a small pico de gallo-esque salad, which we enjoyed. Service, while impersonal, was professional.
I'd like to return one day (there is avocado soup and churros to try!), but both of us were feeling ill the day afterwards, so we're avoiding Mexican food for a while.
Note: First published on urbanspoon on September 2, 2010.
Review: Symposium (Waterloo)
Symposium is a good place to curl up in the evening with a dessert and a friend, a date, or a book*.
I was lured in by a "cake tour" - seriously, who refuses an offer like that? - and ended up spending a great summer evening talking over Colossus chocolate cake and their signature Chocolate Brownie cheesecake. Yum.
If you like your chai lattes mild in flavour but with a spiked twist, the amaretto chai is worth a try. It's definitely not as spiced as other chai I've tried, but this makes a tasty after-dinner drink.
*Unfortunately, depending on how busy it gets, some small print on their menu notes that tables may be limited to 45 minutes - I'm not certain if, or how often this happens, though.
Note: The above was first posted on urbanspoon on Sept 2, 2010.
Addenda: I've since been back to Symposium twice; once for cake (the Turtle cheesecake this time around; tasty, but could have been nuttier) and once for a book club meeting, during which I mulled over a Blueberry Tea (delicious, but served with a 2% creamer on the side, which puzzled me. Generous servings of tea and amaretto, though, and reasonably priced.)
I was lured in by a "cake tour" - seriously, who refuses an offer like that? - and ended up spending a great summer evening talking over Colossus chocolate cake and their signature Chocolate Brownie cheesecake. Yum.
If you like your chai lattes mild in flavour but with a spiked twist, the amaretto chai is worth a try. It's definitely not as spiced as other chai I've tried, but this makes a tasty after-dinner drink.
*Unfortunately, depending on how busy it gets, some small print on their menu notes that tables may be limited to 45 minutes - I'm not certain if, or how often this happens, though.
Note: The above was first posted on urbanspoon on Sept 2, 2010.
Addenda: I've since been back to Symposium twice; once for cake (the Turtle cheesecake this time around; tasty, but could have been nuttier) and once for a book club meeting, during which I mulled over a Blueberry Tea (delicious, but served with a 2% creamer on the side, which puzzled me. Generous servings of tea and amaretto, though, and reasonably priced.)
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Review: The Bauer Kitchen
Two visits in, the Bauer Kitchen has made itself a contender for celebrating special occasions, entertaining family/friends who are visiting, or snagging a glass of wine and people-watching. The servers and hosts are knowledgeable, the atmosphere classy but not pretentious, and the food. Mmm, the food.
There's a mushroom tart appetizer that I'm dreaming about from my first visit, but the fact that my table this time around considered a coup d'etat to steal the Muscovy Duck from its original recipient says something, too. I'd heard great things about the brie-stuffed chicken, and it deserves them (creamy brie, well-seasoned chicken, savoury potatoes and freshly grilled veggies? Simple ingredients, but perfectly executed.) The short rib gnocchi rounded out our entrees, and smelled amazing - but was, sadly, fiercely guarded by my date.
Suggesting a wine pairing in the sidebar for each menu item is a nifty touch, and helped us to navigate the wine list.
As a note - the calamari isn't served in the familiar style (deep-fried rings of delicious golden rubber) and is rather more pan-fried and squid-shaped than expected. But - it was delicious. The cherry tomatoes and capers on the side were a great addition.
Definitely recommended.
Note: This was first posted as a user review on urbanspoon, and is one of five that I'm archiving here. ^^
There's a mushroom tart appetizer that I'm dreaming about from my first visit, but the fact that my table this time around considered a coup d'etat to steal the Muscovy Duck from its original recipient says something, too. I'd heard great things about the brie-stuffed chicken, and it deserves them (creamy brie, well-seasoned chicken, savoury potatoes and freshly grilled veggies? Simple ingredients, but perfectly executed.) The short rib gnocchi rounded out our entrees, and smelled amazing - but was, sadly, fiercely guarded by my date.
Suggesting a wine pairing in the sidebar for each menu item is a nifty touch, and helped us to navigate the wine list.
As a note - the calamari isn't served in the familiar style (deep-fried rings of delicious golden rubber) and is rather more pan-fried and squid-shaped than expected. But - it was delicious. The cherry tomatoes and capers on the side were a great addition.
Definitely recommended.
Note: This was first posted as a user review on urbanspoon, and is one of five that I'm archiving here. ^^
Gastro-what?
Gastronavigation.
The term itself was born of an irreverent fondness for playing with language (and, on occasion, enjoying the inevitable fiery crash). It's a mashup of gastro, meaning 'stomach', and navigation, meaning (loosely) 'the trick of getting from one place to another'. So, 'gastronavigation' is the art and science of stomach-fueled navigation.
Although I'd argue I'm steered primarily by my sense of curiosity, my stomach is also a considerable contender. Hence the birth of "Notes on Gastronavigation" - to act as a star-chart of sorts; places I'd been, foods I'd tried, and memories of the people and communities tangled up with those along the way.
Happy wandering!
Taryn.
The term itself was born of an irreverent fondness for playing with language (and, on occasion, enjoying the inevitable fiery crash). It's a mashup of gastro, meaning 'stomach', and navigation, meaning (loosely) 'the trick of getting from one place to another'. So, 'gastronavigation' is the art and science of stomach-fueled navigation.
Although I'd argue I'm steered primarily by my sense of curiosity, my stomach is also a considerable contender. Hence the birth of "Notes on Gastronavigation" - to act as a star-chart of sorts; places I'd been, foods I'd tried, and memories of the people and communities tangled up with those along the way.
Happy wandering!
Taryn.
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