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.
Thursday, October 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. ^^
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