taste

Aunt Olive’s: Laid back food with style

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on Monday, March 1, 2010

Photo Courtesy of Aunt Olive's Facebook Page

Post by Dominic Maggiolo, Ottawa food philosopher and blogger on vegetarian food and culture. Check out some of his other writings on his blog, Le Jeune Gourmand.

In a world dominated by multinationals such as Starbucks, McDonalds and company, the quaint, small, tucked away local business shakes in its little boots, afraid to shine and claim fame in its home town. Ottawa’s Aunt Olive’s promises to be different. Part café, part fashion store, Aunt Olive’s is uniquely pleasing business that allows patrons, regulars and aficionados of all kinds to shop for assorted and unique vintage treasures, all while enjoying to a scrumptious vegetarian meal.

I had heard of Aunt Olives through a friend who used to shop there while living in Ottawa, though I never took the time to go and discover this cute café. When I finally had a chance to explore her menu, I was pleasantly surprised: this hidden local joint is a must to visit.

My girlfriend and I made our way for lunch on a beautiful Saturday. We were immediately greeted with a smile and were told to sit anywhere we wanted and browse the menu. Amid the eclectic chairs and tables, we couldn’t help but feel totally relaxed, almost as if we were at home. The atmosphere was comfortable and stimulating.

On to the food… We ordered a childhood favourite of mine, the root beer float, all the while inspecting the menu. Served in a frosted mug, you’re greeted with this chalice of smooth root beer and topped with creamy vanilla ice cream. Ahh, to be 12 years old again! I could assure you, it did not survive our hungry rampage. Aunt Olives also serves up a daily soup, which is always vegan. On this exact day she featured “Tomato and dill”. The rich brick red soup was beautifully perfumed by the fresh smell of the dill.

Our main shortly arrived: Grilled vegetable panini with chèvre. This lip-smacking fabrication is a must-try for anyone who loves the smoky taste of grilled vegetables and soft goats milk cheese. Neil Young serenaded us and made this experience all the more pleasurable. Before we left, we munched on a ginger molasses cookie. What a perfect way to end a simple lunch on a beautiful day.

Before you go and spend 15$ on a crummy sandwich and coffee at Starbucks, take a short detour and make your way to Aunt Olives at Gilmore and Elgin for a laid back luncheon for only 8,50$. This includes your soup and sandwich, though I recommend trying their root beer float for added flare. It’s rare to discover a setting that dish up a good-sized bowl of (vegan) soup and sandwich for a fair price.

Aunt Olive’s is located at  209 Gilmour Street, Ottawa, ON K2P 0N9

(613) 565-0564

Hours of operation :
11am-5pm Sunday to Wednesday
11am-8pm Thursday Friday Saturday

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Live at the Library! This week: Gluten-free living

Written

apartment613

on Saturday, February 20, 2010

Photo courtesy of elana's pantry on Flickr.

Did you know that loads of public events happen at the library? Most of them for free! If you are looking for an after work activity that is stimulating for your brain rather then detrimental to your liver, attending a talk or a lecture at the library is the way to go (you can always get to the liver later). Our new correspondent, Stephen Johnson, has worked at the Ottawa Public Library for the past nine years. His periodic column will showcase the upcoming events, courses and seminars that will be taking place at the Main Library. Stay tuned for more of Live at the Library in upcoming weeks.

Who knew visiting the Ottawa Public Library could be so good for your health? Toronto-based author Victoria Yeh will be discussing her new book, Where Do I Start? Your Essential Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and Sugar-Free Food Allergy Cookbook on Wednesday, February 24 at 7:00 pm. The event will be taking place at the Main Library Auditorium (120 Metcalfe Street) and admission is free.

For some, the traditional Western diet is full of hidden dangers. The proteins found in gluten and milk products can wreak havoc on the digestive tract, while the refined sugar sneakily added to nearly everything can play a role in obesity, diabetes and hyperactive children. As a result, many health conscious people are taking steps to remove these substances from their diet, whether they’ve been diagnosed with allergies or not.

Victoria Yeh writes from personal experience about making this transition. Eight years ago, on the advice of her doctor, Yeh eliminated gluten, dairy and sugar from her diet. Yeh’s book talks about the results of these changes including practical recipes and food substitutions.

True to the title, Where do I Start also provides people thinking about eliminating wheat, milk and sugar from their diet with some useful advice. “To be successful with a new diet, you first have to be absolutely committed to making the change in your lifestyle,” says Yeh. “People think that it’s hard to stick to these diets, but it’s not. It’s just a matter of learning a few rules of thumb so that you can adapt to your needs and still enjoy the foods you love.” For example, some of the tips she recommends include:

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The Best Pancakes in Ottawa - the Twitter-poll edition

Written

saxby

on Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Photo courtesy of stevensnodgrass on Flickr

I love pancakes. Their light and fluffy texture topped with a drizzle of intensely sweet maple syrup makes them a perfect dish for a relaxing weekend brunch. Imagine my surprise to learn that I get to eat them for dinner tonight! It’s pancake Tuesday… which I know has l ots of significance and meaning for many as a religious marker leading into lent. For me… it’s more about an excuse to have breakfast for dinner.

To help those of you looking to satisfy your pancake craving this evening - I asked our twitter community for some recommendations.

Click to continue reading “The Best Pancakes in Ottawa - the Twitter-poll edition”

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Support Apartment613 with Tea and Pasties!

Written

Katie

on Friday, February 5, 2010

Photo courtesy of clevercupcakes on Flickr

Last week, we were thrilled to announce A Valentine’s Day TEA-ser, our upcoming fundraiser with Ottawa’s premier burlesque group, the Sexual Overtones. The event had everything – tea, crumpets, adhesive nipple patches – that is, everything except for a location.

This Tuesday, our original venue decided to break their contract with us only 12 days before the event. While we have yet to receive an official explanation, we suspect it may have been canceled because of the ‘age 19+’ nature of the show.

This is really quite unfortunate. The Overtones are a class act in all senses of the word. Not only does this not-for-profit performance group put on shows that are sex-positive, respectful and hilarious, but they also donate the proceeds of their shows to volunteer-run community organizations like Ecology Ottawa, The Venus Envy Bursary Fund and, of course, us! In fact, their community work has garnered them a nomination for a 2010 Capital Xtra Hero Award.

We managed to book the Mac Hall at the Bronson Center (211 Bronson) this morning, but with only 8 days to go we are a little pressed for time! Apartment613 isn’t exactly a charity, but we do try to support the greater Ottawa community by spreading the word on great events, artists and organizations. Since we don’t accept advertisements, this fundraiser is a chance for us to recoup some of our costs and put some money aside for future initiatives.

If you appreciate Apartment613, please help to spread the word about the event. The tea and burlesque show takes place from 2 to 5 on Sunday, February 14. Admission is one for $20 and two for $35 and includes scones and cupcakes from Aunty Loo’s Bakery, some savory treats and, of course, tea. Tickets will be available starting tomorrow at Venus Envy (320 Lisgar) or at Canteen Art Shop (238 Dalhousie). For more information, check out the event facebook page.

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Amanda Lunan (aka Aunty Loo) dishes out creative treats

Written

apartment613

on Thursday, February 4, 2010

Photo Courtesy of Alyssa Iswolsky

Post by Dominic Maggiolo, Ottawa food philosopher and blogger on vegetarian food and culture. Check out some of his other writings on his blog, Le Jeune Gourmand.

Disclosure: Aunty Loo’s Bakery will be participating in a fundraiser for Apartment613 this Valentine’s Day.

No eggs, no milk, no butter or cream: Amanda Lunan of Aunty Loo’s Bakery creates wonderfully crafted baked goods for a small yet discerning niche of individuals with dietary restrictions or ethical concerns. Though this is not an easy task, especially considering the competitive nature of small businesses, Mandi proves with that with much passion, love and good ole’ fashion cookery, you can tackle any challenge.

Greeting every customer with warm grace and a bright smile, just as her grandmother would, she’ll customize a treat to be dairy, gluten or egg free to meet any and all of your dietary needs. I think it goes without saying that Mandi is passionate about her craft, but if there was any doubt, her refreshingly charismatic air and passion for baking shines through in Aunty Loo’s tasty cinnamon buns and scones.

I sat down with Mandi to talk about food, her struggles and what really motivated her to start living her dream.

When did you first become interested in baking?

I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t. I’m fortunate enough to be from a very large, young family. When I was a kid, my mom stayed home with me and we baked all the time. Ditto for when I hung out with my Nana. A lot of the recipes I use at the bakery actually belong to them. (With the necessary vegan alterations, of course!) All of my Aunts and Great Grandmothers baked around me all the time too; it’s a huge part of my family.

What is your food philosophy?

Kick it old school. There’s a reason that recipe has been in your family for years. If you’re going to tamper with it, keep it as simple as possible.

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Date Night: Absinthe and bowling

Written

apartment613

on Thursday, January 28, 2010

West Park

You can always tell whether a person is interesting if they take you out to see something a little different. Something that shows originality. Something that demonstrates that they don’t judge and are open to trying new things. No, I’m not talking about taking you to a sex shop and pointing out all the toys they haven’t tried — I mean making date night more than just dinner and a movie.

So for all you want-to-be-heartthrobs, here’s our suggestion for a mid-January date: bowling and Absinthe. Or, in our case, Absinthe and bowling (we had to wait for league night to be over). In our opinion, the combination of high and low brow makes this the perfect Westside date.

Bowling is great fun because it’s: 1) entertaining; 2) allows you to gauge your potential mate’s arm strength and coordination; and 3) it’s cheap, costing just $6 for a game and shoes! Plus you’ll find out how competitive you and your date can be… We loved Kent Lanes on Catherine St., but since it closed we are knocking pins down at West Park bowling — your west side bowling centre since 1946. There’s even glow in the dark bowling on the weekends, and the lane is easily accessible to Centertowners by jumping on the number 2 bus.

Drinks are always a perfect compliment to bowling, but if you’re doing the mid-day bowl thing, you may prefer brunch and lots of mimosas. However, if you’re dating in the evening the Absinthe Café and Restaurant is not only located right across the street, but also offers a new experience to those who have never had the chance to try the infamous green beverage. It also goes a long way towards proving that you’re not too cheap.

The restaurant’s cheese board is $12 and each glass of absinthe will set you back $14. Our picks in order of preference: the French brew — lovely licorice taste; the Canadian-made selection — very smooth; and the Czech shooter — harsher but a glowing green… plus they light it on fire. Yum!

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Weekend round up

Written

Karen

on Thursday, January 28, 2010

fundraiser

It’s the last weekend of 01/10, and hopefully the weird weather patterns will disappear along with this month. The forecast for this weekend, though, is mostly sunny, so there are no excuses for staying holed up at home.

Tonight is the first jam-packed evening - there’s poetry, film, more film, and music of the Latin variety. The rest of the weekend follows in a similar busy fashion. One highlight: Andrew King’s Manhattan Project exhibit will be opening at the Wall Space Gallery on Saturday night, works that came out of his recent adventure in the big city.

Sunday’s activity line up is set to chase away your winter blues, with Yuk Yuk’s Insensitivity Training and Zaphod’s Trailer Park Bingo (with $5.75 Bud tallboys!).

And while the coverage of post-earthquake Haiti is starting to fade, the fundraising efforts have not. Check out Kym’s outline of events, from bake sales to facials to rock shows. And that’s not all for fundraisers: on Friday, Sadie Hell will be joined by some fellow rockers to raise money for the victims of the Glebe fire. The show will be down at the Royal Oak in the Glebe (779 Bank) and the suggested cover is $5, although more is obviously welcome.

Also, if you missed Wooden Sky last weekend, have no fear - they’re back in town on Monday night, albeit a little further away from Centretown out at Algonquin. (See? Exciting things happen way out there!) And don’t forget - it’s your last chance to participate in the Winterlude Urban Cozy Project - get your tree scarves in by Feb 1!

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Dance, eat, buy or get pampered for Haiti this weekend!

Written

apartment613

on Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Photo courtesy of the IFRC on flickr

By Kym Shumsky, Ottawa trends watcher and blogger at Relishing.ca

As the beleaguered nation of Haiti continues to suffer the fallout of the devastating January 12 earthquake, Ottawans continue to open their hearts and wallets. There is no lack of events, fundraisers, and small-change collection jars to drop a few charitable bucks into happening this weekend, but in case you needed some direction, here are just a handful of good ideas:

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Recycled: Valentine’s Day in Ottawa

Written

Katie

on Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Photo courtesy of Fieldtripp on Flickr

Can’t let a good thing go to waste! Today we’re recycling two of last year’s Valentine’s day post (with updates of course) to help you get in the mood. But don’t make plans yet: Apartment613 is also organizing an exciting event for Feb. 14th that you don’t want to miss! Details to come soon…

Valentine’s Day, the sexiest of all the holidays invented to sell greeting cards, is coming up in a couple of weeks. For those of you stuck on your wooing plan-of-action, Apartment613 is stepping in as your own personal Cyrano de Bergerac (or Dan Savage, for all you hipsters). Our suggestions are ordered to match your budget.

Click to continue reading “Recycled: Valentine’s Day in Ottawa”

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Chef Wars for Charity: Juniper takes on Ottawa!

Written

Katie

on Monday, January 25, 2010

sirwiseowl on flickr

Ever since the Food Network imported Iron Chef from Japan, cooking is becoming more and more like a competitive sport. Just like their non-edible counterparts, culinary sports come in a wide variety of flavours. At the WWF end of the spectrum is the hot dog eating contests, in which ‘reversals’ does not mean a string unexpected of goals. Perhaps more to the taste of the tennis and golf set are events like Juniper Restaurant’s Dueling Chef’s Food and Wine Pairing Event

Like a heavyweight on steroids, Juniper is challenging every other restaurant in its class to duke (or more accurately dice) it out for the title of cooking champion of Ottawa. Every Monday until March 15, the restaurant will invite a competing kitchen to come by to prepare a three course tasting menu. Each team will present their menu, along with wine pairing, to the dinners, whose vote will then determine the winner.

While the $135 plus tax and tip price tag makes this tournament a bit more expensive than watching the Super Bowl at home, all the proceeds for the night go to charity. So far, the home team lost to Whalesbone (proceeds go to Ottawa Humane Society) on the 7th and won against Allium Restaurant (The Snowsuit Fund) on the 18. Tonight Juniper will be taking on The Courtyard Restaurant (Quickstart).

See below for a list of the remaining matches/charities.

Click to continue reading “Chef Wars for Charity: Juniper takes on Ottawa!”

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