For this week's "relatively" Wordless Wednesday', we visit general Manager Jeff O'Reilly's D'Arcy McGee's (44 Sparks Street) at the corner of Elgin and Sparks. There, you will find what the political staff at Parliament Hill have long realized, a great place to unwind with a pint of Irish ale after a long day of work.

It features a pair of normally bustling patios, which were overflowing with people during Canada Day.

Front Patio

Side Patio
Pull up a chair on Friday's and order two pints of Guinness, Smithwick's, Kilkenny, or Harp for $9.99 (+tax). Stay for #OysterFriday

Particulars:
D'Arcy McGee's
44 Sparks Street
(613)230-4433

Fellow Ottawa Food Blogger Jodi (@simplyfresh) correctly identified the picture of the "mystery" poutine from the fifth "Ottawa, do you know your poutine" opportunity as having come from Island Flava (409 Dalhousie Street). She writes the "Simpy Fresh" food blog. She is a former restaurant line cook. And, she offers in-home cooking lessons. Jodi was entered into the draw for a pair of tickets for the Give to Live Poutine Crawl.

Before we get to the results of the draw, let's return to Island Flava for a second. First off, I would like to extend thanks to Chef Antoine for generously choosing to participate in the Give to Live Poutine Crawl. Island Flava will be the second last stop on the tour for both groups.

Island Flava

Street-Facing Sandwich Board

Secondly, I need to point out two recommendations. Firstly, a former colleague of Jamaican descent gave me a list of must-visits for Caribbean food. Island Flava, then on Merivale Road, was at the top of his list. Secondly, alumni, including a former manager of mine, have been raving about a "new place" near University of Ottawa campus that sells great jerk chicken. Island Flava is that "place."

And, yes, Chef Antoine's jerk chicken poutine compares very well to anything Smoke's serves. In fact, I find some of Smoke's more elaborate poutine combinations include too many strong flavours. The jerk chicken poutine at Island Flava is a balanced take that carries only the mildest warmth.

Compare Between Jerk Chicken Poutine and Smoke's

Now, regarding the draw for the pair of tickets, here are the people who entered the draw.

1. Judy
2. Eric (@ottawabites)
3. AM Waters (@AMWATERS)
4. Oskar
5. Jodi (@simplyfresh)

The winner was picked by querying random.org to come up with a number between 1 and 5 inclusively.

The number drawn was 4 (four):

Screen capture from random.org.
Source: random.org

Congratulations to Oskar. An e-mail will be dispatched shortly to alert you.

To everyone who did not win and those of you on the waiting list, you are welcome to join us at D'Arcy McGee's (90 Sparks Street), starting at 3:30 pm on July 17, 2010 for the Poutine Crawl "After Show." Come! Buy a Guinness poutine. And wash it down with a cold brew. Learn which poutine purveyors in the Byward Market make the top 3 favourites!

Particulars:
Island Flava
409 Dalhousie Street
(613) 321-4198
Open Weekdays 11:30am-9pm; Sat 11:30am-4am; Sun 12pm-6pm

More after the jump...

New to foodiePrints, Oskar, correctly identified the "mystery" poutine from the fourth "Ottawa, do you know your poutine" opportunity as having come from Smoke's Poutinerie (407 Dalhousie Street). He will be entered in the draw for a pair of tickets for the Give to Live Poutine Crawl (July 17, 2010).

Located within walking distance of the University of Ottawa campus in the ByWard Market and opening late into the morning on Fridays and Saturdays, we expect Ottawa's first Smoke's poutinerie, to be, shall we say, profitable.

Smoke's

Sandwich Board

When I went, I saw students ordering a pair of large poutines and splitting them 8 ways. Interestingly, one was still hungry. He ordered a small, added Vietnamese sriracha, and dug in. Looking back to the condiment area on the stainless steel counter, two hot sauces were available.

Hot Sauces

My first impressions of Smoke's were lukewarm. A veteran of fry truck poutine, made in the classic Quebec tradition, I prefer my fries thicker and crisp. The veloute-style gravy should be savoury, not over powering, but still flavourful. The cheese curds need to squeak. Smoke's got the last one right.

I think a tour of Quebec's poutineries is in order...

Aside: And yes, I have been known to eat poutine with wooden chopsticks, as Kaitlin (@kaitli) blogged in Heartful Mouthful. I treat the fries and cheese curds like noodles.

Chopsticks
I find chopsticks allow for more precise bites. I don't like filling my mouth with a mass of fries, curds, and gravy.

Update: Izzy (@spoonsie) posted details about the Give To Live Poutine Crawl on her blog. Go check it out!

Particulars:
Smoke's Poutinerie
407 Dalhousie Street
(613)789-2872 (CURD)

More after the jump...

We missed last week's "relatively" Wordless Wednesday Patio Post due to our having to tend to our condo's kitchen renovations. This week, we visit a favourite, the Black Thorn Cafe (15 Clarence Street) in the ByWard market.

I have spent many a Friday evening during my University days on the Black Thorn's back patio.

Black Thorn Cafe's Back Patio
It is a great place to enjoy a drink with friends after a long week of classes and working to pay for those classes.

During our most recent visit, Jenn's vegetarian friend took us to the Black Thorn Cafe for thin crust pizza. While she ordered something vegetarian, I ordered the "New Orleans" ($16.00), which came topped with basil pesto, "cajun" shrimp, sundried tomatoes, red onions, and mozzarella. Between its delicately cooked cajun-flavoured salad shrimp, its crispy thin corn meal crust, its balance of fresh and concentrated vegetable flavours, and its tasty pesto, the thin crust pizza was delicious.

Total: $56.78 (includes 1 chicken fusilli, 1 Athens thin crust pizza, 1 New Orleans thin crust pizza, and 2 20 oz drinks, after taxes, before tip)

On my next visit, I plan on enjoying another thin crust pizza, sitting in one of its patios. Speaking of which:

Black Thorn Cafe's Front Patio

Side Patio

Back Patio

Here is Black Thorn's business card:

Business Card

Particulars:
Black Thorn Cafe
15 Clarence Street
(613) 241-0712
Open Mon-Tue,Sun 11am-12am; Wed-Sat 11am-2am

More after the jump...

It's time for another relatively Wordless Wednesday. This week, we visit Murray Street Kitchen (110 Murray Street) and we are going to let our recent post on the restaurant speak for its patio:

The restaurant's patio is a raised deck, enclosed in an oak trellis with grape vines. It somehow segregate diners from the bustling streets of the busy ByWard Market. It is an almost impossible escape from the speed of urban living.

Entrance to the Patio

Patio

Side and Back Seating

A Two Seater, Four Seater, and the Pig
The entire patio hold a maximum of 60 people.

Here are closeups of the fixtures and trellis.

The Pig

Oak Trellis with Grape Vines

Grapes

Update: Updated with photos shot on a sunnier day.

Particulars:
Murray Street Kitchen Wine and Charcuterie
110 Murray Street
(613)562-7244