Several weeks ago, I sent an e-mail to the Wellington Oracle, offering them some of my upcoming write-ups of local restaurants in the area. After all, the majority of my reviews are of eateries along Ottawa's west-end Epicurean Row, Wellington Street W. and some of its adjoining streets. While I am trying to get to eateries in the greater Ottawa area (currently working on filling the gap for Chinatown), I live in Wellington West and, as a resident, I am proud to support many of its local businesses.

Like the Wellington Oracle, please allow me to take this opportunity to raise awareness of a joint initiative by the Wellington West Business Improvement (BIA) and Hintonburg Community (HCA) Associations, the "Shop Local" campaign.

The campaign is designed to support Hintonburg businesses as they struggle to overcome the disruption caused by Phase 2 of the Wellington Street W. Road Reconstruction (Parkdale Avenue E. to Bayview Avenue) by "living locally, loving locally and shopping locally."

Phase 2 is one of the most ambitious road reconstruction projects attempted by the City of Ottawa (1.4 km in a single summer!). And while we welcome this investment in our Main Street, there is no denying that it has had a significant impact on local businesses. With sidewalks crowded by machinery, traffic down to a single bumpy lane, construction noise and dust, it has been a challenge to say the least. Some businesses are even in danger of closing due to the construction, which will not end until late November.

Source: "Wellignton West BIA website.

2 recent pictures of the road "reconstruction":

Phase 2 - Direction of Parkdale

Phase 2 - Direction of Somerset

If you are heading out to pick up a gift, eat, or get a haircut and you live nearby, try to spend your money locally. If you do, you can enter into a draw to win great prizes. Both associations have already circulated 10 000 ?Live Local! Love Local! Shop Local!? postcards both through direct mail to residents and to shops along Wellington Street West.

My Shop Local Campaign Post Card
Fill in one of these cards with the name of the business where you shopped and provide some contact information. Deposit it at the Hintonburg Community Center (1064 Wellington Street W.) and you will be eligible for 10 gift certificates worth $25 to local businesses. Draws will be made monthly until construction ends. Winners will be announced in the Kitchissippi Times (a neighborhood newspaper) and on the "Wellignton West BIA website.

I'm off to a hair appointment at Celebrity Hair Design (1024 Wellington Street W.) where master hair stylist Rob Myers will be giving me a trim. It will be my first of many submissions!

Update: I just came across the original City of Ottawa notice about the Wellington Street Reconstruction. The same notice was sent to residents living around the Somerset Street Bridge Modifications, Preston Street Rehabilitation, High Pressure Transmission Main on Bayview Road, and something called a Booth Street Regulator.

Among the "measures" the notice warned us of, Jenn and I have seen the following:

• side walks on one side of the street
• temporary bus routs
• road/lane closures
• local traffic only provisions
• detours

I guess the saying that Ottawa only has two seasons, winter and construction, is apt.

I spent part of Canada Day tending to the unwieldy back log of images foodiePrints has amassed over the past two years or so. My digital camera's image numbering reset itself once again (3rd time) and I had to establish yet another "unsorted" folder of images in the archives. In their defense, I don't think Casio ever figured a food blogger would be lugging one of their cameras around with him everyday. The camera's on board software is only capable of incrementing 4 digits of numbers in its file names. And yes, this means that a little over 30 000 pictures have been taken throughout the years.

That evening, Jenn and I watched Ottawa's annual fireworks show from a vantage point outside of the downtown core, on the Scott Street bridge, across from the Bay transit stop, thereby avoiding the crowds and making our Canada Day festivities quieter than usual.

Jenn and I did however walk by Parliament Hill two evenings later, to find the surrounding areas picked clean of litter and the main stage being dismantled.

Parliament Hill 2 days after Canada Day
Along the way, we decided to see how much of our own neighbourhood we could walk during the upcoming weekend.

Wellington West
That Saturday, we took a stroll with a family friend into Wellington West to go to an outdoor art exposition and fundraiser, called "Art in the Alley." It was organized by local artist Alison Fowler of Ali Cat Art and proceeds went to the Ottawa Humane Society.

Art in the Alley

The event was held in the alley way beside the Chick Pea children's store (1395 Wellington Street W), which shares the building with the Ali Cat Studio.

Gorgeous Paintings
Featured artists also included Tammy Shane and Andrew King, whose art we recognized from the the galleries in the Hintonburg area.

Speaking of which, if you frequent Holland Avenue, there is a large piece by Allison Fowler in front of the Foolish Chicken eatery (79 Holland Avenue). Interestingly, Saturday's chalk sandwich sign advertised something beyond rotisserie at the Foolish Chicken.

Jerk Chicken with Dirty Rice
Given our previous experiences with the restaurant, we took a pass.

On our way to the outdoor art exposition, I insisted we take a detour to see Allium's monthly menu. We found the restaurant (87 Holland Avenue) closed and a paper sign stuck to the door.

Closed for Renovations
Accordingly, Allium will be closed for the month of July, re-opening in August. Reason: renovations. I guess Jenn and I will have to wait until next month to sit for a Monday tapas night.

Across the street from Ali Cat Studio, we noticed that the former location of Hair Rods Salon and Spa (1356 Wellington Street W) has been replaced by a soon-to-open Asian tea-house, TeaShop 168.

TeaShop 168
This Toronto-originating chain of tea-houses specializes in bubble tea. I last visited one of their establishments in downtown Toronto on Yonge Street (768), near the Bloor intersection. No doubt, it will give the local tea chain Bubblicity some much needed competition.

We also noticed that Harvest Loaf (1323 Wellington Street W.) was advertising something very seasonal on its menu: strawberry shortcake.

Limited Time: Strawberry Shortcake
With the disappointment from seeing Allium temporary closed, we picked up a cake. For $8.95, the tall and luscious confection generously serves 6 people.

Tall and Luscious

Cross Section

Slice
Covered in a light pastry cream and garnished with quartered strawberries, the shortcake consisted of layer of more cream, sliced strawberries and airy slices of vanilla cake. Realizing that we couldn't possibly make a dent in the cake ourselves, we invited our neighbour to give us a hand.

I should note that, on our way home, cake in hand, Jenn discovered a new beverage enterprise that employs some very innovative marketing.

50 cent lemonade

Available almost daily
Honestly, have you seen anything so daring? And, the advertisements are water proof! Besides, the lemonade is aggressively priced. As our neighbour pointed out, a glass of lemonade downtown during Canada Day easily cost $5. Unfortunately, business must have been brisk because we could not find the young entrepreneurs that day.

Hintonburg and Chinatown
Sunday, we walked to Chinatown to satisfy my craving for pho (Vietnamese noodle soup), taking some of the lesser trafficked roads to avoid the construction on Wellington Street.

On our way to Chinatown, we passed by Credible Edibles (78 Hinton Avenue N.). Finding it closed, we took a picture of something that may interest local cyclists.

Cyclists' Discount
According to the sign, to "reduce greenhouse gases and support good health", Credible Edibles is offering a 10% discount on their "edibles" if you ride your bike to eat-in or take-out. Good stuff!

We also came across the most darling birdhouses along Armstrong Road in Hintonburg.

Water Melon House

Tea House
Cute, adorable, and food-related!

Pho, Fruit Vinegar, Fruit Ice, Mayonnaise, and Scallion Pancakes follow after the jump...

More after the jump...

It is Monday, the day after the North American music industry's gala awards ceremony, the Grammy's, aired on television. Just as the Grammy's have suffered a successive losses of viewership, I have had to take pause to ask a question. I am currently staring at two lists of culinary awards issued to restaurants in the National Capital Region: awards from the 16 annual gala (2009) for the Ottawa Restaurant Hotel Motel Association (ORHMA) and Ottawa's "Epicurean Awards." Both lists include many of the "usual suspect" restaurants. Both lists are long, leading me to wonder, "Are there more awards than there are restaurants in Ottawa?"

From the ORHMA Gala,

• "Bill Joe Restaurateur of the Year" went to Ion Aimers, founder and owner of the chain of The Works Gourmet Burger Bistros
• "MAC Knife Chef of the Year" (Top Chef) went to executive chef Matt Carmichael of Restaurant E18hteen and Social
• "CHEZ 106 Ottawa?s Favourite Restaurant" went to three locations of the Keg
• "Lifetime Achievement" went to Ottawa Citizen Food columnist Gay Cook
• "Ottawa Citizen Service Person of the Year" went to Nawal Roukos of the Newport Restaurant

A giant whisk was awarded to the host, Westin Hotel's, chef, Nelson Borges, whose cinnamon seared Mariposa Farms duck was voted best dish of the event.

Last year's winner of the "Bill Joe Restaurateur of the Year" was Dot Janz of Black Dog Bistro. Top Chef went to Derek Benitz of Benitz Bistro. "Lifetime Achievement" went to chef Kurt Waldel of the National Arts Centre.

Regarding Aimers, according to the Ottawa Citizen, he graciously accepted his award, remarking how lucky he was to be able to attend the event. Last April, he suffered a massive heart attack, spending 5 days in a coma. He celebrated his award with 20 managers and employees he brought with him as his guests at $125/seat.

Proceeds from the gala go to the Algonquin College student bursary fund. On a related note, Chef Carmichael was also celebrated at the gala for working with students enrolled in the Algonquin College Culinary Program.

From the The Epicurean Awards,

• "Linda Thom and Robert Bourassa Café Henry Burger Trophy" (Chef of the Year) went to Serge Rourre from Le Baccara
• "Three Stars Epicurean" Awards went to 3 restaurants: Le Baccara, Beckta Dining & Wine, Restaurant E18hteen, and Perspectives Restaurant
• "Two Stars Epicurean" Awards went to 20 restaurants: Absinthe, A'Roma Meze, Bella's Bistro, Benitz Bistro, Canvas, Chez Eric, Coconut Lagoon, El Meson, Juniper Kitchen and Wine Bar, Murray Street, Napo, Navarra, New Dubrovnik, La Roma, Restaurant Les Fougeres, Trattoria Caffé Italia, Urban Pear, Vineyards Wine Bar Bistro, Wellington Gastropub, Whalesbone Oyster House
• "One Star Epicurean" Awards went to 4 restaurants: Castlegarth Resaurant, Petit Bill's Bistro, Poco Pazzo, Sweet Grass Aboriginal Bistro
• "Best Wine Experience" Award went to Le Baccara's Sommelier Danielle Dupont

Conspicuously absent this year were last year's awards for "Regional/Specialty/Ethnic" and "Best Service." The list from last year was equally as long.

Award winners were chosen by public survey. Entries were submitted between July 25, 2008 and October 15, 2008. Results were announced during this year's Ottawa Wine and Food Show.

While the Epicurean Awards seem to give awards to any restaurant with three submitted entries, the ORHMA are issued by industry peers. Honestly, why would anyone bother to spend 10-30 minutes filling in an Epicurean Award survey entry if the requisite restaurant didn't earn at least a 70% in your books. You would be spending more time rating the restaurant than you did partaking of the meal. Conversely, judging from the proceedings reported by food columnist, Ron Eade, on the Ottawa Citizen's Omnivore Blog, the ORHMA seems to be a must-attend event of the year for Ottawa's culinary industry.

As someone who has limited funds to dine out, I will take the ORHMA results into consideration along with the Ottawa Magazine's Christ Knight's best and brightest when choosing my next fine dining destination.

Speaking of which, here are Ottawa's "Top Picks" according to the Ottawa Magazine for 2008:

Christ Knight's Top 10 for 2008

1. Beckta Dining and Wine (Chef/Owner: Michael Moffatt/Stephen Beckta): 226 Nepean Street - (613)238-7063
2. Domus Café (Chef: John Taylor): 87 Murray Street - (613)241-6007
3. Le Baccara: 1, boulevard du Casino - (819)772-6210
4. Restaurant E18teen (Chef: Matt Carmichael, protegé of Susur Lee): 18 York Street - (613)244-1188
5. The Wellington Gastropub (Chef/Owner: Chris Deraiche): 1325 Wellington Street - (613)729-1315
6. Benit Bistro (Chef/Owner: Derek Benitz): 327 Somerset Street West - (613)567-8100
7. Allium (Chef/Owner: Arup Jana): 87 Holland Avenue - (613)792-1313
8. The Urban Pear(Chef/Owner: Ben Baird): 151 Second Ave., Unit C - (613)569-9305
9. Les Fougerès(Chef/Owner: Charles Part): 782, route 105, Chelsea - (819)827-8942
10. Signatures by Le Cordon Bleu: 453 Laurier Avenue East - (613)236-2460

Two weekends ago, friends came over to my place after dinner to chat and enjoy dessert. Jenn disappeared into the kitchen to make a Japanese sponge cake, called a kastella. I entertained.

While several of my guests argued the finer points of application development on mac vs. Linux platforms, another guest, a fellow foodie and dear friend from my university days, picked up my November 2007 issue of the Ottawa Magazine. Like me, she immediately turned to this year's list of top 10 "Best Restaurants" according to guest columnist, respected critic, and cooking television producer, Chris Knight. That's right folks, Knight's top 10 for 2007 is out!

For people new to the Ottawa Magazine, each year, around November-ish, Knight releases a top 10 list for restaurants in the national capital region. It is his determination of the best and brightest in the local restaurant scene. The criteria for Knight's top 10 list follows:

1. The restaurant needs to be a fine dining establishment.
2. The restaurant needs to be on the tip of your tongue when your current boss, former mentor, hero, and father in law says he's coming to Ottawa and wants you to recommend a place to go with the "missus" for their 40th wedding anniversary.

If you don't believe me, I'll happily show you the page in the November 2006 issue of the Ottawa magazine, where Knight actually states this.

Along with his annual top 10 list, Knight also includes a short list of restaurants that just nearly missed edging someone out and joining the list themselves. These restaurants will most likely be contenders for next year's list.

And without further ado, here are Ottawa's Best Restaurants for 2007:

1. Beckta Dining and Wine: 226 Nepean Street - (613)238-7063
2. Le Baccara: 1, boulevard du Casino - (819)772-6210
3. Domus Café: 87 Murray Street - (613)241-6007
4. Restaurant E18teen (new head chef since 2006: Matthew Carmichael, protegé of Susur Lee): 18 York Street - (613)244-1188
5. The Wellington Gastropub (chef/owner: Chris Deraiche, former head chef of E18teen): 1325 Wellington Street - (613)729-1315
6. Ambiente: 101-18 Beechwood avenue - (613)744-6509
7. Juniper Kitchen and Wine Bar (changed location since 2006): 245 Richmond Road - (613)728-0220
8. Social Restaurant + Lounge: 537 Sussex Drive - (613)789-7355
9. Perspectives: Brookstreet, 525 Legget Drive - (613)271-18000
10. Les Fougerès: 782, route 105, Chelsea - (819)827-8942

Here are Knight's 6 Restaurants "to watch":

1. Absinthe Café Resto Bar (new location since 2006): 1208 Wellington Street - (613)761-1138
2. Canvas Resto Bar (at the former location of Absinthe): 65 Holland Avenue - (613)729-1991
3. Allium (my personal favourite restaurant): 87 Holland Avenue - (613)792-1313
4. Benitz Bistro: 327 Somerset Street West - (613)567-8100
5. Luxe Bistro (formerly 47 York Restaurant, new name, new ownership, new head chef: René Rodriguez): 47 York Street - (613)241-8805
6. The Whalesbone Oyster House (new head chef: Steve Wall): 430 Bank Street - (613)231-8569

As I told my friend, the November issue of the Ottawa magazine is to foodies what the Sports Illustrated Swim Suit issue is to sport fans. Both are issued once annually. Both are eagerly awaited.

For me, my meager restaurant budget only permits me to visit a precious few fine dining establishments during a given year. Chris Knight's top 10 list and his write-ups on each incumbent restaurant provide much needed reconnaissance, information that will let me spend my money more wisely.

Regarding this year's choices, Knight has confirmed the existence of Ottawa's Epicurean Row. Two of his top 10 and three of his 6 "to watch" are located in the Wellington Village, almost within walking distance of each other.

To Arup Jana, chef/owner of Allium, congratulations. I'll be by your restaurant soon to get my copy of the magazine signed!

Oh, if you're interested in Knight's top 10 pics for last year, they follow:

More after the jump...