During the most recent Hintonburg supper club, I spoke with a neighbourhood local who was surprised when I told her that there were dozens of local food blogs besides foodiePrints. I then directed her to foodiePrints' list of Ottawa food blogs. But, I neglected to tell her that a number of local eateries and Beau's Natural Brewery also maintain blogs. Many more have gone on Twitter to micro-blog. Here is a list of eateries and the like that Tweet:

Bakery
Auntie Loo's Treats
Blog:

• Auntie Loo's Treats
• Antie Loo's Weddings

Facebook: Auntie Loo's Treats Ottawa
Twitter: @Auntie_Loo
Address: 507 Bronson Avenue, Ottawa

Isobel's Cupcakes
Twitter: @isobelscupcakes
Address: 117 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa
Phone: (613)742-0777

Let Them Eat Cake Bakery
Blog: Let Them Eat Cake Bakery
Twitter: @I_Want_Cupcakes

Little Cakes
Blog: Little Cakes Cupcakes
Facebook: Little Cakes Cupcakes
Twitter: @LitttleCakes
Phone Number: (613) 286-3532
E-mail: info@littlecakes.ca

Life of Pie
Facebook: Life of Pie
Twitter: Owner Kerry Duffy (@lifeofpieottawa)
Address: 70A Leonard Avenue, Ottawa
Phone Number: (613) 693-1853

Sophie Bifield Cake Company
Facebook: Sophie Bifield Cake Company
Twitter: @OttawaCake
Phone Number: (613) 869-7674

Sugar and Spice Cakes
Twitter: @SugarSpiceCakes

The Cakery: Custom Cakes & Cupcakes
Twitter: @thecakery
Phone Number: (613) 281-0897

The Flour Shoppe
Facebook: The Flour Shoppe
Twitter: Melissa Somers (@TheFlourShoppe)
Phone Number: (613) 513-3752

The Vanilla Bean Baker
Blog: Vanilla Bean Baker
Twitter: Paula Kelly-Bourque (@VanillaBeanBake)
Phone Number: (613) 267-5154
E-mail: paularkelly@gmail.com

Breweries/Wineries
Beau's All Natural Brewing
Blog: How to Start a Brewery
Facebook: Beaus All Natural Brewing Co.
Twitter: @beausbeer
Address: 10 Terry Fox Drive, Vankleek Hill
Phone Number: 1-866-585-BEER

Kichesippi Beer Company
Blog: KBeer
Twitter: @kichesippibeer
Phone Number: (613) 866-1577

Coffee/Coffee Houses:
Bridgehead Coffee House(s)
Blog: Bridgehead: A blog for Bridgehead Staff and Friends
Twitter:

• @Bridgehead
• Ian Clark (@_IanClark)

Address: Various locations in Ottawa

Happy Goat Coffee
Twitter: Pierre Richard (@HAPPYGOATCOFFEE)
Phone Number: (613) 612-5771

Morning Owl Coffee House
Twitter: @morning_owl
Address: 538 Rochester Street, Ottawa
Phone Number: (613) 680-8336

Two Monkeys and Coffee and Tea House
Facebook: Two Monkeys Coffee and Tea House
Twitter: @2MonkeysCoffee
Address: 14-4100 Standherd Drive (Cedarview Square), Barrhaven
Phone Number: (613)843-7463

Fine Food/Catering:
Bliss Gelato
Twitter: @BlissGelato
Address: Truffle Treasures (314 Richmond Road, Ottawa or 769 Bank Street, Ottawa)
Phone Number: 1-866-582-2773

Credible Edibles
Twitter: @creded
Address: 78 Hinton Avenue North, Ottawa
Phone Number: (613) 558-7569

Crazy 4 Chocolate: Artisan Chocolate Truffles
Facebook: crazy4chocolate.ca
Twitter: @crazy4chocolat
Phone Number: (613) 424-0076

Epicuria Fine Food Store and Catering
Blog: Epicuria Fine Food
Twitter: Chef/Owner Tracey Black (@epicuriadotca)
Address: 419 Mackay Street, Ottawa
Phone Number: (613) 745-7356

Essence Catering
Blog: Sticky Fingers: Culinary Adventures in the Nation's Capital
Twitter:

• @EssenceCatering
• Catering Coordinator Kelly Serjeantson (@kellskitchen)
• Chef/Owner Jason Laurin (@chefjayl)

Address: 430 Parkdale Avenue, Ottawa
Phone Number: (613) 850-4776

Jacobson's: Concept Gourmet
Blog: Jacobson's: Gourmet Ottawa Food
Twitter: @JacobsonsOttawa
Address: 141 Beechwood Ave, Ottawa
Phone Number: (613) 746-6002

Koko Chocolates
Facebook: koko chocolates
Twitter:

• Co-Owner/Chocolatier Lori Sword (@kokochocolates)
• Co-Owner Jon Sword (@jonsword)

Address: 45 Spencer Street, Ottawa
Phone Number: (613) 277-3254

Manotick Village Butcher
Blog: The Manotick Village Butcher Blog
Facebook: The Manotick Village Butcher
Twitter: @manotickbutcher
Address: 2-5556 Manotick Main Street, Manotick
Phone Number: (613) 491-1411

Scratch Kitchen
Facebook: Scratch Kitchen
Twitter: Chef/Owner Sean Patrick Murphy (@scratchkitchen)
Phone Number: (613) 601-0672

The Magic Fridge
Blog: The Magic Blog
Facebook: The Magic Fridge
Twitter: Owner Julie Broczkowski (@themagicfridge)
Phone Number: (613) 837-8476

The Whalesbone Oysterhouse: Sustainable Fish and Oyster Supply and Catering
Blog: Chef Kate Klenavic's San Francisco travel blog Stuff We Ate in the San Francisco Area
Faceook: Whalesbone Oyster House (WBOH)
Twitter: Chef Kate Klenavic (@whalesbonecater)
Address: 504 A Kent Street, Ottawa
Phone Number: (613) 231.3474

Thyme And Again Creative Catering And Take Home Food Inc
Twitter: @thymeandagain
Address: 1255 Wellington Street West, Ottawa
Phone Number: (613) 722-0093

Tulips And Maple Inc.
Blog: Tulips & Maple Cater-taining
Twitter: @tulipsandmaple
Address: 1980 Merivale Road, Ottawa
Phone Number: (613) 723-7103

Pubs/Bars:
D'Arcy McGee's (Ottawa)
Twitter: General Manager Jeff O'Reilly (@pintinhand)
Address: 44 Sparks Street, Ottawa
Phone Number: (613) 230-4433

Patty Boland's Irish Carvery & Pub
Twitter: @PattyBolands
Address: 101 Clarence Street, Ottawa
Phone Number: (613) 789-7822

Restaurants:
Atelier Restaurant
Blog: Atelier Restaurant
Facebook: Atelier Restaurant
Twitter:

• Chef/Owner Marc Lepine (@marclepine)
• Chef Michael Holland (@pastryoverlord, twitpic)
• Chef Sarah Allen (@sarah_j_allen)

YouTube Channel: AtelierOttawa
Address: 540 Rochester Street, Ottawa
Phone Number: (613) 321-3537

Beckta Dining and Wine
Twitter:

• Co-Owner Stephen Beckta (@stevebeckta)
• Co-Owner/Chef Michael Moffatt (@michaelmoffatt)

Address: 226 Nepean Street, Ottawa
Phone Number: (613) 238-7063

Bin 790 Bistro Tapas & Wine Bar
Twitter: @bin790bto
Address: 790 Kanata Avenue, Kanata
Phone Number: (613) 591-3287

Black Cat Bistro
Twitter:

• @BlackCatOttawa
• Chef Trish Larkin (@PatriciaLarkin)

Addresss: 428 Preston Street, Ottawa
Phone Number: (613) 569-9998

Blue Cactus Bar & Grill (Firestone Group)
Facebook: Firestone Restaurant Group
Twitter:

• @bluecactusbandg
• Firestone Restaurants (@frginthemarket)

Address: 2 ByWard Market, Ottawa
Phone Number: (613) 241-7061

Courtyard Restaurant
Facebook: Courtyard Restaurant Staff Past and Present
Twitter:

• @courtyard
• Chef Michael Hay (@michaelthehay)

YouTube Channel: Michaelthehay
Address: 21 George Street, Ottawa
Phone Number: (613) 241-1516

DiVino Wine Studio
Blog: DiVino Wine Studio
Twitter:

• @DiVinoOttawa
• Event Coordinator Larissa Beznaczuk (@LarissaOttawa)

Address: 225 Preston Street, Ottawa
Phone Number: (613) 221-9760

E18ghteen Steak, Seafood, and Wine
Twitter: @restaurant18
Address: 18 York Street, Ottawa
Phone Number: (613) 244-1188‎

Farbs Kitchen and Wine Bar
Twitter: @Farbskitchen
Address: 18 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa
Phone Number: (613) 744-6509

Hintonburger
Facebook: HINTONBURGER
Twitter: @hintonburger
Address: 991 Wellington Street W., Ottawa

Jean Alberts American Style Soul Food
Facebook: Jean Alberts
Twitter: @Jean_Alberts
Address: 495 Somerset Street West, Ottawa
Phone Number: (613) 569-5326

Juniper Restaurant
Facebook: Juniper Kitchen & Wine Bar
Twitter: @JuniperKitchen
Address: 245 Richmond Road, Ottawa
Phone Number: (613) 728-0220

Le Cafe
Twitter: Chef Michael Blackie (@michaelblackie)
YouTube Channel: MBcuisine's Channel
Address: 53 Elgin Street, Ottawa
Phone Number: (613) 594-5127

Luxe Bistro (Firestone Group)
Facebook: Firestone Restaurant Group
Twitter:

• @luxebistro
• Chef Duane Keats (@DuaneKeats)
• Firestone Restaurants (@frginthemarket)

Address: 47 York Street, Ottawa
Phone Number: (613) 241-8805

Murray Street Kitchen Charcuterie and Wine
Facebook: Murray Street - Kitchen|Wine|Charcuterie
Twitter: Chef Steve Mitton (@MurrayStreetKWC)
Address: 110 Murray Street, Ottawa
Phone Number: (613) 562-7244

Navarra Restaurant
Blog: The Iron Bull
Facebook: Navarra Restaurant
Twitter: @navarrarest
YouTube Channel: NavarraRestaurant
Address: 93 Murray Street, Ottawa
Phone Number: (613) 241-5500

Petit Bill's Bistro
Twitter: @littlebills
Address: 1293 Wellington Street W., Ottawa
Phone Number: (613) 729-2500

Play Food and Wine
Facebook: Play Food and Wine
Twitter:

• @playfoodandwine
• Co-Owner Stephen Beckta (@stevebeckta)
• Co-Owner/Chef Michael Moffatt (@michaelmoffatt)

Address: 1 York Street, Ottawa
Phone Number: (613) 667-9207

Santé Restaurant
Twitter: @santeresto
Address: 45 Rideau Street, Ottawa
Phone Number: (613) 241-7113

Stella Osteria (Firestone Group)
Facebook: Firestone Restaurant Group
Twitter:

• @stellaosteria
• Firestone Restaurants (@frginthemarket)

Address: 81 Clarence Street, Ottawa
Phone Number: (613) 241-2200

Stoneface Dolly's
Twitter: @stonefacedollys
Address: 416 Preston Street, Ottawa
Phone Number: (613) 564-2222

Thi Fusion
Twitter: @ThiFusion
Address: 790 Kanata Avenue, Kanata
Phone Number: (613) 599-0880

Toss It Up: Fresh to Go
Twitter: @tossitup
Address: 208 Sparks Street, Ottawa
Phone Number: (613) 216-2845

Town
Blog: Town
Facebook: Town
Twitter: @townlovesyou
Address, 296 Elgin Street, Ottawa
Phone Number: (613)695.TOWN (8696)

Vittoria Trattoria
Twitter: @vtrattoria
Address: 2 Locations (35 William Street, Ottawa or 3625 Riverside Drive, Ottawa)
Phone Number: (613)789-8959

The Whalesbone Oysterhouse
Blog: The Twisted Chef (old link)
FaceBook: Whalesbone Oyster House (WBOH)
Twitter:

• Chef Charlotte Langley (@charlotke)
• Junior Pastry Chef Lynne Frappier (@letwistedchef)

Address: 430 Bank Street, Ottawa
Phone Number: (613) 231-8569

The Works Gourmet Bistro
Facebook: The Works Gourmet Burger Bistro
Twitter: @worksburger
Address: Various Locations

Zola's Restaurant
Twitter: @zolas_ottawa
Address: 194 Robertson Road, Bell's Corners
Phone Number: (613) 721-0227

More after the jump...

I never understood those "something of the month clubs." Perhaps it's a symptom of our information-driven world that a lot of us, myself included, have become accustomed to having just about everything at our fingertips. If the megamart or department store doesn't have it, the local large-mart will. Even the more obscure products can be found available online, VISA or PayPal accepted and just a click away.

The same can be said for good food photography. While I long for my favourite culinary magazines to show up on news stands with their full page splashes of professionally plated and expertly photographed dishes, most are published monthly. Some are published every other month.

To fill the gap, I turn to the Food Porn Daily website, which I recently discovered. This website displays macro-like images of dishes in all their delicious glory. Each day, the image changes. Yes, it is safe for work. Though, some url-filtering firewalls may block it.

The site was built and is maintained by a collaboration from the founders of two popular food blogs. Amanda and her husband Tyler from What We're Eating and Nicole from Pinch My Salt take images submitted to the Food Porn Daily website and select those to display. According to the "Submit a Photo" form, photos must be high quality. They must be 1200x800 pixels or larger and they must be original. Food Porn Daily will not post photos submitted for other people.

For those of you who aren't satisfied with just looking, recipes are available for a number of chosen entries.

To me, the Food Porn Daily website reminds us that we eat with our eyes first. Go have a look see!

Perhaps one of the most "head-slapping, why didn't I think of it mash-ups" is the MenuDB web application, which currently only hosts scanned menus from restaurants situated in Ottawa and Kingston. It has an intuitive web 2.0 interface (AJAX-ified) that features a Google Maps widget with tags to all restaurants for which the application has menus. Click on a tag and MenuDB renders a webpage with the name of the restaurant, its address, its phone number, and its menu.

MenuDB organizes restaurants according to categories ( "Asian", "Carribean", "Casual", "Pizza", "Spanish", "Thai", etc.), and by location ("Downtown", "Lowertown", "Market", "Nepean", "Somerset", "Chinatown" and "Vanier"). One of the most useful features has to be the fact that the team that maintains the web application also stores the hours for each restaurant. MenuDB tells you whether or not a restaurant is open, whenever you select one for display.

Here is a link to the Ottawa version. There are tags everywhere!
Here is a link to the Kingston version. Not surprisingly, the majority of tags are along Princess Street.

Cheers, to the developers. This is a bloody good idea!

Normally, I try not to use the p-word in relation to food on foodiePrints. I simply don't agree with the term or the rather negative connotation that comes with it, sensationalizing food as a substitute for sex. Even wikipedia's entry on food porn is 2/3 negative. The entry first introduces food porn as a "sarcastic" term for visual media, involving cooking or eating in advertisements, infomercials, or cooking shows. Then it links the term to high fat or caloric rich food. It ends with the fetish connotation. Tucked into the negative aspects of the entry is a description that I feel appropriate: images of exotic dishes that arouse the desire to eat.

Armed with this last definition, Ridgerock Studios from Calgary, Alberta seems adept in producing food porn. Their team consists of professional photographers and stylists. Their product is high end digital photography. When it comes to their specialty, food, they produce some of the most appetite inducing digital captures of food that I have ever seen. According to their website and brochure, this has something to with Hasselblad digital camera systems and digital editing. Since I am but a point and shoot photographer, I am going to assume that their equipment is top-notch. However, in my experience, whenever a technology is ascribed credit, the skill of its operator is more likely paramount.

I should point out that I didn't run into Ridgerock Studios' website, with its built-in slideshow, from searching for "food porn." I found Ridgerock Studios when I went to look at this April's cooking challenge at foodtv.ca. This month the chosen recipe is a rustic dish, "Roaster Garlic Vegetable Tart." It comes from TV Chef Anna Olsen, of "Sugar" fame. The image of the dish that is displayed with the recipe was captured by one of Ridgerock Studios' professional food photographers, Todd. The image also happens to be his entry for the cooking challenge. Quite frankly, given the quality of the image and the drool that collected on my keyboard, I concede defeat. I will nevertheless try the recipe as my recipe box is sadly lacking in appetizers. I plan to try the recipe both in its original form and substituting puff pastry for the phyllo.

Kudos to Ridgerock Studios. It's a Canadian company too!

A friend of mind sent me an e-mail, containing over 200 links to Christmas Cookie recipes. With the holiday season fast approaching, I heartily welcome new cookie recipes to try. Christmas cookies make great gifts.

Just in case you're not familiar with Christmas cookies, here is Wikipedia's entry on the subject.
Christmas cookies

Christmas cookies are traditionally sugar cookies (though other flavors may be used based on family traditions and individual preferences) cut into various shapes related to Christmas. In the United States, since the 1930s, children have left cookies and milk on a table for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, though many people simply consume the cookies themselves. The cookies are often cut into such shapes as those of candy canes, reindeer, and holly leaves. Oreos are also popular.

The recipes came from the northpole.com website.

Northpole.com
Northpole.com is very content-rich website, providing many Christmas-related resources for parents, children, and teachers. The site is also activity-rich, offering games, puzzles, and even online post cards. Come Christmas Eve, children can even point and click to track Santa's progress across the skyline.

Here are the first 16 recipes:

1. 1-2-3 Cookies
2. 7 Layer Cookies
3. Allie Nelson's Famous Snickerdoodle Cookies
4. Almond Crescent Shortbread
5. Amish Sugar Cookies
6. Andies Candies Cookies
7. Angel Crisps
8. Angenets
9. Applesauce Cookies
10. Apricot Fold-Overs
11. Aunt Edy's Molasses Crinkles
12. Auntie Linda's Ginger Gems
13. Bakeless Dream Cookies
14. Banana Drop Cookies
15. Best Chocolate Chip Cookies in the World
16. Biscotti

The other 262 recipes follow:

More after the jump...