Last Eats from Helen's Cuisine

Posted 01/02/10 by don | Filed under: restaurantEats

During Helen's Cuisine's (formerly in the Melrose Groceteria) last weekend of operation, Jenn and I made it a point to eat there and say our goodbye's. It was a neighbourhood eatery we had just discovered and started visiting regularly.

On its last day, we ordered two chicken shawarma and a falafel sandwich.

Top to Bottom: chicken and falafel
Fresh pita, baked chicken, and crumbled falafel, these were great examples of good homemade pita sandwiches.

Seeing other regulars racing for the last of Helen's boxed dips and pickles, I also claimed a pair of containers.

Left to Right: Pickled turnip and Babaganoush
The pickles were in-house pickled according to Helen's recipe. She does not add the customary pink food colouring, more typical of bottled pickled turnips, which are served at many of Ottawa's shawarma houses. They were tart, slightly spicy, and crisp. Babaganoush is one of very few ways I will eat the wretched vegetable that is egg plant. Helen's was one of favourites. It was bright in flavour and creamy in texture.

Alas, I would never have the opportunity to try Helen's labne, homemade yogurt cheese, ever time she ran out before I arrived.

To Helen and Buddy, we wish you a happy retirement.