There's nothing that warms the heart more then a nice evening with your friends, sharing a nice meal and community theater. A few weeks ago, a bunch of us went to support our friend staring in a local musical in Carleton Place, ON. To fill our bellies, one of our friends recommended Ballygiblins. We had a little bit of difficulty finding the place right away, but once we got there, I was impressed. The decor was classy, but still light enough for a friendly atmosphere. I did not feel like this place was snobby, but it was welcoming with a touch of class. Being the holiday season, they did a good job at adding a small festive touch while not going overboard.
For my meal, I ordered the bacon and cheddar burger while the boss ordered the soup of the day(it was an apple cream soup) and quesadillas. Our friends all ordered a mix of burgers, sandwiches and the beef vindaloo. The server was very friendly and accommodating. He was quick with the drinks, smiled and had an opinion on the food when asked. With it being such a large table, our food took a little longer to come out, but that was expected. The place slowly filled up and I found it a bit noisy in our area, but our larger group may have had a part in that.
The food that came was presented very well. With my burger, the sauces came in separate tiny bowls for you to mix and apply to your burger. The patty was homemade and the seasoning was excellent. The only complaint about the burger was that they used what I believe was french bread, or a different type of bread (I'll edit this once I remember the name of the bread), instead of burger buns. This made presentation excellent, and innovative, but practicality was not as considered. My patty fell apart and it was a little bit more difficult to eat. Overall, the burger was tasty, moist and jumping with flavour. The soup the boss ordered was raved about at the table by those who got it. I had a small taste and would have to agree. The flavours really jumped out without being too overbearing. The quesadillas on the other hand was much more disappointing. After seeing how everyone else meals were, the quesadillas was...well...quesadillas. There was nothing special about them. The boss was really expecting something more, even if it were some mix of spices, or different types of sauces, cheese, or dips. This was the only unfortunate part of the meal. For those who did order desert, they were happy that their sweet tooth was satisfied. Once again the presentation was wonderful. Someone even ordered a desert after having a tasting of someone else.
The bills for the food came and the totals were very reasonable. Overall, we had a great experience. The food was good, (except for the quesadillas), the atmosphere was well done, and the service was perfect. This is a classy enough place for a date, but not too classy for a family gathering or a "I'm too lazy to cook" meal. I would go back.
Review (out of 5):
Food: * * * * 1/2
Value: * * * * 1/2
Atmosphere: * * * * *
Service: * * * * *
Price Range (dinner): $12 - $24
Website: http://ballygiblins.ca/
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Hy's Steakhouse
For the bosses birthday, I took her out to Hy's Steakhouse in downtown Ottawa. I've heard that this place was where you'd go for the best steak in town. We went on a Sunday night and easily found street parking not too far from the local. The outside of the restaurant was unimpressive. As we walked into the place, it was night and day. The place was decorated in an older style decor, with dark woods, high ceilings, low lighting and painting from the 1800's. The place was very classy. We got seated and were handed our menus and a very thick wine menu. I ordered a very tasty beer and the boss had her martini. We also had a glass of house wine each for dinner. They had a very nice selection of wines to pick from. In the middle of the room, there was a big glass encasing with a huge grill in the middle. This was exciting for we would be able to watch our steaks being cooked. Our server was very friendly and professional. We ended up ordering the same thing, The "only" New York Strip with Hy's special sauce. We also ordered crab cakes, ahi tuna and a Cesar salad for an appetizer.
We got the crab cakes and the tuna very soon, and it was VERY well done. the portions were not skimpy but not too much. The flavor from both were delicious. As we were eating there, the server came by and rolled out a cart by our table. At first, I thought it was just to help him serve. Soon he returned with some bowls and ingredients, and started to make our Cesar salad in front of us. You can't get any fresher then that. As we sat there, we watched him crack the egg, mix in the oils and anchovies, and then served us a excellent, hand made, and very fresh salad. The steaks soon arrived from our glass grilling box. The first cut was perfect. The steak was not dry, but very juicy and full of flavour. The seasoning was well proportioned and the Hy's sauce added a perfect amount of kick. The meat itself was cooked perfectly, but the cut wasn't perfect. By no means was it horrible, but I've had a better cut of steak, and this one had some tendons in it that I was not expecting to see in a higher quality steak. On the side, I ordered a twice baked potatoe. This means, after the first bake, they add the works to it, and bake it again. It was one of the best mix of baked potatoes I have had.
This was a special meal at a fancy place, and Hy's is by no means a cheap place to go. The average main course is about 30$ each. Appetizers range from 7$-15$. The service was perfect, and non-intrusive. The atmosphere would be perfect for a romantic dinner, or a fancy night out. Maybe because it was a Sunday night, or the bad economy, but the restaurant was virtually empty. There seemed like there was maybe 3 or 4 other tables on top of us.
I would go back, and I would recommend other to go here if they are looking for a nice fancy steakhouse. Order the Cesar salad, the novelty is pretty cool.
We got the crab cakes and the tuna very soon, and it was VERY well done. the portions were not skimpy but not too much. The flavor from both were delicious. As we were eating there, the server came by and rolled out a cart by our table. At first, I thought it was just to help him serve. Soon he returned with some bowls and ingredients, and started to make our Cesar salad in front of us. You can't get any fresher then that. As we sat there, we watched him crack the egg, mix in the oils and anchovies, and then served us a excellent, hand made, and very fresh salad. The steaks soon arrived from our glass grilling box. The first cut was perfect. The steak was not dry, but very juicy and full of flavour. The seasoning was well proportioned and the Hy's sauce added a perfect amount of kick. The meat itself was cooked perfectly, but the cut wasn't perfect. By no means was it horrible, but I've had a better cut of steak, and this one had some tendons in it that I was not expecting to see in a higher quality steak. On the side, I ordered a twice baked potatoe. This means, after the first bake, they add the works to it, and bake it again. It was one of the best mix of baked potatoes I have had.
This was a special meal at a fancy place, and Hy's is by no means a cheap place to go. The average main course is about 30$ each. Appetizers range from 7$-15$. The service was perfect, and non-intrusive. The atmosphere would be perfect for a romantic dinner, or a fancy night out. Maybe because it was a Sunday night, or the bad economy, but the restaurant was virtually empty. There seemed like there was maybe 3 or 4 other tables on top of us.
I would go back, and I would recommend other to go here if they are looking for a nice fancy steakhouse. Order the Cesar salad, the novelty is pretty cool.
Review (out of 5):
Food: * * * * 1/2
Value: * * * *
Atmosphere: * * * * *
Service: * * * * *
Price range (dinner): $30-$80
Website: http://www.hyssteakhouse.com/
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Napoli's Café
After a long week, we decided to go out and try out places in the area. After some research online (google does wonders), we decided on a place called Napoli's cafe. The menu look good and the as did the pictures in the atmosphere. The website did a good job at selling the joint. This does wonders to demonstrate how a good website can really help a restaurant.
This place is a small Italian place with an outdoor patio. There's a bar when you walk in with some TV's showing the food network. Brownie points for that! There were booths on one side and table on the other. We were greeted by a gentleman whom I believe was one of the owners. He sat us down and was quickly asked about drinks. The place wasn't full, but it wasn't empty as well. The noise level wasn't loud, nor too quiet. We dressed up for this place a little bit, but there were customers there who had shorts, or jeans, so I'd say the atmosphere is casual.
For drinks, we decided on a half carafe of red wine and had our orders taken. We started with some zucchini sticks, and I ordered the tortellini con funghi and the boss ordered gnocchi. The appetizers came out very quick, and it was hot, plentiful and very tasty. Bread was also served, but was never offered more when the bread bowl was empty. While waiting for the main course, the place started to fill in more. It still wasn't packed, but it wasn't busy. We got our food, and was offered fresh ground pepper and parm cheese. This is when I noticed that the table behind us, who was there before us, still had not gotten their appetizers yet. Ignoring that fact for the moment, I dug into my food. The cream sauce was very rich, and the portion was very good. It was good, but it wasn't the best I've had. I found the sauce to be almost too heavy. The boss dug into her gnocchi and was very disappointed. The pasta itself was decent, but the tomato sauce has no flavour at all. There was no fresh herbs in it, so really, everything tasted bland. To sum it up, that dish was edible, but not enjoyable.
The service is really what got to us about this place. The food took a little longer then expected for how busy the place was. It wasn't until I was 3/4 done my plate and the Boss half done with her plate before anyone came over to ask how our food was. By the time we got our bills, the table behind us, that was there before us, got their food. I could overhear them saying how they asked a few times to have a faster meal because they were going to Bluesfest. There just wasn't enough staff in the place. There was the owner doing one side, the waitress, one lady who didn't seem to do much, and the busgirl.
The price of the meal was ok. I would not call it a cheap place to eat, but it was not overly pricey either.
Overall, the decor was excellent, but the food and service brought the place down. Would I go back? Not by my own choice, but if someone wanted to still go there, I'd still go.
Review (out of 5):
Food: * * *
Value: * * *
Atmosphere: * * * *
Service: * * *
Price range (dinner): $15-$30
Website: http://www.napoliscafe.com/
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Restaurant Les Fougères
There has not been much chance for us to go out to eat recently, hence the lack of a post until now, but good thing I have a few still in my recent memory that I do want to share and recount back to you all!
We decided to splurge a little and go out for a super fancy dinner and just really enjoy the night. I would have to say that this was my first real taste into finer dining. I was not disappointed.
Les Fougeres is located near Chelsea Que, about 15 mins north of Ottawa. I made reservations and we both dressed up to help with the atmosphere. The restaurant looks like a small country side inn. The interior was very nicely decorated in a "quaint french Canadian" style, something you'd expect to see in a nice bed and breakfast, just on a larger scale. The greeting staff was very friendly, and the table decor was subtle and not overly intrusive.
Since this was going to be a splurge meal, we decided to both order the tasting menu, with wine parings. I think this is the best way to really get a taste of what the chef can do, of course at a price. The menu can be found here.
The meal started off with some rosemary rolls with some butter with rosemary in it. It was very fresh, and the aroma of the rosemary really made it something to remember...and this was just the rolls!
I'm not going to go over each and every plate, but the ones to remember was the first plate with the duck. I've never had duck melt with so much flavor before in my mouth. There was so much food, it was hard to finish my desert. The someliere did a wonderful job at the wine parings. It was my first real experience where the food was good, the wine was good, but when you had the food with the right wine, it just brought out this extra burst of flavours.
So, over all, the atmosphere was excellent. The staff was knowledgeable, friendly, and they came out and explained everything about the current course. They will remind you which plate you are eating and tell you a little bit about the wine that is paired with it. The food was one of the best I've ever had. Much compliments to the chef! Sometimes you really do get what you pay for.
Review (out of 5):
Food: * * * * *
Value: * * * * *
Atmosphere: * * * * *
Service: * * * * *
Price Range (dinner): $30 - $150
Website: http://www.fougeres.ca/
We decided to splurge a little and go out for a super fancy dinner and just really enjoy the night. I would have to say that this was my first real taste into finer dining. I was not disappointed.
Les Fougeres is located near Chelsea Que, about 15 mins north of Ottawa. I made reservations and we both dressed up to help with the atmosphere. The restaurant looks like a small country side inn. The interior was very nicely decorated in a "quaint french Canadian" style, something you'd expect to see in a nice bed and breakfast, just on a larger scale. The greeting staff was very friendly, and the table decor was subtle and not overly intrusive.
Since this was going to be a splurge meal, we decided to both order the tasting menu, with wine parings. I think this is the best way to really get a taste of what the chef can do, of course at a price. The menu can be found here.
The meal started off with some rosemary rolls with some butter with rosemary in it. It was very fresh, and the aroma of the rosemary really made it something to remember...and this was just the rolls!
I'm not going to go over each and every plate, but the ones to remember was the first plate with the duck. I've never had duck melt with so much flavor before in my mouth. There was so much food, it was hard to finish my desert. The someliere did a wonderful job at the wine parings. It was my first real experience where the food was good, the wine was good, but when you had the food with the right wine, it just brought out this extra burst of flavours.
So, over all, the atmosphere was excellent. The staff was knowledgeable, friendly, and they came out and explained everything about the current course. They will remind you which plate you are eating and tell you a little bit about the wine that is paired with it. The food was one of the best I've ever had. Much compliments to the chef! Sometimes you really do get what you pay for.
Review (out of 5):
Food: * * * * *
Value: * * * * *
Atmosphere: * * * * *
Service: * * * * *
Price Range (dinner): $30 - $150
Website: http://www.fougeres.ca/
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Roost: The Urban Smokehouse
The idea of starting these reviews started a few months ago, but really came to the front after last night.
Out in the east end of Ottawa, there is a small place called the Roost: The Urban Smokehouse. If you've been out there, it's located right beside The Works. We've been to The Works many times out there, and each time we go into The Works, the Roost is usually empty. As tempted as we've been to go in and try it out, we've always sided with what we like. Recently, we got an invitation to a re-opening. Roost had a re-vamped menu, and was giving away free sample platters for free. What a great idea to help spread the word out! The lineup was out the door, and the place was packed with people all having the same idea...What is this place about?
The atmosphere there was very well done. It was not too dark inside, but the decor made the place look similar to what you would think a smoke house might look like. The place was clean, and the serving staff was very polite and courteous. The wait for the drinks was quick, and they have the same beer and milkshakes as The Works. While waiting for our platter, we took a quick glance at the "new" menu. It had your typical chicken in quarters, halves and whole, ribs, and chicken wings. Overall, the menu was what you would expect to get in a roast chicken joint, but there was not much more there. The prices were not cheap, and in my opinion, slightly overpriced for chicken and ribs.
Our platter came with a little mix of everything. We got some ribs, a quarter chicken, some wings, onion rings, fries, cornbread, and some chicken sauce. The portion was big, and I was hungry and ready to delve into this feast.
The food was good...but that's it. It was not great, it did not blow me away. After eating it, and thinking about the prices it would have cost me to eat one of those, I would have felt a little gypped. The ribs were decent, but we've made better at home. The chicken was well cooked and moist, but tasted...well, like what you would get at a supermarket for $9.99. The dipping sauce was different, but St. Hubert's is still better. The best part of it all, was the onion rings...which are the same ones you'd get if you went to The Works.
Overall, the food was decent, but I would not go back. The price was too high for the value of the food. On the bright side, all the tips went to help support breast cancer. Good job on that! Sorry Roost, the new menu just does fly...
Review (out of 5):
Food: * *
Value: * *
Atmosphere: * * * *
Service: * * * *
Price Range: $8-$25
website: http://www.roostchicken.com/
Out in the east end of Ottawa, there is a small place called the Roost: The Urban Smokehouse. If you've been out there, it's located right beside The Works. We've been to The Works many times out there, and each time we go into The Works, the Roost is usually empty. As tempted as we've been to go in and try it out, we've always sided with what we like. Recently, we got an invitation to a re-opening. Roost had a re-vamped menu, and was giving away free sample platters for free. What a great idea to help spread the word out! The lineup was out the door, and the place was packed with people all having the same idea...What is this place about?
The atmosphere there was very well done. It was not too dark inside, but the decor made the place look similar to what you would think a smoke house might look like. The place was clean, and the serving staff was very polite and courteous. The wait for the drinks was quick, and they have the same beer and milkshakes as The Works. While waiting for our platter, we took a quick glance at the "new" menu. It had your typical chicken in quarters, halves and whole, ribs, and chicken wings. Overall, the menu was what you would expect to get in a roast chicken joint, but there was not much more there. The prices were not cheap, and in my opinion, slightly overpriced for chicken and ribs.
Our platter came with a little mix of everything. We got some ribs, a quarter chicken, some wings, onion rings, fries, cornbread, and some chicken sauce. The portion was big, and I was hungry and ready to delve into this feast.
The food was good...but that's it. It was not great, it did not blow me away. After eating it, and thinking about the prices it would have cost me to eat one of those, I would have felt a little gypped. The ribs were decent, but we've made better at home. The chicken was well cooked and moist, but tasted...well, like what you would get at a supermarket for $9.99. The dipping sauce was different, but St. Hubert's is still better. The best part of it all, was the onion rings...which are the same ones you'd get if you went to The Works.
Overall, the food was decent, but I would not go back. The price was too high for the value of the food. On the bright side, all the tips went to help support breast cancer. Good job on that! Sorry Roost, the new menu just does fly...
Review (out of 5):
Food: * *
Value: * *
Atmosphere: * * * *
Service: * * * *
Price Range: $8-$25
website: http://www.roostchicken.com/
New Idea
Hi everyone,
To those who follow my blog, you know it has been a while since I've last posted here. This can be due to the fact my life has been going great, but at the same time, I've come to the point in my life where I don't rant about it online. Just on my tweet account; but I digress. Instead, I've decided to change the idea and theme of my blog to one of my loves in life. Food. To some, that may not be as exciting as my roll up the rim rants, but I think it's something that I might enjoy doing.
I will try and get pictures of the food that I eat when I can, but otherwise, I'll just post about the great foods that I've eaten, or the great restaurants I've been to. I'll also include not so great foods and restaurant's I've been to as well.
Small disclaimer: These are just my opinions of course, so please take that with your grain of salt :P No pun intended.
Let me know what you think of this idea. I'll post whenever I go out to eat, and I have a few places I've been on trips saved up to tell you all about. Enjoy, and bon appetit!
To those who follow my blog, you know it has been a while since I've last posted here. This can be due to the fact my life has been going great, but at the same time, I've come to the point in my life where I don't rant about it online. Just on my tweet account; but I digress. Instead, I've decided to change the idea and theme of my blog to one of my loves in life. Food. To some, that may not be as exciting as my roll up the rim rants, but I think it's something that I might enjoy doing.
I will try and get pictures of the food that I eat when I can, but otherwise, I'll just post about the great foods that I've eaten, or the great restaurants I've been to. I'll also include not so great foods and restaurant's I've been to as well.
Small disclaimer: These are just my opinions of course, so please take that with your grain of salt :P No pun intended.
Let me know what you think of this idea. I'll post whenever I go out to eat, and I have a few places I've been on trips saved up to tell you all about. Enjoy, and bon appetit!
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