HELLO WEDNESDAY
Before we get to our usual Wednesday restaurant roundup, let us give a moment’s thanks to those selfless souls who take the time to host virtual cocktail hours. Here are some of our faves:
▫️Hollywood director Paul Feig (Freaks & Geeks, Bridesmaids, Last Christmas) comes across as tinseltown’s nicest if most frantic guy, and with his incredible collection of suits, he’s a tidy dresser, too. His 100+ series of cocktails accomplishes a number of things: 1. He teaches us how to make fun cocktails like The Pink Squirrel, Squeaky Doors, and the great Canadian Cherry 2. He publicizes American charities that need donations 3. He shows us how fun marriage can be, when his wife drops by to enjoy the tipple 4. He promotes his own line of gin, Artingstall (which is available at LCBO, btw). He also dances like a demon around his home bar before, after, and sometimes during the cocktail class. [Instagram]
▫️Ottawa food blog Taste and Tipple writes about the city’s food and drink scene, and her Instagram virtual happy hours have been a funny respite from pandemic worries. She drops cheerful F-bombs with abandon and a smile, and as she agitates her cocktail shaker she decries the deplorable behaviour of Ottawa’s Tinder men (her Tourism Ottawa video idea to draw more desirable men to our Nation’s Capital is inspired). [Instagram]
▫️Lamp Post Cheese’s YouTube channel has three subscribers. It could be because his virtual cocktail hour doesn’t actually involve making cocktails. Instead, he recommends cocktails and other tipples to enjoy with cheese. So if you can get someone to make your cocktail for you, and you love cheese, this is the channel for you. [YouTube]
Ontario Festival of Small Halls
▫️Since 2014, each fall the community-focused Ontario Festival of Small Hall combines concerts in small town venues across Eastern Ontario with intimate food events. 2020’s festival is obviously going to be a bit different, since it’s not exactly safe to pack a group of strangers together into a small concert hall. Thus, the 2020 incarnation of the festival is taking place over three September weekends at the NAC’s 1 Elgin patio. Musical accompaniment will be provided by local legends including Dueling Pianos, Rebecca Noelle, and HOROJO Trio, all of whom will be entertaining the diners from a floating stage on the Rideau Canal. Book fast; September 11-12 is already sold out. [Festival of Small Halls]
Takeout Wednesday
▫️Das Lokal Kitchen Bar’s patio is open. We’re planning a weekend visit because their brunch menu has waffle BLTs and if that doesn’t sound divine, we don’t know divine. If you’re more patient than us you could order takeout from them tonight. With the cooler breeze in the air it feels like a charcuterie night, perhaps followed by the aforementioned BLT. Even better: they use Love Local Delivery, so they keep more money from your order. #supportlocalbusiness. [Das Local Kitchen Bar]
▫️Newly opened asian-fusion spot Maroo, at 710 Gladstone Ave, specializes in Korean Fried Chicken, and offer a full chicken for $32, with pickled radish and one sauce, as well as one drink. Delivery is via UberEats, or you can eat in or takeout. [Uber Eats]
▫️Alya’s Social Kitchen in Little Italy puts Persian and Mediterranean twists on old favourites. Their Mediterranean Nachos feature pita chips, mozzarella, feta, kalamata olives, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, onions and a green tahini drizzle; and their poutine includes hallmoumi, pomegranate, and lamb gravy. Yum. Available to dine in or take it out. 338 Preston St. [Alya's Social Kitchen]
▫️The founder of Wes’ Chips in Arnprior has died. Although Wesley Dodds sold the business 30 years ago, the ottawan regards Wes‘ Chips the gold standard of chip trucks. [CTV]
We'll see you tomorrow – Martha and Darren
