Benny's Bistro

http://www.bennysbistro.ca

Mon chéri and moi passed by Le Boulanger Francais at one point in our Ottawa strolls and though it was worth checking out in a morning, but we didn't quite remember the location or name..
Next day, without even realizing it, urbanspoon brought us back to it. (or more like to the bistro inside the bakery)

APPEARANCE
light gold colour
The hanging sign is the hint to where the bistro is. We entered and walked around the bakery, then realized we should walk further in.
I was sold this will be worthy from the moment we walked in. Its just that a good bakery which coexists with a bistro is a killer combo. The fact that that either the baker needed there to be more place to sit or the bistro owner saw the beauty in the pastries by the bakery, makes this place an alluring intermingle.

NOSE
lively, hints of yellow fruit
(pear-pineapple)
It was early afternoon, about 2/3 of the place was full. It was warm, clean, bright - 1 red, 1 blue, 1 yellow wall with checkered floors. Small tables, with wooden chairs created an endearing  feel, almost as if we are sitting on a patio in France.

SWIRL
a tad tangy, hint of vanilla cream
The menu arrived - just a white sheet of paper.. and if it wasn't for me to go to France and know that this is perfectly fine, I'd be critical. 8 dishes were available, with a paragraph explanation each, and of course some wines and beers.

PALATE
some bright acidity, elegant
Cheri ordered the "Savory buckwheat pancake, double smoked pork shoulder, shaved Gruyer, sunnyside egg, apple & Savoy cabbage remoulade" while I had the "Yukon Gold potato & gratin, maple cured pork loin, soft poached eggs with hollandaise sauce".. and so, the little gems arrived looking very gourmet. Unwilling to destroy their presentation, the smell got to us so we dug in. I though they were surprisingly filling but that might have been from how flavourful they were (a perfect example of quality over quantity). My dish had pouched eggs done to perfection on top of the loin, over a very unique potato gratin texture - sheets of potato perfectly pilled on top of each other. We still wanted to try out their croissant and pain au chocolate that people had recommend. To be honest, the croissant was not particularly amazing, partially due to the lack of airy volume and partially due to the fact that they were cold (but we had some blame in that.. after all, who goes to the bakery in the afternoon?)
FINISH
refreshing, pleasant
The waiter was very polite, followed by the waitress who come to check on us (not particularly a happy fella but kept on filling our cups). More and more people came in, an overall classy crowd
of all ages.

overall.. a lightly-oaked chardonnay

Elgin Street Diner

http://www.elginstreetdiner.com/

Determined to follow our intuition while wandering around Ottawa, we had to find a breakfast place. On our way through the Rideau Mall, we randomly decided to ask the cashier at Starbucks to recommend a place close by (20min walking range) and so….

APPEARANCE
light lemon-peach
We got to Elgin Street Diner. Big windows up front, lots of neon signs - a bit low looking. We entered and the host instantly greeted us. As if a secret, he whispered that if we wait a few min we can get a booth. And so we did.


NOSE
lychee, melon, crisp
This place had a very easy-going vibe, dark-green booths, brick walls (for once left real as is, no hideous paint), big front windows. On the walls photographs on one side and chalkboard illustrations over the kitchen counter on the other. Those illustrations really made it for me - unique and artistic feel.
The host, our waiter as well as people around had a flamboyant feel. We were probably the only male-female couple but we were not given any looks so we were more than happy to start warming our tummies.

SWIRL
mineral and honey notes
The menu was mimicking a cork-board pin-up style. Not well designed - the cork texture made it feel awfully dull but definitely overall crafty, easy-going and fun.

PALATE
lean, some sweetness, fruity
We started with fresh-squeezed Orange and Grapefruit juices, pulp and all. Then followed up with a Breakfast Wrap and a Grilled Vegetable benedict. Both came with home fries and both were home-made greasy and delicious, even with my sick palette on.

FINISH
dry, refreshing
Overall, a sweet place, open 24/7. What else would one want?


overall.. an easy gewurztraminer

Aunties and Uncles

auntiesanduncles.ca

This is the top BlogTO brunch place.. and I love going through that list on a lazy weekend morning..


APPEARANCE
dry, pale
The outside feels pale and cold, no big sign, cuz a flat wall with siding, windows and doors but..

NOSE
light textured, floral
Once you step in this place feels like you are walking in a kid's room - bright, colourful, fun, decorated. The walls - imperfect and childlike - with airplane wallpaper coming off. Quite a few people were inside, enjoying the many illustrations and posters around (I'd say 60s style). The tables had a diner feel and I can swear the second floor was someone's house.. but I think I saw customers went up.

SWIRL
hint of red berries
The laminated off-white paper menu with script typeface surrounded by red frames seemed clashing at first, but overall have their own the mom-and-pop charm. The bar area was right by in the corner, for all to see, and as for the kitchen window in the wall, it felt so fun to play with cloth-clipping the orders on a wire.

PALATE
well balanced, surprising
Mon chéri and moi had the Breakfast Pocket and the Croque Monsieur, warm and filling. They both came with sides, we went for their homemade potatoes (a lovely dijon potato salad) as well as a house salad side. The only problem, which might be my complete hallucination, is a bunch of small white hairs.. but lets just say, I was not fully awake.

FINISH
sweet, unique, begging for more exploration
There was a line-up by the time we were leaving. Visited the tiny washroom downstairs, which definitely makes you feel like you are in someone's house. Overall, loved the place. Was a bit of a bummer that they only accept cash, but conveniently across the street is a bank.

overall.. an easy-going rosé

Ematei

Definitely a Japanese jewel. I mentioned it to my Japanese co-worker and she approved that this one of the few traditional places in Toronto.

APPEARANCE
dark, silky
This place is hidden in St. Patrick's street, so that only if you are looking for it you will find it, after you go slightly under the building in a dark foyer. I once read about Japanese aesthetics, this place is writing in real life.

NOSE
earthy, black cherry
We were quickly greeted by the chefs at the sushi bar and then another man slightly bowled and lead us in. Dark wooden floors, small tables, paper screen separators, quiet, at the end of the restaurant big rooms with screen doors and shoes waiting outside for traditional dining.

SWIRL 
complex, hint of rose petals 
Waitress was very polite, we were quickly given tea and
small chef's appetizers.
We ordered a warm sake and processed looking through the diverse menu. Even though it used Japanese terms, the begging of every section had a sentence or so explaining what the term means, very considerate and educational.

PALATE
delicate, medium bodied, smooth
We shared a beautiful baked eggplant with soybean sauce appetizer. Next, I had a soba noodle soup, which came with a hot sauce, while mon cheri had an awesome don buri - rice with thinly sliced seasoned beef, onions and a few veggies and a cracked raw egg.. it was unique and very delicious. There was no direct lighting on our table, which added shadows and tones creating this mysterious and intimate experience.


FINISH
complex, long, fruit bouquet
Half way through, we heard the background salsa music, which was rather quick, urgent and to say the least - non-japanese. But overall is was warm and private with a lot more to explore from the menu.

overall.. a delicate fine pinot noir.

Tabülè

www.tabule.ca

My sister has recommended that I try this middle-eastern place for a drink and an appetizer, a while ago.

APPEARANCE
light, white, easygoing
very friendly, fun typography outside on a warm yellow background

NOSE
citrus, floral
An intimate feel, warm orange walls and incandescent lights. We walked straight in, to the bar and someone sat us down. The second part of the restaurant revealed. It was on the quiet side, but may be because it was already 10pm..

SWIRL
tropical fruits, subtle
The chandeliers made the light spread into spots, which added to the intriguing feel. At the table, the menu was simple, but kept consistent. A tad of a confusion with what can be picked for the combination platter. They had a separate wine menu, where I saw the Narcissist Megalomaniac Riesling 07 and we had to get a 1/2 L.

PALATE
well balanced, medium dry, crisp

So we went for a three dip (combo) platter (babaganuj, humus, tabule) and a plate of Hallum Salad with chicken. The dips were good, nothing too special. They came with pita breads. The tabule dip, I was particularity excited about as I have not heard of it before - lots of parsley, lemon dressing, mint, a bits of onions and tomatoes - it was not too flavorful. But the chicken from that Hallum Salad was something else - cooked to perfection. It just melted in your mouth and worked beautifully with the rest of the green plate with subtle pomegranate dressing, and the cheese was there too.

FINISH
freshening, a light linger
We lingered eating and talking until about 11:30. I'd say, it won't be my last time there, there is more to try out from the menu. I also wander what this place is like in the daytime and during summer.

overall.. a light vidal

Bar Italia

www.bar-italia.ca

Going through restaurants reviews in little Italy for my parents' night out a week ago, I was curious about checking this one out. The reviews made it seem easygoing and yummy. And so I made a reservation for 5 a few hours before I was going to meet my friends.

APPEARANCE
crisp & cheap
From the outside - big windows, little patio, fluorescent sign on a brown background. Honestly, not too welcoming.

NOSE
an interesting character
Entering, there was a neat wooden, high community table with chairs. The hosts were smiling, and sat us quickly down at a comfortable semi-circular booth. The interior has a clean, architectural feel - the building-like chandlers, a lit up wooden texture on one wall, and the rest walls with a strange gloss and lots of mirrors. I felt a little distracted by all the mirrors around, I guess it'd be perfect for a first date, if you don't want to directly stare..
and instead check out the person from all sides. Our booth was at the end of the restaurants
next to the kitchen.. which was open for people to see, but didn't add at all
(rather messy and chaotic in there).

SWIRL
a mismatch with the first nose
At our table, menus were handed out - cover: handwritten style illustration and a tick-tack-toe logo (which doesn't have much to do with exterior not the clean crisp interior feel). Even though it was bound by an interesting elastic band down the middle. There were two separate, smaller, hardcover menus for wine and drinks. The waiter talked about the specials with a lot of pauses, perhaps so he doesn't overwhelm us or may be because of the loud party occupying half of the restaurant.

PALATE
light-bodied, not well balanced
I decided to try their special butternut squash risotto salmon with spinach. The salmon was tasteless - its butter, dill sauce only gave it some character, but the risotto had a good texture and unique taste. However I wouldn't say worth $23. I coupled it with a glass of white Sicilian wine Izolia - crispy, light, nothing impressive. Mon cheri had a Veal Scaloppine with truffle sauce. The meat and sauce were great, but the gnocchi were burned and chewy. We coupled this one with a glass of Tuscan Sangiovese, blackberry charter, which he enjoyed. Another friend had one of their panini and was not impressed. I kind of said for him to try it, reading up on reviews.. oops!
For dessert I had a taste of the tiramisu, which I though was very well done. Also had a Late Harvest Vidal '07 from Ontario which has a light, crisper ice-wine taste.. i enjoyed.

FINISH
very short (not impressive)
After 10, the music switched to what we though was karaoke but reading on their website it was a band which we didn't see.. honestly very loud again, we had to scream talking to each other.
Definitely should've tried a few more of their desserts, a lot of reviews recommended the Panna Cotta or the Cake.

overall.. an inexpensive sauvignon blanc

Carisma

www.carismarestaurant.com

An awesome lady from work recommended me this one just as I was wandering where to go eat after the symphony orchestra that night.. I gotta admit, I think Italian food is overrated. Too many everyday people who claim to be foodies, make it.
An Italian friend told me, a good way to judge an Italian place is to order something unusual sounding (aka you have not tried a making it, proving to be a chef) yet still pasta based since a good place would make their own pasts and you'd notice.


APPEARANCE
rich colour
The place was relatively empty when we came in at 10pm, we had made a reservation and were immediately sat.
From the outside the restaurant looks all white yet inside is all black - a classy, luxurious feel. Closer to the back, one of the walls had many little vases with white gerbera daisies in them. No Italian music though, just quiet lounge/electric.

NOSE & SWIRL
intricate, strong character
As we were sat, warm bread with extra vergin olive oil and dried rosemary appeared, followed our waiter placing the white napkins in our laps and placing the menus before us. I have to admit, their wine list is impressively long an versatile.. Italian, French, American, Canadian were some of the few on there.

Now this was the way all waiters should be. He described every single dish on special with such detail and when I asked him about two Italian grape variety, I had never tried, he explained them very well and with an easy-going attitude. On top of that he had an Italian accent and came to the table plenty of times to ask what we think. Well manner, informative and caring.. what else could you want?

PALATE
full-bodied, complex
So we ordered the Trio Carpaccio di Pesce and Pappardelle al Cinghlale. My friend had an Italian Amarone style wine while I had an oaky Californian Chardonnay. Don't let the online menu fool you, there are quite a few wines by the glass. My Chardonnay was no cheap one, it had a vanilla, smokey nose and a long lingering finish but it had a slight crisper side to it. The Amarone had a black berry, cassis character, followed by a strong acidic texture and a light finish.


Trio Carpaccio di Pesce looked exquisite - long plate, three separate little dishes. I was not a big fish fan this eve, but it not only looked good but was well cooked and each dish had a distinct character. They crushed some peper for me on top.

Pappardelle al Cinghlale actually had small chunks of meat (bacon bit size), but overall creamy and well done. We were confused why they served it with a spoon for the pasta, when the pappardelle was so thick that you can hardly rotate it around the fork. They brought a piece or parmigiano and grated it on top.

We also couldn't help but notice the cutlery - long, and elegant due to the thinning necks and slight twist.

FINISH
a pleasant tastes evolves and linger
Interesting dessert menu, definitely worth going back to check out (cheese platter is on there).
Got more private but still cozy by the end (perhaps it was the company).

overall.. a beautiful malbec