Taste Treat in Wellington Village

[bouche]

Davey Boy just told Sharon about this event. We have to be out of our house for more viewings (come on St. Joseph, sell our f'n house already!) so we'll definitely be checking this out.

Taste treat in Wellington Village

Charming food focus of event this Saturday

Gay Cook

The Ottawa Citizen

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

A Taste of Wellington in the newly christened Wellington West Village is an exciting new event to introduce restaurateurs to Ottawa's epicurean row.

There will be delightful nibbles to taste and drinks to sip, as visitors frequent the many restaurants, browse for books, shop for classy clothing and baby gear, and check out the newest gourmet items from tea to chocolates.

Wellington West Village runs between Island Park Drive and Parkdale Avenue. The tasting event takes place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wellington West Village is the work of a determined group of area merchants and restaurants that formed the Wellington Village Business Association, representing businesses between Westboro and Hintonburg. They invite you to discover this charming village with more than 30 food stores, restaurants, bakeries and caterers.

One restaurant taking part is The Diner, 1385 Wellington St. Chef Michael Sobcov (formerly of Juniper Kitchen & Wine Bar) and co-owner Ron Shrybman (proprietor of Elgin Street Diner) put their minds together to develop free mini-burgers served in tiny buns made by Art-is-in Bakery. The restaurant will also feature its popular Chicken Asparagus Pot Pie in the restaurant (recipe at right). The Diner is open daily 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and offers many old-fashioned dishes from slow-cooked pot roast to shepherd's pie.

A highlight of the day's activities will be a contest involving up to 13 restaurants and food stores for the best asparagus recipe. Winners will be announced at 4 p.m.

[headymamamyrna]

Best of luck tomorrow but if you swear or think of swear words St. Joseph won't help you..

Enjoy the food while you are out of your house and let St Joseph take care of the rest.

[Cosmic ChrisC]

Article in Saturday's Citizen:

Head west and dig in

A Taste of Wellington won't let a little -- OK, a lot -- of roadwork cancel its ever-growing party

Catherine Lawson

The Ottawa Citizen

Saturday, June 07, 2008

From left, Chris Green of Harvest Loaf Bakery, James Foley of Petit Bill's Bistro, Ma'ayan Steinberg of Herb and Spice, Terry Fitzpatrick of Petit Bill's, Farouza Shamim of Emerald Bakery and Marc Grondin of Amate are a few of the merchants taking part in A Taste of Wellington today along Wellington Street West.

CREDIT: Bruno Schlumberger, The Ottawa Citizen

From left, Chris Green of Harvest Loaf Bakery, James Foley of Petit Bill's Bistro, Ma'ayan Steinberg of Herb and Spice, Terry Fitzpatrick of Petit Bill's, Farouza Shamim of Emerald Bakery and Marc Grondin of Amate are a few of the merchants taking part in A Taste of Wellington today along Wellington Street West.

Last year's Taste of Wellington West was a big success, with hundreds of people enjoying free samples from the many restaurants, bakeries and food shops along the strip.

It was so popular some businesses ran out of food and had to close early, says Chris Green, owner of Harvest Loaf Bakery and vice-chair of the newly formed Wellington West Business Improvement Area (BIA). "I saw a lot of new faces," Green recalls.

Bringing in potential new customers was the whole point of the tidbit giveaway. And it's why Taste of Wellington West is returning today from noon to 4 p.m.

There's just one problem: Wellington West is in the midst of major road reconstruction.

The blocks between Holland and Parkdale avenues are closed to traffic. In other sections of the street, the sidewalks are being ripped up. It's part of a two-year, $20-million facelift to eventually make the area more pedestrian-friendly.

Instead of cancelling their plans, the organizers have decided to embrace the chaos and turn it into a plus.

"It's like a construction theme park," says Green. In fact, he has noticed the heavy machinery doing the ripping up and reconstruction seems to delight small children.

That said, organizers have planned carefully for the big day. Work crews have agreed to park their construction vehicles on side streets and open some parking areas. They have also promised to give the area a good spraying with water to damp down the dust.

Dubbed "epicurean row" by some, Wellington West is home to well-known nosheries like Ottawa Bagelshop, Thyme & Again Creative Catering and Absinthe Restaurant. Lebanese, Thai, Italian, Persian, French, Indian and Latin American are among the cuisines available at takeouts and restaurants.

Thirty businesses will be offering free food samples. Wellington Gastropub plans to unveil a new ice cream. The Royal Oak pub will have samples of its butter chicken.

Not all the participants are known for their food. Levonian, a shirtmaker, plans to hand out kimono-wrapped cookies. Law firm Beament Green is offering free legal advice.

Taste of Wellington is a chance to check out the new businesses that are springing up along the street -- like Amate, which opened its kitchen just two months ago. The handicrafts and food store features the flavours of Latin America, including enchiladas, tamales and mole sauces.

You can pick up a map at any participating business. At every stop there's an opportunity to fill out a free raffle ticket. Prizes will include gift certificates to area restaurants.

The Wellington West BIA takes in the area from to Island Park Drive eastward to Breezehill Avenue North. Two kilometres long, it includes the neighbourhoods of West Wellington and Hintonburg. It is not to be confused with the Wellington Street that runs in front of the Parliament Buildings.

The roadwork now under way, although disruptive, will give this diverse street a more cohesive look. Plans call for wider sidewalks, bike racks, art installations and new lighting.

© The Ottawa Citizen 2008

[Cosmic ChrisC]

And a map here of restaurants participating. I won't be going to this (going to see rugby games today in Richmond):

http://www.wellingtonwest.ca/newsandevents/areanews/#7

[bouche]

holy fuck. that was a fun little excursion

I wish that I had brought my camera to make y'all salivate. Diwali was probably my favourite tasty treat today. It is an indian restaurant that used to be The Roses Cafe. The chef was a genius. Well, his samosas and pakoras with spicy chutney was incredible. He also created a floral arrangement out of various root vegetables.

Gastro pub was serving up their homemade ice cream. banana-caramel and a raspberry ice cream. Even the caramel was made by the chef. The lineup there grew exponentially.

Parma Ravioli was serving up some cannelloni in tomato sauce and a parsnip ravioli in a parmesan garlic cream sauce. beside their table there was some biscotti and some other treat (i forget it's name) by the french baker. delicious.

the Three Tarts had a table full of cakes and cookies....all fresh. The Diner was serving up some sweet and spicy chili with a cool rice pudding as another option.

there was lots of stuff going around. I just sampled and sampled and I am now full.

If you do go, park in the side streets behind the loeb.

[bouche]

here's the menu for diwali!