umi café: Ottawa Canada

Walking at night on a recent visit to Ottawa, I passed umi café on the edge of Ottawa's Chinatown. The music was good and the place was PACKED! I didn´t enter because there was no room for yet another soul and I walked on. Next morning curious, I stopped for coffee and a pastry (prepared on-site). The coffee was dark and full without being bitter; the pastry very fresh. And I asked about umi café and the event the night before. Come to find the café is a community-based, fair trade coffeehouse, serving an extensive menu beyond pastries. As for the crowds, umi café has been showcasing local musicians, poets and visual artists since 2008. Bravo!

Now it must be said that umi café is not a chain, a little run down and a whole lot funky. But the energy of a packed coffeehouse concert got me in the door albiet next day and I stopped for coffee each morning of my two remaining days in Ottawa. Obviously, umi cafe is doing something right.

 umi café
610 Somerset W  Ottawa, ON K1R 5K4
613.656.1638
Photo credit:  http://www.girlaboutotown.com/

Copyright © Mick Huerta 2013. All Rights Reserved. 
mickhuerta@gmail.com 
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Happy Food! Singing Chef Pasquale Carpino!

 
 If I sing when I cook, the food is going to be happy... Pasquale Carpino

No explaining dreamscapes, let alone waking up with a quote. So I´ll simply share that this morning, I've had Chef Pasquale Carpino forefront of my mind.

Perhaps you remember him from early days when television offered very little food programming (only on weekends). And that´s how I came to know the popular television chef from Toronto. Who by the way, was a wonderful singer and would regal the audience with snippets of Italian opera as he worked knife and flame. For many of us who did not attend culinary school those weekend food programs along with a personal collection of cookbooks were our rite of passage into the brotherhood of the hearth. So it's understandable that I´ll be a little sentimental. Pasquale Carpino died December 30, 2005 at 69 years young.

And in the name of Chef Pasquale, Today I´ll make Linguine alla Marinara replete with capers and a hint of anchovy, a big leafy insalata and Gelato al Limon all the while drinking vino rosso and listening to Verdi´s La Traviata. I just want to make food happy as he taught me to do... and I´ll invite friends in honor of the singing chef! Just to make the Saturday complete!

At the time of this post, re-runs of his program Pasquale's Kitchen Express continue to air on Citytv in Toronto.

Image credit: Google

Copyright © Mick Huerta 2013. All Rights Reserved. 
mickhuerta@gmail.com 
All Accordin' - Travel, Culture, Food, Wine!

Mayflower Restaurant and Pub, Ottawa Canada

Not far from Ottawa´s Parliament Hill and the Peacekeeping Monument, the Mayflower Pub felt like refuge. An English-Style haven of dark wood, polished brass and by design a classic public house for quenching thirst. Proudly displayed are taps touting beers, bitters and stouts from ´round the world. Full bar and full restaurant menu are on offer, as well.

And much like any good pub worldwide you can meet locals with little effort, swap entertaining fabrications, philosophize on the meaning of life, ruminate on global events or if you prefer opt for quiet conversation at tables away from the bar.

You´ll find this pub easy to make your Ottawa headquarters and with the patio seating it´s all too perfect as a focal point for couples and groups, too. Cheers!

Mayflower Restaurant and Pub 
247 Elgin St, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Tel: 613.238.3731


Copyright © Mick Huerta 2013. All Rights Reserved. 
mickhuerta@gmail.com 
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His Girl Friday: Cary Grant

Timeless: Cary Grant - The Leading Man

England´s Archie Leach became Hollywood´s Cary Grant. Even though he never won an Oscar (he received an Honorary Oscar for achievement) his films have stood the test of time. His most endearing quote remains, “Everybody wants to be Cary Grant. Even I want to be Cary Grant.” And it´s still true of many men who aspire to dress well and comport themselves with sophistication. As valid today as when first released, his films are sought out, bought in collections and shared at home with family and friends. Just pop the corn and pour the drinks it´s always time for the leading man that all women wanted to love and all men wanted to be, the essential Cary Grant!

Copyright © Mick Huerta 2013. All Rights Reserved. 
mickhuerta@gmail.com 
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Codroy Valley Estuary and Provincial Park

Here I drink the morning, hold it in my mouth and it tastes of salt. I turn a collar against the east wind as a dappled sky caps the scene and Marram grasses wave. Undulating, this sea grass is not like any I´ve encountered. It´s not oatlike with flat seed heads. But carries a cylindrical rolled top with ample weight to feel the wind and move to it´s wisp and whim. Firmly rooted, it hugs and fixes the dunes where the piping plovers nest. That time is gone now for the year but still best to walk close to waters edge so as not to disrupt the habitat of this bird as they are few. This is the Codroy Valley Provincial Park, it is but a spit of sand that spans the meeting point of the Grand Codroy River and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Saltwater meets sweet, a place of transition from land to sea. Although influenced by the tide, the estuary is protected creating a sanctuary for birdlife and subsequent populations of birdwatchers, photographers and naturalists. None of which were present this morning in the ragged cold. I take it all in and love the solitude on the bight, pipe smoldering in hand.


Copyright © Mick Huerta 2013. All Rights Reserved. 
mickhuerta@gmail.com 
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New Pho Bo Ga La Chinatown Ottawa

Great variety, fast service and clean appearance but if you go deep into the menu your selection may be less than perfect. First thing off-putting was the waiter asked us to place a handful of loose chopsticks in the condiment caddy situated on the table. We complied but commented that the chopsticks couldn´t be very clean with all the handling. The waiter shrugged indifferently and asked for our order. We were four: two opted for Classic PHO but the remaining two... a chicken noodle soup proved a disappointment. The thinly sliced leg meat overcooked, stiff and was relegated to a serviette on the side. The spicy pork bowl was insipid. If not for condiments provided the two latter meals would have resulted in bland. As for the two classic diners, happy as larks! Two out of four, not a good score.

Lesson learnt? Go classic and all is tasty at New Pho Bo Ga La! Also, you just may want to bring your own chopsticks for cleanliness sake.


New Pho Bo Ga La
Chinatown 757 Somerset St West 
Ottawa, ON K1R6R1
 

Copyright © Mick Huerta 2013. 
All Rights Reserved. mickhuerta@gmail.com
All Accordin' - Travel, Culture, Food & Wine!