A golden lamp with smoke coming out of it.

Ask and you shall receive…

By on April 27, 2013


With the popular trend of restaurants having ever so changing menus – taking advantage of the seasonal vegetables being harvested, I at times have issues with this. Let me explain before I start offending some vegetable lovers out there. At the rate that I frequent restaurants, I do my best to order a different meal at every chance I get but should a plate blow me away and begs me to order it again and again…I fall victim to the changing menus where now the odds of me getting my yummy goodness is no longer available. That’s not to say that I wont find another worthy meal on the menu but it’s just that it wouldn’t be the same.

What makes matter worse (well at least for me anyways), it hurts even more if you’ve made a special trip or gone out of your way to satisfy that food hunger that has been gnawing away at you and only that special dish will do the job. My solution to this, is rather simple and I often do this should I find myself to be in such a predicament: order it regardless if its on the menu or not! I realize not many people will opt for this option but for me it’s the only way to satisfy my food whore needs. Notice that I said ‘needs’ and not ‘wants’ that’s because there are certain meals or treats that take that role, where I need it to be happy and fulfilled at that very moment.

If you are ballsy enough to place such an order knowing full well that it’s not on the menu, then I will make 2 suggestions to you:

1) always have an alternative food selection in mind, in case your request doesn’t materialize
2) always, always, always ask with a smile….believe me a smile is the most underrated gesture that can open so many doors for people and yet people still manage to forget it.

A worthy restaurant that cannot accommodate your request will no doubt try to come up with an alternative solution to try and please you. I was fortunate enough that the restaurant that I was visiting that evening was ever so accommodating. I was visiting Juniper Kitchen and Wine Bar, a sophisticated establishment that focuses on creating a distinctive New Canadian cuisine, except what makes this situation even more interesting is the fact that I placed an order that wasn’t on the menu AND I had never eaten this meal from this restaurant before. I just happened to be in a mood that called for some comfort food and I needed it bad. I had eaten at Juniper’s several times before so I knew the caliber of the food and I thought – well I have nothing to lose by asking (I carry that train of thought in every aspect in my life..nothing to lose and everything to gain). So when I requested a rich risotto from the server, I was told that they would confer with the chef and see if they could accommodate me…well my friends, let me tell you from the moment they informed me that the chef could fulfill my risotto wish…a beautiful evening of me being in bliss had started. I was spoiled by an ever so rich and insanely mouth watering risotto which was accompanied by an array of vegetables (normally I don’t fancy vegetables unless they are drowning in a thick uber rich cheese sauce or gravy) but in this case the vegetables were heavenly and perfectly seasoned. The pièce de resistance was a beautiful thick beef sauce…sheer perfection as it married the risotto ever so well!

Art on a plate

Still salivating for some more of that risotto…

Stay hungry my friends,
FT

The perfect marriage - garlic escargots and @moetchandon Ice Imperial Champagne 🍾 🥂😍😍

If you haven't had the pleasure of tasting this incredibly refreshing Champagne, then I'd suggest you do it and do it now!! You'll thank me for it😉😋

What is unique about this Champagne is the fact that it was created to be served over ice, hence its name - Ice Imperial. It is the perfect accompaniment to any dish or simply alone...sheer perfection!!

Here's to more 'occasions' or 'simply because' 😉

Cheers🥂

#foodblogger #travelblogger #foodphotography #foodporn #champagne #champagnelover #icechampagne #moet #moetchandon #anyoccasion #justbecause #escargot #luxelife #thefoodteaseeats #thefoodteasedrinks #ifwtwa1 #tmac #tmacontario
"Cook with love always, and people will feel it" - Chef @antonyannick70

It was a pleasure and honour to witness Chef Yannick Anton from @lecordonbleuottawa receive the Chevalier de L'Ordre du Mérite Agricole. 

This award, bestowed by the French Ministry of Agriculture, recognizes his contribution to promoting French culture in Ottawa and across Canada through his work as a chef and culinary instructor. 
🇨🇵 🇨🇦🧑‍🍳

Read about his extraordinary career in my article published in the Fall issue of @luxeottawamagazine 

A lifelong passion for his craft - Congratulations again, Chef!!🏅🤩

#travelblogger #foodblogger #travelwriter #foodwriter #chef #cheflife #chevalier #meriteagricole #prestigious #accolades #frenchculture #promoting #published #luxelife #tmac #tmacontario #ifwtwa1 #frenchchef
The @brookstreetott hotel is a dreamy setting for couples embarking on their marital journey, especially with their all-in-one location. 🤩🤩

Discover their exclusive curated services in my recently published article featured in the Fall/Winter issue of the @ottawawedding magazine.

● Premiere wedding venue 💍✅️
● 18-hole championship golf course ⛳️✅️
● Exceptional cuisine 🍽 ✅️

Make your next stay a memorable one with the Brookstreet Hotel! 

#foodblogger #travelblogger #traveldestination #weddingvenue #ottawa #championshipgolfcourse #golfcourse #curated #awardwinning #getaway #ottawawedding #ottawaweddings #travelwriter #ottawaweddingmagazine #published #lovemyjob #ifwtwa1 #tmactravel #tmac #tmacontario
Those who know me know I'm weak for tasty popcorn and @fromfarmtotablecanada
 spoiled me with theirs!! 🍿 😋

Proudly Ontario-made and woman-owned, From Farm to Table Canada has debuted their limited-edition CNE Kettle Corn in collaboration with the Canadian National Exhibition @letsgototheex for the 2024 season.Their beautiful package illustrations captures the fun that we have, when at the CNE 🎢.

It's the perfect blend of sweet and salty - my favourite!! 😍

They are available in two sizes: Family Bag and Grab & Go. Sold online as well as in retail chains and many independent stores.

This must-have snack for the summer is available until Labour Day. 

Get yours today and enjoy!!🍿🍿
A couple of evenings ago, I had the pleasure and honour of being invited by my alma mater, @lecordonbleuottawa to witness Chef @antonyannick70 be awarded France's L'Ordre du mérite agricole, the highest civilian honour from the embassy @franceaucanada 😃

This distinction recognizes the contributions of Chef Yannick to promote French culture in Canada and Ottawa specifically - through his work as a chef and instructor at Le Cordon Bleu Institute in Ottawa. 

Special moments of the evening included Ambassador of France to Canada, Michel Miraillet sharing with guests the numerous accomplishments that Chef Yannick Anton has accomplished over the years. Simply remarkable!!👏👏
A very touching and inspiring moment came when Chef Yannick Anton gave praise and gratitude to his mentors, who helped him attain his dream in the culinary industry. He also reminded the graduating class of chefs to always have a vision and to never let it go.👨‍🍳👩🏼‍🍳😍

And it wouldn't be a celebration without some tasty treats that exude French flare! They even had chocolate graduation hats - very cute and apropo 🎓🎓

Bravo Chef!!😊
Muy Caliente!!🔥🔥🌞🌞

With the insanely hot weather, nothing is more refreshing than this tasty Brazilian lemonade with some @bacardi Gold
Rum for the win!!🤩😋

And let me tell you, a pitcher was made...as it's THAT delicious!!

At this rate, I will finally start to enjoy the summer heat...providing I have my 'special' lemonade!😉

Cheers!

#foodblogger #travelblogger #cocktails #cocktailporn #brazilianlemonade #braziliandrink #summerdrinks #bacardi #rum #summerheat #summerheatwave #lemonadeforadults #thefoodteasedrinks #ifwtwa1 #tmac #enjoylife #enjoythemoment

Follow Us On Instagram