I mentioned in my last review that the last time I had risotto, it wasn’t that great. However, the salmon was excellent, which brings me to my post-Christmas dinner at Avenue Bistro in Comox, when I was back in British Columbia for the holidays. Formerly the Jolly Giant convenience store,
Continue readingAuthor: Jeff Jedras
A BCer in Ottawa: Eating off the Hill: Come to the Canadian Club for the economy discussion, stay for the baked salmon
My friend Danielle had an extra ticket for a Canadian Club luncheon last week and, knowing I’m someone who tries to luncheon on a daily basis, she invited me along. It was a snowy day, but lunch awaited to off to the Chateau Laurier I went. The discussion was on
Continue readingA BCer in Ottawa: Eating up the Hill: Lunching at the new West Block Parliamentary Dining Room
It will be a decade or more (definitey more) before the Parliamentary Dining Room reopens in Centre Block with its cosy alcoves and river views…and its delicious buffets. Until then, the Dining Room has moved to a cozier underground location in West Block. They were open last week to work
Continue readingA BCer in Ottawa: Eating OFF the Hill: Farm to table at 10 Acres in Victoria
Back West in the Comox Valley for Christmas, and the other day we drove down to Victoria to spend the night, and pick up my sister and nephew. An opportunity for a nice local dinner, and the farm to table menu at 10 Acres Kitchen ticked all the boxes. Just
Continue readingA BCer in Ottawa: Eating OFF the Hill: Capitol Burger at Queen Street Fare
A little over three years back in Ottawa and I’ve lunched at about pretty much everywhere I want to lunch within walking distance of the Parliamentary precinct. So, when Queen Street re-opened to two-way traffic this week and my bus to work was re-routed (to link up with the Parliament
Continue readingA BCer in Ottawa: Eating OFF the Hill: Everything is small at Pudgyboy’s but the price and the wait
The south-east corner of Bank and Macleran in Ottawa’s Centretown has been somewhat of a deathspot for reasturants. I’ve lost track of the food spots that have come and gone in that spot since I moved back three years ago. There was a BBQ spot I didn’t get a chance
Continue readingA BCer in Ottawa: Eating up the Hill: A Newfoundland shed party
Any Atlantic Canada-themed parties are always ones to circle on your Parliamentary reception circuit calendar, so the Newfoundland Shed Party got an early RSVP from me, and drew me up the street to SJAM on a chilly evening instead of retreating to the comfort of my couch. I didn’t stay
Continue readingA BCer in Ottawa: Eating OFF the Hill: Perkins Bakery & Reasturant not worth the trip
When my famly moved back to Canada from a posting in Germany in 1990, we picked up the vehicle in Trenton and drove accoss the continent, through the U.S., to our new home in Comox. Staying in hotels for a week was good fun for a kid, as was having
Continue readingA BCer in Ottawa: Eating OFF the Hill: Centretown Donair & Pizza
While I did sample several authentic Halifax donair while I was there last spring, word on the street was there’s a place in Ottawa that offers the nearest thing you could get outside the Nova Scotia capital. So one weekend, rather than heading to Bank or Elgin in search of
Continue readingA BCer in Ottawa: Eating up the Hill: The days are numbered for the Parliamentary Reasturant buffet
Members and staff got a sneak peek at the newly renovated West Block on Wednesday, which will take over many of the functions of Centre Block in January when the latter shuts down for a decade (smart money bets the over) of renovation. While much of the attention rightly has
Continue readingA BCer in Ottawa: Eating up the Hill: Piri piri chicken with corn on the cob & chips
As part of the Parliamentary Cafeteria’s menu revitalization they’ve been introducing more ethnic dishes, or at least ethnic-inspired dishes. One of the new offerings fits this category: piri piri chicken with corn on the cob and chips. As a fan of Nando’s, the Portugese chicken chain out of South Africa
Continue readingA BCer in Ottawa: Eating OFF the Hill: Pricy tacos at El Camino
I’ve been hearing I must try the tacos at El Camino for a few years now, and despite their Elgin Street locaiton being just down the street from me, I had never gotten around to making the trip. That changed this weekend, when I decided on a late taco dinner.
Continue readingA BCer in Ottawa: Eating OFF the Hill: Days Four, Five and Six in Quebec City
One cannot eat like a culinary King all the time — at least not on my salary. So the second half of my trip to Quebec City featured less of the fancy meals. But there are still a few meals worth sharing. I actually had plans to get back on
Continue readingA BCer in Ottawa: Eating OFF the Hill: Day Three in Quebec City
Breakfast on Thursday was the rest of yesterday’s leftover tossard from Paillard, so for lunch I took the funicular down to lower town and managed to duck into Cochon Dingue just before the skies opened up. Cochon Dingue I was excited about both my choices at Cochon Dingue, but what
Continue readingA BCer in Ottawa: Eating OFF the Hill: Day deux in Quebec City
Slept in and got a slow start Wednesday — because I’m on vacation, y’all. But once I hopped the bus downtown and walked through the St. Jean gate, it was straight to Café-Boulangerie Paillard, recommended by several as an important stop for baked goodies. Café-Boulangerie Paillard I managed to navigate
Continue readingA BCer in Ottawa: Eating OFF the Hill: Day One in Quebec City
I’m off to Quebec City until Sunday for my summer break, deciding to spend my vacation dollars North of the border for the foreseeable future — as much as I would have enjoyed another baseball road trip. So, having crossed Halifax off the bucket list at biennial this spring, my
Continue readingA BCer in Ottawa: Eating up the Hill: Winner winner Chicken Farmers dinner
The annual Chicken Farmers reception is, for those who are fans of chicken, one of the top receptions of the Parliament Hill reception circuit, right up there with the Cattlemen. Last year’s shindig was cancelled because of the gas leak in the downtown area, so they really wanted to bring
Continue readingA BCer in Ottawa: Eating up the Hill: How to get a decent gyro from the Parliamentary cafeteria
You need to have your expectations set realistically when you visit the Parliamentary cafeteria, given the limitations of a mass fast-service cafeteria setting. That said, there are some things they do well, like pastas and stir fries. Gyros would be on the other list, but friends, it can be saved.
Continue readingA BCer in Ottawa: Eating up the Hill: Sparks Street Ribfest 2018 — So many ribs
I came. I ate lots of ribs. I don’t want to see more ribs until next June. This is the story of my week at the Sparks Street Ribfest, the annual porkapolooza that happens right outside my office window every year. Camp 31 — Wednesday I started off this year’s
Continue readingA BCer in Ottawa: Eating OFF the Hill: Boodle fight at Tinuno
I’ve already blogged about my visit to Jolibee, but that wasn’t the only Filipino feast I enjoyed during a recent visit to Toronto. I also went with some friends to experience a very differently but also very authentic Filipino dining experience: the boodle fight at Tinuno, in St. Jamestown. According
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