A legal graffiti wall, otherwise known as a “free space” is an area where graffiti is permitted and encouraged. As of January 2008, the City of Ottawa currently has 3 legal graffiti walls.

1. The Dunbar Bridge – 1301 Bronson Avenue. The legal graffiti wall is located on the north abutment, excluding the wing walls facing south and the pillars and bridge supports immediately facing the abutment wall on the Honourable George Dunbar Bridge.
2. Albert Street Education Centre – Sports Field Retaining Wall a.k.a. Tech Wall – 422 Slater Street east of Bronson Avenue. The legal graffiti wall is located along the south property line of the west portion of the property. The wall faces toward the north and is visible from Slater Avenue.
3. Orleans legal graffiti wall, located in the skateboard park at the Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex.

BRONSON/SLATER Graffiti Wall: By Jacob Earl, taken from flickr and used under creative commons licence

The decor will take you back too, not too much about this place has likely changed since 1960 and I kind of like it that way. No granite counters and fancy fountains, only Chinese Kitsch and waiters in red tuxedo’s. Service is always polite, and prompt.

The thing that makes Golden Palace so special has got to be there Egg Rolls. These are probably the best egg rolls on the entire planet. At $1.70 a piece you can easily make a meal out of these delicious bites for under $8. (which I do!)

Youtube video on Golden Palace:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc6W7Vls8Qw

Golden Palace – 2195 Carling Avenue 613.820.8444
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There are always nature photographers there snapping shots of birds, turtles, frogs etc.  I found these photos to share with you from Flickr user Greencolander (used under creative commmons licence).

Definitely worth the visit and a great quiet way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

From the NCC website ”

A patch of wilderness in the middle of an urban setting, Mud Lake is an amazing area of forest and wetlands. Located in Ottawa’s west end, Mud Lake is home to hundreds of species of wildlife, with raccoons, frogs, turtles and foxes, to name but a few. This ecologically significant urban natural landscape is also prime birding territory, with thousands of birdwatchers coming each year to observe hundreds of different species. A walk through this easy-to-access urban jungle provides an exciting escape from city life.

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Bridgehead also makes its own confections. Double-fudge brownies, bread, chocolate pecan squares: whipped up on Smirle Avenue and sitting behind the glass counter at one of Bridgehead’s 11 locations. Across from it, metallic chairs in a expansive room decorated with autumnal oranges, greys, browns and beige. Tall ceilings show air ducts and modern light fixtures.

It’s a huge local success. Started in Toronto in the 1980s, Bridgehead eventually went into receivership. Reborn in Ottawa at the turn of the century, it now successfully fights in the same market space as Starbucks, winning on Bank St., Elgin, Sparks and throughout the city.

They offer many alternative flours, gluten free or dairy free and vegan friendly prepared meals and baked goods.  All meals are vegetarian and many are vegan friendly

The other side of the bakery is a cafeteria/coffee bar serving up fresh salads, soups, pizzas etc.  As far as I know the entire menu is vegetarian.

Wild Oat is located at 817 Bank Street in the Glebe.  613.232.6232

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7th annual Carefor Chocolate Competition.  A fundraiser in support of Carefor Health and Community Services. Saturday, March 19 from 10 am to 2 pm at the  Centurion Conference and Event Centre, 170 Colonnade Road. The 7th annual Carefor Chocolate Competition is a tasty competition featuring Ottawa/Gatineau’s best restaurants, chocolatiers and caterers, all vying for the vote of 400 chocoholics who are there to decide who makes the best chocolate dessert in Ottawa/Gatineau. A few tickets are still available by calling 613-749-7557 x2180.  Ticket prices: Adults – $75 (with a portion that is tax-deductible) & Kids – $40.

www.carefor.ca.

Do you like Baklava?

If so you should really check out Malak Pastry at 1809 Carling (or their factory in the South end at 4569 Albion)

Malak Pastry has the finest in Lebanese and Mediterranean sweets including home made gelato and ice creams.

The reason I go there is for all the delicous Baklava they must have a dozen different kinds.

Malak Pastry

1809 Carling

613.798.0008

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Check out the Hintonburger.  Located in a trailer of what looks like an old used car dealership; you can’t judge a book by its cover.  The burgers in here a greasy mess of deliciousness and worth the visit.  All made from local beef just and hormone and antibiotic free these burgers are unbelievable!  There cheapest burger is $4.50 so it won’t break the bank either!  Be sure to add some fries though!

Used under creative commons lisense from flickr photo by Banerixat

The Hintonburger’s menu is simple easy to navigate and everything we’ve had on it is amazing.  Home made corn dogs (or pogo’s or pronto pups depending on what you call them) are good too.

For me the high point was the fries.  Not a huge fry guy I found the Hintonburger’s fries to be delicious.  Soft, salty and tasty and just right for dipping!

The Hintonburger also has some veggie burgers and tofu corn dogs for the vegetarians!\

HINTONBURGER 991 Wellington Street West

The Piggy Market sells delicious store-made sausages, bacon, pulled pork, the best rotisserie chickens, Jamaican patties, patés, etc.  According to the Piggy Market website both the owners were chef’s at the Native restaurant Sweetgrass in the Byward Market.  This is no surprise to me, as some of the most delicious meats I’ve had in the past have been at Sweetgrass.

The Rotisserie chicken’s a great deal in my opinion.  Only slightly more expnensive the supermarket ones but these are raised free run and hormone and antibiotic free.  According to the website all the chickens are brined for 18 hours in their specific seasons, which produces a delcious skin and moist, tender chicken underneath.  The various seasonings include:  Herb and Garlic, Barbecue, Citrus, Jerk and others.  I’ve only tried the Herb and Garlic and Barbecue which were both phenomenal.

But the Piggy Market doesn’t just have meat, they also sell delicous baked breads (try the Beau’s sourdough), side dishes (We often get the Bryson Farms microgreens, makes a quick and healthy salad) and in case you haven’t heard of it yet, Pascal’s Ice Cream

Pascale’s ice creamcould probably warrant a new blog post of its own.  Let’s just say it is worth checking out.  There are some amazing flavours, including Dark Chocolate Bacon, Peanut Butter salted Caramel, Dark Chocolate Sea Salt, Raspberry Cassis, and on and on.

Piggy Market is a little tough to find it is located on Winston Avenue but may be easier to access off of Richmond Rd (just between the Dairy Queen and Legion

East India Company Restaurant is a fantastic space in Centretown to have amazing Indian Food.

Not only is the food amazing but the decor has got to be the nicest I’ve seen in an Indian restaurant in Ottawa.  The interior space features a traditional wedding carriage and other Indian antiquities, art and sculpture, the ambiance isn’t half as enthralling as the food.

The buffet has a lot more than your traditional Indian buffet.  My favourite?  The chutney and pickle bar.  Be sure to try the mango pickles, they are amazing!  I went out and bought some Patak’s mango pickles at superstore and I couldn’t even eat them!  The East India Company are delightfully sweet and sour and a great accompaniment to the rich spice fuelled dishes from the main part of the buffet.  All the chutneys and pickles taste homemade.

The main buffet offers a lot as well.  My favourites are Navratan (delicious creamy mixed vegetable dish w/ paneer cheese ), Palak Paneer and of course, Butter Chicken.

There is also a salad bar with fresh salads and dessert buffet included with the price of your dinner!

East India Company also offers a nice take-out menu with a nice discount for meals for one, two, three or four which come complete with naan, rice and salads.

The restaurant is located on Somerset street between Elgin and Metcalfe on the ground floor of a high rise apartment building.  A little set back from the street this restaurant can be a little hard to find for those not familiar with the location, but well worth the search!

East India Company’s Facebook Page

East India Company Pub and Eatery

210 Somerset West

613.576.4634