This 3500 hectare (8650 acre) environmentally protected bog is located just a 10 minute drive from downtown Ottawa.
It features many walking, hiking and skiing trails and offers a unique escape to nature just minutes from the city.
There is a self-guided education walk on a boardwalk that is 1.2 km and demonstrates the importance of bogs and wetlands to the environment and wildlife. Other trails can be found at the NCC website at http://tinyurl.com/4ddwyab
Taken from flickr by canadianfamily and used under creative commons lisense
I’ve been enjoying Art-Is-In breads from local restaurants and local shops. (see my post regarding the Ottawa Bagelshop) . So I was especially excited to learn that they had opened up a storefront bakery on the outskirts of Hintonburg and Little Italy just under the Somerset Bridge.
It’s a little difficult to access. You have to access Cityview Drive from Scott street near the Bayview O-Train Terminal. Never judge a book by its cover! Although the outside of Art-Is-In does not make you think amazing bakery, once inside you will be put completely at ease.
quite possibly the best thing I ever ate
All I can say is Pain au Chocolat! I’ve never had anything like this in my life! Oh, I’ve tried Bridgehead’s Chocolatine’s and other croissants wrapped around chocolate but nothing, absolutely nothing compares to how good this thing is. My only worry in sharing this with everyone is that I may unintentionally cause the average weight within Ottawa to skyrocket by 20lbs.
The Pain au Chocolat is deliciously flaky and buttery, without being overly dense. The saltyness of the croissant bread plays off extremely well with the sweetness of the dark chocolate inside. If you enjoy savory and sweet flavours, you will flip for this pain au chocolat. Plus it makes you feel sophisticated ordering baked goods in French, doesn’t it?
I’ve also tried the Molasses Ginger cookie which was also delicious, soft and chewy but cooked well throughout with a nice but not overpowering flavour of molasses. I’m anxious to visit again.
Mmm Molasses Cookie
Art-Is-In also serves breakfast and lunch sandwichs that sound and looked delicious. Fair Trade coffees and teas are also available. I’ve had their Americano which was tasty also.
The Bread! - 12 grain fennel is my personal favourite
POST SCRIPT: Just had their Curry Chicken sandwhich! Amazing!
Okay so this post is a little off the wall I admit it. This came across my desk today and since I’m fan of the show I figured it would be a good share. Any budding entrepreneurs out there with the next million dollar idea?
I remember years ago my wife had a great idea for a laptop pillow (remember when laptops used to weigh like 20 lbs?) And about 3 years ago guess what I see in Chapters? Pillows with a hard surface on top for your laptop.
Auditions will take place in Ottawa on March 5 at Cartier Place, 180 Cooper Street. For more information visit cbc.ca/dragonsden.
More specifically for information on auditioning go to http://www.cbc.ca/dragonsden/audition/ if you are selected for the show and are successful I will require a 1% finder’s fee in perpetuity
The Canadian War Museum is a fantastic addition to Ottawa’s national museums. The architecture of the museum is striking and poignant. It feels like cold, industrial and not-unlike a military bunker.
My favourite exhibit is Regeneration Hall an eerie space but for some reason I find it evokes thoughts of reflection and remembrance.
Taken from Wikipedia and used under creative common lisense (photo by Guinness323)
My kid’s favourite portion of the movie is the Lebreton Gallery which houses lots of jets, tanks, armoured personal carriers and even ancient cannons.
Lebreton Gallery
For anyone from outside Ottawa it is a must-see as a tourist destination. For those from Ottawa if you haven’t been yet, make a plan to visit soon! Canadian veterans and serving members of the military obtain free admission.
DiRienzo’s, as it is most often locally called, has got to be the best place in Ottawa to get a great cold sandwich for $5. Easy to miss this place is located just off the beaten path at the corner of Champagne and Beech just west of Preston street in Ottawa’s Little Italy district. Just head west on Beech from Preston and yes keep going over the O-train tracks you are almost there!
Storefront
The Grocery/Deli is stocked full of the best in deli meats including the Italian deli meats (capicolla, prosciutto, sopressetta, mortadella etc) and cheeses and are cut up and served fresh with lettuce, tomatoes, etc on your choice of delicious panini/ciabatta buns. Be sure to ask for yours with a little spicy eggplant.
I remember when the sandwiches were $3.50 which wasn’t that long ago but these delicious sandwiches are still a steal at $5. They also serve up fresh pastas and delicious desserts. If they have cannolis be sure to grab one.
The main reason I think a lot of people come back to this place is not only for the great cheap sandwiches but also the service. These guys are fast and efficient but more importantly friendly and courteous. It would be quite easy for this place to be run like the “soup-Nazi” from Seinfeld but these guys are patient and helpful, no matter what the size of the line. If you show up and there is a lineup around the store, don’t worry! These guys will have you served and full with 10 minutes.
You know that this place is an Ottawa institution as there facebook fan page has over 2000 fans and they even have a video made by a happy and loyal customer on youtube. Yet, as far as I can tell, the store itself maintains no website!
DiRienzo's No Pork Special with Havarti, Dijon and spicy eggplant!
Carleton University- Porter Hall
06:00PM – 12:00AM
The Carleton University Dance Crew presents “The Creative Cure”.
Designed to maximize donation to cancer research, all performers are volunteers and ALL proceeds are being donated to The Canadian Cancer Society. The event will be held on Tuesday, March 1 at Carleton University on the second floor of University Centre in Porter Hall. Doors open at 6 pm and the show starts at 6:30 pm. A list of just SOME of the speakers/performers are Dj EV-DJ/Vocal Artist(Juno Nominee); Vanessa Bitorosa-Slam Poetry; Tracey Ampash-Slam poetry; Riot Police-Local Ottawa Band; Wisdom-Piano with vocals. Tickets are being sold for only 5$ in advance for this event. Contact Jaimie Klachan at 613-816-1372 or cu.dancegroup@gmail.com for tickets or more information.
Aladdin Bakery is one of those hidden little gems in Ottawa that I love to tell people about. It’s half convenience store that sells a variety of Lebanese groceries and the other half is an amazing Lebanese bakery where they make fresh zataar, veg, cheese and meat pies and pockets. These delicious doughy delights are cooked fresh before your eyes in an open flame oven.
The sign in the window still says “Eat for $1″ but as you can see from the menu photo the Zataar pie is up to $1.50 now. I remember when they were $1 and then $1.25. Inflation! Still you can stuff yourself silly here for under $6.
Aladdin Menu - ready to go Cheese pies (not yet folded on right behind counter)
My favourites are spicey meat and cheese (you have to request the spice to be added), spicey cheese and cheese with veg (onions, tomatoes and green olive) and the occasional cheese pocket. My wife will ask for the Veg with Cheese which is different from the cheese with veg. They make these up in the back to order and include a delightful vegetarian sauce which includes diced onion, brocolli, tomato sauce, and green olives. It’s basically a mini personal pizza for about $3.50! Made Fresh!
Cheese with Veg and spice(Tomato, Onion and green olive)
The one caution about Aladdin is that it is next to two large high schools (Notre Dame and Nepean) if you come here at lunch hour there can be a huge line up of kids getting their lunch orders! Even the weekends can be busy here too but worth the wait in my opinion. Parking can be tough as the lot is small and awkward but I often sneak across from Pizza Pizza lot next door. Just watch out I’ve seen the owners complain about people parking in their lot and dashing across Broadview Avenue with their Lebanese treats!
Cheese pie with spice unfolded (doesn't look so appetizing but looks can be extremely deceiving!)
There is a new hot spot in Hintonburg that is getting rave reviews and has become the talk of the neighbourhood.
There aren’t too many place in Ottawa that I know of in Ottawa where you can get authentic wood oven pizza so this was a welcome addition to Ottawa for me. Back in my university days I would often get wood oven pizza at Stoney’s on Ontario street in Kingston, Ontario. This place is way better!
Named after the owners son and daughter (reminds me of the name of an American playwright too, but I can’t quite remember the name??) I have mixed feelings about this place as I used to love getting homemade Lebanese food at Helens at this same location. Unfortunately Helen and Bud have retired and I was happy to see that they have even named a pizza on the menu in honour of Helen’s. (I know it was called Melrose Groceteria, bud did anyone really call it that?)
Amazing how they have renovated the space. It is still cozy with just a handful of tables and a few seats are available at the bar. The have a nice winelist and they really had won me over when I saw that they had Beau’s Lug Tread on tap! mmm.
So far I’ve had the Margherita (Basil, Mozzarella and tomato sauce) and the Chorizo pizza, both were very good. The best part, in my opinion, is that the pizzas are served up quick so if you need a bite to eat in a hurry this place can accomodate! (provided seating is available of course, best to call for a reservation!)
The only picture I could come up with was a Margherita but it was so good I had it half eaten before I remembered to take a photo for my blog!
Looking for cheap takeout to feed a hungry family?
One of our family’s regular stops for take-home food is Les Grillades. Located at 85 Holland between Wellington and Scott. This is just one of Ottawa’s many Lebanese restaurants
I’ll be the first to admit that we haven’t tried too much off of the menu but the whole chicken dinner has got to be about one of the best values in the city! For under $25.00 (with taxes!) you get a whole chicken, Grilled and De-boned, tons of rice, salad, hummus, garlic sauce, bags of pita, pickled turnips all pictured below.
My only complaint is that there aern’t enough lettuce, veggies, turnips etc in proportion to the amount of meat and rice that comes with this meal. Still worth checking out, I’ve found mixed reviews on the service online, but I’ve always found it to be friendly, albeit at times slow.
This meal feeds our family of 4 comfortably with leftovers
Rice and Chicken
Salad – Great for stuffing in pita with chicken and rice.
Fresh, soft pita
Les Grillades location at 85 Holland (Between Armstrong/Wellington)
Lucas Smith is a Real Estate Broker in Ottawa, Ontario and has been selling real estate since 2004. He enjoys using leading edge technology in the marketing and selling of properties. Lucas is also the founder of CallingOttawaHome.com, a hyper-local blog site featuring interesting activities and events in the Ottawa area.
Lucas Smith
Broker
Keller Williams Ottawa Realty, Brokerage
613.236.5959 www.LucasSmith.ca
