Absinthe Café - Ottawa

Absinthe Café

my bff - Jean - and I headed out for a celebratory dinner - her nights at CHEO emerg are limited ... Jean has a day job!  why am I so happy? ... I will see her more often.  I digress ...

after some champagne, wine, cheese & paté, we headed out on foot to Wellington Street in Hintonburg.  we were heading to Petit Bill's because we know we love their menu & wine list. but we didn't get that far.  we stopped to look at Absinthe's menu posted in their window.  they had me at pulled pork. 

a couple of cocktails to begin ... Jean had a mango martini and I had an Absinthe margarita (absinthe, triple sec, lime juice).  yummy.

 

while we were waiting, our lovely server - Emily - brought as a little nom nom.  when my hubby, Duncan, saw my pic, he described it as foamy goat eyeballs.  I assure you it tasted much better than that.

don't know what they call their amuse bouche but I'm sure it's not foamy goat eyeballs

 * Thomas McVeigh (General Manager) kindly offered that it is broccoli panna cotta with carrot air.

upon browsing the menu we agreed to Emily's suggestion of table d'hôte (appetizer, mid & main) plus it didn't take much for us to go for wine pairings for $30.

for appetizers, Jean had the crȇpe (chickpea flour crȇpe stuffed with lentils, onion bhaji, pakora, mango chutney, mint raita) and I had the seafood trio (gravlax and potato salad, crab cake with chipotle mayo, albacore tuna ceviche taco).

chickpea flour crȇpe stuffed with lentils, onion bhaji, pakora, mango chutney, mint raita

gravlax and potato salad, crab cake with chipotle mayo, albacore tuna ceviche taco

and for mids, Jean thoroughly enjoyed her chilled corn and cucumber soup while I had the aragula salad (pepitas, aragula, lemon thyme vinaigrette). 

chilled corn and cucumber soup

pepitas, aragula, lemon thyme vinaigrette 

and for our mains, Jean chose steak frites (hanger steak served medium rare, frites, horseradish aioli, sautéed green beans) while I sat & admired my drop filet burger (baconnaise, aged cheddar, house made bacon, bbq pork poutine, aragula salad).  I was so stuffed that I could only manage a few bites and took the rest home - thoroughly enjoyed it for lunch the next day.  waste not, want not.

 hanger steak served medium rare, frites, horseradish aioli, sautéed green beans

 baconnaise, aged cheddar, house made bacon, bbq pork poutine, aragula salad

needless to say, there was no room for dessert ... but a digestif was needed.  Irish coffee for Jean, Woodford bourbon for me.  we plan on returning but we will take a different approach since neither one of us can eat that much yummy food.  

thank you Absinthe Café (and Emily)!  we thoroughly enjoy our experience.  expect to see us again.  maybe not our next outing since we do plan on making to Petit Bill's as I have regular cravings for lobster poutine.

* if you are looking for the wine pairings, you won't find them.  I was only in semi-blogger mode. next time ... maybe.

sit. sip. savour.

bottoms up! Éva

my cottage wine - August 2011

these are the bottles of wine I took to the cottage

BARON DE LEY ROSADO 2010 VINTAGES 117283 | 750 mL bottle Price: $13.95, Rosé Wine 13.0% Alcohol/Vol. - Sugar Content : XD; Made in: Spain; By: Baron De Ley; Release Date: Jul 23, 2011; LCBO Tasting Note: Ernest Hemingway's affection for Spain is well known, but perhaps less well known was his love of rosado, Spain's rosé wine. Baron de Lay's 2010 rosé offers aromas of ripe strawberry, cranberry and leather. Fresh and clean on the palate with exuberant fruit. Structured and medium bodied, this versatile wine will go very well with antipasto or as the ideal the back patio sipper to accompany you as you peruse your Hemmingway collection. (VINTAGES panel, Oct. 2010)

my note:  this one was the first to go.  yes, I am continuing my string of rosés - most definitely not done with it this season; I can't bring myself to jump back into reds.  I really enjoy this one: pleasant aromas & flavours beckoning the next sip.  perfect for sitting on the deck looking out onto the lake. 

CAVE SPRING RIESLING VQA LCBO 234583 | 750 mL bottle Price: $14.95, White Wine 11.0% Alcohol/Vol. - Sugar Content : 2; This is a VQA wine; Made in: Ontario, Canada; By: Cave Spring Cellars Ltd; LCBO Tasting Note: Straw colour; apricot nose with floral, citrus, mineral notes; off-dry, forward citrus/peach flavours with refreshing acidity and a medium-long finish.

my note:  did not pair with anything either - just enjoyed sipping it one evening and the next.  yes, I said the next evening as it was just me enjoying it.  in addition to the floral, citrus & mineral, I found red apple on the nose and palate.  thanks Jean! - this was the bottle you brought over several dinners ago.

 

DOMAINE PERRAULT CABERNET FRANC Sabrevois $20 - Domaine Perrault's tasting notes ... Cabernet Franc - Sabrevois; ruby red with medium acidity and medium tannins; aromas of white pepper, red and dark fruit; cherries, black raspberries and spice on the palate; spice and fruit on the finish. Serve with hamburgers, pork, Indian food, red sauce pasta, pizza.  *the vine Sabrevois is from the hybrid family which can resist our cold winters

my notes:  our friends, Sule & Todd (and kiddlies) came for a day of swimming, tubing, cliff-jumping.  my hubby, Duncan, made the perfect dinner: bbq steak filet & bbq roasted potatoes with Sabrevois as a perfect match with dinner.  and after dinner.  there was not a drop left.  I can't believe I haven't yet visited Domaine Perrault when it is just outside Ottawa.  to add, Sule told me that have a beautiful rosé.  now it won't be long before I head out there ... especially after enjoying this so much. 

Calamus Estate Winery Meritage 2007 VQA, price $27.20, red wine, 12.5% alcohol content - Calamus Tasting Notes: Colour -Deep Ruby; Aroma- Smoke, dark chocolate, blackberry, vanilla; Palate - Dark fruit, herbs and spice; Food Pairing - Roast beef, lamb with rosemary; Serving Temperature; Room temperature or cellar cool; Cellaring - 5-7 years; Awards - Bronze Medal – 2010 Canadian Wine Awards; Notable reviews
Rick Van Sickle: 4.5 stars.; Michael Pinkus: “Harder’s best red to date for Calamus”

 

my notes:  50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot.  what I liked most about this one - not nearly as vegetal as some Ontario cab blends.  sipped post Domaine Perrault Sabrevois.  it was a good cabernet continuation.

PELEE ISLAND CHARDONNAY VQA LCBO 136044 | 750 mL bottle Price: $10.95, White Wine 13.0% Alcohol/Vol. - Sugar Content: 1; This is a VQA wine; Made in: Ontario, Canada; By: Pelee Island Vineyard Inc.; LCBO Tasting Note: Pale straw yellow colour; apple and light lemon aromas and flavours with a touch of vanilla; dry palate with soft, round flavours.; LCBO Serving Suggestion: Chicken or light pasta dishes.

my note: believe it or not, I did not get to this one.  brought it home to enjoy with my friend, Erin.  actually she brought it to the cottage the last time.  it's only fitting that we enjoy it together.

PERRIN LES CORNUDS VINSOBRES 2009 VINTAGES 241604 | 750 mL bottle Price: $15.00, Red Wine 14.0% Alcohol/Vol. - Sugar Content: D; Made in: Rhône, France; By: Perrin & Fils; Release Date: Jun 25, 2011; Description: It has plenty of enjoyment to offer tonight with gourmet hamburgers and all the trimmings.; LCBO Tasting Note: A blend of equal parts Grenache and Syrah, the 2009 Perrin et Fils Cotes du Rhone Villages Vinsobres Les Cornuds reveals abundant aromas of crushed rocks, spring flowers and blue as well as black fruits in its darker, more cool climate style. It is completely different from the Grenache-dominated wines from the warmer climates of Cairanne, Rasteau, Vacqueyras or Gigondas. The impressive, deep, rich Vinsobres Les Cornuds comes from high elevation (400 feet) vineyards, and should easily age for 10 years. Score - (90-93). (Robert Parker Jr., erobertparker.com, Oct. 2010) 

my note:  brought this home too.  but I have had this before.  as per Vic Harradine's advice, I purchased a bottle upon June 25th release.  loved it and went back for more.  what a value - $15 ... especially for a bottle that can still age for 10 years.  wow!  

HEY AMY S. - you are safe to bring this to any dinner.

there you have the wines I brought to (and a couple from) the cottage.  so now I look forward to Saturday's LCBO VINTAGES RELEASE to replenish (my picks post to follow soon).

sit. sip. savour.

bottoms up! Éva Nagy

GreekFest Ottawa ~ August 10-21 2011

GreekFest Ottawa

hubby, 2 boys and I made our way to GreekFest yesterday.  we headed straight for the food tent.  everything was delicious!!!  we devoured greek salad, spanakopita & tiropita, chicken souvlaki and Greek-style lamb.  check out there menu online.  "warning" - you may want to consider arriving on the early-ish side of dinner.  as we were leaving, the food line-up was out the gate.  well worth the potential wait in my humble opinion.

yum yum yum

sit. sip. savour.

Éva Nagy

Hintonburger

I just have to make mention of Hintonburger - a delicious burger joint in Hintonburg neighbourhood of Ottawa.  gotta tell you that I would much rather walk to Hintonburger than to Golden Arches - you will too once you try it.  Hintonburger features fresh, local, handmade; we love that they use local beef & have a feature burger.  their portions are generous too.  actually, there is not one bad thing I have to say about Hintonburger.  as it is, I have said enough.  let the pics speak for themselves.

that's my 4oz Armstrong burger with fries (love their poutine but can't eat a burger AND poutine)

that's my hubby, Duncan, with his 6oz Hintonburger (bacon cheeseburger with signature bbq sauce) & fries

Hintonburger menu - August/11

next stop in the 'hood - Petit Bill's - yum yum lobster poutine

sit. sip. savour.

Éva

can't get past rosés, tequila, cachaça & IPA

I found myself without rosé ... just can't have that on a hot, humid Ottawa summer day.  these are the 3 that I picked up.  bold script is what caught my eye in the description.

REMY PANNIER ROSE D'ANJOU LCBO 12641, Price: $11.95 - Rosé Wine, 10.8% Alcohol/Vol., Sugar Content: 2; Made in: Loire, France; LCBO Tasting Note: Light salmon colour; spiced strawberry and citrus aromas; light bodied with crisp hints of red cherry fruit; barely off-dry with fresh strawberry fruit flavours and refreshing finish.  LCBO Serving Suggestion: serve with shrimp and chicken appetizers.

BARON DE LEY ROSADO 2010 VINTAGES 117283, Price: $13.95 - Rosé Wine, 13.0% Alcohol/Vol., Sugar Content: XD,  Made in: Spain, Release Date: Jul 23, 2011; LCBO Tasting Note: Ernest Hemingway's affection for Spain is well known, but perhaps less well known was his love of rosado, Spain's rosé wine. Baron de Lay's 2010 rosé offers aromas of ripe strawberry, cranberry and leather. Fresh and clean on the palate with exuberant fruit. Structured and medium bodied, this versatile wine will go very well with antipasto or as the ideal the back patio sipper to accompany you as you peruse your Hemmingway collection. (VINTAGES panel, Oct. 2010)

note - this is my second time purchasing this one since July 23rd release.  it is crisp & fresh with lovely fruit aromas and flavours.

MARQUES DE CACERES ROSADO LCBO 622142, SEASONAL/LIMITED QUANTITIES Price: $12.95 - Rosé Wine, 13.5% Alcohol/Vol., Made in: Spain; LCBO Tasting Note: Pale pink in colour, the nose suggests intense berry, floral and citrus aromas. On the palate it is light to medium-bodied, showing flavours of strawberry and raspberry, ending with a fresh and crisp finish. LCBO Serving Suggestion: serve with planked salmon.

oh and I feel the need to mention a bottle of EL JIMADOR TEQUILA REPOSADO LCBO 460360, Price: $29.95 and PORTO MORRETES ORGANIC CACHAÇA VINTAGES 101741, 700 mL bottle, Price: $32.95  

the tequila I use for mixing into a skinny margarita → 2 parts reposado tequila, 1 part triple sec, 1 part lime juice then fill glass with ice.

as for the cachaça → muddle 1/2 to whole lime with sugar or simple syrup; add 100mL cachaça then ice.  here's the recipe listed on LCBO website.

warning - the first sip of your skinny marg and Caipirinha may be perceived by some as a doozy.  don't plan on going anywhere soon. then take another sip & enjoy. these two cocktails are so refreshing on a hot summer's day.

almost forgot - I have recently discovered a very flavourful/aroma-full real India Pale Ale (not Keith's, sorry Keith's fans) called MUSKOKA MADTOM IPA LCBO 239749, 6x355 mL bottle, Price: $12.95 - this is my new favourite beer.  you can also find it at The Beer Store.

sit. sip. savour.

bottoms up,

Éva