Ginza Ramen

Mmmm I think I have a love affair with ramen. So much that I went to the same place twice in less than a couple of days.

I was in Ottawa a couple of weeks ago and Ginza Ramen came highly recommended. The gyoza were tasty. How was the ramen? The first bowl was vegetable miso. The vegetables were cooked to a turn and the broth was very miso-y. Their noodles come from a supplier, but that’s ok; as most places don’t make in house. The second bowl was the shoyu. It does come with half an egg, but someone absconded with it before I took the picture. It was quite tasty too. One note: both bowls are pictured with an extra serving of noodle which was recommended. This is more the size I am used to getting in Calgary; their regular size would have left me hungry.

Calgary’s ramen scene is well ahead of Ottawa’s but this place made a good first impression.

Gyoza
Gyoza
Vegetable Miso Ramen
Vegetable Miso Ramen
Shoyu Ramen sans egg
Shoyu Ramen sans egg

Ginza Ramen on Urbanspoon

Juniper Kitchen and Wine Bar

My in-laws took me out for a little post Christmas dinner. We wanted to go to Supply and Demand, but they were booked for a private party. So we decided to visit Juniper, an old standby. The food was very good and richly satisfying. Even after Christmas dinner. The service was attentive and friendly.

Amuse bouche Date with honey and spices
Amuse bouche
Date with honey and spices
Oysters with Juniper spicy kick, gin ice and citric pomegranate
Oysters with Juniper spicy kick, gin ice and citric pomegranate
STEELHEAD TROUT cured and smoked with carrot cinnamon purée and orange herb salad
STEELHEAD TROUT
cured and smoked with carrot cinnamon purée and orange herb salad
Interesting looking foon.
Interesting looking foon.
Orange Lemon Cardamum Crème Brûlée
Orange Lemon Cardamum Crème Brûlée
Amuse bouche for dessert Chocolate brownie
Amuse bouche for dessert
Chocolate brownie

Juniper Kitchen & Wine Bar on Urbanspoon

Christmas Dinner 2013

Every year, I venture over to Ottawa to celebrate Christmas with family. This year, no different, well except there were around 27 people this year. A record. We had the luxury of being able to use kitchens of houses right next door to each other. There were two 17 lb turkeys. (to ensure leftovers). Five cooks, over 1.5 days of cooking and prep. Now that’s my kind of gathering. A passion for cooking definitely runs in my family.

Fruit basket
Fruit basket
Navy beans and weights for baking blind
Navy beans and weights for baking blind
Dinner Menu
Dinner Menu
Double turkey time!
Double turkey time!
Dinner Buffet
Dinner Buffet
Dinner Buffet
Dinner Buffet

The deli and fruit trays were crafted by yours truly.

Deli Tray
Deli Tray
Fruit Tray
Fruit Tray
Fruit Tray
Fruit Tray

Murray Street

Fresh. Local. My calling card. Murray Street does rustic and comfort food.  The portions look small, but don’t be fooled. Very hearty and filling. Sort of what you would want on a cool, rainy fall day.  Which it was the day we visited.

Oatmeal cookie and fudge brownie

We didn’t order an appetizer, but they brought us a cookie and brownie to start.  The brownie had flecks of sea salt on top. Dessert before brunch, great idea! The OJ was freshly squeezed.

B.E.L.T.
Cheezy potato casserole, baked herb-topped egg ‘omelette’, heirloom tomatoes,bacon, spring greens

I enjoyed my B.E.L.T.  Especially the greens hidden underneath the potatoes.  Added a light touch  to an otherwise hearty dish.

Corned Beef
Cheezy potato casserole, braised corned beef, poached egg, bone marrow Hollandaise

Murray Street on Urbanspoon