A Little Timothy's Before a Library Adventure

Recently, I made an appointment with one of the Ottawa Public Library's Business Librarians to help with a little research at the Nepean Centrepointe Branch.

Of course, not wanting to arrive late, I planned to arrive early.  Apparently so early in fact I was an hour early!  What to do. What to do.  Why not grab a snack at the nearby College Square shopping plaza where I found a Timothy's World Coffee (1379 Woodroffe Avenue, Ottawa)?  Sure!

I entered at 9:00 A.M. to find a couple of ladies sitting in the front area enjoying their coffee and a couple of students from the nearby Algonquin College studying with a  beverage of choice.

I approached the counter and reviewed my muffin options and was met by one of the employees.  I inquired as to what flavours of muffins were available that day and he started going through the many options.  I stopped him after about the 5th option and selected one.

The Order: 1 Blueberry muffin and 1 Medium blend medium black coffee.

The Barrista grabbed a muffin, poured the coffee, took my change and I was off to sit down.

The coffee was a good flavourful medium blend that was not too strong but not week either.  Hot enough but not tongue bothersome.

The blueberry muffin was still moist unlike other coffee shops that ship their muffins in that tend to be drier. The muffin was pretty tasty with no blueberries skimped on.

Overall, if you are a looking for a quality coffee with lots of selection of muffins, Timothy's World Coffee at College Square is a good choice.  This location is probably a favourite on many student's list as they also have free wifi and comfy seating to enjoy a coffee while studying.  It's closeness to the Ottawa Public Library's Nepean Centrepointe Branch also means you can enjoy a good book with a cup of coffee after a library adventure.

And Now, Time For Something A Little Different....

Recently, my wife and I decided to try something totally different for a dining experience.  We had previously been to Korean BBQ restaurants in the Toronto area where you get a selection of meat and are able to BBQ it on a burner built into your table.   This time we were looking for Ottawa's best Korean restaurants that serves up as authentic as possible Korean dishes.

We turned to Urbanspoon.com to see what was the highest rated yet easy to get to for us try.

Alirang (134 Nelson Street, Ottawa) came out at the top of the list of 18 Korean places currently listed on Urbanpoon.   We arrived for dinner shortly after 5 P.M. to a restaurant just up from the Loblaws grocery store on the corner of  Nelson & Rideau Streets.

The restaurant itself appears to be in an older traditional Ottawa home as you enter through the front door step and into the subdivided dining area with tables.

Service had been noted to be an issue on previous Urbanspoon posts.  The only issue we had with service was after entering there was no sign if we should seat ourselves or wait to be seated.  A pause and two minutes of awkward glances around seem to resolve this issue as we were greeted by one of the wait staff and sat.

We perused our menus to see what dishes we would like.  Our waiter stopped by and dropped off the complimentary barley tea.  This tea was interesting because instead of being served warm to hot it was luc warm and poured from a plastic water jug.

The Order: 1 Beef Bulgogi with rice (kimchi and other side dishes).

The order arrived within about 10 minutes after ordering. Impressive for the reported place that has service issues!  Apparently, the restaurant has pulled up its socks in the service department.

The Beef Bulgogi was stir fried beef with sauce. Add it to a little rice and it's a winner.  Pretty tasty stir fry style cuisine.  The dish also comes with spicy kimchi that I dared to try.  Not overly melt your tongue off spicy but there is a decent kick that will leave you reaching for the barley tea.  Added to this is a cold potato dish dipped in some kind of sauce.  My wife and I are unsure what this is called and wasn't one of our favourites.

Overall, Alirang was an interesting experience in a cuisine we do not normally enjoy on a regular basis.  We enjoyed the experience with interesting food accompanied with great service guiding us through a Korean meal.  It truly was something a little different.

Not Feeling Like Royalty at Shawarma King

After being disappointed at Gabriels Pizza on Friday, I moved down the street to see what else there was to lunch on. An old university friend had recommended Shawarma's King (395 Bank Street, Ottawa) after I had visited Shawarma Palace a few weeks back.  So, being in the vicinity, I thought I would give it a try.

I arrived at 11:40 A.M. to find Shawarma's King pretty well empty.  Three rotating spits of meat were gradually turning behind the long counter.   I reviewed the menu to see what my options were but settled on what I had at Shawarma Palace to get a good comparison of which Shawarma restaurant I would prefer.
The Order: 1 Beef Shawarma sandwich with a can of Coke.

The beef was carved off the rotating spit of beef and placed in a wrap.  Next, after inquiring, the server put everything on it and packaged it up, took my cash,  I grabbed my Coke and left.

The Shawarma sandwich seemed a little smaller than the Shawarma found at Shawarma Palace.  The beef itself tasted slightly on the dry side leaving me to wonder how long it had been roasting on the spit.  The toppings tasted average freshness but were nothing special.  The place seemed just average to me in terms of Shawarma compared to Shawarma Palace.  Sure the Shawarma was o.k. even with the slightly dry meat.

Overall, Shawarma King provides an average Shawarma experience.  Nothing overly fresh in either the meat or the toppings.  The restaurant itself appears to need an update that is dimly lit.  Nothing much to see, but despite this, the food is average and not too bad.  Hopefully the next time I visit I feel more like King than I did.

Don't Bank on this Gabriel to Deliver

I was looking forward to having a nice slice of pizza today after, for whatever reason, not having pizza for a while.  In Ottawa, I have become accustomed to Gabriel's Pizza and never had a bad experience after visiting or having their pizza delivered.  When eating Gabriel's Pizza the product has always been hot and great tasting.

That was until today.

I arrived downtown Ottawa today at 11:30 A.M. in hopes of beating the end of week lunch rush from the nearby office buildings.  I entered the Gabriel Pizza location at Bank & Somerset (277 Bank Street, Ottawa) to find a more of diner type set up with a bunch of tables with about three customers enjoying their breakfast with an assortment of newspapers and other reading material available.  One waitress was attending them and greeted me as I entered.

I visited the counter to find the heated display case for three pizzas totally empty and turned off.  I inquired with the waitress if I was too early to pick up slice.

The waitress replied that there was no slices ready and none would be made today.

I thanked her and dejectedly left to find other food.

A downtown pizza location in a major city surrounded by offices on a the last day of the work week is bad for business. Most office workers, after enduring the weekly work week, love to go out for bite with coworkers on a the last day of the work week.  Whether it be a regular week with a Friday or a shortened work week on a Thursday, pizza slices should be in demand.  In this regard, Gabriel's fails to deliver.

Roast 'N Me Some Coffee at Roast 'N Brew

Monday I found myself downtown waiting for the Ottawa Public Library to open for 10 A.M. to do a little research.  With a need of a small morning snack, I ventured out along Laurier Avenue west and found a Roast 'N Brew Coffee (234 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa).

I entered to find a modern looking coffee shop within a downtown office building. Behind the counter were a pair of workers waiting for my order as a I reviewed the choice of six different types of muffins before placing my order.

The Order. 1 Banana Muffin and 1 Medium Blend Black Coffee.

The first employee rang up my order and took my cash while the second prepared my muffin and coffee.

After paying I sat down at one of the tables at the front window overlooking Laurier Avenue.

The coffee was a decent medium roast that I find to be better tasting than a Starbucks.  Roast 'N Brew's coffee I find to have a more gourmet taste that has a hint of chocolate if anything.

The muffin was delicious with hints of banana coming through the nice moist texture of the muffin.

Overall, this Roast 'N Brew location is a good spot to find a gourmet tasting coffee with a fresh tasting baked accomplice.  Service is fast and friendly with a clean modern coffee shop feel.  Adding fresh looking desserts, which are also available, this coffee shop can double as a delicious dessert place as well. Not much to not like at this Roast 'N Brew.

Aurora United Church: Look to the Future

I've been struggling over the weekend trying to think of what can be said in support of Aurora United Church following the fire on Friday, April 11th.  

My biggest memory of the church is probably what is most likely to occur,  the powerful support and warmth of not only the people of the church but of Aurora. Aurora United Church is filled with warmth of not only the building, but especially the people who are willing to help out in times of need as well as celebrate with you in good times.   Within the congregation itself there is lots of expertise and "person power" big and small that will show itself over the coming days, weeks and months.  I don't see that changing in the future either.  

Over a hundred years ago, this church rallied from a fire.  Back in the 1870s a fire destroyed the 2nd building on the corner of Yonge & Tyler Streets which probably lead to a similar sadness felt today. Back then, a dream was hatched to build a larger 3rd building with Henry Langley's guidance as architect. This new building would become the central nucleus of today's church with various additions to it from the 1900s, 1970s and 1980s to form the building that we know and love today.  This building became the central home to a major community hub of activity with various people moving through including Scouts, Guides, Rummage Sales, baptisms, weddings, and many more. Even a certain Mike "Smarty Pants" Pearson probably spent much time in that building learning his Roman Numerals while his Dad, Edwin, carefully crafted his sermons for Sundays. Like this group in 1870s, the congregation will rise again and ensure a building respecting the past and looking forward to the future will be built so others like Mike "Lester" Pearson can have a place to enjoy life's events. 

The strength of the congregation I can already tell is building to get things started on the rebuild.  This strength presented itself a couple of years ago at my Mother's funeral.  Back then, my wife Yvonne, remarked after the 1st visitation after leaving Southlake Hospital,  that a lot of people knew my mother.  I chuckled and said, "You ain't seen nothing yet."  Of course Aurora United Church and the surrounding community did show it's caring over the next couple of days as not only the two visitations but the funeral itself was packed with people lending their support to the Suddard family.  I have seen this type of caring before with families at other funerals in the church.  This strength and caring will carry this congregation through this time period of instability and help move forward.

The church is surrounded by the very supportive community of Aurora and it's neighbours in Newmarket, Richmond Hill, King, Stouffville and others.  The fire departments of all 9 municipalities had a hand in ensuring the situation on Friday was being cared for and Aurora was being protected.  Sure King, Richmond Hill, East Gwillimbury, Aurora and Newmarket were on hand at the scene, but Georgina, Vaughan were covering the local fire halls to ensure the safety of the surrounding community.  This community support continues as the Aurora Chamber of Commerce, Aurora Mayor Geoff Dawe, MPP FrankKlees, the school boards and others have come forward to help as they know Aurora United has helped a lot in the past and needs assistance now. I hope the congregation will feel this support again and I know the town's people will be there tomorrow like they have historically through times of fire, flood and great sorrow.

The community also includes the surrounding churches. As Aurora United Church members witnessed personally in Aurora on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, there is lots of people and organizations reaching out to help.  The "Trinitys" have obviously put out a helping hand with Trinity Anglican welcoming Aurora United to worship with them this past weekend.  Trinity United has opened their doors for Good Friday service. These churches, plus other friends of faith will extend their hands to help out as I’m sure Aurora United has in the past.

Finally, the most obvious two pieces of the puzzle I'm glad Aurora United has in rebuilding, Rev'ds Andy & Lorraine Comar!  Aurora United Church is quite lucky to have two experienced church ministers who have been around a while, know each other inside and out.  These two are going to have a key part in rebuilding and being part of the team that can point to the new church building as a success after the setbacks of last week. Years later hopefully, over a glass of communion wine, you two and the congregation will be able to toast each other at overcoming this year’s setback and look forward to a bright future. 

A way forward may not be clear right now, but as my Mom used to say, take things one step at a time and things will eventually work out.  I believe the steps will be gradually be revealed and step by step the plan will slowly come together.  During these coming days, months and years, I hope the warmth of the congregation and support of the community will be felt  not only by you, but everyone at Aurora United and the town of Aurora.  I believe Aurora United Church “ain’t seen nothing yet” from this congregation and tomorrow will be better for this church and it's people.  It’s  time to harness the outpouring of support, start the process of taking stock of what can be honoured from the church’s history and move forward to tomorrow and new possibilities.  I’m personally looking forward a few years down the road to Aurora United Church worshipping in its 4^th building again at the corner of Yonge & Tyler like the congregation has since 1818.

Loud Place at Big Rig

Thursday evening I was out with business friends at Big Rig Brewery & Kitchen (2750 Iris Street, Ottawa) which is near the Ikea just off Pinecrest Road.

I arrived at 7 P.M. to find the restaurant's parking lot full of cars and, inside, full of people.  There were three tables reserved with two for our party and 1 for another.  The rest of the bar and restaurant area quickly filled up as the 1st period of the Ottawa Senators vs New Jersey Devils NHL game started.

Even with only 4 people at our table and none at the other two tables further down it was hard to hear a conversation.  This is despite us sitting across the table and next to each other.  Acoustics of this restaurant is terrible and could be rectified with some sound paneling that would absorb some of the sound. Adding the live play by play emanating from the televisions showing the hockey game only made things worse.  Thus, until this issue is fixed, if you wish to have a conversation over beer and food you may want to skip the busy periods.

I sat down with the menu already there.  With reservations, Big Rig places menus at each spot so people arriving can grab their spot, peruse the menu and order with waitress who checks in often.

Our waitress, Ashley, was awesome.  She kept track of everyone's order separately and was willing to refill drinks or take food orders at any time.  At check out my bill was exactly as I had ordered with no mistakes. This was despite the fact there were 12 of us at the restaurant that evening all with separate bills.

Ashley took each order separately carefully writing it down and went around the table.  She eventually got to me and I place my order.

The Order: 1 Big Rig Classic Burger with Swiss Cheese and Sweet Potato Fries with a Big Rig Gold beer.

The food came within 20 minutes of ordering on a consistent basis.   Ashley dropped off my order.

Big Rig Classic Burger with Sweet Potato Fries

The only problem?  Where's the ketchup?  Sure I have a nice mayonnaisey dip for the fries, but how about a little old fashioned ketchup? Not sure why this was not brought to the table.  I asked Ashley and she quickly brought a cup of ketchup, the same size as the mayonnaise, of ketchup to the table.  I guess a squirt bottle isn't good enough for Big Rig and a more upscale ketchup was needed.

The burger, after the ketchup was added, was delectable. A nicely cooked beef baddie with average lettuce, tomato, pickle and other toppings.  

The sweet potato fries were nicely coloured on the outside yet soft and chewy on the inside.  They could have been slightly warmer though, but with that much food preparation going on for a party of 12, some food temperature issues are to be expected.

The Big Rig Gold beer was a smooth golden looking beer similar in colour to a Molson Canadian gold.  Nice smooth taste going down with no aftertaste.  A good smooth drinking beer.

Overall, Big Rig has a great concept of a locally owned brew pub.  Service is good but the prices are slightly higher than normal pubs.  A $14 and change for a burger and fries without an upgrade?  Seems a little high to me.  Add to this it is hard to hear the person next to you speak and it only makes things worse.  But I will score them on excellent service and well prepared food and drink.  Hopefully the pricing and sound issue will be rectified soon. An excellent addition to the Ottawa dining scene with a few issues still to be ironed out.