We had some amazing meals in Ottawa which was actually quite surprising since all of my memories of Ottawa (I lived there for 6+ years) do not include food. As mentioned previously, the breakfast at the Mayflower is a tradition since this restaurant has been around since the 70's. Here's a short review, in case you're interested: Mayflower
We had done some research on restaurants before heading to Ottawa and I knew all about the touristy-type places in the Byward Market. I also remember a number of "Mexican" (I put that in quotes because you and I both know my definition of Mexican food has changed somewhat in the last few years) and Tex-Mex places where I might have tasted my first margarita but I wondered whether there was any real Mexican food to be found. I read about the Azteca online and learned it was owned by a Mexican family so I thought that bode well for authentic Mexican food. We were amazed and charmed by this little restaurant.
We arrived for a typical Mexican lunch, at around 2:30PM. The place was not busy but the only table in the window overlooking the busy marketplace was already taken so, when invited to look around by the non-Mexican waitress, we headed upstairs and found a delightful room with a fresh breeze blowing in the second storey through an open window. We grabbed a table in the corner and looked at the menu. Rob was still feeling a little overheated so we ordered tap water and micheladas con Corona. It was nice to see this refreshing libation offered (a Michelada is actually beer, served over ice with lime and hot sauce or salsa) and I thought it was a great start to our lunch!
Despite it being a hot, sunny day, we both decided we wanted soup so I ordered us some Azteca soup. I love tortilla soup when in Mexico and have tried many different varieties there but this soup was sensational! It came steaming to the table in two large bowls containing tortilla chips, chicken, cheese, avocado, and sour cream in a tomato broth and the cost was only $5! We decided to stick with small dishes to share so we could sample more of this delicious food and finally settled on ensalada de nopales (cactus salad), shrimp sopes and mushrooms stuffed with guacamole and coated in melted cheese. Everything was beautifully presented and extremely tasty. This was the real deal! I took some photos of the food and the restaurant (see previous blog). For more information on this great little restaurant, check out their website at Calendario Azteca.
After lunch, we took a much needed walk around the market to help digest lunch and then headed back to the hotel for a much needed siesta. :) Our choices for dinner were numerous but I knew I wanted to stay away from the overly-trendy Byward Market because the Ottawa Senators had just won the Eastern Division final late that afternoon and hockey fans were everywhere (and quite obnoxious too!). I had read about the Metropolitan Brasserie and realized it was kitty corner to our hotel. I figured it was just high-scale enough to thwart most hockey fans and I was right. The patio was coolish and dark so we opted to eat inside. The restaurant is styled after a Parisian brasserie and we were quite impressed with (1) the drinks menu, (2) the wine list and (3) the food menu!
Rob ordered draft beer and I tried a tequila champagne cocktail: ice cold tequila (Sauza Gold, I think) served in a champagne flute with some bubbly and a salted rim. It was an interesting drink but not one I would order again. I settled on a glass of merlot with my steak and frites and Rob ordered the pork tenderloin. The food and service were great. Our waiter was attentive without being intrusive. The restaurant was boisterous and there is a separate bar from the eating area which seemed pretty lively when we left around 11PM after our late dinner. I would recommend it but only if you're not on a budget: Metropolitain Brasserie
And here are Rob's photos from our trip.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
On The Road Again ...
Rob and I spent a lot of time on the highway this last long weekend, between Toronto and Ottawa. We noticed a lot of bad drivers on the road and, therefore, a lot of (in my opinion) unnecessary traffic snarls.
We've decided that mini-vans are the scourge of the earth. Nine times out of ten, the people driving these view-blocking mammoths don't have a clue about how to drive on the highway. We figure it is because they spend more time driving between home and Wal-Mart and hockey arenas than actually doing any consistent highway driving. The rule in Ontario and, in fact, most roads in North America and the UK (according to Rob) is that you drive in the right lane unless you are passing someone in the right lane. You are supposed to signal your intentions, move over to the left lane, pass the car moving slower than you and return to the right lane.
But some drivers get into the left lane, see it is clear and remain there, forgetting to check their rearview mirrors for traffic coming up fast behind them. We passed more cars from the right hand lane than was necessary. And we weren't the only ones doing it. Invariably, a mini-van was tottering along in the passing lane, doing just over the speed limit, which a hugh line of cars formed behind them, hoping they'd get the hint and move over. I can totally understand how road rage develops. I wasn't even driving but I was getting frustrated with these idiots. Anyways, enough of that rant. Watch your driving next time you're on the highway!
Ottawa itself was such a treat. I haven't been there in almost two years and it is as gorgeous as I remember it. We stayed at the Westin, right downtown and attached to the Rideau Centre. We were close to Elgin Street, the Sparks Street Mall, Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal and the Byward Market. The hotel was under construction so we were given a free room upgrade which afforded us a spectacular view of the many of the above-mentioned sites. We arrived late on Friday night and crashed after the long drive. Saturday morning saw us up early, raring to go on a walking tour that I had planned for Rob. We started with a hearty breakfast at the Mayflower on Elgin Street. Good food, lousy service (why can't waiters multi-task?) and a high price of almost $30 for our meals and a marginal tip.
We walked south on Elgin Street, West on Waverley Street (I used to live in an apartment building on Waverley) and then north on Bank Street. We veered slightly off course because of the construction on Bank Street but ended up on the Sparks Street Mall and walked east the length of it, back to Elgin Street and then across the street to the War Memorial. As you can imagine, this Memorial has special meaning to me so we stopped and took a lot of great photos. I will post the links to pics at the end of this blog. Then we headed across the street and up to the Hill.
Canada's Parliament buildings and grounds are readily accessible to tourists and, because of the fabulous weather, the place was really crowded with people from many different cultures. We toured all around them, front and back and took tons of photos. We walked along the Canal and viewed a boat going through the locks on the Rideau Canal. We finally had to return to the hotel because we were overheated and short on water. Anyway, here's a few pics to keep you going until I continue this mini trip report:
Ottawa Photos
We've decided that mini-vans are the scourge of the earth. Nine times out of ten, the people driving these view-blocking mammoths don't have a clue about how to drive on the highway. We figure it is because they spend more time driving between home and Wal-Mart and hockey arenas than actually doing any consistent highway driving. The rule in Ontario and, in fact, most roads in North America and the UK (according to Rob) is that you drive in the right lane unless you are passing someone in the right lane. You are supposed to signal your intentions, move over to the left lane, pass the car moving slower than you and return to the right lane.
But some drivers get into the left lane, see it is clear and remain there, forgetting to check their rearview mirrors for traffic coming up fast behind them. We passed more cars from the right hand lane than was necessary. And we weren't the only ones doing it. Invariably, a mini-van was tottering along in the passing lane, doing just over the speed limit, which a hugh line of cars formed behind them, hoping they'd get the hint and move over. I can totally understand how road rage develops. I wasn't even driving but I was getting frustrated with these idiots. Anyways, enough of that rant. Watch your driving next time you're on the highway!
Ottawa itself was such a treat. I haven't been there in almost two years and it is as gorgeous as I remember it. We stayed at the Westin, right downtown and attached to the Rideau Centre. We were close to Elgin Street, the Sparks Street Mall, Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal and the Byward Market. The hotel was under construction so we were given a free room upgrade which afforded us a spectacular view of the many of the above-mentioned sites. We arrived late on Friday night and crashed after the long drive. Saturday morning saw us up early, raring to go on a walking tour that I had planned for Rob. We started with a hearty breakfast at the Mayflower on Elgin Street. Good food, lousy service (why can't waiters multi-task?) and a high price of almost $30 for our meals and a marginal tip.
We walked south on Elgin Street, West on Waverley Street (I used to live in an apartment building on Waverley) and then north on Bank Street. We veered slightly off course because of the construction on Bank Street but ended up on the Sparks Street Mall and walked east the length of it, back to Elgin Street and then across the street to the War Memorial. As you can imagine, this Memorial has special meaning to me so we stopped and took a lot of great photos. I will post the links to pics at the end of this blog. Then we headed across the street and up to the Hill.
Canada's Parliament buildings and grounds are readily accessible to tourists and, because of the fabulous weather, the place was really crowded with people from many different cultures. We toured all around them, front and back and took tons of photos. We walked along the Canal and viewed a boat going through the locks on the Rideau Canal. We finally had to return to the hotel because we were overheated and short on water. Anyway, here's a few pics to keep you going until I continue this mini trip report:
Ottawa Photos
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Cussing at Work
Anyone who knows me, knows that I can curse like a trucker in three languages. *grin*
There are some subjects which cause me to swear MORE (slow public transit, inconsiderate cell phone users, inconsiderate smokers, etc.) but there are many instances when I feel that "cussing" is not appropriate: church (I don't go often but when I do, I keep it clean), when I'm with my Mom, with I'm with my friends' Moms (unless they like to swear too), when I'm meeting people for the first time (usually) and at work (again, usually).
Occasionally, everyone lets fly with an expletive at work when they're frustrated, confused or when they discover a stupid mistake they've made. Paper cuts will also elicit a *$%# from me before I plop my finger into my mouth to stop myself from bleeding all over the files. And I've even heard lawyers swear (*gasp* -- yes, I know you're stunned!), but I've never heard language like I'm hearing in my new job. OMG!
So I started doing some research on the internet about this subject. FYI, it is not addressed in the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Ontario Employment Standards Act or the Health and Safety Act of Ontario. Some firms have "respect in the workplace" policies but most don't. While sexual harassment is a subject that is taken very seriously in every office I've ever worked in, respect for your fellow workers is not.
However, since profanity at work seems to be increasing, employers are starting to see the detrimental affects of such behaviour. The Cuss Control Academy covers it all. And while we're at it, let's discuss full-volume speaker-phone conversations with your door open, yelling for your assistant from your desk and not being able to get your own gosh-darn coffee!
There are some subjects which cause me to swear MORE (slow public transit, inconsiderate cell phone users, inconsiderate smokers, etc.) but there are many instances when I feel that "cussing" is not appropriate: church (I don't go often but when I do, I keep it clean), when I'm with my Mom, with I'm with my friends' Moms (unless they like to swear too), when I'm meeting people for the first time (usually) and at work (again, usually).
Occasionally, everyone lets fly with an expletive at work when they're frustrated, confused or when they discover a stupid mistake they've made. Paper cuts will also elicit a *$%# from me before I plop my finger into my mouth to stop myself from bleeding all over the files. And I've even heard lawyers swear (*gasp* -- yes, I know you're stunned!), but I've never heard language like I'm hearing in my new job. OMG!
So I started doing some research on the internet about this subject. FYI, it is not addressed in the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Ontario Employment Standards Act or the Health and Safety Act of Ontario. Some firms have "respect in the workplace" policies but most don't. While sexual harassment is a subject that is taken very seriously in every office I've ever worked in, respect for your fellow workers is not.
However, since profanity at work seems to be increasing, employers are starting to see the detrimental affects of such behaviour. The Cuss Control Academy covers it all. And while we're at it, let's discuss full-volume speaker-phone conversations with your door open, yelling for your assistant from your desk and not being able to get your own gosh-darn coffee!
Friday, May 11, 2007
In Hiding
I've hidden my blogs for the time being as I've been having some privacy issues with the internet. After all these years, it's finally dawning on me that there are people out there who will use to the internet to say whatever they want about anyone they want. I've always tried to be somewhat circumspect in my postings and never post too much information about my personal life but now that the blog is private (by invitation only), I guess I can be a bit more free wheeling with what I write. And if any of this new information gets out there, I'll know who to blame! LOL
The recent weather in Toronto has me thinking a lot about the upcoming summer. It looks like it is going to be a busy one! Rob and I are off to a wedding in Niagara Falls this weekend and will be returning to Toronto on Sunday in order to hook up with my Mom, my brother and his friend, Alma, visiting from Ohio. They're going to be in T.O. for my brother's ex-wife's daughter's Bat Mitzvah brunch on Sunday. He's not sure why he's going except that the young lady personally asked him to attend.
Next weekend is the first long weekend of the summer (Victoria Day is Monday, May 21), so Rob and I are heading to Ottawa (the nation's capital, for all my American readers). It's about a 4-5 hour drive from Toronto in holiday traffic on a Friday night. I'm not looking forward to the drive at night (I have terrible night vision) but the three days there should be fun. I used to live in Ottawa so it will be interesting to see what changes the years have wrought.
It's always been a very clean city and the Canadian Tulip Festival will be winding up that weekend. We are staying right downtown, along the Rideau Canal and close to the Byward Market and Parliament Hill. I am looking forward to being a tourist again. I still have a few friends living there, and they might all be out-of-town for the long weekend, but I should still send off a few emails anyway.
The recent weather in Toronto has me thinking a lot about the upcoming summer. It looks like it is going to be a busy one! Rob and I are off to a wedding in Niagara Falls this weekend and will be returning to Toronto on Sunday in order to hook up with my Mom, my brother and his friend, Alma, visiting from Ohio. They're going to be in T.O. for my brother's ex-wife's daughter's Bat Mitzvah brunch on Sunday. He's not sure why he's going except that the young lady personally asked him to attend.
Next weekend is the first long weekend of the summer (Victoria Day is Monday, May 21), so Rob and I are heading to Ottawa (the nation's capital, for all my American readers). It's about a 4-5 hour drive from Toronto in holiday traffic on a Friday night. I'm not looking forward to the drive at night (I have terrible night vision) but the three days there should be fun. I used to live in Ottawa so it will be interesting to see what changes the years have wrought.
It's always been a very clean city and the Canadian Tulip Festival will be winding up that weekend. We are staying right downtown, along the Rideau Canal and close to the Byward Market and Parliament Hill. I am looking forward to being a tourist again. I still have a few friends living there, and they might all be out-of-town for the long weekend, but I should still send off a few emails anyway.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Good Movie
I don't usually use my blog to plug any type of entertainment-related events but every once in a while, I see a great movie and I feel the need to share it with others.
Let me preface this recommendation by giving you a bit of background. Last weekend, Rob and I watched 1957's "Witness for the Prosecution" starring Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich and Charles Laughton. It was nominated for and received six Academy Awards. The plot was thick and full of twists and, when it was finally over, we both agreed: "They don't make movies like that any more!"
But we were wrong! "Fracture" starring Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling is such a movie. There are no car chases. There are no tired and trite cliches. There is good writing, tight dialogue and a plot that will keep you guessing right up until the last scene. If you get a chance, go see this mind bender and try to figure it out yourself!
Let me preface this recommendation by giving you a bit of background. Last weekend, Rob and I watched 1957's "Witness for the Prosecution" starring Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich and Charles Laughton. It was nominated for and received six Academy Awards. The plot was thick and full of twists and, when it was finally over, we both agreed: "They don't make movies like that any more!"
But we were wrong! "Fracture" starring Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling is such a movie. There are no car chases. There are no tired and trite cliches. There is good writing, tight dialogue and a plot that will keep you guessing right up until the last scene. If you get a chance, go see this mind bender and try to figure it out yourself!
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