EAST INDIAN
Indian Express Food and Sweets
1104 Somerset St. W.
This is not your Glebeites' Indian restaurant. Indian Express is loud, hot, and crammed into an off-kilter space the size of a walk-in closet. The butter chicken is laced with liberal amounts of cream, and the naan is heavy enough to prop a door open. But lunchtime specials keep the locals loyal, and the back wall is papered with business cards from police, paramedics, taxi drivers, and shift workers who can't get enough of this place. Stock up on sticky Bengali chum-chum and black pepper cashews to throw into packed lunches, or swing by on a Saturday for a creamy yellow mango lassi.
http://www.indianexpressfoods.com/
LATIN AMERICAN
Horchata
Popular in Latin America, Spain, and parts of California, horchata (or orxata) is a cold, milky drink made from grains such as rice and barley, with variations including sesame seeds or almonds. Ahora's version is made in-house from basic ingredients: milk, rice, ground cinnamon, and tons of sugar.... Served over ice for there or to go. $2.25. Ahora, 307 Dalhousie St.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horchata
SOUTH CAROLINIAN
The Foolish Chicken
79 Holland Ave.
South Carolinian soul food is rare in Ottawa, so we have to take Rick Boland's and Natalie Aucoin's word for it when they say they're cooking the real thing. Certainly, their sweet, slow-cooked pork baby back ribs seem above reproach. And recently they added an even bigger rack to the menu, only the beef ribs have been marinated in Dr. Pepper, which gives it, not surprisingly, a rich, fruity kick. For dessert, order the soft gingerbread cake with a little pillow of whipped cream. This place is the "Cheers" of chicken shacks, where everybody knows your name and they're always glad you came.
http://www.foolishchicken.ca/
The
AMERICAS
BUDGET GOURMET
BURRITO BORRACHO The result of a happy twist of fate
To think that a little more than a year ago, Mexican transplants Mario Garcia and Alex Coreas were planning to open a grocery store! Then, as they were about to sign a lease for a spot on Dalhousie Street, Coreas suggested taking one more look around. Discovering a shoebox of a space on Clarence Street the next day, they veered off in another direction: they set up a Mexican restaurant, Burrito Borracho (Drunk Little Donkey). They're used to adapting to changing circumstances, however. Just four years ago, Garcia arrived at Carleton University to learn English. Coreas, meanwhile, had moved to the city with his family in 1994 at the age of 12. But though he had completed his degree in economics from the University of Ottawa in 2006, he knew office life wouldn't suit him. He much prefers working with his hands. It was around this time that the two met through a mutual friend at a language school where Garcia was taking lessons. They quickly became friends and, after travelling together in their home country, decided to start a business that would showcase Mexican culture.
They are keeping their Mexican dishes simple - tacos, burritos, tortas, and quesadillas. The formula is also familiar - various fillings, various sauces. But BB's fillings are truly succulent (Garcia's mom, Miriam, contributed original Mexican recipes). These days two cooks and three other employees help keep the restaurant on track. Not that the owners are resting their weary pins yet. Already their hours have been extended - to four in the morning on Friday through Saturday. And the two are planning expansion into the west and east of Ottawa. Funny how a last-minute walk can thwart the best-laid plans. Let's hope for more such happy divergences. 105A Clarence St.
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/250/1532400/restaurant/ByWard-Market-Lower-Town/Burrito-Borracho-Ottawa
No comments:
Post a Comment