Inside DiVino Wine Studio.................. p.2 EVOO Greek Kitchen................. p.4 Il Primo...................................... p.6 La Favorita................................. p.8 Mason-Dixon kitchen + bar....p.10 La Roma...................................p.12 Stoneface Dolly’s...................p.14 Trattoria Caffé Italia................p.16 Two six {ate}...........................p.18
e
For the love of
food!
From July 21 to August 3, in foodie-favourite Little Italy, come discover Preston Street’s eclectic collection of cuisines, talented chefs and exciting menus. Enjoy three-course table d’hote dinner menus priced at $28 or $38 for a limited time.
Booking for Presdelicious is easy as 1 2 3! 1 • Review the menus
e 2 • Choose your restaurants
e 3 • Call the restaurants to reserve
Our culinary team makes everything from scratch as we want to create an authentic dining experience like you would find in Italy. ~ Eric Diotte
Innovative food offers an authentic old-world Italian dining experience When Eric Diotte purchased the five year old DiVino Wine Studio in 2013, he was excited to become a part of the thriving Preston Street hospitality scene. Eric, a trained sommelier, says he feels like his personal love for food and wine is enhanced because of the shared passion for and excitement about dining out in happening in many parts of Ottawa today. “It is wonderful to see all the smaller owner-operated restaurants where you can truly appreciate what they are trying to do,” says Eric, who runs DiVino with his wife, Betty. “I think this emphasis today in Ottawa on independent establishments is a good thing and I personally find it very inspiring. Here on Preston Street, we may be in Little Italy, but it’s a neighbourhood that is rich with diversity. It’s so clean and safe and it’s always great when we have people strolling in to DiVino unexpectedly because they were simply enjoying a walk through the area.” Eric describes the food at DiVino as being Modern Italian. “It’s not like what you’ll find elsewhere on Preston Street and certainly not like the North American style Italian dishes you might be familiar with. Our culinary team makes everything from scratch as we want to create an authentic dining experience like you would find in Italy, whether you’re in our private tasting room or our enoteca with its open-concept kitchen.” He emphasizes that dishes are prepared using a blend of the freshest locally-sourced ingredients as well as
225 Preston St Book your reservation now 613-221-9750 www.divinowinestudio.com
2
premium, imported DOP Italian Ingredients. DOP stands for Denominazione di Origine Protetta which means Protected Designation of Origin; it’s a certification that ensures that products are locally grown and packaged. Favourites at DiVino include sharing plates, salads, housemade pastas with flavourful sauces, a variety of meat dishes, decadent desserts and cheese plates. For Presdelicious, Eric says their special table d’hote selections will be based on past successes plus culinary inspiration. “Our menu will be a combination of some of our favourites along with innovative new dishes developed specially for this event.” He notes that everyone at DiVino is excited to be a part of this action on Preston Street and he believes Presdelicious is a great way to encourage more people to visit Little Italy. “We are so proud to call this neighbourhood home for our business and I am very hopeful more people will get to know us as a result of this special promotion. So many times our guests tell me that they feel like they’re in Italy when they dine with us and they can definitely tell how much passion we put into our food and service.”
38$
Appetizers (choice of) Pan seared scamorza wrapped in speck - Served with aged balsamic and seasonal fruit and purée Smoked fresh water tort - Served with pickled radish and Quebec saffron aioli Daily hand made gnocchi - Served with a Gorgonzola dolce late fondue and shaved radicchio
e Main course (choice of) Medium-rare grilled beef sirloin - Served with burro di avolo and seasonal vegetables Lemon lavender aromatized mariposa duck confit - Served with blueberry reduction and coloured beets Almond and fennel seed crusted fish - Served with grilled radicchio and blood orange vinaigrette
e Dessert (choice of) Cream brûlée Panacotta Gelato
July S
M
T
W
August T
F
S
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
1 2 3
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
from July 21st...
...until August 3rd
*note: menus subject to change without notice. Every effort will be made to maintain the menu as shown, however, changes may occur due to seasonality and availability of items.
3
With an emphasis on meze or small plates, as well as sharing platters or family-style dining, our menu is truly evocative of authentic Greek food. ~ Elias Theodossiou
Authentic Greek cuisine a flavourful addition to lively Preston Street scene The delicious diversity of the Preston Street food scene plays a big part of the area’s appeal for locals and tourists alike. When Elias Theodossiou opened EVOO Greek Kitchen three and a half years ago, he added a fun, flavourful element to the neighbourhood. A sure sign of his restaurant’s skillful approach to Greek food is its popularity among the Greek community. “We specialize in preparing and serving the kinds of dishes that my family typically enjoys when we are in Greece,” says Elias. “With an emphasis on meze or small plates, as well as sharing platters or family-style dining, our menu is truly evocative of authentic Greek food.” EVOO’s menu was crafted with the help of Elias’ mother, who still occasionally lends a hand in the kitchen which is capably run now by Chef Lefteris Kefentzakis. The original, rustic recipes are appetizing and satisfying, with many featuring the comforting elements of garlic, lemon, fresh herbs and, of course, touches of the extra-virgin olive oil for which the casual fine dining restaurant is named. “We are in the process of making a few changes to the way we plate some of our dishes, to modernize our presentation a bit,” notes Elias. Elias feels that the lively Preston Street restaurant scene mirrors that of Ottawa’s as a whole. “It’s changing a lot and is very diverse, with lots of great new up and coming spots opening all the time. Whether you are a restaurant owner or a customer, it’s a special time as there are so many great places 438 Preston St Book your reservation now 613-695-3860 www.evoogreekkitchen.ca
Mezes | Seafood | Grilled Meats
4
from which to choose. It’s particularly exciting to be part of the scene here in Little Italy. I chose this area specifically because I love the atmosphere here and I feel lucky to be in the restaurant business in this neighbourhood. It’s a fun time and very rewarding.” For Presdelicious, EVOO’s special table d’hôte offerings will serve as a great introduction to the restaurant’s overall menu. Greek food aficionados will recognize familiar delights such as Kefalograviera cheese croquettes, keftedes (meatballs), grilled chicken with lemon and oregano roasted potatoes and EVOO’s spectacular moussaka. “One of the big reasons for our success is how consistently well-prepared our food is and that’s something we pay a lot of attention to. I think this promotion is great because it offers an ideal opportunity for people to discover new restaurants or revisit old favourites. The price points are set to give people a good reason to go out these days and maybe try a few places on Preston. For us, it’s going to be a great way to showcase the fresh, flavourful dishes that make Greek cuisine so popular.”
38$ Mezes | Seafood | Grilled Meats
Appetizers (choice of) Cheese croquets (3) - Kefalograviera, feta, vlaxotiri, mint, yogurt Keftedes (3) - Meat balls, kefalotiri cheese, mint, lemon, yogurt Zucchini pitaroudia (2) - Pan seared cakes, feta, dill, herbs, tzatziki
e Main course (choice of) Chicken paidakia - Spasti kota - Chopped chicken served with patates lemonates Moussaka - Eggplant, zucchini, potatoes, minced beef, bĂŠchamel , Greek salad Shrimp garides (6) - Served on a bed of EVOO Rice
e Dessert (choice of) Galaktobouriko Ekmek Baklava
July S
M
T
W
August T
F
S
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
1 2 3
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
from July 21st...
...until August 3rd
*note: menus subject to change without notice. Every effort will be made to maintain the menu as shown, however, changes may occur due to seasonality and availability of items.
5
I very much enjoy cooking with the seasons, which translates well with Italian food. ~ Patrick Bartram
A delicious blend of the tastes of Northern Italy and attentive service For over two decades, Il Primo has been one of Preston Street’s most popular Italian restaurants. Owner Craig Pedersen operated a successful trattoria in an Italian alpine village before the Ottawa restaurant scene beckoned and Chef Patrick Bartram confirms that Craig’s love of northern Italian cuisine is reflected in Il Primo’s menu. “In the north, you’ll find dishes that are heavier in meats, cream and cheese than in the south of Italy,” explains Patrick. “Fontina is a big thing in the Italian Alps and Craig has a real fondness for it, so he imports it especially for the restaurant.” Patrick’s own background is French and Swiss, but he says he has always been familiar with Italian food as well. “I very much enjoy cooking with the seasons, which translates well with Italian food. I’m also a big fan of locally sourcing as many of my ingredients as possible,” he explains. At Il Primo, Patrick takes pride in running a harmonious kitchen. “I like to keep the young cooks learning and also show my seasoned staff that I respect them for what they are experts at doing,” he says. Having been in Ottawa just a few years, Patrick says the restaurant scene looks to him to be developing nicely. “I am pleased to see a good mix of independent operators; there a lot of places trying very hard to deliver interesting, appealing
371 Corso Italia Book your reservation now 613.234.6858 ilprimo.ca
6
food.” He describes the atmosphere on Preston Street as being very fun, with great camaraderie among all the restaurants’ staff. As one might expect, pasta and seafood are featured prominently at Il Primo, along with risotto and decadent desserts made in-house. “True to my Swiss background, there’s always a chocolate indulgence of some sort on the menu,” notes Patrick. Never one to rest on his laurels, Patrick enjoys experimenting and adding new menu items, including a number of gluten-free options. “We’ve recently perfected our dough recipe and have launched a selection of thin crust pizzas with unique flavour combinations.” Patrick feels that Presdelicious in Little Italy is a great concept and the restaurants which embrace it should do very well. In the case of Il Primo, their table d’hote offerings will include some of their most popular items, including a flavourful Caprese salad, calamari, mushroom risotto, farfalle with grilled shrimp, tiramisu, gelato and more. “We will have a very nice menu for this promotion. Il Primo will shine with our customary friendly, attentive service and guests can expect some delicious surprises even if they are familiar with our restaurant. I hope people will have a stellar experience here and take home some great memories.”
28$
Appetizers (choice of) Primo caprese - Tomato, fresh mozzarella, balsamic, virgin olive oil with fresh basil on arugula Calamari or Scampi (shrimp) - Pan seared with fresh garlic or marinated & grilled Risotto - Mushroom risotto topped with prosciutto
e Main course (choice of) Farfalle - Grilled shrimp, sweet red bell peppers served with house almond-basil pesto sauce with chèvre Ravioli ai funghi - Stuffed with roasted mushrooms, topped with grilled portobello, grilled zucchini and mushroom garlic cream sauce Piemontese - Gnocchi with Italian sausage, mushrooms and fresh basil in tomato sauce
e Dessert (choice of) Tiramisu Gelato Cheesecake
July S
M
T
W
August T
F
S
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
1 2 3
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
from July 21st...
...until August 3rd
*note: menus subject to change without notice. Every effort will be made to maintain the menu as shown, however, changes may occur due to seasonality and availability of items.
7
Our gourmet-style pizzas have been written about in many magazines and newspapers and have always been among our best-selling dishes. ~ Nick Shallal
Nuovo italiano cuisine offers delicious possibilities for every taste Since Nick Shallal purchased his restaurant almost thirty years ago, La Favorita – true to its name – has consistently been one of Ottawa’s favourite spots for Italian cuisine, and one that helped put Preston Street on the map as a culinary destination. As the restaurant’s capable chef, Nick offers a tempting variety of dishes from all parts of Italy, served up with warmth and care. Though busy in the kitchen, Nick is a gracious and genial host and it is his personal touch that helps to keep a steady stream of diners returning year after year. “This neighbourhood has changed so much since 1988 when I took over La Favorita,” observes Nick. “There were only about a dozen restaurants in Little Italy and now there are over forty. It’s become a very dynamic, truly multicultural district and you can feel the positive energy here as a result of this growth.” Iranian-born, Nick studied management, hospitality and cooking at a university in the former Yugoslavia before venturing to Rome, where he learned a great deal about preparing authentic Italian cuisine. “Not only did I fall in love with Italian food, but I took advantage of this fantastic opportunity to learn how to cook many different regional styles. At La Favorita, what I enjoy serving up is kind of unique in Ottawa,” he says. “I call it ‘nuovo italiano’ or new Italian. I had always dreamt of opening my own restaurant and this was the food concept I came up with; I guess it was a good
356 Preston St Book your reservation now 613-749-7490 lafavoritapreston.com
8
idea because it’s always been very popular. We were the first to serve up seafood pizzas and calzones in Ottawa, and had one of the very first wood burning pizza ovens in the city. Our gourmet-style pizzas have been written about in many magazines and newspapers and have always been among our best-selling dishes.” In addition to their famous pizzas, which can be ordered with regular thick or thin crusts plus gluten-free or whole wheat, the Il Primo menu includes crisp salads, hearty soups, seafood platters, chicken, beef, pork and veal dishes as well as numerous varieties of homemade pasta. Sweet finishes include crème brûlée, tartufi, biscotti and more. For Presdelicious, Nick says his table d’hôte menu will offer something for everyone, at a very appealing price point. “Word of mouth is the best advertising and we strive to make a great impression on every diner so they will tell their friends and return for another meal. With Presdelicious, we are eager for new customers to find us and we’ll do our best to turn them into regulars.”
28$
Appetizers (choice of) Minestrone soup or mixed Italian salad Bruschetta Garlic bread w/ cheese
e Main course (choice of) Ferarri pizza - Arugula, sun dried tomato, black olives, bocconcini and prosciutto Chicken parmigiana - Premium grade, breaded chicken breast, served with linguine & your choice of sauce Tilapia filet - Served in a white wine & citrus sauce with vegetables & rice
e Dessert Dessert of the day & coffee
July S
M
T
W
August T
F
S
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
1 2 3
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
from July 21st...
...until August 3rd
*note: menus subject to change without notice. Every effort will be made to maintain the menu as shown, however, changes may occur due to seasonality and availability of items.
9
Having received classical French culinary training at BC’s Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts, I enjoy bringing those techniques to traditional southern foods. ~ Henry Besser-Rosenberg
Creative takes on traditional southern smokehouse fare proving popular As one of the newer restaurants in Little Italy, Mason-Dixon kitchen+bar has enjoyed a warm welcome from diners and neighbouring eateries alike. Chef and owner Henry BesserRosenberg and his team serve up southern smokehouse fare in a cozy, comfortable 35-seat space. A native of Ottawa, Henry has been in the restaurant business for 15 years, and finally realized the dream of opening his own place last October. The appetizing lineup includes both small and large plates as well as a selection of inventive cocktails. The menu changes frequently and Henry takes pride in offering appealing daily specials. As an added bonus, Mason-Dixon’s kitchen is open until 11pm on weekdays and midnight on weekends, making it a great option for those who enjoy late-night dining. “I opted for this style of cuisine because I really enjoy southern food, including smoked foods and authentic barbeque,” says Henry. “Having received classical French culinary training at BC’s Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts, I enjoy bringing those techniques to traditional southern foods. You won’t find pulled pork on my menu; what you will find is hickory-smoked pork ribs and beef brisket, seasoned with familiar southern spices. I also like to get creative, offering things like smoked bone marrow or our popular smoked mushroom tart.” As someone who enjoyed visiting some of Ottawa’s hippest restaurants with his parents while growing up, Henry says he 424 Preston St Book your reservation now 613-422-7880 www.masondixonottawa.com
10
is impressed by the depth of the scene now. “Ours is definitely not a boring food city in any way today and it just keeps getting better and better.” He adds that it’s been a pleasant surprise as a new business owner – and one who is not Italian – to be embraced by the Little Italy community. “Everyone is so helpful and there’s a genuine spirit of collaboration here. I think that’s one of the reasons Presdelicious is going to be so successful.” Henry cites a desire to get more involved in what’s happening in and around Preston Street as one of his prime motivators for participating in Presdelicious. And as for his special table d’hôte menu, he’s planning to showcase what Mason-Dixon is best known for. “You’ll see barbeque and fried chicken, plus our famous chicken and waffles. I’ll probably include a banh mi style chicken sandwich plus ribs and brisket too. The challenge for me is to give good value while demonstrating what we do best here. I’m familiar with the concept having experienced the Dine Out festival in Vancouver and I think this is a great opportunity to get to know the people who spend time in this community. I’m hoping will be great exposure and I’m looking forward to seeing lots of new faces in here.”
28$
Appetizers (choice of) Smoked mushroom tart - Mixed smoked mushrooms, arugula, pesto and house smoked cheddar served on puff pastry Purple kale caesar - House-made lardons, house caesar dressing and croutons Grilled cajun shrimp - Shrimp, chorizo sausage, charred corn and chipotle puree served with cornbread
e Main course (choice of) Mac and cheese - Elbow macaroni, cheddar and pecorino sauce St Louis pork ribs w/ fries and slaw - Ribs with house fries and slaw Chicken and waffles - Spicy chicken thighs served with warm maple syrup, apple and cilantro
e Dessert (choice of) Chocolate bourbon stout ice cream Warm spiced chocolate cookies Cherry crème brûlée
July S
M
T
W
August T
F
S
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
1 2 3
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
from July 21st...
...until August 3rd
*note: menus subject to change without notice. Every effort will be made to maintain the menu as shown, however, changes may occur due to seasonality and availability of items.
11
I like to cook with the seasons and use only the best of ingredients as they provide the best results. ~ Ilya Dyagilev
Great ingredients shine in classic and contemporary cuisine La Roma is one of Ottawa’s most successful Italian restaurants, having been open since 1962. As the owners and operators of La Roma for twenty-seven years, the Papalia family works tirelessly to preserve and promote the proud history of their popular eatery. Chef Ilya Dyagilev has been in the kitchen at La Roma for a decade, starting first as chef de partie, then butcher, sous chef and finally head chef for the past three years. Ilya says his menus are very ingredient-driven. “I like to cook with the seasons and use only the best of ingredients as they provide the best results. I love preparing the kinds of meals that I like to eat, and I especially enjoy working with seafood. I was born and raised in the south of Russia so the Black Sea influenced what I ate growing up. With my food, I strive to make sure the main ingredient in any dish is the star that shines.” While the menu at La Roma is diverse, Ilya admits that Northern Italian is his favourite style of cuisine, with its French influences. Although he does change his menus seasonally, he notes that there are some staple dishes which have been on the menu for twenty-five years. “Our regulars have made me promise not to change things like our lasagne and our pescatore (seafood) pasta, for example, but I do enjoy getting creative with daily and weekly specials. There’s
430 Preston St Book your reservation now 613-234-8244 www.laromaottawa.com
12
something for everyone at La Roma, both new creations and true Italian classics and that’s exactly the range of what we’ll be showcasing with our special table d’hôte menu during Presdelicious. It’s going to be the ideal time to check out a few spots and enjoy some great food at an amazing price.” Ilya says that one of the things he loves most about working at La Roma is that Ottawa is a fast growing city and that is reflected in the restaurant scene. With great new spots opening up all the time, it creates a competitive atmosphere and drives chefs to be innovative. “On Preston Street, we are very supportive of each other, with a strong sense of community. This is little Italy and it’s authentic – you don’t have to be Italian but you can totally feel the vibe, feel the warm hospitality. There’s a real sense of family here and I invite everyone to get down to Preston Street during Presdelicious. Take a walk around and see what it’s all about and then stay for a great meal.”
38$
Appetizers (choice of) Gnocchi gorgonzola cream sauce Green bean salad - Served with vanilla candied pecans and prosciutto with a balsamic vinaigrette Zucchini fritti - Deep fried Italian squash served with our house made dipping sauce
e Main course (choice of) Almond and chia crusted fresh New Brunswick salmon filet - Served over brown rice with green pea puree Agnello - Lamb lollipops served over risotto-style cooked barley with mushrooms and kale Pollo Giulio Cesare - Sargent Farms chicken breast stuffed with capicollo, fontina, mozzarella and parmigiano cheeses finished with brandy, green peppercorns and served with penne tomato sauce
e Dessert (choice of) Torta di cioccolata - A decadent double chocolate, chocolate torte Cannoli Siciliani - Two traditional Sicilian cannoli with a whipped ricotta filling, garnished with dark chocolate chips Affogato al caffe
July S
M
T
W
August T
F
S
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
1 2 3
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
from July 21st...
...until August 3rd
13
I focus on keeping my plates simple. I come from a biology background so I really want to honour the ingredients and let them speak for themselves. ~ Michael Franz
Homestyle gourmet food served up with an international twist One of Preston Street’s most lively, eclectic restaurants is Stoneface Dolly’s, dishing up delicious homestyle gourmet food with an international twist. Run by father and son duo Bob and Jeff Russell for the past seventeen years, the restaurant is named for the original owner’s mother who was legendary for her unshakeable poker face. Chef Michael Franz explains that his kitchen borrows the best of many cultures, with a menu that features Asian, Italian and South African inspired dishes. Now in his third year as chef at Stoneface Dolly’s, Michael notes that what drives his creativity is honesty in food. “I focus on keeping my plates simple. I come from a biology background so I really want to honour the ingredients and let them speak for themselves.” He adds that the menu at Stoneface Dolly’s is bistro-inspired, which is very much rooted in his own culinary principles. “Bistro cuisine was created as a rejection of classic French cooking and from the beginning it’s been about doing things right and keeping things simple.” One of the eclectic menu’s most popular items is Chicken Bobotie, considered a signature dish of South Africa, where Bob grew up. Composed of mildly-spiced minced meat, eggs, onions, dried fruits and nuts, it’s unusual and extremely flavourful. Stoneface Dolly’s famous red Thai soup is another menu mainstay, along with such delicious options as burgers, pasta, Jambalaya and more. For Presdelicious, Michael intends to offer a combination of classic favourites as well as some
416 Preston St Book your reservation now 613-564-2222 www.stonefacedollys.com
14
new creations which he’s excited to develop in collaboration with the rest of the restaurant’s team. “I’m from Toronto, where Summerlicious has proven to be extremely popular,” he notes. “I think a special promotion like this offers a great chance for people to visit restaurants they don’t normally go to, so I hope the same thing happens here in Little Italy. It’s going to be really fun to have a food-based event here in this neighbourhood. I can’t wait to see people having a great evening out with their family or friends, with our good food serving as the ideal backdrop.” Michael believes that overall, the Ottawa restaurant scene is still trying to find its voice, but he feels like there are big things ahead. As for Preston Street, he appreciates so many things about the community. “I love Preston at night. The street atmosphere is so vibrant and it’s fun to walk to Dow’s Lake. Plus we’ve got some great, quirky characters who own restaurants in Little Italy. It’s been interesting to watch the area continue to grow and thrive. Great things are happening here.”
38$
Appetizers (choice of) Open face BLT bites - Thick cut seared Mariposa pork belly, smoked tomato jam, and romaine lettuce. Served on a crostini, garnished with shaved cured egg yolk. Red Thai soup House salad - Mixed green salad with a balsamic vinaigrette, topped with shaved radishes, carrots, beets, and cucumbers.
e Main course (choice of) Chicken bobotie - A Traditional South African curry made with ground chicken, almonds, and raisins. Served in a phyllo pastry cup and topped with bananas and yogurt raita, comes with coconut basmati rice, and seasonal vegetables. Prosciutto wrapped meatloaf - A prosciutto wrapped Italian meatloaf served with scalloped potato medallions topped with a sautĂŠed mushroom cream sauce, spinach, and confit cherry tomatoes. Wild rice and mushroom risotto - Risotto made with wild and Arborio rice, with roasted mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and asparagus. Garnished with Gran Padano parmesan cheese.
e Dessert (choice of) Chocolate oblivion - Chocolate cake, with a rich chocolate terrine centre and topped with chocolate ganache. Key lime pie New York cheesecake
July S
M
T
W
August T
F
S
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
1 2 3
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
from July 21st...
...until August 3rd
*note: menus subject to change without notice. Every effort will be made to maintain the menu as shown, however, changes may occur due to seasonality and availability of items.
15
We serve a good mix of dishes from throughout Italy and everything is made from scratch, with the freshest, most flavourful ingredients. ~ Concetta Bellissimo
Passion for excellence shines through in food and service There’s something special about being one of the original restaurants in one of Ottawa’s hottest culinary neighbourhoods. Trattoria Caffé Italia is run by brothers Pasquale and Dominic Carrozza, with their sister Concetta Bellissimo in the kitchen creating exquisite Italian cuisine. Ever since the family took over Trattoria Caffé Italia more than 35 years ago, their restaurant has contributed significantly to Little Italy’s reputation for excellent hospitality. With dedication, hard work and a consistently excellent menu, chef Concetta and her brothers are confident you’ll enjoy a delicious experience every time you visit Trattoria Caffé Italia. Concetta is excited by the growth of the Ottawa food scene. ”There’s been a lot of expansion with different cultures and a lot more options for casual fine dining,” she says. “It’s great to see some strong ethnic influences too, with some good Lebanese restaurants and many spots offering Asian-inspired cuisine. Looking specifically at Preston Street, we’ve been here a long time but it’s nice now to be part of a diverse scene. Having lots of food options plus bars and pubs brings in a lot of different crowds which is good for everyone.” The menu at Trattoria Caffé Italia is definitely reflective of the dishes that chef Concetta enjoyed growing up, but it also caters to Canadian tastes and acknowledges the popularity of North American interpretations of Italian cuisine. An example is their extremely popular pollo parmigiana (chicken parmesan) which is not something you would find in Italy, although it’s very delicious. “We serve a good mix of dishes from
254 Preston St Book your reservation now 613-236-1081 www.trattoriaitalia.com
16
throughout Italy and everything is made from scratch, with the freshest, most flavourful ingredients. I take pride in running a kitchen where nothing is wasted; these economies, particularly with weekly specials, help to keep our menu as affordable as possible.” Concetta’s passion for the kitchen and this industry shines through in every dish at Trattoria Caffé Italia. She makes everything with love, whether it’s her delicious soups, colourful salads or her famous desserts, including one of the best tiramisus you’ll ever taste. For Presdelicious, the table d’hote menu will include some of the restaurant’s most popular dishes as well as Concetta’s personal favourites, including some of her homemade pastas such as fettucine, linguine, lasagne and manicotti. “I think Presdelicious is a great opportunity for us to bring new clients into the restaurants of Little Italy. Offering a three course menu at a lower price is sure to spark some interest and make trying a few places more affordable. I’m looking forward to showing people all we have to offer including an amazing wine list that is a bit of a secret in the city.”
38$
Appetizers (choice of) Calamari fritti - Lightly floured and deep-fried Gamberetti - Cognac jumbo shrimp sautĂŠed in a garlic and cognac rose sauce Bruschetta - Diced tomatoes, garlic, oregano, extra virgin olive oil and parmigiano cheese, served on thickly sliced crostini
e Main course (choice of) Manicotti delle casa - Homemade spinach pasta sheets rolled around a house-made ricotta, baked in tomato sauce and topped with mozzarella cheese Pollo principessa - Chicken breast layered with asparagus and mozzarella cheese with a demi-glaze sauce served with seasonal vegetables and potatoes Vitello parmigian - Breaded veal scaloppine baked with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese, served with spaghetti Bolognese
e Dessert (choice of) Tiramisu Pistacchio gelato Panna cotta
July S
M
T
W
August T
F
S
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
1 2 3
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
from July 21st...
...until August 3rd
*note: menus subject to change without notice. Every effort will be made to maintain the menu as shown, however, changes may occur due to seasonality and availability of items.
17
With the exception of First Nations people, Canadians are all basically immigrants so I love to pick and choose from among different global ethnic influences and apply these to local ingredients. ~ Steve Harris
Local ingredients shine in contemporary Canadian cuisine It only took a few months for two six {ate} to develop a bit of a cult following after opening five years ago. A funky space with great décor might have been part of the restaurant’s initial appeal, but it’s the excellent, inventive food that has ensured its continued popularity, according to co-owner Emily Ienzi. Chef and co-owner Steve Harris says his Nova Scotia roots play a major influence on the restaurant’s contemporary Canadian menu, with both seafood and comfort food playing starring roles. A self-taught, journeyman cook, Steve’s culinary philosophy is anchored by his love for working with ingredients that are as local as possible, and therefore dictated by the seasons. He grows tomatoes and other vegetables on a small plot of land not far from Little Italy, and has gardens out back and on the roof of two six {ate}. He is also a proponent of not wasting food; as a result he’s become enamoured of all aspects of charcuterie. “With the exception of First Nations people, Canadians are all basically immigrants so I love to pick and choose from among different global ethnic influences and apply these to local ingredients,” he explains. “Some of my favourites include Italian, Japanese, South American and Middle Eastern.” Steve is excited about the evolving food scene today in Ottawa. “It’s definitely changing and there are a lot more choices out there for both fine dining and casual fine dining.
268 Preston St Book your reservation now 613-695-8200 twosixate.com
18
Plus, there’s an abundance of great ethnic restaurants too.” Steve has lived in or near Little Italy for most of his life and says he appreciates how supportive his fellow Preston Street restaurateurs are. “It’s challenging for us because our community is sandwiched between other areas that also have thriving restaurants so there is a lot of competition for diners, which means we have to work hard to attract patrons and that’s why something like Presdelicious is a great idea.” At two six {ate}, Steve’s Presdelicous table d’hote menu will include some seasonal favourites as well as a few special items created just for this multi-day dining event. “We plan to offer dishes that will appeal to our many regulars, as well as treats that will entice people from other neighbourhoods. I encourage you to stroll down Preston Street, check out the many fun shops here and stay for dinner; we will work hard to make sure it’s a great experience and you’ll come back again and again.”
38$
Appetizers (choice of) Arancini - Confit artichoke, friulano cheese, pickled eggplant aioli, house yogurt, seven spice and ramp leaf emulsion Spring peas - Shaved leek, farmer’s cheese, lemon serrano gel, cured yolk, savoury pea shell ice cream, pistachio and pickled rhubarb Tartare - Enright farms beef, liverwurst mayo, salt + vinegar fingerling chips, pickles, hazelnuts and mushroom dust
e Main course (choice of) Sausage - Lamb tarragon sausage, sprouted lentil, turnip potage, pickled green garlic and dandelion emulsion Mushrooms on “toast” - Grilled piada, Christophe’s mushrooms, spring greens + pumpkin seed pistou, stracchino, walnut parm and arugula Pasta - Fresh house made pasta with seasonal delicious ingredients
e Dessert (choice of) Ice cream sandwich - Peach ice cream, corn cookie, whey caramel and chokecherry powder Pb & j 2.0 - Fried pound cake, roasted peanut crumble, stick’s jam, peanut butter mousse and Pascale’s vanilla ice cream Cannoli - Marsala cookie, house made ricotta, seasonal flavours
July S
M
T
W
August T
F
S
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
1 2 3
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
from July 21st...
...until August 3rd
*note: menus subject to change without notice. Every effort will be made to maintain the menu as shown, however, changes may occur due to seasonality and availability of items.
19