These tacos are so good they may make you feel like dancing
The question kept popping up: “Have you been to the taco disco yet?” And every time I heard it — which was at least four times in the past month — I couldn’t help but wonder if it was the punch line to a joke. But this is no joke. Los Tacos de Mauro is the real deal. Yes indeed, fresh, homemade authentic Mexican food is being served — by the white-aproned cook himself — in a downtown nightclub called Discoteka…disco balls, light-up dance floor and all. The setting may be slightly surreal, but the owner infuses the place with genuine hospitality and the food is a notch above.
On a global scale, Mexican food has moved into the spotlight. As I mentioned here back in October after my City Bites Live event featuring Toronto Chef Francisco Alejandri, traditional Mexican cuisine was recently recognized by UNESCO for its “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity”. But how many of us here in Ottawa have tasted genuine Mexican food, rather than Tex-Mex or some watered-down version of it? Chef Alejandri’s food — so light, fresh, and far from cheese-smothered — convinced me I hadn’t. I am delighted that a trip down the 401 is unnecessary, the tacos at Los Tacos de Mauro in the Byward Market are a game changer for this city.
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Shawna Wagman | December 19, 2011 at 9:10 am
The barbecue battle is on. Which 'cue will reign supreme in the Byward market? Stay tuned...
The first time you enter the impressive new Fatboys Southern Smokehouse in a former warehouse on Murray Street, you might believe you’ve crossed the border. It’s filled with the familiar trappings of a classic American roadhouse: bikes, babes, beer, and barbecue. There’s even some southern (style) hospitality to help hit home the fantasy that there’s a little bit of Memphis in the Byward Market. The cheeky Harley-Davidson motorcycle paraphernalia adds a certain “livin’ large” character, yet somehow all the amped-up testosterone in the air isn’t enough to distract from the main attraction: Southern American-style slow-smoked pork, beef and chicken — and it’s the real deal.
BBQ fans and aficionados who normally have to plan road trips involving passports to get their hands on some genuine ‘cue now have not one, but two, options in the Market. (The SmoQue Shack, another meaty mecca, opened its doors on York Street back in August.) While Fatboys — the brainchild of Shawn Dawson, a local entrepreneur and mountain climber, and Mike Ziola, former manager of Biagio’s Italian Kitchen — plays up that Born-in-the-USA bravado, The SmoQue Shack seems to have a more understated neighbourhood sports bar vibe.
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Shawna Wagman | December 9, 2011 at 11:30 am
Ottawa Magazine’s October issue uncovers “hidden Ottawa” with a hole-in-the-wall handbook that embraces the city’s undercover ambience, celebrating 39 overlooked nooks, hipster hideaways, secret foodie sources, and other mysterious locales. Get your copy at Britton’s magazine store and other newsstand locations around town.
By Patrick Langston
Lucky Ron performs his regular show at The Laff every Saturday at 4 p.m. Photo by Aaron McKenzie Fraser
Catch a few Lucky Ron shows, says Dale Flichel, and you start to notice something: “The more you go, the less it’s about him and more about the audience.”
It’s probably one of the greatest compliments Flichel — a punk-only fan until he heard Lucky Ron singing 11 years ago — could pay the unassuming local legend with the sprawling repertoire of 1950s and ’60s country tunes, the regular 4 p.m. Saturday slot at the venerable Chateau Lafayette in the ByWard Market, and the ardent fan base (Flichel, like many, would consider his Saturday a write-off if he missed Lucky Ron’s show at the Laff).
“People treat you so nice,” says Lucky Ron (Ron Burke) of his audience. “Nowadays, especially the past couple of years, there’s a lot of young people who bring their parents along. First-year university students, they just pack the bar. They don’t seem to see that it’s this friggin’ old guy up there singing.”
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Ottawa Magazine Staff | October 12, 2011 at 12:47 pm
Shop Talk is written by OM senior editor Dayanti Karunaratne and Sarah Fischer, OM account executive and fashion maven.
Photo by Angela Gordon.
It’s a bit of anomaly, this ByWard Market boutique. Fashion-forward yet classic, it’s not one to feature the colour-of-the-moment — or crowded racks with clashing trends. Instead, Ça va de soi features high-quality knitwear for all seasons, the kind of clothes that feel at once like brand new pajamas and mature investment staples.
The backstory: the family-owned company behind Ça va de soi operated for years as a wholesaler and only recently opened stores in Montreal and Ottawa. Using the best cotton from Italy and Egypt, their clothing is spun with longer strands than the average sweater, so garments are more durable and less likely to pill.
The result is wearable, timeless knitwear such as sweaters, cardigans, and other wardrobe staples.
Prices are on the high end, but with simple care instructions and built-to-last design, these pieces quickly become wardrobe favourites.
The Look: Sophisticated comfort
Perfect for: Strolling the streets of Montreal. Running errands then going for drinks. Exuding confidence.
USP: Despite the relaxed vibe, this company takes a serious stance on cotton — it’s literally an educational experience for anyone interested in knitwear. This approach extends to finer details, like buttons.
459 Sussex Dr., www.cavadesoi.com
Dayanti Karunaratne | May 31, 2011 at 9:57 am
Vanessa D'Amours-Chenier is the owner of Glitz, a sleek new cupcake shop in the Byward Market
When I first caught a glimpse of the sign for Glitz Cupcakes at the corner of Sussex and Murray, I did a double take and asked myself the question that you might be asking yourself now: Does Ottawa need another new cupcake bakery?
I wandered inside the chic, minimalist shop, with its generously frosted cupcakes displayed like fine pieces of jewellery. There I met the owner, Vanessa D’Amours-Chenier (even her name is fabulously stylish!). I soon discovered that the mother of two boys under 24 months old gave up her job in the finance industry to “do something creative.” Glitz was born. While I applaud such ambitiousness, I had to ask her straight up: what sets this place apart?
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Shawna Wagman | March 16, 2011 at 9:00 am
Stella's pizzas are half price on Tuesdays — who knew?
The Place: Smack dab in the heart of the Byward Market, Stella is a large, handsome room with a few warm touches, including a large flower arrangement, chocolate coloured cushioned seating, and plenty of natural daylight flooding in during the afternoon. The pulse of dance music infuses the cavernous space with an energy that nods to its notoriously bustling nocturnal nature.
The Deal: The lunch menu, which deals in pasta, pizza, manly sandwiches, fishbowl-sized salads, and a handful of hot and hearty entrees, is pure Italian-style comfort food served with flare. Dainty appetites need not apply. Wander in on a Tuesday and you’ll discover, as I did, that all pizzas and draft beer is half price! There are six equally enticing pizzas to choose from, including one with shrimp and grilled pear and “The Stella” with confit chicken, grilled leek, caramelized onion, goat cheese, arugula, and ricotta.
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Shawna Wagman | March 14, 2011 at 9:10 am
As part of our Think Global, Eat Local feature, we bring you the tastes of the Americas With files from Amélie Crosson, Cindy Deachman, Daniel Drolet, and Riva Soucie. Photography by Photoluxstudio.com – Christian Lalonde. Styling by Noah Witenoff. Illustrations by Colin White
THE AMERICAS
HAUTE OPTION
THE WHALESBONE OYSTER HOUSE
The world is their….
By Riva Soucie
Joshua Bishop got his “sea legs” in Toronto at Rodney’s Oyster House, a large, raucous restaurant that boasts thousands of oysters shucked each night. After he learned the ropes, he took off for a one-year trek across East Asia, scribbling business ideas in his journal as he went. By the time he returned to Ottawa in 2001, he was ready to start a catering company, but low funds had him working out of his parents’ basement. Didn’t seem to matter, though, because Bishop was focused on building a brand and a loyal customer base. His approach clearly worked. Open since 2005, The Whalesbone truly embodies the spirit of the new Ottawa, where local, creative expression is experiencing a revival in a way that forces even the critics to admit that we have something great going on in this city. The food is simply prepared and fresh, the wine and beer lean toward the local, and the busy bartenders favour the likes of Marley, U2, and Steve Earle.
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Ottawa Magazine Staff | December 14, 2010 at 9:15 am
We asked experts for their fab picks for everyone on your list this season. Photography: Marc Fowler/Metropolis Studio
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Ottawa Magazine Staff | December 6, 2010 at 9:00 am
Photo by Angela Gordon
Take a break from the typical and enter a world of pushing-the-line humour and cutting edge originality. Simply put, Lost Marbles is a toy store for adults who are looking for unusual gifts and a hit of pop culture déjà vu. With items ranging from ninja shaped cookie cutters to giant microbe stuffed plushies, the store is a great place for those looking to get a little off-beat with this year’s Secret Santa gift. If humorous gifts aren’t your thing, the store also carries a variety of art books, puzzles, and board games, products that are a little more low-key, but no less unique. The loft store in the ByWard Market is stocked floor to ceiling with items sure to please the pickiest of stocking stuffers this holiday season.
PLUS: Fans of graphic art are in for a treat this week as Ottawa-born, San Francisco-based artist Dirty Donny comes to town for the Canadian launch of his new coffee table book, Monster Revolt! A book signing and poster show is happening on Thursday, Dec. 2 at Babylon (317 Bank St.). Come out for a night of unconventional fun and punk rock karaoke, featuring the talents of Remi Royale and Major Entertainer Mike H.
The Look: creatively quirky; tongue-in-cheek humour
Perfect for: someone who has everything
USP: designer vinyl toys you can’t get anywhere else
55 William St., 809 Bank St., 315 Richmond Rd.; www.lostmarbles.ca
Ottawa Magazine Staff | November 30, 2010 at 10:50 am
The Courtyard Restaurant has turned misfortune into opportunity by re-opening after a fire with an innovative new menu by Chef Michael Hay. Photo: Savour Ottawa
The staff at The Courtyard Restaurant either have a great sense of humour or they know how to make the best of a bad situation. Why else would they arrange for performers to entertain guests at their grand re-opening party last night with an acrobatic fire show and ghost stories? The restaurant reopens today after being forced to close for the last three months due to a fire back in July (the third fire in the building’s history, by the way). When the ventilation unit in the kitchen on the main floor burst into flames, it was devastating news for dozens of brides who had plans to hold their weddings at the restaurant venue. Staff scrambled to help everyone who had booked special events make alternate arrangements and then turned their energies towards rebuilding and renovating.
The Courtyard celebrates its 30th anniversary this year and Chef Michael Hay hopes to ignite interest in the next chapter in the kitchen’s history. Party guests were invited to sample several items from the innovative new menu including: an appetizer of roasted beets, goat’s cheese coulis, frosted walnuts, and golden beet pickles; crispy pork roulade topped with celeriac remoulade; and 48-hour braised beef short ribs with cauliflower coulis, king oyster mushrooms, and coffee spaetzle. For dessert, pastry chef Quinn Davis created a riff on the creamsicle by playing with a variety of textural elements alongside the classic cool confection: orange blossom gel, crumbled pistachio-fennel cake, and a licorice cream.
On the eve of the reopening, General Manager Genevieve Rochon joked with a room full of guests that she hopes this “marks the end of our combustible history.”
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UPDATE: City Bites has just learned that another restaurant re-opens today after a kitchen fire. Fuschian Vietnamese Restaurant (726 Somerset St W. 613-230-6815) is a favourite of Ottawa Magazine’s editor-in-chief Sarah Brown.
Shawna Wagman | October 27, 2010 at 8:43 am
