: CheapEats Ottawa restaurant blog cheapeats ottawa restaurant guide blogged. More about the National Capital Region's restaurant & food scene, cheapeats, and less about me.
: CheapEats Toronto restaurantblog cheapeats toronto restaurant guide blogged. More about the Toronto restaurant scene, cheapeats, and less about me.
a peek inside the fish bowl Kids, crafting and blogging from someone who is rapidly becoming a poster-woman for blogging in Canada. (Read February's Reader's Digest.)
Andrew Currie Online Summary -- Observations and witticisms from one of Toronto's comedians
Creampuff Revolution Creampuff likes candy, creampuff likes windows, creampuff likes telling us all about it! Go creampuff!
Dead Robot He's sharp, he's observant, he's pee-yourself-funny. He's Dead Robot and his partner in crime Sharkboy.
Less Type More Play Mummy! M.Tinto shares interesting and funny glimpses of moving from motherhood to entrepreneurship and more.
mintyfresh Ottawa, crafting & kittens but not so cute you cringe.
Muse Ink Reviews and commentary on music, books, film, culture, and the news, with frequent beer references. Summary -- "Hey, Bartender! Guinness all ‘round."
My Name is Kate One of Canada's leading marketing bloggers, and damned funny too.
Photojunkie.ca He shoots, he blogs. One of Canada's pre-eminant photobloggers and an all round great guy.
Alexa Clark, now living in Toronto, she is the creator of Cheap Eats Ottawa; listen below as she describes her Podcasters Across Borders (PAB 2010) Listen here
This interview with Ian Capstick was part of his series of portraits & interviews at #PAB2010. I was honoured to be included.
Some of the other great interviews and interviewees in this series:
I’m sick but for the first time in a while, I don’t mind.
It’s not that I’m only a little sick. Nope, my fever hasn’t dipped below 100 for days. It’s not that I like being sick, because I don’t. it’s just that for the first time in a long time, I know it’s not going to last.
As many of you already know 2009 was kind of disaster for me from a health perspective. I was sick with a cascading array of weird, unexplained and annoying sicks all year.
By the end of the year, I was sick of being sick. Spending a week in bed no longer had any appeal after doing it month after month after month. Too sick to focus, too rested to sleep, too bored to sit quietly – it was killing me. I wanted to work!
And when I did work, it was too much, too fast, and generally made what ever I was getting over (or whatever was about to attack me) gain hold and take me down again.
However, for the first time since 2008, I am sick and I know I’m going to get better! So I can relax, crawl into bed and be sick. Sigh!
Bring on the cinnamon toast and tea!
(note: that photo is from when I had H1N1 in November, not this particular mystery illness.)
A couple of days ago I found myself mentioned on twitter by a couple of smart, capable and passionate women in response to Women’s Post’s request for inspirational women.
For me, there is nothing more wonderful than being told you are an inspiration. From inspiring someone to see the world from a different perspective to inspiring someone to change the world, inspiration can be one of the most powerful forces for change, growth and innovation there is.
Not only was I honoured to be mentioned on their lists, but I was also honoured to be included with the powerhouse women who inspire:
My list? (please excuse the brevity, these are direct quotes from twitter)
There are MANY women and men who inspire me to think, explore and create, but here are the 7 that I tweeted:
Evelyn Hannon@journeywoman Who took up the challenge of showing the world women COULD travel alone. And then built one of the largest online communities around it. [Check out Journey Woman: www.journeywoman.com]
Tara Hunt@missrogue Who, in the few short years I've known her, has done more, lived more, been more & inspired more, than most do in a lifetime! [More about Tara at www.horsepigcow.com]
Melinda Sinclair My professional coach who has challenged me to ask the big questions of myself, and embrace the chaos to find direction. [More about Melinda www.melindasinclair.com]
Tanya Tiziana@tanjatiziana Whose photography has inspired me to open my eyes & pay attention. [See her work at www.doublecrossed.ca]
Cybelle Srour Whose sense of Integrity is my benchmark! [See her on LinkedIn]
(on re-read of this last one I realize I wasn’t very clear, so to clarify: Kate is brilliant and inspires me to think, create and push my own boundaries.)
Wow what a way to celebrate turning 45! I’m just barely recovering from all the b’day activities now, over a month later!
I’ve always been a little fussy about my birthdays. I remember as a little girl bursting into tears at more than one birthday party surrounded by friends. And in contrast, I remember the years where being in transit or transition from one city to another left me alone and feeling forgotten on my birthdays.
My 40th birthday, which I had been planning as a big, sparkling cocktail party inviting everyone I know, turned into me, alone on the island with the chickens, rabbits and dogs keeping me company.**
But not this year!
No dogs! No chickens! And the only rabbit was in the paella.
In our annual celebration of birthday-birthday, we were joined by a whack of our friends at the Crown and Dragon to eat wings, drink beer and pose with pickles.
We attempted to sample each of the 30-types of wings available at the Crown and Dragon, but unfortunately we missed 3 – Apple & Cinnamon, East Coast “Donair” and The Rookie BBQ (mild). Last year we were able to make it through the whole list. Lee suggested that this year people just didn’t love me enough. Perhaps it’s true, I’d have to love someone a lot to eat a Donair wing. Not sure I want people loving me that much.
Favourites from the list included – The Traditional, Dragon’s Breath, Roadside Lemonade, Killer Bee and Bollywood.
A great time was had by most (I can’t guarantee “all” since not everyone checked in but the beer was certainly flowing which is always a good sign.) Certainly a great time was had by us! Thanks to everyone who came out.
This year my photostream on Flickr hit 500,000 views. In fact it happened just a couple of days ago. As of today my photos have been looked at 500,839 times through Flickr. Kind of impressive for this little thing I do on the side.
Each year I tag the top 20 photos that people have favourited on Flickr. Here is a little slide show of this year’s favourites as identified by you… or folks like you on Flickr.
And if you liked those, here are the sets for past years:
Favourites 2008
Favourites 2007
Favourites 2006
Favourites 2005
And 2 bonus sets:
Food Favourites
What are You Looking At? The top 10 favourited images in my flickr stream.
You've seen my myriad of posts about my father being Santa.
You've chuckled under your breath as I march down the middle of Kensington Ave covered in ribbons and beating my drum for Festival of Lights. Even if I'm doing it alone in a windstorm.
You’ve read about me skipping around and singing carols at the top of my lungs, in public.
You've squeezedinto a Xmas groaning board set for 30 and watched my cousin almost set fire to the table.
On this Remembrance Day I remember Marilynn Fox, my step-mother, who died last month and whose memorial shebeen is being held in Nauwigewauk this afternoon.
Marilynn drove into my life down a gravel road when I was 3 and she was 37. We played gas station and she became a part of my life forever. Our relationship was tumultuous and challenging but there was always love. Often hidden behind some other more urgent passion or emotion, but it was there.
Marilynn was generous,loving, strong, willful, smart, creative,
resourceful, inspired and protective. She challenged people to be
better than they were, she pushed boundaries and she inspired people. Marilynn was tough as nails and yet shockingly compassionate, opening
her home, her arms and her life to many people who had nowhere else to
turn.
She survived more than I could possibly tell you and her life could
easily be the basis for more than one award-winning Canadian novel. The
kind that would make you cringe to read, and leave you marveling at her tenacity, humour and strength.
While she left New Brunswick about 10 years ago and was no longer an active part of my life, she was and still is a part of me. Much of who I am was honed by having Marilynn as one of my parents. And I hope through the distance, miscommunication and hurt, she knew the positive impact she had on who I am and how I see the world.
The things she created and taught me are so numerous and ingrained it’s hard to list but they include:
There is always room for 1 more.
Mistakes can be tasty like the Electric Clock Cake – made with currants and thyme.
Anything is possible if you are willing to try hard enough, get creative, ask for help and share. The island is a tribute to Marilynn’s resourcefulness.
All markets are “home” to me.
Duck ponds smell, goats are randy and dried rabbit turds are perfect for throwing at people.
Dress 2 little girls in matching gingham pinafores and you can sell organic vegetables to grannies who won’t even talk to the hippies who grew them.
Different is different, not less.
If you fill an island with people dressed in Victorian garb drinking out of tea cups, very few people will drink tea. But you’ll have an excellent time.
Creating businesses is fun. Hard, but fun.
I should not drink Irish Mist. Ever.
Every experience can be a story, and every story a Legend.
Strength comes in all sizes, shapes and forms and should always be honoured.
There are SO many other things, many much more amazing and far-reaching than the things that I carry around with me day-to-day.
But those are stories for another day.
Today is for remembering and being thankful that she never held me to the promise I would push her out of an airplane if she ever ended up in a wheelchair.
There will likely a be tear or two before I hear Maly say in my ear “Toughen up kid! It’s all part of life.”
Since I am both "from" Kingston and the editor/publisher of the CheapEats Restaurant Guides, I get asked often where to go in Kingston for good eats cheap.
Since I’m heading down to Podcasters Across Borders in Kingston this weekend, I decided to share this email which I wrote for a friend headed down to Kingston for the weekend. It includes both cheap, and not-so cheap places mostly within walking distance of the waterfront.
I'd love to hear your thoughts and any other recommendations you'd like to add to the pile.
Casa Domenico - 35 Brock Street - It's a new find (for me) and not a CheapEat but it's a place I was delighted to find. Tasty food, good menu and since I was introduced to it by a vinophile, who also happened to run into her friend, a Lifford wine agent selling to the restaurant, the wine list should be pretty solid. Not a CheapEat. www.casadomenico.com
Rate This Restaurant
The Pilot House - 265 King St East - the spot for a pint and fish & chips in K'ton. Enough said. www.pilothousekingston.ca (Not enough for you? Okay, it's a great little pub which has been around forever, or at least it feels like that. Limited space inside but a big side patio, great beer selection and good food.) www.pilothousekingston.ca
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Kingston Brewing Company - 34 Clarence Street - solid brewpub with some interesting specials and a pub atmosphere. Lots of great nooks and crannies with a big open space upstairs. One of my standard places to hit when I'm looking for good, reliable eats w/ beer. The Dragons Breath Real Ale is the brew-house fave a Premium Bitter/ESB. On the edge of being a CheapEat www.kingstonbrewing.ca
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Morrison's - 318 King Street East - another Kingston tradition. It's a diner and best for breakfast or lunch (IMHO). If you are from Toronto, you might compare it to Fran's. If you're from Ottawa think a cross between Mello's & the Mayflower. A CheapEat.
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Chez Piggy - 68-R (rear) Princess Street - one of "the" Kingston restaurants. It's tucked away in an old-limestone courtyard and it's patio seating is lovely on a sunny afternoon. Generally and interesting and flavourful menu. Not a CheapEat. www.chezpiggy.com
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The Sleepless Goat - 91 Princess Street - a BoHo co-op cafe with lots of tables, fair-trade coffee and free WIFI. The food is good, and if you're looking for a place to grab coffee, breakfast or lunch it's a good spot to hit. A CheapEat www.thesleeplessgoat.ca
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Pan Chanco - 44 Princess St. - originally the bakery for Chez Piggy, it has evolve to a have a nice little bistro-style restaurant tucked in the back. Great breads which translate into good sandwiches and excellent bread basket with anything you have. Not a CheapEat panchancho.com
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Windmills Café - 184 Princess Street - my mom loves this place and they get attention for being a "foodie's destination". I've never been overly blown away, but the food is good and solid. (I've been known to be a little extra snobby about things at this price point.) Not a CheapEat www.windmills-cafe.com
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Hoagie House - 384 Division Street - takeout-only but a Kingston Classic. Kind of like a sub but much better. If you are headed this way a Steak Hoagie is the way to go. Unfortunately the only location left is on Division Street, so it's a bit of a hike from downtown if you don't have a car. Totally a CheapEat.
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Star Diner - 849 Princess Street - not downtown so a bit far if you don't have a car, but a nice little diner for breakfast or lunch. A CheapEat.
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These are some places with Good Press but I've never been.
Lukes - 264 Princess St. - very young chef who started the restaurant at something like 14 (he's 18 now) with a focus on French cuisine. Not a CheapEat www.lukesgastronomy.com
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AquaTerra by Clark - 1 Johnson Street - Clark (no relation) used to run what was often considered the best place to eat in K'ton. Now he runs a place out of hotel. It's right on the water and has a great view especially at night. I've never eaten there but it next on the pile if I don't just go back to Casa Domenico www.aquaterrabyclark.com [note - since writing the original email, I have been once for lunch. I think it would be better for dinner. Not a CheapEat]
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There are also a number of Vietnamese spots sprinkled around downtown. I haven't been to a bad one... though I haven't been blown away either. Generally I hit Saigon Delights -272 Bagot Street
If I were heading up and not planning to cook at all, I'd probably hit:
The Pilot for dinner Friday,
The Sleepless Goat for a light breakfast Saturday,
Hoagie House for lunch Saturday and drive down to the water to eat it,
Casa Domenico for dinner.
Morrison's or Star Diner again for Sunday breakfast (or I’d just skip breakfast and go for another Hoagie or hit a Vietnamese place.)
(Note: this may eventually end up posted on either CETOblog.com or CEOTblog.com or some combination of the two, but I’m too hungry to figure that out now.)
I know you’ve been around for years but why did you decide that this morning at 4:23am was the time to make yourself known?
Oh sure, you can blame it on the stress. But who doesn’t have stress. I always have stress, or frankly I’d be asleep all the freaking time!
Maybe you’ll point to the Timmies-Arbies-KFC combo that made up my meals that I justified because I was travelling and they were fast and easy. Yes, I did listen to Robyn on CBC telling the world that CheapEats don’t have to be Fast Food. Yes, I agree with her points that you can get good quality, fresh and healthy foods quickly and cheaply. Hell, my name’s on the book. Besides, I figured the big jug of fresh mango juice offset those sins. Okay, I will concede your point that it might have contributed the issue more than helped.
But seriously, 4:23am?!? After KFC? That’s just cruel.
So Acid Reflux, thanks for introducing yourself and welcome to my world. I’ll try and be a good host and make you comfortable. I can only hope you’ll do that same for me.
CheapEats Ottawa blog CEOTblog.com - The blog companion to CEOT - the Cheap Eats Ottawa restaurant guide
CheapEats Toronto blog CETOblog.com - The blog companion to CETO - the Cheap Eats Toronto restaurant guide.
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This interview with Ian Capstick was part of his series of portraits & interviews at #PAB2010. I was honoured to be included. 
I’m sick but for the first time in a while, I don’t mind.
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