Foodnotes
Here comes one of the best seasons of the year for food lovers. Farmers’ markets are full of all sorts of fresh produce, and there are so many easy meal possibilities to be had from corn, squash and ripe tomatoes. Welcome to fall! Please remember to share your favourite Sandy Hill food experiences with image22@rogers.com.
Chef Ric’s
384 Rideau St.
I’ve been told that when the stars are aligned, one can find homemade onion rings at Chef Ric’s; artisanal chunks of onion in a light, tempura-style batter. Unfortunately, I’ve yet to have this experience; so far, the onion rings I’ve seen there at lunchtime have been fried from frozen. But it must still be said that the $6.99 lunch special is an unbeatable deal. The chicken panini I tried recently had generous chunks of grilled chicken, ripe tomato slices and a satisfying sauce binding everything together. The slaw was sweet and crunchy. For an extra dollar, I got a generous portion of mulligatawny soup, with lots more of those good chicken chunks and plenty of vegetables in a light but tasty curry-flavoured broth. I’ll be keeping an eye on the “Storefront Menu and Weekly Specials” page at chefrics.com to try to optimize my chances of encountering those onion rings!
Melaku Ethiopian Coffee
503 Rideau St.
The upstairs room at Melaku is one of the most unusual and cheerful places I can imagine for a restorative cup of coffee. The bright green artificial turf, tables and stools covered in colourful fabric, and the photographic mural of a garden covering one wall lift the spirits as you perch above the east end of Rideau St. and enjoy a bracing beverage brewed from freshly roasted beans. The shop also offers the opportunity to try a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony with a jebena, or long-necked traditional pot – something to look forward to in the dark, cold days to come!
Metro
244 Rideau St.
It was exciting to see a Metro sign appear in August from behind the scaffolding that’s been a fixture at Cumberland and Rideau for so many months (years?), and even more exciting to step into the new store. It doesn’t feel like the comfortably shabby old Metro, but it’s fun to wander the aisles and admire the displays of baked goods, fish and cheese while they are all brand new. The prepared food counter is interesting, and includes chefs from Bento Sushi turning out fresh nigiri and maki. Artisanal pizza slices, at $3.99 each, are a tasty and generous snack, and they have some unusual toppings. We found the one with a coconut curry sauce topped with bacon, chicken and caramelized onions to be unexpectedly delicious. Presumably the classical musicians who were playing inside the store’s entrance for its opening days will be gone soon, but here’s hoping that the freshly prepared pizza and sushi counters will be a lasting presence.
Burger Shark
358 Rideau St.
The sign and decor at Burger Shark have a lot in common with Egg Pops, the business that was in this spot until recently, but there are no fried eggs to be found on these burgers. Instead, you’ll get tasty, handmade patties with caramelized onions, sliced avocado and an unusual black pepper sauce, with the usual options of bacon and cheese. There are also chicken burgers, both grilled and crispy. Fries and onion rings are, disappointingly, not-homemade, but we found the burgers good. Most come with two patties, but the single-patty Baby Shark was a filling lunch for this customer.
Signatures Terrace
453 Laurier Ave. E
It was lovely to see Cordon Bleu easing back into food service this summer, with small plates and cocktails on the terrace. On a balmy evening, the sound of the fountain across the street made for a perfect backdrop for some elegant and unusual treats. We found the little cheese soufflés with parmesan foam and butternut squash, and the focaccia pizza with kimchi and goat cheese particularly delicious and conducive to sharing. Here’s hoping that Signatures will find a way to keep its doors open into the winter months, for those occasions that call for a bit of a splurge.
