Food notes
Here come the holidays! Are there any family food traditions you look forward to that involve our neighbourhood eateries? Are you getting your turkey dinner catered this year? Have you found a great edible stocking stuffer at a local store? Please share your favourite Sandy Hill food experiences with editor@imagesandyhill.org
Paula Kelsall
Tahini’s Mediterranean Fusion, 238 Laurier Ave. E.
When it comes to Middle Eastern food, my heart is with the places owned by local families that have been dishing up garlicky deliciousness in Ottawa for decades. But as chains go, Tahini’s is a not-too-large and Canadian-based example, with original branches in London, Ontario. They have all the usual menu items: chicken and beef shawarma, falafel and hummus, presented as both wraps and bowls with rice or salad. They also offer a few unexpected items, such as samosas and breaded chicken tenders. Then, there are the flavour elements from other cultures that feature in some of the shawarma offerings, such as the Jamaican jerk wrap or the butter chicken wrap. Servings are generous and affordable. For $12.99, we tried a falafel bowl that came with a great amount of turmeric-tinted rice and five or six crisp and flavourful falafels, as well as a modest garnish of lettuce, tomatoes and pickles. Overall, the bowl was a bit dry; another time, we’d request extra sauce.
From Tahini’s, you can walk directly into La Diperie, a separate franchise restaurant that’s run by the same owner as Tahini’s in the premises next door. The attraction here is a selection of 30 different dippable coatings (in flavours ranging from chocolate through mint, espresso, and caramel pecan) that can be applied to many items, including ice cream cones, cookies and doughnuts, or ladled over sundaes, crepes or waffles (not made on the premises). They also have a freezer stocked with ice cream cakes and slices of Cheesecake Factory cake. At $3.85, we found a perfectly ripe banana dipped in dark chocolate to be an affordable and enjoyable treat, but for the scent of a freshly made waffle and a fun place to sit and enjoy my food, I’d go to Purplex.
Purplex Cafe,
304 Wilbrod St.
Apparently in Jordan, waffles with chocolate and fruit are a thing! This little shop on Wilbrod in the former premises of The Hill Pet Supply is here to show us how it’s done, and their very impressive waffle iron does turn out a delightful treat. Freshly made waffle sticks or mini pancakes are laid out on a board with your choice of sweet sauces and fruit. There are five toppings to choose from, including Nutella, pistachio and white chocolate. The warm, pillowy waffles soak up their sauce very nicely and a freshly sliced banana, kiwi or cluster of strawberries add a welcome contrast in flavour and texture, not to mention a sense of nutritional virtue. The cafe offers a good selection of coffees and cold fruit drinks, and has plans to start serving breakfast sandwiches and baked potatoes by mid-December. Their friendly service and groovy colour scheme will help you keep the winter blues at bay.
Dinette Atomique,
321 Somerset St. E.
Now that patio season is over, it’s time to step inside the new restaurant on Somerset and appreciate its cozy, eclectic decor and the vinyl records playing on its turntable. Planetary wallpaper, local art, and whimsical salt and pepper shakers—there’s something unexpected to see everywhere you look, and you’ll head home thinking of beloved items that deserve a more prominent place in your house. As for the menu, it also offers happy surprises. The Daily Feast menu, which changes each week, presents your party with three shareable courses, including vegetarian options. Earlier this fall, our family enjoyed a Spanish-themed meal, with a generous spread of appetizers including potato croquettes, marinated olives and Iberico cheese, and the restaurant’s excellent focaccia topped with shaved ham and lemon aioli. This was followed by a paella-style main course of tomato-y rice with shellfish and a fennel and orange salad. The meal was rounded off with servings of dense and delicious Basque cheesecake with passionfruit curd. I imagine that folks who live nearby must enjoy walking by the restaurant to see what the chef has dreamed up each week.
Tragically Chip Wagon,
Corner of Wilbrod and Friel
Here is an example of a unique local take on familiar fast food. This chip wagon with its amusing name and the inflated hot dog waving absurdly from its roof has been wedged into the parking area across the street from Happy Goat for the last few weeks. During the summer, it travels to different towns and poutine festivals around the region. But for this winter, the plan is to settle in Sandy Hill, opening for business every day from 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. The truck serves up poutine with some interesting toppings, including pulled pork and General Tso’s chicken. The fries that formed the core of my lunch one day were brown, tender and tasty, oozing with melting cheese curds. I had expected that the pulled pork I’d requested would be taking the place of the traditional gravy, but no, there was gravy AND barbecue sauce. It was all too much, but I must admit that what I could finish was succulent and I’m sure many hearty young appetites will find this truck to be a great source of satisfaction. I plan to go back some chilly day and check out their unexpected offering of chicken soup.
