Food Notes
A summary of recent IMAGE restaurant reviews and food features, plus other advice from our contributors about where to find great food in and around Sandy Hill. Please send news of your recent Sandy Hill food discoveries to: image22@rogers.com
Cadena Spanish Cafe, 323 Somerset St. East Cadena has a new liquor license, and is now open until 9 p.m. every day for those who’d like to enjoy a drink along with the cafe’s interesting selection of sandwiches, tapas, or even all-day breakfast.
Chinese Meat Pie House, 508 Rideau St. It’s not open yet, but the business that promises to replace the Silver Spoon Express has an intriguing menu posted on its door. Along with traditional treats such as Hot and Sour Soup, I’m looking forward to checking out the Chef’s Special Green Onion Pork Pie and the “Chinese Hamburger”. I’m not sure what to make of “Cold roast practices”, but I intend to find out. Stay tuned.
Happy Goat, 229 Rideau St. The new branch of the popular neighbourhood coffee shop is now open for business. It’s smaller than the shop on Wilbrod but a little less crowded (at least outside of lunchtime) and just as aromatic. Interestingly, the Brussels sprout and onion melt sandwich costs about a dollar less on Rideau Street than on Wilbrod—an incentive to check it out if ever there was one!
Si Senor, 506 Rideau St. The Jay’s Poutine signs are still up on the side of the building, but the brick house at 506 Rideau is now occupied by a tiny, cheerful Mexican restaurant. Fresh guacamole and homemade tacos, interesting soft drinks and a few sweets are available to take out or to eat at counter seating or at one of two tables, in a room happily decorated with bright paint and interesting prints and artifacts. The restaurant promises an expanding menu of tortas, chilaquiles and other Mexican street food in the near future; definitely worth a visit.
Working Title Kitchen and Café, 10 Blackburn Ave. (enter through the red doors on Laurier near Chapel) allsaints Event Space continues to come up with inventive ways for the neighbours to enjoy its new restaurant. On Thursdays and Fridays from 5 to 7 p.m. there’s a menu of “Bites” (such as charcuterie, white bean hummus, or a substantial and tasty plate of ginger beef with basmati rice) and Sandy Hill-themed cocktails. Anyone for a Friel Fizz or a Strathcona Shandy? Patrons can also order from the regular menu of interesting sandwiches, soups and salads. On Thursdays there’s live music to go with your evening treat, and on Fridays, there’s Kindercinema, a chance for parents to keep their little ones entertained with a movie while enjoying some adult time. And look for a chance to indulge in that tasty food outdoors when a patio appears along Laurier Avenue sometime this summer.