some ottawa goodness

(another Dave photo)

 Recently, Apt613 held a live blog talk entitled Is Ottawa A Creative Capital?  I'm no expert on what it takes to be a creative community, but the thing that was swimming through my mind after reading the feed last week was that we may or may not be a creative capital, but we are definitely moving well and safely into being a foodie capital. In my neighbourhood alone fantastic food spots are opening and thriving: The Hintonburger, Blumenstudio, SuzyQ Donuts, Back Lane Cafè. Farmers markets are popping up everywhere in the city, as are local food events. Marysol Foucault is proof that if you offer up good food, they will come. She just launched her second restaurant, Odile. The Ottawa Wine and Food Festival is hugely popular. Oh, I could go on and on.

What's better than all that though is that we have our own wine route. It may not rival Bordeaux, and it's definitely not Napa, but it is growing and the wine is getting better every year. Given our climate, this is nothing short of a miracle (and plenty of faith and hard work). Doors are opening at these vineyards this month.

Le Vignoble Clos du Vully (2499 Magladry Road, Navan)
VanKleek Hill Vineyard: http://vankleekhillvineyard.ca/

Jabulani Vineyard and Winery: http://jabulani.ca/index/index1.htm
Domaine Perrault: http://domaineperrault.ca/
Domaine du Cervine: http://cervinenglish.voila.net/
Green Gables Vineyard: http://www.greengableswinery.ca/
Le Vignoble du Clos Baillie: http://www.quebecvino.com/

Closer to home, Savvy Company is hosting a taste of Niagara on the Lake on May 30th.

And for you beer lovers, Brother's Beer Bistro is opening this week in the Market.

So Ottawa, if food and booze counts I say we are very creative when it comes to satisfying our tastebuds.