LeXXy

I can honestly say that brunch has got to be my favorite meal to eat out of the home. Brunch is always an indulgent time for me because it’s the middle of the day (actually, let’s be honest – it’s usually the beginning of most of our days! ), the sun is shining and you know that have the whole day to look forward to.

Tutti Fruitti opened up in the west end and I can definitely say that for a chain, it’s really a spot that I would go back to! I remember thinking the same thing when the Cora’s chain opened up but after years of success, I really found the whole experience started lacking: The service and the food.

Tutti Fruitti is just like Cora’s but I found the food to be tastier, fresher and more for your buck! The fruit on each plate is fresh, the serving size is large and can satisfy even the biggest appetite!

Crêpes, omelets, waffles, French toast, eggs, fresh fruits and juices, are just a few examples of what you can expect to find at this spot.

We tried the vegetarian omelet (came with some fruit and home fries) and a very indulgent chocolate hazelnut crepe dish:

The  interior has a rustic/homey feel and I found the service to be great. One thing that’s lacking is the coffee, but that seems to be the case at most chains.

Check em out for a casual breakfast or lunch (open until 3pm everyday)!

1463 Merivale
Ottawa, ON K2E 5N9, Canada
(613) 225-4847

Bon Appetit!

XoXoX

I’ve wanted to do this for a while, and today I am feeling pretty lyrically spirited so I think the words are going to flow right through my fingertips and hopefully touch someone out there.

I want to dedicate this post to my good friend Jef. Yes, that’s right with one “F”. Without getting into too much detail, I just gotta say that this dude is an absolute mad genius.

You can’t categorize his photography in any way shape or form; This talent is forever infused with his fresh imagination, and inspired by mood and circumstances of life around him.

One of his latest shoots is really speaking to me in tongues. I absolutely love macro photography. I love to see tiny pieces of something much bigger…to me, that’s a pretty deep analogy of life  and I think there is nothing more beautiful than that, which is seeing the bigger picture. This intricate style of portayal pulls me in with it’s vivid colors, shadows and shapes – each picture giving me a different emotion.

The “stylist” in me see’s these pictures blown up to enormous proportions and beautifully framed in a large contemporary space with high ceilings and modern furniture. Just saying that, makes me salivate…(Better than any Home Sense or Ikea art, that’s for sure!) There is only one thing that feels as good to me as styling clothes … and that is styling a home!

If you are interested in buying his pieces, CLICK HERE

To visit his website go to http://www.jefharris.net/

Stay Fly

XoXoX

I’ve written about this spot once before, but we went again (we’re making it a semi annual outing) to check out the new menu and celebrate life in general.

Once again, this unassuming gourmet “hole- in-the-wall” exceeded our expectations.

First of all I have to say that I feel so lucky to have a restaurant of this caliber right under my nose here in Ottawa. It’s no wonder that this spot is being boasted as one of the top restaurants in Canada. The innovation in taste and design with the intense presentation that you’re offered will leave you so impressed that you will tell anyone who will listen about your dining experience.

If you know me, you know that I absolutely love surprises. And if walking in to a restaurant and not knowing what you’re about to be served is as much of a turn-on for you, as it is for me, then this place is undoubtedly for you!

Entering Atelier for the second time felt really good. It gave me such a welcoming feeling of familiarity – the mere fact that it was recognized that we had been there before was really flattering, but for them to call me by name topped it off!

I remember when we were there last year (last February) we were a bit weary about the atmosphere because we didn’t know what were walking into. We made sure to dress up and I remember keeping our voices really low the whole time (following suit with that nights’ atmosphere) …our overall experience was wonderful, but a bit tense.

This time around was completely different, we decided to come as we were – wearing colorful, casual clothing and regular shoes (mostly because we were running around on errands all day); As we came in we were happy to discover that everyone else in the room was dressed equally as casual (or even more-so than us) and the atmosphere was slightly more upbeat. I really like going places where you have the option of “dressing up” or opt for a comfy-er look, depending on your mood.

I remember the culinary experience last year being a bit of a shock for the taste buds…some of the courses took a lot of risks.(I love trying any combination of foods, but I could see some of the more conservative foodies being stand offish). This year on the other hand, every single course was more classically rooted. Everything that came out of the kitchen made my mouth water immediately. It was slightly less risky in terms of food pairing but each dish still had its own unique personality and multiple layers of flavor that finished off the taste of each bite beautifully.

Here is a list of our 12 decadent courses:

1.) New Squid on the Block

This is a seared calamari that we found had a really delicious “homey” eggs and bacon taste for some reason.

2.) Surf and Turf

If you like ahi tuna, you will LOVE this course!

3.) Liver Damage

I’ve never has such a light and fluffy chicken liver pate! It almost had a “whipped” texture..Amazing.

4.) Bacon Bridge over Troubled Turnip

Hardy turnip soup with a bacon “bridge” garnished with apple and jalapeno.

5.) Duck Perogy

One of my favorite courses of the night – a delicious duck perogie with sour cream, beets and my favorite addition – a sliver of a truffle mushroom to top it off the flavor.

6.) Sorbet Course

This a “palette cleanser” with lime and mint sorbet

7.) Yukhoe

Asian style beef tartar with yuca chips (the wine pairing for this course is amazing!)

8.) Dirty Potatoes

Really cute bowl that really resembles a bunch of potatoes ripped right out of a dirt garden. (Heirloom potatoes with black olive tapenade)

9.) Elk

Local Kanata Elf served rare with a creamy white sauce and sauteed baby onions on thinly sliced cauliflower

10.) iCup

This dessert is THE BEST dessert I have ever tasted. Its a passion fruit ice cream “cup” that hides a chocolate cake (with marzipan on the outside  rim)

11.) Area 51

This dessert really plays up what Atelier is known for – its themed dishes. It came out on a ceramic tile plate and looks like a bunch of dirt..But it’s actually a black sesame cake with chocolate ganache …and other delicious chocolate chunks with a lime custard to add moisture. AMAZING!!!

12.) Hot and Cold Shot

I don’t have a picture of this one because I wasn’t expecting it, but it was really good! Served in an ounce shot glass with a tiny ladyfinger.

I cannot wait to come back and taste the seasonal summer menu! I really love what they’re doing at Atelier and really wish this restaurant constant success and never ending imagination.

Book Your Table HERE

Bon Appetit!

XoXoX

I recently looked backwards in time at my early blog posts when I was posting a lot more pictures that made it easy to tell what the then-”current” style was. Then I fast forwarded to 20 years from now and thought how  entertaining it would be to be able to look back at street fashion when I’m 40 – and in a totally different place then I’m in now (hopefully still a fashionable place, no doubt). Since everything you post online is captured in “cyber space” until the end of forever,  might as well use this blog as a time capsule to capture the current times and laugh (or not) when I’m “grown”.

Let’s get to it and reflect on what’s been hot on the streets:

This pic of Cassie (click for full image) depicts perfectly what today’s street style is about. Even though the hair is a bit too edgy for some of us more conservative ladies, some chicks pull this look off quite well. Her outfit is a perfect example of what’s going on with fashion today: the baggy jean is back. I LOVE this slouchy look with stilettos. It’s so carelessly sexy… and comfortable might I add. With this jean, dare I say it, our “muffin top” pandemic might be seeing a big drop. *fingers crossed.

The scarf and loose long sweater is also a good example of what you’ll find on the streets of any city on a weekend.

OUTFIT #2 This next girl is ON POINT!!! I LOOOOOOVE this outfit. She’s combining a few fashion elements that are currently circulating: the “boy” dress shirt is back (YESSSS! nothing more sexy than that!!!), pleather leggings (even though I DO NOT Co-SIGN anything pleather, I agree that these are cute), wedge heels, a loose paisley scarf (paisley is HUGE right now) and the ultra chick “layered” look to tie everything together. This girl’s outfit is a 10/10 I love the loose hair as well…it’s like an 80′s, rocker-hipster combo.

OUTFIT #3 A big shout out to the hiker boot in this pic. This is a great example of the hipster-chic-ness that we see all over the place right now. I love that comfortable shoes are BACK…even though killer stilletos are not going anywhere…(not that I EVER want them to..) I’m just saying. I love her color combination. Black and brown are huge right now and I’m really digging it. This outfit also shows an element that is really hype right now: knitted scarves and sweaters. I love it. Cozy can be sexy and cute (duh – Victoria secret taught us that ages ago.

All of these looks are “IN” right now, but I really think that what’s going down in fashion currently, feels so right! It’s timeless, it’s classic and it’s comfortable. What more could you ask for? (I feel like that doesn’t happen a lot in the cycle, so let’s enjoy it ladies!)

Oh and I almost forgot the fellas:

OUTFIT #4 Not ALL dudes can pull this off (and frankly far from many dudes even WANT to pull this look off) but I thought I’d share this swagg to be fair to my fashionistic fellas out there. Kanye really co-signed this style with his signature man-purses and tight pants so I think that got a lot of dudes confident enough to run with it. I personally LOVE seeing this style. It’s like  “polite” 40′s,  meets “busy professional” 2011 . I think it’s really sleek and fashion forward.  You see a lot of celebrities rocking it fearlessly.

That’s it for now…If I missed anything, please let me know!

Stay Fly
XoXoX

Listen up all my music lovers!!!

There are a few artists that you SIMPLY cannot ignore – regardless of what your music tastes are.

1.) Florence + The Machine:

“You Got The Love”

“Dog Days Are Over”

This fierce, red-headed beast of a woman has such a beautiful sadness in her voice…one that you can’t seem to break away from. But the energy you feel from her music is anything but sad…I also absolutely love the stunningly artistic videos that she keeps producing. You can tell that she knows who she is and trust that she is staying congruent with the public image she wants to portray. Her music is mainstream enough, but never overbearing. I dig it.

2.) Jessie J:

“Price Tag”

“Mama Knows Best”

This UK girl is going to take the North American music scene by storm. First of all, she has a luscious, soulful voice and wickid swag…and that DEF makes her an “IT” girl. She has a strong message to share, deep words and no doubt, a really mainstream sound. Oh… and I REALLY like how animated she is. She’s not too worried about looking “pretty” at every moment. She definitely lets her human qualities shine including her vulnerable side…which makes her that much more relatable.

THE ONLY negative thing I gotta say (and I don’t often say anything on the negative UNLESS I really feel passionate about it) … I just realized that she’s kind of ALREADY blowing up in the scene because she has made her beautiful acoustic “Price Tag” song into a feature with B.O.B …ummm….ok….enough said? Hmmm…may be not. May be I should drive the point home. The message of the song is quite clear; “It’s not about the money”, “…got shades on your eyes, and heels so high, that you can’t even have a good time”, “…We need to take the music back in time….when it wasn’t low blows and video hoes….”

The ENTIRE message becomes disconnected the minute you start playing this wack ass video

The entire thing is shot with Jessie wearing 6 inch heels, inappropriate (for the video) video-hoe outfits, gold chains and BOB is geeking out with shades on….

I’m pointing this out because I really became dissappointed when I saw that. In all her other videos she is straight up sincere, looking really cute, being sexy without provocative outfits (i can go on and on and on.)

I’m not hating, I love you Jessie, but c’mon girl – keep it real. It aint about the… Well, you already know.

Hopefully this gorgeous girl won’t get lost in the industry.

That’s it folks!

Stay FLY

XoXoX

I can honestly say that this spot is on my top 5 favorites of 2010…and what a way to end off my culinary experiences to roll into a new year full of new favorite spots.

We had heard about this restaurant numerous times, the hype and our curiosity got the best of us. We reserved a table and went in for the culinary kill.

Not knowing what to expect in terms of dress code, we thought we’d go in dressy casual. As you walk into this unassuming house-turned-restaurant you are greeted with a smile and a coach check. (Which is nice because I really hate hanging up my jacket on the back of my seat or having to go to an unsupervised coat rack.) The lighting is romantic and the ambiance is very homey and inviting. (Despite some of the reviews we heard about Beckta’s ambiance, I can assure you there is nothing pretentious about this place!)

I found that every detail at this little spot is looked after. From the greeter pulling out the table for us to squeeze into our little booth, to the very tactful nature of each waiter. (They actually wait until you finish your conversation until they ask you if everything is going your way.)

The great thing about the food at Beckta is that most of the ingredients are sustainable, local and organic. Now, onto the mouthwatering menu.

We started with APPS:

1.) Tuna Tataki - tandoori dusted, jalepeno and yellow pepper rings, edamame mash and lime curd.

2.) Oyster Po’oy Sandwich – fried oysters, in house smoked chipotle remoulade, napa slaw, caramelized onions, double smoked bacon and sunchoke chips.

For Mains We Chose:

3.) House Made Gnocchi - Trio of mushrooms, baby zucchini, roasted ciplollinis, wild ramp & sorrel sauce and 5 year old provolone.

4.) Magret Duck Breast – Spaetzle “stuffing”, roasted turnips, snow peas, house-made sauerkraut and cranberry ginger chutney

EVERYTHING was amazing. Fresh, full of multi-layered flavors and immensely satisfying. It’s really important to also mention that I was also really encouraged to see a diverse mix of diners: young couples in jeans on casual dates, mature couples dressed up celebrating anniversaries, families and groups of foodie friends. This just shows that there is an underground market of sophisticated tastes in this town we call Ottawa

*Side Note: Our knowledgable waitress recommended a new liquor for me which I instantly LOVED. If you enjoy ice wine you will LOVE Lillet. It’s a brand of French  aperitif wine. It is a blend of 85% Bordeaux wines and citrus liqueurs made from a variety of sweet and bitter oranges and grapefruit peels.

I give this place 10/10

Check them out HERE or call to reserve your table here: 613 238 7063

Beckta Dining and Wine
226 Nepean Street
Ottawa, ON

Bonne Appetit!

XoXoX

Wings and Horns is a Vancouver based men’s brand that at first glance appears to be extremely simplistic; But when you look closer you’ll discover a brand that focuses on impeccable quality and detail in every piece that they release.

I had to do some digging to find out more about this company  because their website does not offer any insight…I guess this company really wants to keep an unassuming role in the industry and let the quality of their garments speak for themselves – which clearly they have.

The only things that I could find out this brand is that they are Vancouver based, the name is based on the “struggle between good and evil” (which I really dig) and that they have a limited distribution in Canada and the US predominantly in higher end retailers and exclusive boutiques. (Saks Fifth Ave  and Holt Renfrew to name a few).

So I was really impressed to find out that they are also available in Ottawa at Reap and Sew – a small mens boutique on 401 Dalhousie Street.

There’s something really sexy about the feeling of Wings and Horns pieces – they reflect a really timeless, mature, sophisticated look yet they are down to earth and casual.

If you haven’t done so already, check this brand out at a retailer in your area – and you’ll see what I’m raving about.

Stay Fly

XoXoX

For a relaxing getaway out of the city, we sometimes drive into Wakefield for an afternoon of serenity. Wakefield has that “something” that you can almost taste in the air as soon as you reach the lake surrounded by a mountainous landscape and small town feel.

The Moulin INN personifies Wakefield perfectly. The rustic nature of this place really makes you feel cozy as soon as you step in.

We arrived at a “middle” time – not lunch anymore and not yet dinner so we opted for the tapas menu…REALLY glad we did because it had a lot of variety and was really tasty.

They offer a  5 for $25 option which we jumped at with hungry eyes. Here’s what we chose:
(To be honest I don’t really remember the absolute details of each dish, but each was delicious)

Spring rolls – Lamb confit spring roll with a carrot-ginger coulis and a beet chutney.

Salmon tartar

Smoked salmon

Crab cakes

Smoked trout

“Micha” – Papineauville goat cheese flan served with eggplant and smoked garlic caviar, cheddar and sun dried tomatoes crisp, pumpkin coulis.

We were really hungry and when we received our tapas style dishes our smiles slid down to frowns…The portions were tiny! But as we sat and talked, munched and gazed out the window at the playful waterfall that was running right under our window – we realized that we were stuffed and we literally could not even finish all of our bite sized potions. The Mill definitely has French style cooking that fills you up in an instant. Needless to say, we left VERY satisfied!

I really recommend this place for an afternoon away from…life.

For more information, a look at their menu or to book a spa day, CLICK HERE.

Bon Appetit!

XoXoX

I found a really gorgeous – and might I add – delicious gift idea for the holidays [and beyond].

Thankfully Wendy, who is the owner of Urban Baking Co – a local home based business – was exhibiting her luxurious treats right in front of my office window…how could I resist?

When I walked over to investigate the beautiful display, I quickly realized that some of the “decorations” at her booth were actually cookie displays. Check out this “adult gingerbread tree”. They are iced gingerbread snowflakes surrounding a cone “Christmas Tree” center. Imagine this being part of your Christmas table centerpiece? YUM!!!

Not only do all of Wendy’s treats look fabulous – they are also really delicious. {Thankfully she had samples of everything}

She has different types of “petit carres” in the following flavors:

- Honey pistachio

- Dark chocolate hazelnut

- Creamy raspberry compote

- Chocolate with orange

- Almond and pecan crumble

Each square cookie is beautifully hand crafted featuring a unique design.

She also has french macaroons (meringues) that come in a regular and mini size. They come in 3 flavors: Organic Dark Chocolate (with chocolate truffle ganache), Red Raspberry (with a delicious raspberry compote on the inside made from local raspberries) and Pear with White Fig ( pear and white fig jam infused with vanilla bean on the inside).

Needless to say, I ordered a bunch of different flavors which will be delivered to me in a pretty box wrapped in ribbon and satin sachets for the mini meringues.

The only problem is – they look so elegant, that it’s going to be hard for me and all of the other lucky recipients to bring their hand to eat them… But somehow I think we will all manage in the end.

I love this product – it’s fresh, local and GORGEOUS! A perfect stocking stuffer or “just because gift”.

Check out her site for more details: http://urbanbakingco.com/

Bonne Appetit!

XoXoX

It’s FRIDAY – how is everybody doing! It’s the end of the week and time to get your RELEASE on, am I right!?

Since Fashion is one of my releases, I wanted to share with you, a few wickid tidbits  from the world of swag.

Numero UNO:

Convertible Stilettos – HOW CUTE ARE THESE LADIES? I know I’ve been there – when you just need a break from your stilettos…But carrying around a pair of flats in your purse is just not cute. These would be fantastic for driving or many other instances…I’ve read a few blogs that are criticizing these…but I think that they’re just insecure..I KNOW I can pull these off without a problem..But I guess they’re not for everyone. *Side Eye*

Numero Dos:

I really respect conscious clothing lines that are about something, that have a midden meaning or positive message. I love this tee and if they had girl sizes I would rock one in a second (wink wink, nudge nudge):

Its the “Pistola” tee from X is the Weapon. You can cop these, along with Jay Electronica Tee’s HERE

Read this cat’s description about this tee:

Rumors and rumors and rumors of war
Killers just killing dunno what they kill for…

The X Is The Weapon Logo, The Pistola, because I’m down with the stop the violence movement. Let’s keep it real and promote bringing your skills to the battle.

LOVE IT!

Swag it out and Stay Fly,

XoXoX