A trip back home
The past two months have been wild. I guess it is that time of the year, the Christmas holidays, the influx of clients, the lack of sleep, and the lack of sun. I often find myself in bed not long after I get home from work on the afternoon shifts. It gets dark here before I leave work - and my time in bed is pretty much dictated by the sun - so I am in bed a lot right now. Reading, watching hockey games, on the phone with friends, doom scrolling. So my mental capacity is very low at the moment. So I’ve decided, I’ll send you a little review of the various restaurants and cafes I visited during my trip home in October, in Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal.
Felena’s, Ottawa was alright. It’s been on my list for probably ten years now, everyone I know has gone there. My family went there last year for my sister’s birthday. It was also the first restaurant I went to since arriving in Canada and let’s just say I forgot how early dinner is. Our reservation was at 7pm, by the time we finally ordered, it was close to 8pm (because we kept on talking so much). The food was alright, wasn’t fantastic. I was expecting somewhat authentic Mexican food, and got texmex. I should have known better. The margarita was also very sweet, and was served tall and not down. We were also kicked out close to 10pm, we were the last in the restaurant and were still chatting away, still with a bit of food left on our plates. Had it not been for the company I was with, it would have been a negative experience. Brutal reminder why I am so very happy with my life here in France. Do not recommend.
Daldongnae Korean BBQ, Ottawa was really nice compared to my previous recent experience dining in Ottawa. A classic Korean BBQ, it had a friendly atmosphere and we were not kicked out for staying past 10pm! The food was pretty good as well and the service was nice too. Not much to say about the food, because again, it was more about the people I was with than the food. Do recommend.
L’Avenue, Toronto was mid. There was nothing overly special about it. The food was good, the atmosphere was… loud? The service was nothing special, very French style service, but with the ask for a tip. I got a spicy chicken and waffles. It was great, though the chicken was definitely overcooked. Our time here was cut short because of my friend’s work call, but wasn’t anything special. Do not recommend.
Butter & Blue, Toronto was really nice. They had perfect vibes (counter service brought to your table), the food was great, the drinks were good, but not outstanding. Inside was somewhat loud and stuffy, but the patio was perfect and had a nice enclosed backyard type patio. I don’t remember what I drank but had a morning bun with an egg and hasbrown baked into the bun. It was surprisingly good - not dry and came with a nice dipping sauce. Do recommend.
Hexagon, Oakville was just outstanding. I was sent here by my current executive chef as he is close friends with the executive chef. The restaurant had just won their first Michelin star a few weeks before, and the night we were there, the sous chef won the San Pellegrino Young Chef Canada competition. It was an air of celebration and finesse. Our server was amazing and extremely personal, recommending a plates and truly creating a fantastic experience. The food was amazing, the wine was amazing, we were offered glass of champagne for a birthday, with a non-alcoholic option as well. Everything was so well thought out, so well curated. Oh not to mention, the idea of Hexagon is a nod to France, not only in its hexagon name (in reference to the hexagon shape of metropolitan France), but in its ideals, practices, and food, bringing the French style of cooking into a Canadian context. Do recommend.
La Banquise, Montreal is a classic, nothing more to say. Classic poutine. Debit only. Quebecois. Do recommend.
Marcus at the Four Seasons Montreal was ethereal. What is there to not love about a three-course brunch? And bottomless mimosas? The first course was a bagel tower with cream cheese and smoked salmon (!!), second course was scrambled eggs and bacon (or turkey sausages) (but the eggs were fully cooked not like proper scrambled eggs), and the last course was a warm cinnamon roll with a dollop of frosting on top that slowly melted away as you ate. Oh boy, it was so so so good! Definitely somewhere I could go to again! Do recommend, but do not sit at the bar for the brunch.
St Viateur, Montreal again, a classic. True Montreal-style bagels, cream cheese, and slices of cantaloupe (that one weirded me out). Again, debit only. Comforting. Do recommend.
The Coldroom, Montreal was super interesting. Initially, we were expecting it to be a wait for its sister bar, El Pequeno, but then we were pulled down a staircase, down a hallway, into a speakeasy (!!). It was amazing. The logo and entire menu is based on rubber ducks but the entire speakeasy had an exclusive and lowkey atmosphere, truly feeling like a speakeasy, but modern. The drinks were amazing as well. Well balanced and had the choice between frilly and classic. Do recommend.
Tiradito, Montreal was amazing. A tapas-style Peruvian restaurant with incredible cocktails and very nice food. The menu had some limited items so it's important to get there early to try everything. Do recommend.
Le Petit Dep, Montreal has multiple locations across Montreal, each offering its own unique charm. Their cardamom London Fog is absolutely outstanding - I couldn't get enough London Fogs before leaving Canada. The cafe-buvette locations provide great laptop-free vibes, perfect for disconnecting and enjoying the atmosphere, while one of their locations even serves as a coworking space. Do recommend.
What I’m Enjoying
How Champions Think in Sports and in Life by Dr. Bob Rotella - I can’t say I learned anything new from this book, but it did put my way of thinking into words. I can easily say that the principles in this book is genuinely the way I think in my life. Some passages that really struck me were “yet, most people, in my experience, choose to be average” and “the people I know who seeks to be exceptional would not settle for safe, secure, and ultimately dull life.” These two passages really put my life into words, choosing to not be average, and not settling for safety, security, and having an ecstatic life.
PWHL and IIH Womens’ U18 Hockey - Though I’m on the other side of the world from the PWHL, it is amazing that I can watch the games on YouTube when I am awake, though my team waived my favourite player before the season even started (they seem to be trading or losing or waiving all of my favourite players :/ ). Also having a great time supporting the Womens’ U18 Team Canada win all the games!