Notable restaurant and food happenings
Go West
When the pastry overlord himself, a.k.a. Michael Holland of Morning Owl, gives a bakery a shout-out, baked goods lovers best listen up. Holland took to Instagram a few months ago to share his love for Mighty Fine Bakehouse (79 Madawaska St.) in Arnprior, which has been baking up hearty loaves, as well as flavour-forward pastries and squares and take-home meals, since last February. The endeavour is led by Megan O’Connor and Graham Kome-Pond, who met eight years ago in England when they both worked for celebrity restaurateur Gary Rhodes. The Canadian duo had been looking to set down roots in a small town for a couple of years when they came upon the perfect building on a stroll through Arnprior and decided to jump in. O’Connor is the baker and pastry chef, while Kome-Pond takes care of the front-of-house duties and creates and makes the fresh take-home menu every week (think inventive salads, homemade soups, quiches, and hearty mains like bangers and mash or roast chicken with all the fixings) as well as filling the freezer with meals, appetizers, and whatever else he comes up with on the day. Top sellers include their seed bread, cinnamon buns, scones, and sausage rolls. Stop by for a snack or pre-order to avoid disappointment. Time for a road trip!
Fish Tale
Has it already been almost a decade since she left town? Local seafood lovers were devastated when PEI native Charlotte Langley departed The Whalesbone Oyster House, lured by big opportunities in the Big Smoke. Now the ambitious chef returns — not exactly in person, but we can at least taste what she’s been working on of late. Scout Canning, Langley’s carefully crafted line of canned fish, debuted this past summer. The chef’s goal is to provide ethical products from Canada’s fishing communities, in the process doing her part to restore the North American tradition of preserved seafood. On the menu: PEI mussels in smoked paprika, fennel, and tomato sauce; Atlantic Canadian Lobster in butter; and Ontario rainbow trout preserved with dill. Find these canned treats locally at Red Apron and online through Burrow Shop by Buchipop and Pascale’s & Co.
Munkki Business
Eight years ago, a charming doughnut shop opened in a tiny shack along Wellington Street, launching the cult of SuzyQ. Doughnut fans devoured SuzyQ’s sugar munkkis by the dozen and talked up new-to-O-town doughnut flavours like maple bacon, Froot Loops, and Earl Grey. Today, owner Sue (Suzy Q) Hamer presides over a much larger artisanal doughnut shop and has expanded beyond doughnuts and into hand-made breakfast sandwiches, coffee, and the occasional spot of lunch. And still the crowds are clamoring for more, leading Hamer to craft a 2020 expansion plan — somewhat delayed by the pandemic — to allow SuzyQ to boost production and expand its menu offerings. The plan calls for three locations, each with its own vibe: The first, a 6,000-squarefoot east-end location (1721 St. Laurent Blvd.) opened this past summer and gives Hamer access to a commercial kitchen with the space to grow, while a second is housed in the former Café My House location in Hintonburg (1015 Wellington St. W.). At press time, there were ongoing plans for a third spot in Bells Corners (2015 Robertson Rd.), which will bring joy to SuzyQ’s west-end fan base.
Merch Madness
The holidays are looming and IRL shopping at a crowded mall is less appealing than ever. Take care of the foodies on your list by periodically picking up cool merch when you grab your takeout coffee or sandwich. Seems like every coffee shop and restaurant has been dropping fine gear this year, from hoodies to T-shirts and beanies to messenger bags. Check what your favourite stops have up for grabs. Some City Bites picks include hot pink toques from The Thirsty Maiden, Corner Store (operated by Corner Peach) totes designed by Doublenaut Design, and Ts from Farinella. For the craft brew fans, there are so many beer swag options — from the subtle coolness of the Spark or Flora Hall logo Ts to the zaniness of the Jail Break Hop T-shirt from Bicycle Craft Brewery to the guy’s-guy mood of a Kichesippi ball cap. Stop by online or in person to see what’s wearable at your loved ones’ favourite haunts.
QUICK BITES
• Feeling peckish in Almonte? We’re hearing good things about Luna Handpies and Cafe, which specializes in ready to eat or frozen to take home. Options include shepherd’s pie, breakfast, Mexican, and apple.
• No plans to travel to Portugal just yet? Get your pasteis de nata tart fix at Lusa Bakery, which opened this past summer in Hintonburg. • Give some love to the brave restaurant owners who launched neighbourhood eateries during the pandemic. Hearing great reviews for Yuzumi (sushi) in Westboro, Maroo Kitchen (Korean) in Centretown, and Thr33’s Co. Snack Bar (small plates) in the Glebe.
• Time to spill the tea on the newest bubble tea joint in the capital. The Alley, a Taiwanese chain, is targeting discerning tea drinkers with a high-end location on Sussex Drive. The key to their sweet success is handcrafted tapioca pearls, which are slow cooked in a brown sugar syrup till they’re soft and just the right kind of chewy.
• Holey deliciousness! The latest player in the gourmet doughnuts game is Kanata-based Holey Confections. Their claim to fame? The pastry-style 140-layer doughnut. Big sellers include the salted caramel glaze doughnut known as the Carmellow, and the Nova, dipped in a homemade maple glaze and topped with bacon.
• Butter tart connoisseurs will be thrilled to learn that Frank’s Catering and Baked Goods has opened a second location at Meadowlands and Fisher.
• Fizz whizzes Kichessippi have expanded beyond ales to market three classic sodas — root beer, ginger beer, and cream soda.