I am proud and grateful to be a part of Food Bloggers Canada as a Regional Ambassador representing Manitoba and Saskatchewan. In 2013 I attended their first conference and last year I was unable to do so as it was my youngest daughter’s wedding day. I was very fortunate with the dates this year. I had just returned from Tuscany and New York two days prior and after enjoying a couple of lovely days at home, I repacked and jetted off again. I added a couple of days prior and post-conference for a variety of reasons and as I write this, it is the Tuesday morning after the conference and my 5th day in Montreal.

I speculate that there will be other conference recaps written that will detail the wisdom disseminated by the presenters. I intend to write about, what I always write about, the people I met and how we bonded over food.

Arriving on Thursday afternoon with fellow Manitoban Ashley Fehr, The Recipe Rebel, we checked in and headed up the street to Old Montreal to have a nibble to tide us over until the evening.

A silky bowl of carrot soup and a thirst-quenching local Griffon Blond at Le Bistro Du Magasin did the trick as we got to know each other a wee bit. We had previously me but only briefly in the middle of a Manitoba cabbage patch. Le Bistro is a cozy spot attached to a fabulous gift shop.

That evening Montreal blogger Evelyne of Cheap Ethnic Eatz organised a group dinner at BEVO Bar + Pizzeria, within walking distance of the hotel. Even on the walk over, friendships were being forged. Kimberlie aka The Finer Cookie sat kitty corner from me and as soon as we made eye contact, I knew that we would become fast friends and so we did. Also present were my roomie Charmian Christie, The Messy Baker, Marlene Cornell, of Urban Cottage Life and Joann Blondin of Joann Blondin. Little did I know that evening that these fine ladies and I would become new friends.

An overflowing plate of charcuterie and marinated vegetables not only sustained me that evening but also provided my Monday lunch. BEVO was very accommodating of our large group and I understood that their fennel, orange, pecan salad was a huge hit.

The next morning I found my way to Maison Charles Faure, a patisserie that I discovered when I visited Montreal in July of this year. A really tough decision was made between the almond croissants and the chocolate one that I ordered. When my fork penetrated the crispy/ flaky exterior the air swooshed out and deflated the pastry like a flat tire. The internal texture was soft and chewy. As I sat with my cafe latte in the beautiful sleek white shop, I watched the neighbours as they nipped in for their croissants to go.

Thanks to Marsha Knapp of You Gotta Eat This for the her copy of the photo and permission to post it.

I attended Andrew Scrivani’s photography workshop to learn to explore the capitalization of natural light and about how props can assist you in the telling of you tale.

Of course we all took photos of the working lunch of wraps that was served.

That evening we assembled for a networking cocktail party with a variety of sponsors displaying their products. Eggs, molasses, mushrooms and lentils put out delicious fare including a devilled egg with the twist of crispy bacon, marinated beef skewers, falafel, romesco & Havarti bites, beetroot & lentil bruschetta and mushroom crostinis. I could have just eaten these fabulous treats for supper.

Running out of space for these musings, so see tomorrow for part two.

Kath’s quote: “What draws people to be friends is that they see the same truth. They share it.”-C.S. Lewis

Live simply, laugh often, love deeply.

Dim Sum Garden was not the first Winnipeg place I had ever tasted the Chinese “snack” of dim sum. That momentous occasion was at the Hong Kong Snack House, many years ago with a good old friend, appropriately from Hong Kong. But the “Garden” in all of its manifestations, first on Rupert Ave. and now on King St. has been the restaurant that I have frequented most often when I get a hankering for these delectable morsels. Dim Sum is an integral part of Chinese cuisine, closely associated with the tradition of yum cha, or “taking tea”. Since I have always been a fan of savoury over sweetness, this custom sure makes sense to me.

Having said this, I had never visited the second Dim Sum Garden located at 2677 Pembina Hwy. Based on the multi-page menu that I thumbed through while my to-go order was being prepared, this busy place offers more than snacks for tea. When I arrived the place was full of an even split between Asians and Caucasians but by the time I departed with my order, I was definitely in the minority. I understand that this is a sure fire way to evaluate authenticity.

The order did take the kitchen a lengthy time to prepare but this is because their dim sum is made to order and not delivered by the customary carts. One of my selections did not “hold” terribly well on my lengthy drive home, but all the items were still pleasantly warm, which is the temperature that I deem perfect for dim sum consumption.

The circular pork and chive dumplings had been steamed and then quickly placed on the grill. Even though there was not a container of the pink vinegar that I enjoy with these, white vinegar was an adequate, if not quite so pretty accompaniment. I also appreciate how the many chives peeked through the transparent wrapper.

Eggplant stuffed with shrimp was deeply satisfying. The meaty, white flesh of Chinese eggplant offset the enormous shrimp. A pleasantly salty, translucent black bean sauce was drizzled over top.

Chinese perogies are typically the only deep-fried dim sum item that I indulge in. The sweetness in the dough is a surprise when stuffed with a ground meat in a gravy-like sauce. Kind of like eating a jam buster stuffed with meat. Don’t knock it until you try it! This was the item that got a bit soggy by the time I sat down to my affordable lunch.

Service is friendly and pleasant. Any communication difficulties were on my part, not theirs. If you want authentic, this is par for the course.

Kath’s quote: “Talk doesn’t cook rice.” Chinese Proverb

Live simply, laugh often, love deeply.

We all our have favourite views from Isla Mujeres. I personally love the crashing waves on the Caribbean side, but my first stay on Isla, many years ago now, was within walking distance of Casa de los Suenos and I love to return there to eat up the view and recently (I am happy to say), the food!

These were the chicken nachos that we ordered when we stopped for a snack on what we call “golf cart day”.  They were nothing short of sensational; in fact the best chicken nachos that the four of us had eaten anytime, any where!

Just in case you needed another perspective on the nachos…..

V & D selected the cheese and bean barritos which were pretty darned good, but the nachos….did I mention we loved the nachos?!

I have never had a full meal at this restaurant. Chime in if you have. We typically go after snorkelling at Garrafon or for Happy Hour but based on this recent experience, we cant wait to go again when next on the island.

Kath’s quote: I have a chip on my shoulder. It’s a nacho, not a sense of bitterness.” ― Jarod Kintz

Live simply, laugh often, love deeply.

After loving our dinner the evening before with friends Jan and Bruce, I was right back at Bahama Mama’s to introduce it to V and D. The guys joined us once they had finished their tennis match as the courts were in the vicinity. We are all food lovers but even more so when every breakfast offering has a five buck cost. D and I each selected potato omelets. We love fluffy egg cakes filled with potatoes at one particular restaurant back home and we sometimes try to find a place that replicates the taste  when we travel.

V selected the Mushroom omelet and was well pleased.

Don chose the pancakes and fruit.

We all loved the cheery ambience of the family owned restaurant.

The husband and wife team are passionate about their food, including the fresh ingredients, the preparation techniques and the final picture on the plate.

So much time has past since they shared their story with us but I think that at least one of them is originally from Isla, the other from Cuba and one or both have spent time in the Bahamas, hence the name. We had a hunch that it was not our last visit and that proved to be true.

Kath’s quote: “Hand go, hand come.” interpreted as: As you give, so shall you receive. -Bahamian saying

Live simply, laugh often, love deeply.

Do you watch those cooking contest TV shows? Have you always wanted to taste the fare from the time-pressured but inventive Chefs? Chef Heather Porteous of the Boulevard Pub and Bistro in Charleswood is one such Chef. She competed on Chopped Canada earlier this year. I won’t spoil the results if you have not yet seen the episode.

The thing that I was immediately struck by when I entered the bustling place at lunch time was that all her patrons seemed so happy to be there. I even heard them commenting that it was so lovely that Heather opened in the Charleswood neighbourhood.

My lunch date was a friend who was once hired by Heather to work at her first job at the Chicken Chef in Elie, Manitoba. She decided on the Pad Thai salad with its crunchy rendition of red cabbage, bean sprouts, rice noodles and organic greens. Both our salads were accompanied by huge pieces of grilled garlic toast. But just for good measure, we also ordered the Kettle Chips which came with no less than three sauces: onion & garlic, roasted red pepper and bacon & chive.

My mouth still waters when I recall my selection. The Rustic Italian Salad was a hearty concoction of crispy prosciutto, candied cashews, caramelized pears and apples and toasted quinoa. The salty feta adorning the top enhanced the sweet/salty tastes that I am a huge fan of.

At present meals are being served up in the lounge as they have experienced damage from a water leak in the dining room. This was in no way a hardship as we were sat at a huge half moon booth which was spacious and cozy at the same time. Our server could not possibly been any nicer and our food came impossibly quickly out of the busy kitchen.

Kath’s quote: “Winslow bounced over on the balls of his feet, clearly not experiencing any sort of crash. ‘Aren’t your guys nervous? I’m nervous as all hell.’
‘There’s nothing to be nervous about,’ Beck said, joining them. ‘Nerves are only useful when they can spur you on to work harder, faster, better. Once the work is done, they become pointless.”  ― Louisa Edwards

Live simply, laugh often, love deeply.