Zola’s

We had the opportunity of having dinner twice at Zola’s during the month of November 2010.   Why twice?   After starting to follow Groupon, we had the privilege to buy two groupons from Zola’s.  
The first night, we had supper with my husband’s brother and his wife while our kids were at AWANA.   My kids had invited their two oldest kids to the club night and they got someone to babysit their younger child.

It was a good night.   Lots of people.   We were blessed to have a place to eat.   We hadn’t realized that reservations might be needed…

The second night, we went alone my husband and I and we had a bit more privacy.  We were able to have a good time while the kids had a blast at their club night.    It was good to connect and relax together.     There was music again but not as many people as our previous visit.   

The decor is very nice and the food is simply delicious.   You also get some mouth watering bread to begin with.  They make their own pasta there and it is simply out of this world.  Very different than the ordinary pasta  you have at home or other restaurants.  Both times, we tried something different and the food was fantastic.    They also have a special menu with different meals – the specialty of the day.   

The servers at both times were very nice.  We enjoyed our time at Zola’s. 

2011 marks their 25th year in business.   If you have never went to Zola’s I suggest that you give them a visit.   You will be impressed!


Zola’s Restaurant
194 Robertson Road
Nepean, ON  
(613) 721-0227

O’Connor’s Irish Pub

 

If you know where the Kanata AMC is located, you can’t miss the O’Connor’s Irish Pub as it is located directed next to it.  Apparently it is the Capital’s Favourite Irish Pub.   

On October 28th, 2010 my husband and I decided to go there with our Entertainment Book coupon while the kids where at their Awana night.    Gotta love have Thursday nights as a date!     *grin*

It wasn’t our first experience with O’Connors as we have been there before.    But that evening, we wanted to see if we could have a meal under 20$.  

So we picked some of the least expansive items on the menu.   Isabelle took an O’Connor’s Burger which was a 7 oz homemade burger topped with tomato, lettuce and red onion on a baked kaiser served with caesar salad with salad dressing on the side.  Rob decided to try the chicken strips which were ender all breast chicken fingers served with golden fries.

As usual we shared our meals so that both of us could try what the other has chosen.    I was a bit disappointed that the waiter has not brought the mustard and relish to garnish the burger.   Ketchup was on the table though.   Thank goodness!    We split our plates and ate fully.     I was in the mood for a good and tasty burger and I was not disappointed with it (even without mustard and relish!).  However my husband thought that a slice of cheese would have been good on it.    *grin*   What can I say – he loves cheese!    The chicken strips were very tender and delicious as well.   This meal is served with plum sauce only.    I think it would be better to offer more sauces like BBQ, Thai, Honey Garlic and so on.   

I also like the possibility of having the  salad dressing on the side.   The salad and the fries were good as well.   We had a great conversation throughout the meal.

However, I personally dislike the HUGE screen and the TVs all over the place.  I understand that it is a pub but honestly I would prefer that entertainment would stick to music and such.   At one point during the meal the sound level of the sport event that was going on went up and it bothered me a lot.   I mean it’s one thing to have the images flying around but to have the sound on top of it – major dislike for me…

We came out of this evening satisfied in our stomach but a bit disappointed as well.   I guess it was to be expected with the type of meal we chose.   After all, burgers and chicken strips can easily be made at home.  After we picked up the kids, they wanted to know what we had.   It’s a game for them in a way.  They want to know if we had fun.   We told them that it was pretty much ordinary but in the end we were able to dine for 17$ including tips.  

They also have a special titled DINNER & A MOVIE 7 days a week.   This special is priced as follow:  Adults 17.95$ and Kids 11,95$

 

 

O'CONNOR'S IRISH PUB
Kanata Centrum
650 Earl Grey Drive
Kanata, ON K2T 1H6
(613) 270-0367

Louisiannie’s Seafood and Cajun Cookin’

About the restaurant

“The Soul of Louisiana, In the heart of Stittsville"

Here at Louisiannie’s we don’t just make great food, but we also make an effort to incorporate some southern hospitality, imported from Louisiana, to share with everyone who comes through our door. We do not view people as customers, but rather as guests, and we aim to make our guests feel as comfortable as possible.
We open our doors to strangers, who leave as friends - and this is why we invite you to experience “The soul of Louisiana, in heart of Stittsville…”

Our Thoughts

We went to Louisiannie’s while our kids where at Awana on Thursday October 21st, 2010.   We had a coupon from the Entertainment book and decided to discover a new restaurant.
Fortunately, the restaurant was located about 12 minutes from where our kids were.    So it was an easy drive.
Located in the heart of Stittsville – the main street – the restaurant can be found in an old house.  The building was built in 1875 by one of the original settlers of the area.   From what we understand, the building has served as hotel, general store, post office and now as a restaurant.
That evening there were three couples in the restaurant.   Unfortunately, construction was happening in front of the restaurant.   But the Cajun music helped to forget about the construction and to enjoy the meal.
The decors is representing pictures from Louisiana and the Mardi Gras that goes on there.    It was interesting but I would have expected more Louisiana type of decor.  
Before we received our main meal, we got served a delicious garlic bread.   It literally melted in our mouth!   yum!
After a bit of wait, we received our plates.   Isabelle had Boogaloo Blackedned Chicken which was rated at a two hot pepper type of meal.   The chicken was served with mashed potatoes, vegetables and a corn muffin.  Rob had two Crab Cakes topped with a roasted red pepper and crawfish sauce which were served with linguin e a’li oli.  We shared each other’s meal to allow the other one to taste our own plate.   Both plates were delicious.   However, Rob found that an extra crab cake, more noodles and/or vegetables would have completed his plate.   I personally found the Blackened Chicken spicy but tasty nevertheless.   I highly recommend it.
Louisiannie’s is open Tuesdays to Fridays from 12pm to 11pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 4pm until 11 pm.  
You can find Louisiannie’s at 1518 Stittsville Main, Stittsville, ON.   

Tom Yam Good Thai Cuisine

About the Restaurant
Tom Yam Goong has enjoyed serving its fine Thai Cuisine to Ottawa residents and visitors. We offer an extensive variety of traditional dishes and specialties which are unique to our culture.

Our warm and inviting restaurant is perfect for a family dinner, business lunch or large gatherings of up to 40 people.

When you come to Tom Yam Goong, expect nothing but the best - outstanding service, warm hospitality and exceptional food.

Tom Yam Goong is conveniently located near the heart of Kanata's High-Tech community.
 
Our Thoughts
We decided to discover a new restaurant on Thursday, October 14th 2010 while our kids where at Awana.    This year is particularly special since our four kids are enjoying their evening at AWANA which means mom and dad can have a weekly date night.   We won’t be going out every week but for the remaining weeks of October we decided to use all the coupons we can from the Entertainment Book.

That evening, we were both craving Thai food.   So we decided to go to Tom Yam Goong.   The restaurant itself is not big.  Actually it was kind of cozy.  Only two couples were there that night…
 
Rob decided to take a Pad Thai.   It has been ages since he had some.  Pad Thai is a traditional dish made of rice noodle, stir fried eff, fresh bean sprout, crushed peanut, tofu, green onions, and homemade sauce with a choice of chicken, pork or beef.   Isabelle opted for a dish called Rama Thai.  This dish consist of stir fried chicken, beef or pork with vegetable and home made peanut sauce.   A bowl of rice was also ordered to complete this meal.

What we like about Thai food is that it is easy to share.   And we had no trouble at all to share our plates.    The Rama Thai was a little bit spicier than the Pad Thai.  Both were serve with chicken which is a favourite of us.    The food was scrumptious but it is easy for us to love Thai food.   The ambiance in the restaurant was nice and not too noisy.

When we paid, I think the owner came to ask us if we liked the food and told us to come back again.    I like it when you get the feeling that your patronage is appreciated.   We will go back there one of these days…   Can’t pass over yummy Thai food especially when the prices are reasonable.

Tom Wam Goong is located at 4055 Carling Avenue in Kanata.   The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner from Monday to Friday as well as dinner only on Saturday and Sunday.  Lunch hours are 11 am to 2 pm and dinner hours are 4:30pm to 9:30pm.

BlueWater Seafoods

Recently while I was on vacation I was contacted and offered to review some of the BlueWater Seafoods. I agreed as we like fish and was looking forward to discover the new products that they had.
So when I got back in town, I had an envelop waiting for me from BlueWater Seafoods. In it, there was free product coupons as well as two collapsible shopping bags.
The bags are quite interesting. They fold into themselves creating a small pouch that could easily be put into a purse, a diaper bag or a business bag. It will be handy when you go to a store that sells the plastic bags… Instantaneously you would have your own bag to carry whatever you have purchase.
BlueWater is located in Lachine, Quebec and has been in the business for over 50 years. Let me tell you that they know about seafood and they make sure that they have yummy meals for the family.
Whether you look for shrimp, solle, haddock, tilapia, or salmon, BlueWater Seafoods have a variety of products to tempt your palate and fill your tummy.
So I embarked on a shopping spree one afternoon and discover the variety of products that BlueWater offers in the freezer section of the grocery store.
Here’s the products I got: two bags of Multigrain Tilapia, one box of potato crunch fillets and one box of lemon herb.
The Multigrain Tilapia Fillets is a flaky, premium Tilapia fillets strike the perfect blend of oats, barley, and wheat to deliver a delicious crunchy texture that is not dry or bland. The result is a perfect combination of hearty grains and great taste. This is the one that I particularly like. The fish was very yummy and savory. It was melting on your tongue while you eat it. Also, you feel very full when you have finished supper because of the multigrain. My husband arrived late that night when I made the tilapia for supper and I almost grabbed his plate and ate his fish after I was done with mine. Me – who before couldn’t stand eating fish but over the last few years has expanded my palate to enjoy fish more! *grin*
The Potato Crunch fillets are flaky, whole white fish fillets, coated in a unique extra crunchy breadcrumb made with real potatoes! It has an irresistible potato chip flavor, with the perfect blend of fish and potato. I can’t wait to taste this one. Sounds delicious to me. I have heard of recipes of chicken and potato chips but it never occured to me to do the same with fish. Sounds very delicious to me! I’m sure my kids will love this a lot.
Finally, the lemon herb fillets are thick, flaky, white fillets, dipped in the perfect batter, and blended with a special blend of herbs and real lemon. We had this flavor before and enjoyed it a lot. Served with rice, thai sauce and vegetables, it will make a hit on your table.