Meat pies. Yum.

David Kawai is a very talented photographer living and working in the capital. If you’re looking for the best pho in Ottawa – he is the guy to ask, and apparently he is a bit of a meat pie expert as well…

The neon sign in the window says, “EAT FOR 1.25.” In truth, as far as I can tell, the cheapest pie on the menu is $1.50, and you’ll probably need at least two for anything more than a snack.

Actually, more like EAT FOR $1.75, but still great value.

Also be warned, Aladdin Bakery and Convenience accepts only cash.

But, at around $4 for my regular order of one meat pie (with lemon and spice, always) and one spinach with cheese pie, you might not need more than pocket change.

There are two Aladdin Bakery locations: one is at 1020 St. Laurent Boulevard, and the other (my favourite and regular stop-in) is at 1801 Carling Avenue, a block east of Maitland Ave. across from the Pizza Pizza. Even with its obscure location, the lineups in the store and the traffic jams in the tiny parking lot are testament to the popularity, quality and value of the food.

Plus I’m telling you right now, it’s good!

Meat pies are moved closer to the flame of the oven. The dough and fillings are made in house!

Trust me, those who know about this place—and there are many—come back for more. And those who don’t yet know—there are also many—will thank me to pointing this place out.

Lots of choice. All are delicious.

If you’re looking for an authentic Lebanese taste, try the Zaatar pie. It’s cheap, simple and has no meat, but don’t judge it poorly by these qualities. There’s a reason the old regulars order this one again and again, and they don’t order it in English either. And a heads up—they pronounce it ‘zah-ter.’ Once you bite into the soft dough, and the blend of herbs, sesame seeds, salt and spices hits your tongue, you might just crave it every day.

Plain meat pies in the window. Large orders are common for take away, but they still manage to keep the line moving quickly!

Oh, and avoid going during the lunch hours of the adjacent Notre Dame High School unless you want to wait in line, all the while contemplating the mundane gossip teenagers so loudly discuss in public lineups. But personally, I find it quite entertaining.

Inside the spinach and cheese pie, from the Carling Street location.

Inside the meat pie.

Inside the Zaatar pie.

At the very least, get there before 6:30 p.m. to be sure they are open and still have a good variety of pies available!

Do you have a favourite spot in Ottawa you want to tell us about? Send us a note!

Here comes Santa Claus…

I’m happy to say I wasn’t the only one who braved the cold (and wind!) at last night’s 41st Annual Help Santa Toy Parade – though I didn’t get nearly as close to the fun as the lovely and talented David Kawai did. I was busy working at the parade, but luckily, David took some pretty fantastic photos that he has posted up on his own personal blog – have a look!

Each year the parade collects toys and donations for Ottawa kids, and according to the Ottawa Citizen, organizers estimated about 110,000 people lined the streets for the event.

I’ve always considered the parade to be the city’s unofficial kick-off to the holiday season. My favourite part was the squealing that came from the crowds when everyone thought big chunks of Walt Disney fairytale snow was falling from the sky.

It turned out it was a snow machine, but hey – it was still a pretty great moment.

Were you at this year’s Santa Claus parade? What did you think?

Anyone for pho?

David Kawai is a very talented photographer living and working in the capital. If you’re looking for the best pho in Ottawa – he is the guy to ask.

Looking for the best pho in Ottawa? Check out these two restaurants in Chinatown.

It must be five years now since my obsession with pho began. I blame my brother and father, both closet foodies with huge appreciation for authenticity, and also my travels in Vietnam—where most of my uncertainties about pho were put to rest, including the correct pronunciation of the name…

Think: do re mi fa…faw…faugh… close enough…

Nobody likes to be told how to make, eat, or say the name of their food, but just in case you didn’t know where to get the best pho in Ottawa (I promise, I’ve been looking for a while), go to Somerset St. W and Lebreton St. N., just a block east of Booth St. in Chinatown.

On the north side of the road, you’ll see the restaurants side by side: Pho Thu Do and NEW Pho bo ga LA (though, take note: Pho Thu Do, ultimately my favourite, will be moving literally a couple doors west at the end of December).

Getting to the point, the broth at Pho Thu Do is nothing short of amazing. For this reason, I mix in all the raw ingredients provided, comsume a third of the serving, then gradually pour in some hot and/or hoisin sauce as I begin to crave more spice and heat. I can never leave without leaving the bowl empty.

Pho Thu Do. Number 8 if you eat beef.

NEW Pho bo ga LA has a tasty broth, but compared to next door, you might notice something missing. The taste is not as deep or complex. And so, I mix everything in, including sauces, from the very beginning. But give credit to New Pho bo ga LA for using red chillies, which is the only type I saw used in the homeland…

NEW Pho bo ga LA Happy Hour menu. Request it if you want it. Sometimes they will give you the regular menu, which is also great.

While I prefer to order more traditional and simple ingredient soups from Pho Thu Do —I recommend #8 if you eat beef,— New Pho bo ga LA offers a good many options on their specials menu, including a spicy tomato-y soup, and a “Hue” special soup, both of which are great. But you won’t find it on their Happy Hour menu, which you can only get between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Pho Thu Do. Ingredients for 4. Always fresher than most places.

NEW Pho bo ga LA. Red chillies! Bonus points!

Pho Thu Do. After mixing. I’m hungry.

NEW Pho bo ga LA. After mixing. Value makes me hungry. Five bucks (plus tax)!

The late Happy Hours deal at NEW Pho bo ga LA is probably the biggest pull of the restaurant for me. And, although the portions are significantly smaller (you get a bit less than a small portion), it’s probably not healthy to eat too much so late anyhow… possibly after the bar, or maybe Bluesfest, as it so happened with me this past summer. Also worth noting is how the West has taken pho, normally served in a small bowl for breakfast and turned it into a gigantic communal dish sized portion for dinner.

Hey, I’m not complaining.

Pho Thu Do. My review.

NEW Pho bo ga LA. My review. Bill for two. Can’t beat that.

 

Do you have a favourite spot for pho or another restaurant you’d like featured on LTOttawa? Send us a note.

 

Remembrance Day 2010

Photo by David Kawai: http://www.davidkawaiphoto.com

When I was a kid, I’m not sure I truly understood the gravity of Remembrance Day.

I remember going to my small town’s cenotaph each year, singing In Flanders Fields with the school choir, writing poems and drawing pictures. I knew that I was always to call my Grandparents, there would be a poppy for my coat, a trumpet, and a moment of silence that for reasons I couldn’t quite put my finger on always left me feeling shaken.

Things are so much different now – especially because I live in Ottawa. In Canada’s Capital, we have one of the most moving Remembrance Day ceremonies that I (and I hear many) have ever witnessed.

Thousands of people lined the streets around the National War Memorial today, and what struck me the most were not the poppies, the trumpet, the 21 gun salute, jets overhead or the incredible two minutes of sweeping silence (I didn’t even hear a phone ring). It was this guy who stood beside me, while I waited for my dear friends at the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa to march past. For 10 minutes he clapped and he shouted ‘thank you’ to every single group.

I spoke to a few soldiers that afternoon, and one mentioned to me that he felt that the audience seemed really engaged in the ceremony this year. Maybe what’s going on in Afghanistan has communicated to a whole new generation what Remembrance Day represents, I don’t know.

One thing I can say for sure though, is that nothing compares to 11/11 in Ottawa. How did you spend this Remembrance Day this year?

Big thanks to David Kawaifor stopping by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and snapping this post’s photo. Also, take a minute to check out the Ottawa Citizen’s “Readers Remember” photo series.