Canadian Blog Awards 2008 - The Results

Maple Syrup and Poutine had a great showing at the Canadian Blog Awards this year. Once again I placed 4th in the Activities Blog section. Thank you so much to all that voted. Yarn Harlot won by a landslide (She had 91% of the total votes), mind you I wasn't to far behind the 2nd and 3rd place winners (only 1% separated me from second place). Congrats to the only other food blog in the running, WindsorEats.

I am very proud of this blog and thank all of my supporters!

~ Danielle

Two More Windsor Restos

Avanti - I think my in-laws have determined that this is "their place". At the moment, anyhow. This small Italian eatery has amazingly friendly and personal service, as well as a great menu. Windsor Eats has written an article about the restaurant and their new menu.

Smoke and Spice - This is the new venture of Ryan Odette, formerly of Mamo (one of my favourite places in Windsor). Hubby and I went in on a Saturday about 10 days after opening and were happy to see that the place was hopping. We wondered how the menu would be since it was in such contrast to the former bistro dishes at Mamo. We were mildy disappointed. Funnily enough, about 6 of our friends had been there that same week and felt the same way. We did compare them to Slows in Detroit and Dinosaur BBQ in New York, lofty goals but that was where our experiences laid. Here's how we felt things played out.

Things that were good: the barbeque sauces, the baby back ribs, the onion rings, the atmosphere, the pecan pie, the service, the chili, waffle fries.

Things that were great: the bbq beans

Things that could be worked on: the pulled pork (very dry!), pork spareribs (super salty), lack of Steamwhistle (keg was empty by 7 pm on Saturday?), the mac and cheese (too watery)

This does not mean that we won't be back. I am willing to give this place quite a few more chances because I believe in Ryan Odette and his team and know that they have the skill to improve.

Mamo Bistro - Windsor. Ontario

Mamo Bistro, an adorable resto right here in Windsor, is closing its doors on Aug. 23, 2008. The intimate eatery is located in the area where I grew up and has been serving fantastic fare for almost four years.

Lucky for Windsor consumers they will be re-opening with a new style of cuisine at the old locale of Bin 151 on Ottawa Street.




For more details about this change, please read the article on Windsor Eats.

(Added Aug. 18, 2008)

Lucky for my husband and I, we will be able to enjoy the culinary concoctions of Ryan Odette twice before he closes. On Aug. 16, we celebrated my mother-in-law's birthday there, and will be heading back next Saturday to celebrate mine.

Grilled Quail with Tuscan Bread Salad

Berkshire Pork Tenderloin with Cherries, Sweet Potato and Collard Greens

Let the Battle Begin!

I don't usually believe in fighting to solve a problem, but when it comes to deciding who has created the best hors d'ouvre in Windsor/Essex County; I'm more than happy to participate. On
May 2, 2008 I fulfilled my duties as judge for the Battle of the Hors D'ouvres for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Windsor and Essex County. Please peruse my article on the Food Network Blog for more details.

Pina Ciotoli (a fellow judge and food blogger) wrote this report about her experience.

Where to Eat?

A local blog recently did a poll of Windsor residents asking them whether they would prefer to support locally owned restaurants as opposed to national chains. The results were horrifying, with less than 30% choosing local eateries! I have great difficulty trying to understand why anyone would choose McDonalds or Applebees over a resto that supports the local economy and is more likely to have food grown in our region.

Windsor has a great number of restaurants that cover a variety of cooking styles and ethnic backgrounds. Many of these places offer dishes of very high quality that reflect the care and interest of the chefs that created them. To choose a place that is likely to serve something that has been formulated from a picture in a manual and created from premade patties or powdered sauces is not something I could do.

Here are some restaurants I have discussed in my blog and would recommend.

Taloola

Mimi Gardens

Windsor Palace and El Mayor

Marathon

Erleichda

Anywhere that serves Pizza



As well as a list of some of my favourite places.

Go out and support your local restaurants too!

Battle of the Hors D’oeuvres for Big Brothers/Big Sisters

Windsor, ON - Canadian celebrity chef and cookbook author, Christine Cushing, will lead the critics’ panel at the 22nd Annual Battle of the Hors D’oeuvres on Friday, May 2, 2008. For the past two decades, local chefs have competed for the title of best hors d’oeuvre. This year’s competition will be enhanced by an all-new “Critics’ Choice Award” as well as the fan-favourite “People’s Choice Award”.

“We are incredibly excited to have Christine Cushing, one of Canada’s most distinguished chefs, join us to help determine Windsor & Essex County’s best hors d’oeuvre,” says Mary Vincente, committee chair. “However, celebrities won’t be the only judges; guests will be asked to vote for the People’s Choice award. It will be interesting to see if guests have the same palate as our critics’ panel.”

Besides Christine Cushing, the critics’ panel includes:

· Ted Whipp, food writer and blogger, Windsor Star
· Mike Deibert, editor of Ontario Restaurant News
· Ahron Goldman, president, Culinary Guild of Windsor
· Pina Ciotoli, food blogger, Windsor Eats
· Danielle Piche, food blogger, Maple Syrup and Poutine

· James Treadwell, sommelier and owner, Treadwell Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Guests can mingle with all of the celebrity judges during the wine tasting and food sampling reception that kicks off the evening. After the reception, the food competition begins and guests will be treated to 10 hors d’oeuvre-style courses created by local chefs, a dessert extravaganza, a diamond raffle, a silent auction and the sounds of the Detroit Pistons’ house band, the Sun Messengers.

The 22nd Annual Battle of the Hors D’oeuvres is a food competition fundraiser where all the proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters Windsor Essex. The 2008 event would not be possible without generous sponsorship from Flood Chiropractic, Sutts, Strosberg, LLP, Unique Tool & Gauge, Valiant Machine, AM800, The A-Channel and The Windsor Star.

Tickets are $100 or $900 for a table of ten. Tickets are available by phone at (519) 945-6232 ext. 13 or ticket order forms may be downloaded from http://www.bigbrothersbigsisterswe.ca/

Local Recognition!

The Windsor Star, my local newspaper, has published an article about a number of blogs from our city that have been recognised by the recent Canadian Blog Awards. I am excited to see that Maple Syrup & Poutine received a mention as well as our fellow Windsor food blogger - Windsor Eats.

Recipe Reviews

Lemon Cupcakes with Bitters, Sorrel and Meringue - Cupcake Blog

Making mouthwatering meatballs - Toronto Star

Mmmmm...brussels sprouts - Toronto Star

Making steak - without a recipe - Chow

Nutella French Toast - Windsor Eats

Food in the News

Why do so few women run kitchens in prominent restaurants? - New York Magazine

How to order wine - Seattle Times

New Windsor bakery - Cakes By Renee! - Windsor Eats

How do you feel about loud noise in restaurants? - Blogelicious (Windsor Star)

Comparing frozen french fries...- Boston Globe

Restaurant Review - Marathon, Windsor ON.

Windsor has a diverse community and it is represented in its restaurants. Though our community is a bit big box and pub food happy, the level of restaurants owned by local residents is usually first-rate.

One of my favourite restaurants in Windsor is Marathon Ethiopian restaurant which is located in the downtown core. Unfortunately when I mention this to people I often get a few inappropriate comments or jokes. Too bad for them that they choose not to experience the robust spices and warm atmosphere that are incorporated into the experience when dining at Marathon.

Right now I am stuck on their Vegetarian Platter with Injera. My favourites are the Aziffa (lentils with onion, chilies, olive oil and lemon) or the At Ket Wat (carrot and potatoes roasted with turmeric).

Windsor Eats recently posted a great review that further details all the hard work that goes into preparing these dishes and running the restaurant.

Check Me Out!

You will now be able to find my writing on the Food Network Canada Blog as well as on the website Windsor Eats.

Let me know what you think!