Every once in a
while, I write up a business that offers a lot more to the consumer.It
might be about warmth and friendship, or quality products, or perhaps
the aware heritage thinking that shines from a business decor.
Whatever- I want to clearly state that this is not a commercial venture
of mine, it is meant to inspire other businesses.
The bottom line is toward better health for the whole community, and -
why can't I just be blogging for friends and like-minded people, huh?.
If you
meet more happy press people a' chillin around Ottawa, you might see
that one of the reasons for this is the wonderful enterprise very close
by to The Ottawa Citizen on Baxter Road. (That's the local newspaper)
Yesterday my husband and I went to Milestones, a lovely casual
restaurant refined by clear and very clean interior/exterior design,
beautiful chandeliers, and absolutely brilliant cooking.
We went to one of the two restaurants situated in Ottawa; ours was at
1080 Baxter Road.
The reason I am writing about Milestones
Restaurant is that finally, finally, I have found a place
where I can enjoy thrilling vegan meals, while not having to be
overwhelmed by my husbands' order of chicken, or meat fumes from the
kitchen, either.
Link to Milestones
Grill and Bar for their full menu and personal web
statement.
I am including my menu for the evening, since I was able to mix and
match a humble veggie burger into one of the best evenings I've enjoyed
in a long time.
A fire-grilled patty served on a toasted sesame seed bun. Complete with crisp lettuce, sliced tomato, onion, pickle, and your choice of inspired burger toppings.
1.Californian Burger - Spicy house-made avocado salsa,
tomato, double-smoked bacon ,br>
2. Four Cheese - Cheddar, partially skimmed mozzarella, goat
cheese, feta, roasted garlic, cognac pepper
3. American - Double-smoked bacon, sharp cheddar
I asked the waitress (very nice and courteous) to
exclude the bun. The burgers come with curly fries, salad, and other
lovely sides. I said "Fries, please, but I'll add the baby greens stir
fry with sesame seeds (a side dish) and also the champignons (French
for mushrooms) with Portebello mushies in red wine (also a side dish).
My husband said, "I just ordered half a chicken, with garlic mashed
potatoes".
When our orders arrived, we had been sitting in the beautiful clean
outdoor court-garden of the restaurant, where we could smoke in peace.
Our coffees had arrived immediately, after large tumblers of iced water
had been given to us. Our serviettes were white linen.
The plates are
Japanese modern, and the food plenteous.
When I first tasted my Veggie Burger, I was astonished- gone was any
cardboardy taste that soy often has, and, instead, garlic undertones
with the extreme of four cheeses topping the burger just burst with
tastiness. I had never tasted cognac pepper before. The curly fries
were exquisite, and did not cause any indigestion. They came with a
Louisiana-style hot sauce which made my meal even more unique. I had
added baby greens, and I was served really well- made bok choy, with
spinach and white sesame seed, also flavourful and very fresh.
The mushrooms were simmered in burgundy with a non- meaty sauce.
Together the platter I had created just rocked- it was as good as any
gourmet entree I've ever had the good fortune to find.
I am reminded of French cuisine for richness, the type
of entree one purchased for $30.00 a plate way back in the sixties in
Torontos' ---.
But along with that elegance- the taste sensations were so pure and
well-balanced- what was it, the combination of european with eastern
savour, or the uniqueness of the type of ingredients that had so
thoughtfully gone into the meals' construction?
Whatever it was, I raved all the way through the meal- the sunlight was
perfect, as were the milestone rocks chosen for natural landscaping
just outside the glass fenced court. I loved the Warhol style repeats
of differently coloured lips.
A total of four people came to serve us. Service was almost immediate,
although tremendously fresh.
I tasted Brents' garlic mashed- yummy! and he also gave me half of his
corn muffin. Even that had
been baked to perfection with a minute limn of something like fresh
green chili pepper juice on the bottom of the muffin shaped corn bread.
Mmmm!
When the dessert menu
came we were too full, but you should see the quality of the dessert
choices! I had my eye on the butter toffee in Scotch, topped with dark
chocolate cream, but I screeched on the willpower and quietly mentioned
the idea of coming back..
We were both pretty happy to be there- the exterior was made with some
imagination and the interior was not too cluttered. High standards in
maintenance and in food choices very obviously have filled the bill for
a more sophisticated diner.
Anyway, whether you like high quality vegetarian food or regular, try
combining things your way- I was pleased to suggest the whole platter to the chef, as an actual
entree, through mentioning this idea to the waitress.
She had told me she had just tried the greens and that they were
"Awesome"!
I made up my mind- I will always recommend
restaurants that try hard, because for a vegan like myself, so many of
them serve boringly meat- oriented fast-food. I'm sick of getting the
garden salad and a baked potato, because that's all that is actually
vegetarian - come on!!
Together, the tastes and ambience, good services and meditative
interest (and floral boxes on the fences) gave us an elegant and
interesting evening.
I say thanks for having compassion on we people to Milestones, and no,
this is not a paid advertisement.
I just write up businesses that care, because care is good for your
health!!
Cheers!...Sue.
copyright Sue Risk Northdays Image 2004 - 2009