Méli-Mélo - July 2023

Conversation and Conservation
There are few activities that don’t pair well with a fresh pint, and one of the latest offerings from Dominion City Brewing Co. doesn’t just encourage folks to get outside, it also encourages them to spend some time thinking about their surroundings. The idea of the Dominion City Conservation Society concept came from outdoorsy co-workers, explains Josh McJannett, the brewery’s co-founder. “A lot of people we work with love being outside — from [hiking] to foraging — and beer often goes well with these activities.” This eco-enthusiasm prompted the Dominion City crew to begin a speaker series to bring people together “over a shared love of the outdoors and good beer.”

So far the brewery has hosted speakers on the importance of wetland ecosystems, freshwater fish habitats around Ottawa and rewilding home gardens. The taproom has been packed with “a neat crosssection of people,'' McJannett says. Fans of Dominion City beer, yes, but also folks who come primarily to engage on timely environmental issues. “The bartenders mentioned that it elevated small talk at the bar,” McJannett laughs, though he notes that there’s no prerequisite knowledge or experience required to join in. “It’s an invitation to learn something, and hopefully an invitation to get more engaged,” he says. The concept of the Conservation Society is still evolving; the brewery team plans to continue the speaker series the last Friday of every month and is hoping to move the gatherings outside of the taproom for shared experiences out- doors. Keep an eye on their Instagram feed for updates.

Dominion City Brewing Co.
5510 Canotek Rd., Unit 15, Ottawa
dominioncity.ca | @dominioncity

Waste Not
Food waste is an issue at every level of the supply chain, from retailers to restaurants and home kitchens, and it accounts for 10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Too Good To Go (TGTG) is an app that connects consumers to unsold food for a reduced price, as a way to reduce waste and mitigate its effects on the climate. Founded in Denmark in 2016, TGTG has expanded all over North America and launched in Ottawa in July 2022. By logging onto the app, shoppers can browse available “surprise bags” at any given time from participating businesses (the surprise element being due to the fact that offerings will change day to day, depending on what vendors have available.) “It’s a great mix of local indy spots, and larger chains participating in Ottawa,” says Sarah Soteroff, TGTG's public relations manager. “There are approximately 300 participating spots between Ottawa and Gatineau.” Leftover pizza from Farinella, groceries from Nu Grocery and donuts from Maverick’s are just a few examples of the variety of offerings on the app.

For the consumer, it’s an opportunity to purchase grocer- ies, meals and specialty food items at a reduced rate, while vendors can recoup costs on food and ingredients that would otherwise remain unsold. And ultimately, food is being diverted from the landfill. Soteroff is unsurprisingly an avid user of the app. For those new to shopping with TGTG, who may feel apprehensive about the “surprise” element, she recommends doing some quick online research to get a feel for a shop or restaurant’s offerings. “The moment you do your first pickup, you kind of lose the fear of doing it again,” she assures, noting that it’s a great way to supplement groceries, and the company’s social media accounts are full of tips and tricks for getting the most out of rescued food.

Too Good To Go — download the smartphone app
toogoodtogo.com | @toogoodtogo.can

Athlético Fries
Torta Boyz will be serving its popular asada fries at Atlético Ottawa’s home games this summer, so fans can take in some quality snacks along with the soccer. And if soccer isn’t your thing, catch the Torta Boyz popping up in the Byward Market with Big Belly Cocina (@bigbelly.ot) atleticoottawa.canpl.ca

International Capital
Travel without leaving the city by catching any number of festivals that are sure to feature mouth-watering cultural components. The Ottawa Lebanese Festival happens July 19 to 23. The Ottawa Greek Fest runs Aug. 11 to 13, Aug. 15 and Aug. 18 to 20 and Palestinian Festival takes place Aug. 25 to 27.

Vampires beware
Celebrate the “stinking rose” at the 24th Annual Perth Garlic Festival on Aug.12 and 13. perthgarlicfestival.ca

August is also garlic fest month at the Carp Farmers' Market, with every Saturday dedicated to the allium. carpfarmersmarket.ca

Pizza and Pints
Andrea Gormley and John Sproull intended to have their pizza oven installed soon after opening Spark Beer in January 2020. Then of course, the challenges of running a new business during pandemic shutdowns hit them and the pizza oven sat in a corner, “it’s kind of where we threw our coats for a while,” Gormley says with a rueful chuckle.

Eventually the stars aligned: The couple was able to get the oven installed in the fall of 2022, and by letting his barber know about their search for a pizza chef, Sproull was serendipitously connected with Johnny Mac, who has been at the helm of the pizza oven. While Gormley was very proud of the brewery’s snack offerings, she’s grateful that people are able to come and stay for a meal now that pizzas are on the menu. “It’s a laid back, casual kind of space,” Sproull adds, “the vibe is cool, and people are really digging the pizzas.”

Originally from New Brunswick, Sproull highlights the East Coast Garlic Cheese Fingers as a favourite (served with donair sauce, of course), while Gormley is partial to the garlic potato pie. No matter the pie (or the amount of garlic), they suggest Spark’s Italian Pilsner as a perfect summer pairing, especially when enjoyed on their back patio, affectionately referred to as the Sparking lot.

Spark Beer 
702 Somerset St. W., Ottawa
spark.beer | @spark.beer

Cheeky Whimsy, S'il Vous Plaît
“I’ve always had a romantic relationship with food,” Hind Mubarak muses, and it’s this romance that she hopes to share with guests at VIV Bistro, her new space on Preston Street. VIV stands for Vain in Versailles, a name she says is meant to convey creativity and whimsy.

This is Mubarak’s second venture; she also co-founded the Vanitea Room, which recently celebrated its seventh anniversary. While the Vanitea Room showcases a twist on the British concept of high tea, Mubarak is leaning into her love of French cuisine and style for VIV. Having just opened in late spring, the bistro is open for dinner, cocktails and wine to begin, with the goal of offering a lunchtime table d’hôte down the line. Though she is taking inspiration from classic French dining, Mubarak wants to offer an “affordable but luxurious approach” to dinner in Ottawa. “There’s going to be a lot of cheekiness, as well,” she promises.

VIV Bistro
424 Preston St., Ottawa
beviv.ca | @vaininversailles