Restaurants in Ottawa - L'Oree Du Bois

So my overall impression is fine. The place looks cosy and inviting.

The starter I tried was salmon and scallops with a chive and beet mayonnaise. Unfortunately the salmon was so old that it was brown (so must have been in the fridge too long and not freshly prepared), which was a little disappointing.

The main I had a chicken stuffed with shrimps that had a delicious port wine sauce. I would say this is a very classical french restaurant that uses a lot of butter and cream. They are able to adapt to a few changes if you have special dietary requirements.

The 3 sorbets (raspberry, mango and lemongrass) taste refreshing and are a nice finish to a heavy main dish.

15, chemin Kingsmere
Chelsea (Québec)

Tel 819.827.0332

www.oreeduboisrestaurant.com

Restaurants in Ottawa - Nokham Thai Restaurant (recommendable)

After trying many Thai restaurants - this is my favourite.

The starters: chicken satay, Nokham spring rolls were all very taste. An especially flavourful dish was the Pad Ped Nor Mai which is served in a pineapple. The Gaeng Caree Gai is one of my favourite dishes (yellow curry with coconut milk and potatoes), however, I believe that the Pad Ped Nor Mai has much more complexity. I also like the egg that they mix into the sauce.

The main dishes cost around $13 which is a reasonable price for what it is. The only thing is that the restaurant is not located close to the centre and therefore you need a car/taxi.

Nokham Thai Restaurant

747 Richmond Road

Ottawa, ON K2A0G6

Tel. 613-724-6620

Restaurants in Chicago - JAM (recommendable)

Jam is a restaurant in west Town (near Wicker Park), where the chef was originally a chef at Charlie Trotter's.

Main dishes are around $17. I tried seared fish with green beans and caramelized onions. They also know their ingredients and take a lot of care with the presentation of the dishes. The fennel soup may not be so exciting, but we thought it might have been a palette cleanser. A way of introducing the delicious dishes that follow.

The tasting menu was $37:

-Fennel soup

-Foie Gras Tortellini

-Ono (which is a fleshy fish)

-Roasted pork with finely chopped olives and figs

-Mini donuts which get dipped into a chocolate mousse

937 North Damen Avenue
Chicago, IL 60622-4949
(773) 489-0302

www.jamrestaurant.com

Restaurants in Chicago - Belly Shack (recommendable)

This will be one of my personal favourites! This great restaurant is conveniently located right underneath the train tracks of Western Station (Humboldt Park).

The restaurant's chef is Korean and has created amazing food combinations. I am not a big fan of pork, perhaps I eat pork 2 or 3 times a year. But if you can, go on a Wednesday. They have a special - Lola's Lechon which is marinated roast pork with an asian accent! Simply outstanding. The Korean BBQ Koki is also amazing!

Prices are very reasonable for the great flavours one gets. The BBQ Kogi costs $10 and the Lola's Lecon was $12. It is an informal place. One orders and pays the food at the counter, but they do bring your food to the table. It is casual-gourmet!

1912 N. Western Ave

Chicago, IL 60647

www.bellyshack.com

Bar Chicago - California Clipper (not recommendable)

The California Clipper in Chicago has a very strict policy regarding ID's. They did not even accept a Canadian driver's license. I would definitely not recommend it if you are going there in a large group. The likelihood that they will reject one person out of the group is very high. Even if the manager is around it does not help because he is completely inflexible.

I would recommend going to the Weegee Bar in Humboldt Park instead. They are more relaxed and have a great list of liquors. As well as lovely light jazz music (Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong).

Restaurants Austria - Pedro's

Pedro's is a family-run business in Lower Austria. Pedro's is a restaurant with delicious dishes that are presented in a classic style.

A speciality of Pedro's is his starter trolley with different fish dishes, a beef salad (from Tafelspitz), egg salad with asparagus and many other interesting starters.

The main dishes change according to season. All dishes are always presented very appetising and service is always very attentive.

With starters, a main and a desert one spends around 60 Euros per person.

Pedro's Restaurant

Dörfl 19

3072 Kasten

Tel. +43 2744 7387

www.pedros.at

Restaurants New York - Wallse

This is an Austrian Restaurant with very good service. Most waiters speak German and if you talk to them you find out that they are all trying some business venture in NYC.

I tried the Halibut ($34) which had a delicious parsley sauce around it. The flavours were not complex, but the dish looked aesthetically pleasing and was tasty.

It is a tiny bit on the expensive side for what it is, but worth it.

Restaurants New York - SEA

This is an extremely cheap Thai Restaurant in the middle of the Meatpacking district.

I had a pad thai which tasted ok.

Most main dishes were $10 which is very cheap for this area.

SEA

835 Washington

New York

NY 10014

Tel. 212 243 3339

www.seathainyc.com

Restaurants New York - Le Pain Quotidien

The good old Le Pain Quotidien in Grand Street. This is a great place for breakfast and small snacks. They even have one or two vegan options which is great if you are lactose intolerant. It is similar to the Le Pain Quotidien in London where people sit on big communal wooden tables.

I had a tartine with black beans which was good $8.55 and a bread roll $0.75. I think it is a good option if you want to have a picnic snack.

Restaurants New York - Cucina & Co

This is a self-service place in the Rockefeller Plaza. The food is not too bad if you want something quick and your in the area.

I tried some asian chicken with rice. I thought it was great that they offered the choice of brown rice. The price is ok value for money $10.62.

Restaurants New York - Quickly

This fast food place is in the heart of New York's Chinatown.

It is great, quick, comfort food. The idea is taken from the Japanese Shabu Shabu. You chose some meat, seafood and vegetables and cook them in a pot on the table (similar to meat fondu).

Dishes vary from $12.95 (2 choices of meat) to $16.95 for seafood.

237B Grand Street

New York, NY10002

www.quicklyny.com

Restaurants New York - Chai Home Kitchen

I have not been to Brooklyn for a long time. It is a great vibrant part of New York with lots of bars and restaurants.

We tried the crispy duck rolls $4, satay $5, yellow curry $8 and Massaman curry $8. Generally the food was good, except the yellow curry was completely different than the taste I expected, so I was not such a fan. We had a great waiter.

restaurants New York - Chipotle

Great fast food with fresh ingredients. Many locations, fast, delicious and rather cheap that is all I got to say!

Chicken salad with beans, rice and a tasty salad dressing costs $7.35.

Chipotle

304 W 34th Street

New York, NY 10001

Restaurants New York - Delicatessen

This is a good restaurant in the middle of SoHo with a variety of dishes. In the summer they open all the windows and they have seating outside. It does however feel very hot when it is 33 degrees celsius and you might prefer the good old air conditioned restaurants.

I had the Chinoise Salad and one of my favourites truffle fries. The truffle fries reminded me of the delicious ones I used to have in the Windy City Fox and Noble.

It is good value for money Chinoise salad $12, truffle fries $8. It is a popular place for weekend brunches cause they have a lot of breakfast dishes as well, so you might have to wait a little.

Delicatessen NYC

54 Prince Street

New York, NY

10012

Restaurants New York - Macelleria

This is a simple, but I would say a rather authentic italian Restaurant in the middle of the trendy Meatpacking District of New York.

We tried the chicken diavola and the linguine white clams (both $18). There was not too much of a wait which often happens in this area and the food came quickly. Most waiters were italian which added to the authentic flare.

Restaurants Montreal - Modavie

This is a restaurant in the heart of the old town of Montreal. Within the touristy places this is one of the better choices.

The food is average. I tried the grilled salmon with raspberry sauce (23 CAD).

1, rue St-Paul Ouest

Vieux-Montreal

Quebec H2Y 1Y6

Tel (514) 287 9582

Restaurants Quebec - Aux Anciens Canadiens

Two floor restaurant with different themes in each room that show the way traditional Quebec homes used to look like.

It is a bit of a tourist trap and not cheap, but the food was surprisingly good.

We tried the traditional poutine (homemade french fries with gravy sauce) 13.75 CAD and a salmon filet in a flaky pastry with vegetables. The mains cost between 32 and 59 CAD.

Restaurants Montreal - Tong Sing

This is a good average Chinese restaurant in the middle of China town. Even though this place was recommended by someone Chinese it did not blow me away tastewise.

I am still looking for a great Chinese restaurant in Montreal, if anyone has any great suggestions!

43 rue de la Gauchetiere Est

Montreal H2X 1P4

Tel 514 940 8811

www.tongsing.ca

Restaurants Quebec - Aspara

This is a restaurant in the old town part of Quebec that has cambodian, vietnamese and thai specialities. It is a nice change from the touristy places in the centre.

The place is decorated like a living room that has asian and french influence.

The food was tasty and good value for money. Main dishes cost around 24 CAD.

71 rue D'Aauteuil

Quebec G1R 4C3

418 694 0232

www.restaurantaspara.com

Restaurants Vienna - Le Bol

Le Bol is a great breakfast or lunch place in the middle of the first district (Neuer Markt). They have great salads and breads.

The breads with a little salad cost around 6,90 Euros and a soda with lemon 1,80 Euros.

It is great in the summer because they have an outdoor seating area. Indoors they have a large common table and some small tables around it.

A great combinations is to have lunch there and then go next door to Oberlaa for the endulging cakes (if you like chocolate try the chocolate Mousse cake you will love it!!)

Le Bol

Neuer Markt 14

A-1010 Vienna

Restaurants Vienna - Harry's Time

This is a restaurant in the heart of Vienna. It is 5-10 minute walk from Stephansplatz (right opposite the MAK-Contempory Museum of Applied Arts.

They cheap lunches like a risotto for 6,90 Euros. Drinks are on the more expensive side: apple juice with water 3,20 Euros. I find it a good deal for lunches, but am not sure if I would go in the evening. It is a mixture of Austrian and Italian food.

Dr Karl Lueger Platz 5

A-1010 Vienna

Restaurants Vienna - Kimchi Restaurant

This is a restaurant a little bit off the beaten track in the 3 district of Vienna. I think it is not worth making a trip there for Thai food, but if you are in the area, you can go there and have average Thai, Japanese or Korean food.

Pad Thai costs 9,20 Euros and Spring-rolls 3,50 Euros. Service is fine.

Kimchi

Seidlgasse 19

A-1030 Vienna

Restaurants Austria - Kirchenwirt

Wachau is a charming area of Austria, where you can walk through beautiful vineyards and buy or taste great wine.

The Kirchenwirt is a Hotel and Restaurant in Weissenkirchen in the Wachau. It is a restaurant with traditional food located in the heart of Weissenkirchen.

The service is excellent and the food good. We tried the salad with grilled chicken and a traditional Schnitzel. They cook everything fresh and know their ingredients which helps people that have food intolerances. Food prices are not cheap but reasonable at around 12 Euros per dish.

Familie Koeck - Familie Wildeis

Kremser Strasse 17

A-3610 Weissenkirchen

Restaurants Vienna - Lokanta Oase

If you want to see a multi-cultural area of Vienna and want to eat great turkish food, then it is definitely worth visiting the Brunnenmarkt in the 16th district.

They have good, simple turkish food e.g. Kebaps for 10 Euros, Humus 3,30 Euros and turkish coffee for 2,5o Euros.

It is simple, delicious food with good service.

Friedmanngasse 14

A-1160 Vienna

Restaurants London - Dragon Castle

This is a chinese restaurant close to the Elephant & Castle Tube Station. It is one of the better Chinese restaurants of London. I would not recommend going out of your way for this place, but it is definitely one of the best restaurants in that area of London.

The decor is simple, but the food is tasty. We tried the whole sea bass (18.80 GBP) and several vegetable dishes. All were generally very good. Some perhaps had a little bit too much cornflour.

100 Walworth Rd

London EW17 1JL

www.dragoncastle.eu

Restaurants London - Rodizio Rico

This is a fun Churrascaria in Islington (Angel Tube Station). They come with different meat skewers to your table and slices off pieces onto your plate. It is all you can eat BBQ meats, salads and hot dishes for 22.50 GBP which is very reasonable for London prices.

So if you are in the area it is a place that is fun and vibrant. It does get busy on Friday and on weekends so I would recommend making a reservation before you go there.

77-78 Upper Street

Islington

London

N1 0NU

Tel: 020 7354 1076

www.rodiziorico.com

Restaurants London - Osteria dell'Arancico

This is a place you go mainly for the wine list. The food is simple, rustic yet modern.

It is definitely not on the cheap side (around 20 GBP for a main course). I would say the quality of the food is not so consistent and that is the main reason that I would hesitate to recommend it.

Otherwise, it is a nice change from the usual pubs in London. However be ready for a little hike to the closest tube station.

383 King's Road
London SW10 0LP

www.osteriadellarancio.co.uk

Restaurants Vienna - Seoul (recommendable)

I am a big fan of Korean food and there used to be quite a few good ones in Vienna before. For those who know my favourite one in London - nothing of course beats the good old Ran. But this one is quite tasty too.

The Bulgogi lunch menu costs 8,50 Euros and the Bimbimbap 7,00 Euros. It is a great treat! For those of you who are newcomers to Korean food. Bulgogi is thin sliced beef marinated in a soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic sauce. If it is not in a bento box then some restaurants have table grills.

Restaurant Seoul

Praterstrasse 26

1020 Vienna

Tel +43 1 2186 528

Restaurants Ottawa - Wild Oats

This is a great place especially for people that are a little health conscious. All the ingredients they use are fresh, organic and they chose to use healthy alternatives to white flour and refined sugar. Plus the staff are super friendly which makes it a very welcoming and chilled place to be.

Their Oaxaca sandwich is delicious 6.25 CAD. Their crepes are made with spelt flour and rice milk. A simple crepe with butter and maple syrup costs 4.50 CAD. They have a little shop next door which belongs to the cafe. You can chose some drinks from the shop and have them in the cafe.

For those who look for cafes with wireless, this place has wireless internet as of 15:00. They are open till 8pm an all days except Sunday where they close at 6pm, so it is more of a breakfast or lunch place.

817 Bank Street

Ottawa ON K1S 3V7

Restaurants in Chicago - Shikago (recommendable)

Shikago is good place for a tasty japanese lunch. They have sushi as well as bento boxes.

I tried the shio yaki salmon bento box which was served with shrimp chawa mushi, an onigiri (rice ball), kimchee, a salad and a fruit salad. The green tea creme brulee is also quite tasty. All dishes are presented elegantly and the genmaicha tea was brewed well.

We paid around $20 per person which was reasonable for a good size lunch.

160 West Adams Street

Chicago IL 60603

www.shikagorestaurant.com