Bistro 54, Part 1

If you come to Perth, ON, and the question arises, "Got Italian?" the answer is a wonderful yes.  I have dined at Bistro 54 many, many times, and always find it delightful. My last visit in early April was no exception.  As it was around the time of my birthday, I got to pick where to go.  This restaurant is one of a number of literally world class stature within the town, and you certainly can't go wrong with their menu, attention to detail, service and location.     

This is not a large restaurant, but one of cozy proportions.  Seating is on a first come, first served basis, and I always try to go early to get a table.  Once seated and presented with a menu by one of the excellent wait staff, you will begin your journey to Italy.  Perfect, fresh crusty bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar is brought to your table.  Appetizers include seafood and salads, antipasti and warm sausage and peppers for example.  Main courses feature seafood, chicken, veal, beef, and fresh pasta.  There is a very good wine list, and the house wines are very nice.  This time, Bob had the warm sausage and peppers appetizer, followed by the Cannelloni con Pollo e Verdure.  I had the sea scallops appetizer, with 2 sauces served on a slice of lotus root.  My main was Pasta all' Astice, a lobster tail with pink peppercorn sauce served with fresh fettuccine.  It was my birthday, after all.  

Dessert was equally superb, I having the chocolate tart with tart dried cherries.  Very fudgy in a pastry crust.  A side of vanilla gelato was also included.  Bob had their version of a high end banana split, all made with various flavours of gelati and banana puree.   

Everything is always beautifully presented, and an added bonus, from my perspective, is that behind the "window" you can see the two chefs cooking away.  Just awesome!  Keep up the great work!  You will be hearing more about Bistro 54 in the future.

Important Info:

Phone:  513-267-5454

Address:  54 Foster St., Perth, ON

Email:  bistro54@bellnet.ca

www.bistro54.ca  Check out their website for menus and details.

Fabulous Fort Henry, Kingston, ON

If you go anywhere in eastern Ontario, make sure you visit Fort Henry, Kingston, ON.  This historic fort originally dates from 1812, however, the current fort was constructed from 1832 to 1837, and today stands proud directly on Lake Ontario, near the mouth of the St. Lawrence River, and the Royal Military College.  From the waters of Lake Ontario, it can't be missed, and by land, it's equally impressive.  In two words:  It's huge.  I've been there many times, and have always enjoyed each visit.  

The Fort has a varied and immensely interesting history throughout its long life.  Today it is lovingly cared for, with a brand new visitor/interpretive centre, a new entrance, and in general, is all spruced up to receive its visitors.  I last was there in June of 2013, and as always, the guardsmen and women were all in their spiffiest and most beautiful uniforms.  The premises itself was spotless.  Also new to the Fort was the wonderful outdoor cafe, the Battery Bistro, with full wait staff.  The menu was basically modern pub grub, but all well done and very well presented.  The staff themselves were conscientious and professional, but most pleasant.  Oh, and the view was incredible.

As for the contents of the Fort, if you want a really serious history lesson, this is the place to come.  There are guided tours of the fort, and you get to go into some really neat places, with underground passageways, hidden bunkers, views of the officer's quarters, and up top, an array of cannons-that are occasionally fired, too.  With its star-shaped pattern, it is said there was no quarter that couldn't be defended, from land or water.  Some other highlights are the Sunset Ceremony fireworks at the fort, usually every Wednesday and Saturday evening, and the Kingston 1000 Islands Cruise boats make a point of stopping and turning the boat to see these from the lake.  There are military tattoos and re-enactments throughout the summer as well.  They have all kinds of activities for kids, complete with costumes (see photo).  There are a couple of souvenir shops offering goodies for all ages, and no visit would be complete without seeing David the X, the Fort's Saanen goat mascot.  He comes from a long line of very loyal, pure white goats.

Various culinary events, like the Grape Escape and the Beer and Food Truck Festival have been added recently.  During the Fall, many other special events are on the menu, including Fort Fright, as the place seems to have its own ghosts, and is featured on the Kingston Haunted Walk.  Ft. Henry also partners with Upper Canada Village, over a ticket package on both venues (more about Upper Canada Village in a future blog).  

If you're planning on touring eastern Ontario, make a stop in Kingston.  Spend a day at the old fort, and you won't be sorry.   I would call or keep an eye on the website for this year's schedule and events.

Address and Contact Info:

1 Fort Henry Dr, Kingston, ON   K7K 5G8

Phone:  613-542-7388

Website:  http://www.forthenry.com/index.cfm/en/home/

Other important links:

http://www.hauntedwalk.com/  Haunted Walk of Kingston website.

www.ktic.ca  Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises website.  Highly recommended.

FoodcoreLGL Food Charter Launch

Yesterday (March 27, 2014) I attended the FoodcoreLGL Food Charter launch in Perth, ON.  What an awesome all day event!  We had great speakers, like Cathleen Kneen and Peter Andree.  Peter spoke first, about today's food situation in Canada, from Nova Scotia to Ontario and more.  This was in relation to the Good Food Revolution we have seen grow in the last number of years.  The Revolution is a direct response to the "pushing of food systems to extremes."  The concept of Peak Everything, or Peak Oil, Peak Water, and Peak Soil was introduced as well.  Perhaps most dramatic and disturbing, was a slide showing drawings by Mexican children, ages 4 and 5.  Children living adjacent to a pepper farm made pictures that were mere scribbles.  Children living north of the pepper farm, on their own farms and gardens, made the typical stick figure drawing a child that age would make.  Why the incredible difference?  The theory has it that the pesticides used on the pepper farm, often from crop dusters flying overhead, has affected their development.  Very frightening.

The other speaker was the audacious Cathleen Kneen.  Her concept of food, that it is sacred, that it is not a right, but a basic necessity.  Food is the way to connect people, from family and friends to entire communities.  It's what connects us to every other human being.  A great quote, and I paraphrase:  "Any jurisdiction that can't feed its people, is at the mercy of whoever can."  That in a nutshell really explains the situation today.  We are in the unenviable position of being at the mercy of Industrial Food and all its allies.  As I like to say, if you can't change the system, go around the system.  

The launch was also valuable for people connecting with people.  I met a  number of people I knew, but haven't seen in some time, so it was good to reconnect.  I also met some new folks in different fields like nursing, representatives of the local Health Unit, and community food program creators. One great example was The Table, a community food centre.  The Table has a whole raft of programs for all ages, from children to seniors, all involving food and/or gardening.  It was a lively day, lots of great discussions, and incredible energy and enthusiasm.  You will be hearing more from this group.

Some sites to check out:  

www.foodcorelgl.ca  Foodcore's website and contact info.

www.thetablecfc.org  A community food group based in Perth.