Food for Thought with Alex Bielak - Unsung Tastes

Sue Hofman of
Lakeshore Coffee House

Unsung Tastes

Before I get to the main platter in this edition of Food for Thought, here’s an appetizer for readers, a “meat Valentine,” if you will, particularly those who love a great steak. The next column will feature Stoney Creek’s VG Meats: they held a super event recently, launching their “MeatMentor” mobile app to an audience of hungry bloggers (it is also available for your Android or Blackberry, as well as your Iphone.). A Canadian – and perhaps world-first, it allows shoppers to ascertain how tender a cut of beef is before buying it. Details, interviews with the forward-thinking folk who developed it, and pictures from the launch, in a fortnight.

Last time around I mentioned Feb 22nd to March 15th is the prix-fix Taste of Burlington and promised an update on the January launch event. Click at the end of the column to see pictures of some of the mouth-watering dishes served up by participating restaurants.

The standout dish was the People’s Choice winner (and Judges’ runner up) served up by Chef Mitchell Lamb of Stone House Restaurant. Lamb’s dish of Maple & Bourbon Glazed Beef Ribs
with a loaded Yukon Potato foam was simply stunning. The hint of white truffle oil in the aerated potato foam was just the right accent too, balancing the acidity of the onion and bacon jam on which the potato sat.

I was personally also very taken with Pepperwood Bistro’s Smoked Bacon-Wrapped veal, pork and beef Meatloaf on Yukon Gold Potato Puree with a Stout BBQ Demi-Glace. With crispy truffle onions perched atop the serving spoon, it was one of the Peoples’ runners-up. Chef Ryan Gallagher of Spencer’s served a note-perfect, yet underappreciated, “Foie gras parfait with spiced whiskey gelée, shallot cream and pickled apples,” while the raw, organic, vegan fare at Rawlicious was pretty good too for not having any meat in it!

It occurred to me as I wandered around the food stations that the unsung heroes of the evening - they’ve been present at least for the last 2-3 times launch events - were beverage purveyors Cameron’s Brewing and Lakeshore Coffee House.

Sue Hofman, co-owner of the Coffee House along with her husband Chris, was supplying warm beverages at the launch, her third event. I fortified myself for the cold with a great-tasting (Swiss water process) decaff, and chatted with her about her reasons for participating. “We really want people to know we exist” alluding to the fact people walk by without realising the coffee house is there. I’ve done it myself, I’ll admit, before finally stumbling into the cozy, welcoming space.

The two-level store has been in operation ten years, featuring organic, fair-trade coffees from all over the world. They also sell fresh-made soups and sandwiches to a clientele who “want to sit longer, and relax in our place” Hofman said. Their Facebook page attests to a vibrant presence including an Open Mike night twice a month where musicians rule interspersed with the odd poet or other performer.

Cameron’s had a strong staff presence at the launch and were focussed on connecting with each and every one of the public who came to taste the two brews on tap that night. I like the Cream Ale a lot: unsurprisingly it was creamy, but with a nice hoppy bite. The Resurrection Roggenbier (aka rye beer) had a slight hint of banana and spice that was not really to my taste. (I’ve previously tried other beers in their line-up and am sure readers can find one to suit their palate.)

When I commented on the constancy of the line up during the course of the evening, Kelly Harris, who is part of the events and promos team for the brewery, laughed and said “We should win Peoples’ Choice!” The beer is all natural, hand-crafted and the brewery hosts regular, (often sold-out) events at their Oakville facility, every last Thursday of the month.

I asked why an Oakville-based brewery was so present at a Burlington event and Harris indicated they loved the exposure as well as having a strong base of licensees in the city, and elsewhere in the province as well. Several of the restaurants participating at the launch feature Cameron’s beers

After the launch event, Linda Cvetanovic, of Tourism Burlington, responded to follow-up questions as to why a local brewer (Nickelbrook comes to mind) was not the suds supplier. Apparently there had been initial discussions with Nickelbrook, but it appears the owner did not, at that time, have an interest in participating.

“We have a great partnership with Cameron’s, they are very easy to work with, and have a great product” Cvetanovic added, noting how happy she had been with the launch and the friendly competition among the restaurants.

Judging by the cheerful crowd at the sold-out event I’d say she’s right to be pleased.

To see more pictures, click here

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Alex (Alex can be reached at fft@thehamiltonian.info or on twitter @AlexBielak)