So, when he and his wife, Dr. Susan Daftary, decided to open a new dental practice, he knew exactly which neighbourhood they wanted to go to – Westboro Village.

"We just always just gravitated to the area, its walkability, it's close to the beach, just the lifestyle," says Dr. Al Khalili. "And we're trying to be a compliment to the neighborhood."

An Ottawa Dentist Office with a "Spa-like" Feel

W Dental Studio, brings a spa-like experience to going to the dentist. Spread over 4 levels, W Dental Studio combines innovative dental care with all the amenities you need to make your appointment as relaxing as possible.

The office features a "comfort menu" complementary to patients both before and during their appointments. Before their appointment, patients can take advantage of hot or cold beverages and lip balm to moisturize their lips before their appointment. There's also an iPad available for kids to use to keep themselves busy before they head to the dentist's chair.

During their appointment, W Dental Studio offers heated/massage dental chairs, neck pillows, weighted blankets and wireless noise-cancelling earphones so patients can enjoy Netflix, Disney+ and Spotify during procedures.

W-Dental Studio is also paperless and aims to be as environmentally friendly as possible in their operations, even down to the bamboo toothbrushes they give patients after their appointment.

The best part? None of these costs extra to patients.

"We've been received well by residents. Anybody who's come in has been wowed by how it has a calming, spa-like atmosphere. Why not have that along with your dental work?" says Dr. Al Khalili.

"There's no extra cost. The fees in Ontario are pretty much standardized, but we're offering all these amenities with your dental treatment. There's no upcharge because we gave you a bamboo toothbrush. There's not an upcharge because we have a massage chair for you while you get your dental work, it's just part of the whole experience."

Neighbourhood Offers an Active Urban Lifestyle

Dr. Al Khalili says Westboro is a unique neighbourhood in Ottawa because of its access to local amenities. Residents can walk down the street and experience different local shops, restaurants, and other businesses.

"There's a lot of these unique 'mom and pop' restaurants or unique yoga studios and spas," he says. "Every little business is somewhat unique. It's not your traditional box stores. There's no Home Depot or Michaels or stores like that."

Westboro Village provides a lifestyle that's hard to find elsewhere in the city.

"Where we live there's not much walkability, just your normal suburb, like Mississauga or something." says Dr. Al Khalili. "In this neighbourhood everybody's walking, there are little cafes and little ice cream shops, it's close to the river, so that's how Westboro Village presents itself."

Discover Local at Hintonburg Connection

W Dental Studio is one of Hintonburg Connection’s Discover local partners. Discover Local is an exclusive program to familiarize Hintonburg Connection residents, with the neighbourhood and the many local businesses and services. It's all about revealing what makes Hintonburg so vibrant, inspiring and livable. From cafes and restaurants to retailers, gyms and beyond, we invite you to discover local. There's a whole neighbourhood waiting to be discovered!

Hintonburg Connection offers bright, modern and new apartment rentals that offer an urban lifestyle in this historic and eclectic neighborhood. Our apartments and flats are designed to enrich your life, free up your time, and help you connect with the people and places that matter most to you.

Ready to move in?

The post Going to this Westboro Dentist is like Going to the Spa appeared first on Hintonburg Connection Blog.

Let's take a closer look at the top five reasons residents say that Hintonburg Connection is such a wonderful place to live.

Modern, brand-new apartments in Hintonburg

Located at 175 Carruthers Avenue, Hintonburg Connection offers a variety of sizes of brand-new and well-appointed apartments. Each unit is equipped with everything residents need to make their lives complete: stainless steel appliances, in-suite laundry, custom blinds, and air conditioning.

The bright, spacious living room is a perfect spot for residents to hang out with friends or unwind after a long day at work. There's no need to walk to Westboro Beach to experience the sunset – beautiful views are right are right outside your window. Just one of the many reasons to fall in love with Hintonburg Connection!

Amazing building amenities

Hintonburg Connection was thoughtfully planned to meet the needs and wants of today's urban dwellers by Ottawa’s award-winning Hobin Architecture. This brand-new complex features spacious shared spaces for work and relaxation, an enviable rooftop terrace, a well-equipped fitness centre, bike storage and maintenance facilities, underground parking, and ground floor retail.

Access to fantastic amenities such as a fitness centre and rooftop terrace is what our residents love the most about the building. The Hintonburg Connection fitness centre is equipped with state-of-the-art machines suitable for a complete workout.

Working from home has also become more convenient due to the availability of common work and relaxation areas throughout the building.

The rooftop patio is a wonderful place to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning or to watch the sunset in the evening. Rod Castro, a Hintonburg Connection resident and owner of Publicco 1331 and 10 Fourteen Bar, says it's one of his favourite places to relax before the morning rush.

We should also mention that furry friends are welcome. We're proud to be a pet-friendly building!

Top building features include

• WIFI Work Lounge
• Fitness Room
• Bike Storage +
• Roof Top Terrace with BBQs
• Ground Floor Retail
• Heated Underground Parking (assigned parking is available for some residents as well as designed spots for visitors)
• Secure Parcel Drop-Off/ Pick-Up
• On-Site Management

Our building is designed to support biodiversity in urban environments

We partnered up with Alveole, a Canadian beekeeping company, to install a rooftop beehive to help restore declining bee populations (which are critical to the ecosystem's health) and reconnect residents with nature. The beehive was successfully installed in June of 2020, and the hive is now home to more than 37,500 bees.

Our Queen bee, Cardi Bee, and her colony are busy producing honey for our Fall harvest!

Wondering how the Hintonburg Connection bees are doing right now? Visit MyHive to see what the bees are up to.

The best restaurants in Ottawa are steps away!

Hintonburg offers a diverse range of culinary experiences, from international cuisine to local favourites and Canadian classics. Wellington Village is where you'll find all the best culinary hotspots – whatever you're craving. Read about a few of our favourite restaurants with patio dining.

To help residents explore Hintonburg’s fine eateries, we offer our exclusive Discover Local program. Residents receive coupons from more than 25+ Discover Local partners when they move in! There's a whole neighbourhood waiting to be discovered!

All of the “must do” activities are within walking distance

Hintonburg Connection is located in the heart of Ottawa, close to a wide range of activities.

Shopping for some of Ottawa's best local products at Parkdale Night Market or visiting Orange Art Gallery to see the work of contemporary local artists are just a few ways to brighten up your weekday or weekend evenings. We love Hintonburg for being a hub for emerging trends in art, fashion, food and fun.

Are you new to the neighbourhood? Read our recent blog post for top 5 places to visit in Hintonburg this summer.

There are so many reasons why Hintonburg is a fantastic place to live, and we've only touched on a few today! (Insert shameless self-promotion here) Speak to one of our agents to learn more about the neighbourhood and the Hintonburg Connection lifestyle.

Current residents can contact the Tenant Services team to learn more about our referral program.

The post 5 reasons why living at Hintonburg Connection is awesome appeared first on Hintonburg Connection Blog.

The travel experience can provide us with space to think, create, and be inspired. If you’re a foodie, what better way to bring that feeling home than by starting your own restaurant based on your experiences? Imagination, tenacity, hard work and passion for food are key ingredients that inspired restauranteur, Rod Castro, to create two of Hintonburg’s hottest eateries, 10Fourteen and Pubblico 1331.

Rod has lived in the bustling community of Hintonburg for more than a decade and has strived to bring his travel-inspired cuisine to his fellow residents.

A hint of Montreal and New York in Hintonburg

Reminiscent of the neighbourhood haunts found in Montreal, 10Fourteen offers a selection of expertly crafted cocktails, carefully curated beer and wine, and a fantastic small-plate menu. Many guests return again and again just to experience the latest charcuterie offering. Says Rod, "This is a cozy little spot, and we love that everyone feels welcome to stop by, make new friends, hang out and spend some time together.” According to Rod, 10Fourteen has received invaluable support from the community at a time when many restaurants have struggled to stay open.

Inspired by the “If I can make it here, I can make it anywhere” attitude of New York, Pubblico offers all of the “must eat” menu items found across the big city. From Brooklyn to the Bronx, “we took all the best casual food from New York – pizzas, hot dogs, hamburgers, pasta and we brought it to Pubblico”. After visiting the Big Apple, Rod was inspired by the profound sense of community in their local businesses – the same sense of community he experiences in Hintonburg, and so Pubblico was born. It opened in 2019 as Hintonburg’s New York-style sports pub serving travel-inspired fare.

Buy local, serve local

Borrowing from the sense of community Rod witnessed in his travels, both 10Fourteen and Pubblico support local business by shopping local – buying fresh bread at local bakeries, fish from Wellington Fish Market and produce from local vendors. 

Rod says he'll help whenever he can. "We try to invest in our neighbourhood as much as possible”.

Love for Hintonburg

Rod has lived in Hintonburg for more than a decade and enjoys the people, views, and other amenities the neighbourhood offers. In fact, he lives right here in Hintonburg Connection! "Hintonburg Connection might have the best view of the city I have ever seen!" says Rod.

When he’s not serving guests at 10Fourteen or Pubblico, Rod can be found meeting the neighbours on Hintonburg Connection’s exclusive rooftop patio. “We're starting to see familiar faces and we're starting to recognize one another and have these interesting conversations." 

About Discover Local

Discover Local is an exclusive program to familiarize Hintonburg Connection residents, with the neighbourhood and the many local businesses and services. It's all about revealing what makes Hintonburg so vibrant, inspiring and livable. From cafes and restaurants to retailers, gyms and beyond, we invite you to discover local. There's a whole neighbourhood waiting to be discovered!

The post Enjoy a taste of New York and Montreal right here in Hintonburg at 10Fourteen and Pubblico appeared first on Hintonburg Connection Blog.

Nothing beats visiting local attractions with your loved ones. With the city finally opening, we’ve got you covered on five unique places to visit this summer in Hintonburg.

Ottawa River South Shore Riverfront Park

There is nothing more exciting than taking a walk along the river on a pleasant summer evening. If you are a fan of art, you are in for a treat as this riverfront gallery is a must-visit! Situated along the edge of the Ottawa River, the nine-kilometre-long Riverfront Park is known for its wonderfully sculptured and balanced stone art by John Felice Ceprano. This local artist built these rock sculptures back in the 80s to bring the community closer together. Riverfront Park is perfect for capturing insta-worthy moments, quaint views and enjoying long scenic walks by the beach and listening to the sound of the rapids!

Parkdale Night Market

Located at the corner of Wellington Street and Parkdale Avenue, the Parkdale Night Market offers a one-of-a-kind shopping experience – giving residents a chance to interact with different vendors from the market! Get ready to wine, dine and shop for some of Ottawa’s best local products, all under the light of the night sky. We recommend trying the mouthwatering burgers at Hintonburger, sip on local brews from Broadhead Brewery and Dairy Distillery and shop for arts and crafts from Warizi.

The Parkdale Night Market is open every Wednesday from June – August, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Don’t forget to visit this fantastic experience! Visit the Parkdale Market website for more information about their vendors and any upcoming events.

Orange Art Gallery

Opened in 2010, the 5,000 square foot gallery Orange Art Gallery showcases work by talented, contemporary local artists and even houses an art studio! Orange Art Gallery is not only the perfect place for art enthusiasts to admire great work, but the patio offers a place where patrons can savour a cold beverage and indulge in some tasty treats between viewings. The gallery also provides a picturesque venue for wedding receptions and other private events. If you’re looking to revamp your home, the team at Orange Art Gallery can help you find the perfect work of art for your setting.

Orange Art Gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check out the Orange Art Gallery website for more upcoming events and exhibitions.

Virtual Happy Hour with Bar From Afar

If you’ve missed sitting down at the bar sampling exquisite cocktails, then the team at Bar From Afar has got you covered! The virtual happy hour is available for Ottawa residents with packages such as the Mini Cocktail Kit, Happy Hour Cocktail Kit and even a Happy Hour Mocktail Kit for teetotalers. You can expect a fine choice of cocktails, from the Rosemary Gimlet or classic cosmopolitan to a strong whiskey sour for the whiskey connoisseurs out there and if you’re a fan of fruit, the Guava Daiquiri a must-try! Each cocktail kit comes packed with spirits, mixers, and garnishes and will turn you into a pro bartender in no time! Perfect for a small get-together!

Cocktail packages start at $50. Visit the Bar From Afar website to check out their choice of cocktails. Orange Art Gallery

Tinseltown Christmas Emporium

Have you ever dreamt of celebrating Christmas early or craved gingerbread in July? All your wishes are granted by the elves at Tinseltown Christmas Emporium! Located in the heart of Hintonburg, this boutique offers everything Christmassy – from bejeweled life-sized reindeer, glass ornaments, gingerbread and more! Guests are in for a treat as this festive hotspot is open all year long, offering a catalog of nearly 30,000 unique products and traditional Christmas décor.

The ambiance of this boutique makes visitors feel like they’ve entered Santa’s workshop – with trees, mistletoe and festive decorations adorning the store from top to bottom! This boutique also sells a life-sized nutcracker soldier for $3,000 – now that’s something special to add to your collection! Apart from traditional Christmas goods, Tinseltown Christmas Emporium offers cards, candles, oven mitts, and ribbon candies too!

Tinseltown Christmas Emporium is open Monday – Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visit the Tinseltown Christmas Emporium website for more information.

We hope that a trip to one or two of these nearby places helps you celebrate summer and reminds you of the creative, historic and simply gorgeous spaces that make living in Hintonburg such a rewarding experience. Stay tuned, stay safe and follow our social media channels for more exciting updates! Don’t forget to check out our recommendations for the best local patios.

The post Five places to visit in Hintonburg this summer appeared first on Hintonburg Connection Blog.

A variation of this post was first published on the Westboro Connection blog.

Summer calls for delicious meals and refreshing drinks on a patio. While we've all enjoyed the fabulous options for takeout and delivery over the past few months, nothing beats dressing up and having food cooked for you and served on a restaurant patio in summer.

We are thrilled to finally welcome back patio season in the city, and we invite our community to explore some amazing outdoor dining options that will surely invigorate your heart!

Bar Lupulus

Meeting up with friends at Bar Lupulus, your friendly neighbourhood quality beer joint, should be definitely on your summer to-do list. Bar Lupulus has everything you need to sit back, relax, and enjoy the summer sun! This gastropub serves delectable meals, the best craft beers, and the finest wines. The bar's chef approaches food art in the same way he approaches drinks: always innovative, esoteric, and as locally sourced as possible. We recommend trying Bar Lupulus’s special charcuterie boards with a glass of wine or beer which will be perfect to fight the summer heat.

Address: 1242 Wellington St. W, Ottawa, ON K1Y 3A4
 

Joe’s Italian Kitchen

Imagine sitting on a patio in Italy, eating exceptional, mouth-watering comfort foods while enjoying a glass of classic sangria or white wine! We have great news for our Hintonburg Connection residents: Joe's Italian Kitchen will be serving our community with authentic Italian fare all summer. Also, Joe's Italian Kitchen is Canada's first certified pinsaria. If you are not familiar with the term, pinsa is the next generation of pizza made with a blend of sourdough, rice, soy, and wheat flour. You should give it a try!

Address: 1323 Wellington St. W, Ottawa, ON K1Y 3B6
 

Drip House

Even though we cannot yet see the aesthetically pleasing interiors or feel the vintage vibes of Drip House, we can still invite you to spend some time on the Drip House's patio for breakfast or lunch. If you want to bring the daily coffee routine to the next level, you must try the incredible Drip House’s summer drink menu that includes golden iced tea latte, matcha iced tea latte, beetroot iced tea latte, and honey lavender iced tea latte, and much more!
Address: 340B Parkdale Ave, Ottawa, ON K1Y 2W5

The Hintonburg Public House

The Hintonburg Public House, located just a 10-minute walk from home, serves traditional pub fare and comfort food made in-house. Our favorites include the HPH Burger, fish and chips, a grilled cheese you have to try, and baked-to-order cookies. Come down for some cold beer and cocktails on the patio, and stay for dinner.

Address: 1020 Wellington St. W, Ottawa, ON K1Y 2X9

One of the greatest advantages of living in Hintonburg is having all these amazing outdoor dining options just minutes away. We hope your outdoor dining experience is full of laughs and memories, as well as delicious meals from local restaurants.

The post Four Hintonburg patios open right now appeared first on Hintonburg Connection Blog.

A variation of this post was first published on the Westboro Connection blog.

Busy lifestyles are the reality for most of the residents of Hintonburg and Westboro. Juggling a variety of responsibilities makes it hard to focus as much attention on healthy eating as we’d all like. Our new Discover Local partner, Two Beets Farm, makes healthy eating the new norm with their online vegetable farm-stand initiative. Customers can simply go online, pick and choose what they would like to add to their fresh vegetable baskets and collect them at their convenience.

The novel initiative by Diana Beirnes and Nic Gosselin emphasizes the positive and special relationship people have with food. The origin of their farm makes for a fascinating story. Talking after an ordinary day at work, they mentioned abandoning their stable life and corporate jobs in Toronto to explore nature. As avid outdoorists, they wanted to use this time to bike, hike and travel, camping in their trailer along the way. They had no idea that the trip was going to transform their lives.

To make their journey fun and affordable, they’d decided to visit farms along the way. Ultimately, they chose to stay back at a farm in Quebec for one full season and understand the basics of the work. That experience made them reaffirm their passion for food, healthy eating and impacting people’s lives in a positive manner. They were influenced by the lifestyle, food and the collective experience of sharing the opportunity with other farmers. As Diana said, “Quebec promotes local farmers by providing opportunity and resources to new businesses. That’s how we rented our first half-an acre of land.”

Diana and Nic were undoubtedly apprehensive about the various uncertainties they would have to face. Their strong partnership enabled them to overcome every hindrance and made them more confident in their pursuit. In fact, their name Two Beets Farm derives from the idea that they both are two beats to a tune – music being another reason for their happy union.

Two Beets Farm encourages healthy lifestyle

Nic and Diana believe in making the community feel supported in their healthy lifestyle choices. They want to do so by simplifying and spreading knowledge about the nutritional value of food. Diana and Nic hope to build special relationships with people and contribute to their lives in a meaningful fashion. This is also why they are proud to be associated with the Discover Local program. In their opinion, empowering and joining hands with other local ventures will surely uplift the whole community.

About Discover Local

Discover Local is an exclusive program for our residents, created to better acquaint them with their neighbourhood and the many local businesses and services therein. It’s all about discovering what makes their local community so vibrant, inspiring, and livable. From cafes and restaurants to retailers, gyms and beyond, we invite you to discover local – there’s a whole neighbourhood waiting to be discovered!

The post Freshness from Two Beets Farm customized for Hintonburg Connection Residents appeared first on Hintonburg Connection Blog.

A variation of this post was first published on the Westboro Connection blog.

What is World Bee Day?

World Bee Day is a special occasion for residents, staff, and beekeepers at Hintonburg Connection. The mixed-use property is home to three urban beehives, installed on the rooftop of the Westboro and Hintonburg Connection buildings. United Nations marks May 20 as World Bee Day to raise awareness about the importance of bees and other pollinators. The day registers the bees’ contribution to sustainable development and acknowledges the increasing threat to their existence.

Beekeeping – it's all the buzz

Our beekeeping partner Alveole, The Urban Beekeeping Company, helps us to keep the buzz alive by actively monitoring and managing the hive’s health. The installation of the urban beehives at Hintonburg Connection mirrors the values of our residents. The hives bring our residents closer to nature, support biodiversity and allow us to give back to the community. Supporting biodiversity is an integral component of the sustainability program at our properties.

Our bees support biodiversity, breakfast, and community

Last year, our rooftop beehives produced about 450 jars of honey – nearly 150 from each hive – all sold to residents with the proceeds donated to Pollinator Partnership, a registered charity committed to the cause of protecting and promoting pollinators and their ecosystems. The eager participation of the residents in the Honey Sale event displayed their support for the cause and excitement on having live beehives on the roof of their buildings.

The urban beehives are not only a great way for Hintonburg Connection residents to enjoy this sweet treat, but they are also an effective educational tool and promotes positive attitudes toward conserving biodiversity and respecting the ecosystem. The team at Hintonburg Connection believes that it is a special way to connect residents and emphasize the issues related to the environment, industrial agriculture, pollination and greening while producing premium local, artisanal honey.

Who keeps the bees buzzing?

We spoke with Jean-Simon Daigle, beekeeper from Alveole, to learn about the numerous benefits of keeping urban beehives. “Bees pollinate from a five-kilometer radius meaning they will support food and flower growth in the vicinity, plus they will help maintain natural habitats and have a favorable impact on the surrounding ecosystem.”

Pollinators are responsible for keeping more than 130 fruits and vegetables producing so that we have a continuous flow of fresh produce on our tables. Almonds, apples, blueberries, broccoli, cauliflower, and avocados are a few of the crops that are dependent on pollinating insects. Yet they face massive threats from pesticides used in industrial agriculture as well as the impact of climate change. Our community can ensure their survival by protecting and preserving pollinator habitats.

Alveole and Hintonburg Connection work together to create a safe environment for the bees. We help residents make a difference by providing free bee workshops focused on bee education and by wrapping up the season with the exciting honey harvest.

World Bee Day is a momentous day for Hintonburg Connection residents and our management team. It is one way that we strengthen sustainability initiatives, show our commitment to biodiversity, and give back to our community.

Here are a few ways to contribute to the celebration:

• Plant a diverse set of plants that flower at different times of the year;
• Buy raw honey from local farmers and markets;
• Buy products from farmers using sustainable agricultural practices;
• Avoid using pesticides, fungicides or herbicides in your garden or planter;
• Sponsor a hive;
• Make a bee water fountain by leaving a water bowl outside;
• Raise awareness about the importance of bees.

The post Celebrating World Bee Day at Hintonburg Connection appeared first on Hintonburg Connection Blog.

A variation of this post was first published on the Westboro Connection blog.

Hintonburg is one of Ottawa’s most interesting, culture-filled hotspots that encompasses a broad range of urban artistic practices, including sculptures, breathtaking murals and miniatures.

While exploring the street art located throughout the neighbourhood, you will likely spot the inspiring work of the Ottawa-based muralist, Ryan Smeeton. His work is vibrant, full of movement and energy. His art can be distinguished by hyper-realistic larger-than-life hands, bright flowers, or faces captured in a moment of contemplation or action. There is an awe-striking balance of realism with abstract which is displayed by the background spattering of colour here, an evolving cluster of shapes there. The brilliant depth of his art can be glanced at the Canada Science and Technology Museum on St. Laurent Blvd and his mural for the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada in Eastway Gardens.

Residents of Hintonburg Connection can familiarize themselves with Ryan’s work – one of his latest murals can be found in the building’s lobby where a bold, flowing ribbon of rich yellow captures the vibrancy of the neighbourhood. Ryan worked with the team at interior designers Iron & Ivory to transform the space and inject it with life. “That was a really cool experience for me,” says Ryan. “The goal for that was to infuse the space with colour and movement. It was also an opportunity to create something fully abstract. It was a chance to focus on movement, shape, colour and form.”

After leaving his job for an artist’s residency in Spain’s countryside in 2015, Ryan has been painting murals professionally. “I come from a background of academic painting, how to paint realistically. But I’m also interested in abstract painting and colour relationship.”

A recent project in Toronto was his latest accomplishment. With the help of a team of graffiti artists, he developed three different murals, totalling more than 6,000 square feet.

This project helped the artist develop a keen interest in the frenetic and highly technical street-level style – seeing what he can accomplish with a can of spray paint. “I see it as an advantage to dabble in many different things and styles,” explains Ryan.

As for his relationship to Ottawa, and how it also influences his art, Ryan (who grew up in Ajax, but has called Ottawa home since 2007) embraces the supportive nature of the city – and the community of like-minded mural artists he’s come to be a part of.

“As an emerging mural artist at a time when they’re becoming more and more prevalent, it’s a great city,” explains Ryan. “Because Ottawa is a smaller city, there seems to be a tight-knit community of different artists and peers. There’s really supportive energy.

“All the mural artists in town, we all know each other. When a call goes out for a wall, it’s almost like a friendly competition. Whoever actually gets the gig, we’re all stoked that one of our friends got a good project. It’s really supportive and unique in that way.”

This is an exemplification of the unique community in Ottawa and an appreciation for art. Experience the artistic detail of Ryan’s work in person in the lobby – right at the heart of the Hintonburg Connection building.

The post Local Mural Artist’s Ever-changing and Evolving Style appeared first on Hintonburg Connection Blog.

A variation of this post was first published on the Westboro Connection blog.

If you were to pose the following question to the average Ottawan, you may receive a few blank stares or perhaps even the odd head scratch in response: what’s the actual difference between gelato and ice cream?

Luckily for residents of Hintonburg and the Glebe, we have a world-class, award-winning gelato master nearby, who can offer some clarity on the matter.

“It’s in the purity of the flavours,” says Tammy Giuliani, Master Gelato Chef and owner of Stella Luna Gelato Café. “Gelato is milk-based and, compared to ice cream, it has a quarter of the fat. So, when you take a spoonful of gelato, there’s less fat coating your tastebuds. Since fat inhibits flavour, you’re able to perceive that flavour more with gelato.”

Sounds simple enough in theory, but for Tammy, the creation of high quality and authentic gelato is much more than the sum of its ingredients – it’s also about a commitment to the craft, learning from the best, and taking creative chances.

“Making gelato from scratch by hand is an old traditional art,” says Tammy. “Not many people around the world, and even in Italy, are willing to do it. The gelato we make is what you would have eaten if you were a child growing up in Italy. We don’t use any pre-packaged mixes; we create from scratch.”

Tammy (along with her husband and three adult children who help with operations) has been going that extra mile in terms of making authentic gelato since 2011 when she opened the first Stella Luna Café in the Glebe. It didn’t take long for locals to catch on, and locations in Hintonburg as well as Merrickville followed. Word soon spread, and gelato aficionados from near and far began to seek out Tammy’s sweet creations.

Understandably so – Tammy is a Master Gelato Chef, having trained extensively under the masters at Italy’s Carpigiani Gelato University to learn the traditional craft. Today, her frozen creations run the gamut from the traditional such as hazelnut, pistachio and madagascar vanilla, to the award-winning chocolate bourbon-pecan, which took bronze at the 2017 Gelato World Tour, to the tantalizingly unexpected such as chocolate cinnamon chillies and fuzzy peach schnapps.

Tammy’s gelato and sorbet menu changes just about every day, and in the busy summer months she will offer 24 varieties (six of which are always vegan). Tammy imports a great many of her gelato products from Italy, and nothing is done halfway – not even the cones. However, these sweet and icy treats are only a small part of what draws locals to Stella Luna Café, which recently landed on Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in Canada list.

The expansive menu also features an ever-evolving selection of house-baked goods including pies, scones, squares and tarts. Ever since the pandemic made in-store dining an impossibility, however, Tammy and her team have pivoted to make Stella Luna Café into an Italian specialty store featuring olive oils, aged balsamic vinegars, pastas and much more. “We brought in some of our favourite products from Italy,” says Tammy. The cafés have also begun selling prepared grab-and-go meals including lasagna, arancini, and steak and mushroom pie.

With summer on the horizon, one can imagine that the demand for a satisfying gelato will be high in Hintonburg. The last year has been beyond challenging for businesses like Stella Luna Café, but when you hear Tammy speak about her gelato and how passionate she is about making a mouth-wateringly good product, you can’t help but get caught up in the simple magic of a dessert made with love and care.

“In the summer, when you get a lemon sorbet with freshly squeezed lemon juice, the taste is just so refreshing,” says Tammy. “Or during strawberry season – there’s nothing like the aroma of local berries in season. Add a little prosecco, and it’s like strawberries and champagne.”
 

About Discover Local

Discover Local is an exclusive program for our residents, created to better acquaint them with their neighbourhood and the many local businesses and services therein. It’s all about discovering what makes their local community so vibrant, inspiring, and livable. From cafes and restaurants to retailers, gyms and beyond, we invite you to discover local – there’s a whole neighbourhood waiting to be discovered!

The post Bringing Old World Flavours to Hintonburg appeared first on Hintonburg Connection Blog.

A variation of this post was first published on the Westboro Connection blog.

Running a restaurant – even one as well-known and well-liked as Westboro’s Savoy Brasserie – can be challenging enough without the added wildcard of a global pandemic. Instead of folding under the uncertainty of everything, the restaurant decided to use the last year as an opportunity to refine and revitalize its take on comforting and palate-pleasing French cuisine.

As it turns out, this meant getting back to basics for the restaurant’s manager Chris Ibey, who explains that the Savoy had two main goals for its revamp: the food needed to focus on French cuisine, and the beer needed to be local. “We combine two things in the name Savoy Brasserie,” he explains, “‘Savoy,’ from the region in France, and ‘Brasserie,’ representing beer.”The Savoy went about updating its menu by drawing inspiration from its namesake, the southeastern region of France. “The Savoy is all about hearty meals,” says Ibey, who added classic dishes such as coq au vin, Provençal stuffed squid, and a fall-off-the-bone lamb shankalongside customer favourites like escargots à la bourguignonne and beef bourguignon which is “absolutely delicious,” adds Ibey, “and if you can’t finish it, it holds well.”

The Savoy’s revamped beer selection is equally tempting. Ibey explains how the restaurant went about switching its 34 taps from suds brewed in Toronto and Niagara to locally produced varieties from Ashton Brewing, Big Rig, Beyond the Pale, Overflow Brewing and Calabogie Brewing among others – with more new options on the way! Between the lengthy beer menu, French cuisine faves, and an atmosphere that’s welcoming and classically designed with subway tiling, high ceilings, cozy booths and a bar running nearly the length of the room, the only thing currently missing is the hubbub, due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“A lot of what we want to do with the Savoy is to bring back the social aspect,” says Ibey. “I know it’s tough right now with the pandemic, but I’m looking long-term.” He goes on to explain his vision that the brasserie continues to be the spot for friends to gather, food to be savoured, and socializing to be part of the fun.

They certainly shouldn’t have much trouble attracting patrons, especially with the introduction of a cinq-á-sept menu for the après-work crowd, along with signature days including Buck-a- Shuck Tuesdays, Discover Wine Wednesdays, Mimosa Fridays, and Caesar Sundays. Ibey is also planning events such as a brewer’s dinner.

“A big focus is local beers,” he explains, “so we’ll be inviting a few people from each brewery to come in try each other’s beers. People from the public can come in and meet the brewers and can learn more about the process and discover beer.”

Even though life may feel a little slow right now, there will be plenty of reasons for Westboro locals to spend time to the Savoy once things get back to normal – although they may want to bring a healthy appetite for great food and beer with them.

About Discover Local

Discover Local is an exclusive program for our residents, created to better acquaint them with their neighbourhood and the many local businesses and services therein. It’s all about discovering what makes their local community so vibrant, inspiring and livable. From cafes and restaurants to retailers, gyms and beyond, we invite you to discover local. There’s a whole neighbourhood waiting to be discovered!

The post The Savoy Brasserie’s Classic Comfort & French Flair appeared first on Hintonburg Connection Blog.