sweet memories of Ottawa
Ringing in the New Year brought back sweet memories of my trip to Ottawa, Canada, when I had the opportunity to enjoy the amazing Afternoon Tea in Zoe’s Lounge at the Chateau Laurier. I have stayed at this landmark property in the past and loved it. But this visit was focused on a special look inside the “heart of the house” i.e. the kitchen, and the opportunity to meet Anne Marie Milk, the very talented pastry chef who overseas the decadent creations we enjoyed with our champagne and tea at Zoe’s.
My time in Ottawa was brief, but I had time to hop in a cab and visit The Glebe, one of the city’s trendy neighbourhoods known for its unique shops and red brick buildings.
Another recommended stop for visitors to The Glebe neighbourhood of Ottawa is Alicja Confections for the “postcard chocolate bars.” These bars are packaged in artful cardboard housing pre-printed with the template of a postcard on the reverse side so that you can actually mail them to someone! I must tell you that the Potato Chip Milk Chocolate Postcard Bar was a big hit with our guests over the holiday season. The picture below shows the full selection of colourful postcard chocolate bars from which to choose.
While in Ottawa, be sure to walk around Byward Market where you can enjoy a taste of just about anything. And be sure to at least walk by the Parliament Buildings, as they are breathtaking.
While in Ottawa, I had the pleasure of staying at the Andaz Ottawa Byward Market. This is a relatively new hotel built right on the edge of Ottawa’s famous Byward Market with terrific views of Parliament Hill right from your room or from the scenic roof-top lounge. I loved the friendly staff at this hotel, and the nice touches like a complimentary disk of Ontario-made Hummingbird Chocolate (one of my favourites!) and a glass of local Ontario wine on check-in.
Ottawa has long been one of my favourite Canadian cities, and it’s no wonder with all the chocolate diversions this eye-popping historic city has to offer. My thanks to the incredible staff at Ottawa Tourism who always make sure I have the opportunity to enjoy a new taste of Ottawa each time I visit.
Wow, those post cards are a work of art! Just beautiful. I wonder if they will ever venture into the Hemp added industry as there is so much benefit. What better the chocolate and healthy hemp. What are your thoughts? https://directlyhemp.com
Hello Mary. Yes, I have tasted chocolate made with cannibas and it is quite fine. I am not endorsing it though, as my experience is that it is extremely difficult to predict the impact of edibles in the body.
Would love to taste the Royal and in fact every piece looks delicious. What a luxury!
Thanks for your comment, Bola. Yes, the chocolate treats of Ottawa are really quite amazing. I hope you get to visit sometime soon.
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We used to travel to Ottawa every once and a while as my husband is from Ontario, but clearly I’ve missed some of the best parts of the city! Afternoon Tea is always a great way to spend some time and the version in Zoe’s Lounge looks delicious! Chateau Laurier certainly presents an amazing collection of cakes!
Hi Alison. Indeed, Ottawa is quite an amazing city with many cultural and culinary offerings. I hope some of my information will help you on a future visit to this fine city.
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Afternoon Tea in Zoeโs Lounge at the Chateau Laurier sounds heavenly! The fact that you also got to peek into the kitchen is icing on the cake…and what wonderful cakes and treats they have!
Hi Patti. Yes, that was a lovely experience. Thx for stopping by. ๐
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I have to admit it’s never even occurred to me to visit Ottawa! I’ve seen Quebec and Montreal and Vancouver and the Canadian rockies, but that’s about it. My travel list just keeps getting longer and longer…
Right on, Rachel! Don’t forget. Canada is the second largest country in the world, so there is lots to see. Every province is quite different and has its own unique personality. Perhaps on your next visit, you will check out Toronto and Ottawa in Ontario, Canada’s most populace province.
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I always enjoy reading about your latest chocolate discoveries. After reading about the food and chocolate you sampled while in Ottawa, I think I’ll have some breakfast! Of course it will pale against your experiences!!
Hi Marilyn and Happy New Year! Yes, that post certainly gets my taste buds tingling, too! I hope your breakfast satisfied yours and that a trip to Ottawa will happen for you. ๐
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…sweet memories of Ottawa
I’d never thought of Ottawa as a place to go to for the food. But that afternoon tea at Zoe’s Lounge looks amazing!
Hi Karen. As Ottawa is the national capital of Canada, it is no wonder that the standards for restaurants, accommodations, and culinary offerings are varied and of high quality as it hosts many international travellers and dignitaries.
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…sweet memories of Ottawa
Hi Karen,
Afternoon tea at Zoe’s is a sublime experience. It’s worth every penny, and you definitely won’t need supper that evening, because you’ll be too full! Which is too bad because the variety of dining options in Ottawa is amazing.
Right on, Barb! Zoe’s is such a wonderful experience, complete with fabulous service, great views, and very generous portions. I’ve love to go back …
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…sweet memories of Ottawa
Hi Doreen, Happy new year! The images made my mouth watery, the chocolate postcard is something I never thought about. I really wish to visit Ottawa after going through this.
Hello Tushita. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Ottawa is a city filled with a wide range of culinary treats. ๐
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…sweet memories of Ottawa
This is such a sweet perspective of Ottawa. Totally in love with it. Alicja’s Confections seems the place to head to as soon as you land in Ottawa. The offering seem simply irresistible.
Hi Sandy. I didn’t mean to mislead you. Alicja’s is a very tiny shop with limited offerings. But the one thing they offer that is truly unique is their chocolate postcards. Ottawa is a fabulous city with many chocolate offerings to fill every need. Please check the link in my post that highlights quite a few more in the chocolate walking tour of Ottawa.
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…sweet memories of Ottawa
Wow, chocolate postcards! thats a lovely idea. Being a chocolate lover, I would totally love to receive a chocolate card. Its good to know that there are so many chocolate options at Ottawa. Will keep it in mind when I visit the place.
Thank you for your comment, on Amrita. The โchocolate postcardโ iz actually a chocolate bar enclosed in a cardboard casing with a pre-printed template of the back of a postcard. Very creative.
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…sweet memories of Ottawa
Good to learn about the chocolate opportunities in Ottawa, a city where I used to live and try to get back to! Now I know where to go next when I am there.
Thanks for stopping by, Sue. I’m always amazed at the ever-changing culinary landscape of Ottawa. Truly one of my fav Canadian cities for that in addition to many other reasons. ๐
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…sweet memories of Ottawa
Doreen, you always seem to find the sweetest destinations. Ottawa was not on our travel radar, but your article certainly presents a valid argument for a visit. Perhaps we will have the opportunity to sample the “Royal” treat for ourselves.
Happy New Year, Jeff & Crystal! Yes, indeed Ottawa offers many culinary treats and is also a great city for Canadian history and culture. I love it!
Thanks for a delicious (chocolaticious!!) start to the new year! All the preparations sound yummy. But what stood out for me was the Potato Chip Milk Chocolate Postcard Bar! I had never heard of a chocolate postcard bar. It must be a unique experience to send or receive one ๐
Happy New Year, Neha! Yes, I really love the unique concept of the chocolate postcard bar. I’ll have to get the chocolatier to send me one by mail so that I can see how it works. Thx for stopping by and all the best for 2019. ๐
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…sweet memories of Ottawa
The cakes look absolutely delicious. I dribbled over the afternoon tea cakes until I spotted the decadent chocolate treat! This is certainly a place to visit if I ever find myself in Ottowa. A brilliant post to burst into the New Year!
Thank you, Phoenicia, and Happy New Year to you! Yes, I must say that afternoon tea at the Chateau Laurier is a culinary highlight of a visit to Ottawa.
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…sweet memories of Ottawa
Yum! It all looks so delicious. I don’t know how you pick what to nibble on first! I’ll get to Ottawa one of these days.
Rose, knowing your preferences, I guarantee that you will love Ottawa. Itโs a small city thatโs big on arts & culture.
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…sweet memories of Ottawa
Sounds ideal for a summer visit with you!
Hi RoseMary! Ottawa is indeed a perfect summer city. Lots of great walks and lots going on. In winter, a lot of people skate along the Rideau Canal. Very scenic, and right in the heart of the city. I do hope to have a book event this year when I launch the second volume of Chocolatour. Stay tuned! ๐
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…sweet memories of Ottawa
Lovely pictures. These pastries looks mouth watering to say the least. Stunning sunset and I want that postcard! ๐
Thanks for your comment, Remo. Yes, Ottawa is definitely a terrific culinary destination, but also great for Canadian history. I hope you get there.
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…sweet memories of Ottawa
I love the idea of a chocolate postcard although I am not sure it would get through Australia’s quarantine and who knows what it would look like when it arrived!
I’d be curious to find out, Lyn! Hopefully, someone will mail me a chocolate postcard sometime soon! All the best to you in 2019.
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…sweet memories of Ottawa
I’ve walked by Alicia’s many times but didn’t know about the postcards! I’ll have to check them out. I’m always looking for excuses to go to chocolate shops. ๐
Hi and welcome, Laura. I’m liking the fact that I’m alerting local Ottawa folks to some great chocolate diversions they didn’t know about. Thanks for stopping by, and I hope to see you the next time I am in Ottawa. ๐
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…sweet memories of Ottawa
Great spotlight on some Ottawa treats for tourists! I live relatively close to Ottawa and I forget to enjoy what’s in my own backyard. Thanks for a memorable afternoon at Chateau Laurier, Doreen!
Hi Barb and thanks so much for joining me for the High Tea at Zoe’s! It was an amazing afternoon. ๐
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…sweet memories of Ottawa
Oh it all looks lovely Doreen! On my to go list now.
Thankyou!
Right on, Kathy. Ottawa is such a cosmopolitan city. I know you are an art lover, and there are a couple of really terrific art galleries in the city: the National Gallery and the Ottawa Art Museum. Not to mention the Canadian Museum of History that is a truly worldclass facility.
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…sweet memories of Ottawa
I’ll be on the lookout for some good chocolate in New Zealand and let you know what I find.
Thanks! The one I have tried is Donovan’s. It is made from imported cocoa and is OK but not outstanding. I’ve not yet had any NZ chocolate made from cocoa grown there. I know quite a bit is being grown in Australia, but am unsure about what’s happening in New Zealand. Will look forward to your report. ๐
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…sweet memories of Ottawa
I loved Ottawa, especially the changing of the guards at the Parliament. And the Art Center and Notre Dame behind it beyond the canyon.
Hi Carol and thanks for stopping by. Yes, Ottawa is one amazing city. I never get tired of visiting. All the best to you in 2019. ๐
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…sweet memories of Ottawa
Those postcard chocolates are a brilliant idea! I’ll have to scout them out next visit. We just returned from a weekend in Ottawa and also enjoyed afternoon tea at Zoe’s. I love the modern decor and the bright, airy feel of the lounge ( plus the treats). A must-do in Ottawa!
Right on, Michele! I’ve been to Ottawa quite a few times, but this was my first time enjoying the tea at Zoe’s. I was amazed at the age demographics. Everyone from 20-80 was there!
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…sweet memories of Ottawa
We live in southeastern Ontario so Ottawa is relatively accessible. I will be sure to check out the spots you mention. Even though we could go to Ottawa, see the sights and come home the same day, staying at that lovely hotel might be nice. If we go I will be sure to send you a postcard chocolate.
Hi Christine and thanks for stopping by. I would LOVE to receive one of those postcard chocolate bars in the mail to see how they survive the process. You are so lucky to live nearby to so many of the amazing places in southeastern Ontario. Enjoy your upcoming travels! ๐
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…sweet memories of Ottawa
As an Ottawa resident, I’m delighted we treat you well! And I thank you for introducing me via this post to the Glebe “postcards.” I wasn’t aware of that store and will check it out — once the post-holiday guilt subsides.
Thank you, Peter, for being one of the Ottawa friends I love to visit. I always enjoy our noshing together. Hope to see you again later this year. ๐ I hope you had a terrific festive season.
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…sweet memories of Ottawa