REVIEW: The Snooty Rooster

Tuesday, February 7, 2012 4 comments Categories: , , ,


The Snooty Rooster
300 Ouellette Avenue
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Phone: +1(519)915-0478
Email: n/a
Website: n/a




Type of Restaurant: Tea House
Attire: Casual 
Prices: E- $6 M- $10 D- $4
$$- Affordable
Payment Options: Debit/Eftpos, Cash

Hours: 
Monday-Sunday 11am-9pm
Reservations: Walk-ins Welcome
Handicap Accessible? Yes.
Vegetarian? Yes.
Vegan? Not really.
Gluten Free? Yes.

RATING:

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Quality of Food: n/a
Service: 0/5
Originality: 3.5/5
Atmosphere:3.5/5

I recently took on yet another job. This one is near the City Hall in Windsor, Ontario. As a result, you will likely be seeing quite a few reviews from downtown Windsor establishments. 

I had been to the Snooty Rooster in the past when I was craving an espresso. The guy working the counter was like, we don't do espresso there is Starbuck's right on the corner of Wyandotte and Ouellette. I found this response quite odd. He is directing me to the Starbuck's chain that I CLEARY knew was there, rather than recommending one of the locally owned coffee shops like MILK Coffee Bar, or the Coffee Exchange just down the road. Needless to say, I left that day and didn't go with his suggestion. But rather did my Coffee Exchange review that day.

I had about 30 mins to get to work, and thought I'd give the Snooty Rooster another shot seeing as I now knew they were a tea house and not a coffee shop. To be honest, it is a pretty cool place. They have a long chalkboard along the back wall which is their food menu that changes regularly. In the far corner, a play area for kids to keep occupied while their parents enjoy a tea or something to eat.

I made my way up to the counter and that same guy was working. I asked what sort of teas they have. He pointed in my direction to a table behind me, where the tea menu was located. I quickly placed my order for a Tanzanian Chai, paid, and made my way to the washroom. I returned to the counter and despite spending about 5 minutes in the washroom the tea was still not ready. The guy had only just then set the water to boil. I waited, and waited for that water to boil. I swear he must have put cold water into that kettle. The guy saw me anxiously staring and made the comment "I watched kettle never boils". I felt like responding, "No, a kettle that was just put on with cold water never boils". The kettle was finally boiling, and I had just 10 minutes to make my walk to work. The same worker was fumbling over something with a total disregard to the boiling kettle right beside him and despite knowing how anxious I was to take my tea to go. Long story short, I had to call the worker's attention to the kettle and asked if he would simply pour the hot water into my cup so I could take my tea and make it to work on time. 

The place is cool, has a neat concept, but their service really needs to improve or I wouldn't be surprised to see this place shut in no time. Windsor doesn't usually have a tolerance for poor service. To be honest, that second chance is all I am willing to give to this place. If you do decide to try it out, feel free to let me (and others) know what you thought by submitting your comment below.

EVENT: Fish Fry Benefit for Lainie

Thursday, December 29, 2011 0 comments Categories: , , , ,





Lainie Sallmen (nee Armstrong) is a 27-year-old mother of three young children Lainie and I went to high school together. I only recently found out about the recent struggle she has been going through. Lainie has been diagnosed with incurable Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.  After unsuccessful chemotherapy, radiation and a stem cell transplant, Lainie's only options are naturopathic medical treatments which are very costly and not covered by insurance. These treatments are the only thing that seems to keep the cancer from progressing at a rapid rate.
A fish fry benefit is being held to raise money to help Lainie and her family pay for these naturopathic treatments.

Come and join us in a gathering of family, friends, and community to raise some money to help Lainie Sallmen in her battle.

EVENT INFORMATION


Saturday, JANUARY 21st 2012
Being Held at: The Wheatley Ontario Royal Canadian Legion Hall 
Dinner from 5:00 to 7:00 pm with a dance to follow. Music by 'The Pier Road Band'. Cash Bar.
 Tickets are $20 each. Available at Bowman Feeds or by calling 519-825-9916 or 519-796-6861.

For more information, or if you are interested in donating to this event, please call or email Christine Bradley @ 519-796-6861 or tcbradleyfam@sympatico.ca

COOKBOOK REVIEW: In My Mother's Kitchen by Trish Magwood

Wednesday, December 28, 2011 1 comments Categories: , , , ,

Not too long ago, I received another email asking for a cookbook to be reviewed. This time, it was from the chef herself-- Trish Magwood. To be totally honest, I have never heard of Trish Magwood before but nonetheless I was honoured. A quick Google search turned up numerous guest appearances on CBC Radio, CTV's Canada AM, Rogers Cityline, and NBC's today show just to name a few. To be totally honest, surprised this woman doesn't have her own cooking show yet. She is beautiful, full of spunk, and judging by her culinary career thus far really knows her stuff.


Magwood's first cookbook dish entertains did pretty well in its own right winning the James Beard Award (one of the highest honours for food and beverage professionals in North America). In My Mother's Kitchen is her latest cookbook, and the one I received in the mail. This book is a compilation of three generations of family recipes compiled in a book filled with beautiful pictures of the dishes themselves. The book has quick and easy recipes for a meal on the go as well as some little more elaborate recipes for those fancier meals where you aim to impress your friends or family. Seeing as the cookbook arrived on the lead up to the holidays, I have been a bit busy, so decided to tackle the "Elena's Curried Corn Chowder" recipe found on page 37. Don't let the word "curried" scare you, it is only as spicy as you want to make it.

ELENA'S CURRIED CORN CHOWDER 
(serves 6)




INGREDIENTS
1 tbsp (15ml) butter 
1 tbsp (15ml) olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tsp (5ml) curry powder
8 baby new potatoes, quartered (or 2 medium Yukon Golds, peeled and cut into chunks)
salt and pepper to taste
4 cups (1L) fresh or thawed frozen corn kernels
1 sweet red pepper, diced
1/2 jalapeno or red chili pepper, finely diced
1/2 cup (125ml) white wine
1 can (10z/284 ml) creamed corn
3 1/2 cups (875ml) chicken stock (Veggie stock would work as vegetarian alternative)
6 small tomatoes, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup (125ml) 35% cream 
Chives, for garnish

HOW TO

In a large heavy soup pot, melt butter with oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and saute until soft, about 3 minutes. Add curry powder and saute another minute. Stir in potatoes, salt and pepper; saute another minute. Stir in corn kernels and cook until corn is lightly brown, about 5 minutes.

Stir in red pepper and jalapeno; saute for another 2 minutes. Stir in wine and let evaporate. Add creamed corn and stock, reduce heat to low and simmer 20 minutes.

Remove from heat. Remove two-thirds of the mixture and set aside. Using a hand blender, puree remaining soup in the pot. Return reserved soup to the pot.

Return to medium-high heat and add tomatoes and cream. Cook until heated through, about 5 minutes. Serve garnished with chives.
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The recipe was so quick and easy to do and was a hit in our household. My younger brother went back for 2 more bowls and he isn't usually one to try new food-- especially if meat is missing from the recipe. If I were to do this recipe again, I would probably put a bit more curry powder and jalapenos for an added kick. I love spicy foods, and the recipe as it is was not spicy. So, again, don't let the "curry" scare you from trying this amazing soup. 

THE VERDICT

COOKBOOK RATING: 4/5

I really liked this cookbook. It has such a wide array of recipes that everyone is bound to get something from it. The fact that a seemingly Canadian-centric cookbook had a stracciatella recipe was quite impressive. I also like Magwood's emphasis on local, fresh Canadian produce not only as a way of supporting local farmers, and lessening your carbon footprint but also makes locating the ingredients easier. I can't wait to start tackling the extensive dessert section in the new year. I highly recommend adding this cookbook to your collection.


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