The 4th Annual Taste of Wellington West is a free festival put on by the Wellington West Business Improvement Area that features free food samples, fun, and this year, rain and giant lobsters... From the BIA Web site (http://www.wellingtonwest.ca) : "Stroll our new sidewalks enjoying free food samples from dozens of amazing restaurants and food shops and experience a Taste of Wellington West! For food lovers and urban sensualists this is an event not to be missed. And this year the number of participating gourmet hotspots is higher than ever with 36 venues on the menu."
The day started with a torrential downpour. But here the Metro grocery crew gamely deals with rain at opening time - around 1:00 p.m.
The Metro grocery crew gamely deals with rain at around 1:00 p.m. - check out the range of stuff they were offering!
Nicastros started their samples in the store during the rain.
Volunteers keeping dry. Notice the donation box. Taste of Wellington West is totally free, but our charity this year was Causeway Work Centre http://www.causewayworkcentre.org/.
Harvest Loaf with Bagel Shop in the background.
This was about 1:10 with the rain at its hardest.
Amazed at the number of brave tasters - although they got much shorter lines due to the rain.
More samples inside harvest loaf.
Wellington West and Clarendon. The rain began letting up a bit around 1:15.
At Parma Ravioli they finally fired up the chafing dishes around 1:20.
BIA chairman Mike Steinberg managed to stay dry - mostly - and gave out a variety of tasty Herb & Spice wares.
The sample table at Herb & Spice.
The crew at Bagel Shop - along with a volunteer holding the donation box.
A bit of "subtle" advertising at the Bagelshop.
Another nosher braving the rain.
Fresh Bagel and smoked Meat at Ottawa Bagelshop.
Flowers Talk were giving out free roses - including to these colourful young ladies.
Another shot of the bagelshop - starting to dry up?
More treats at Three Tarts Bakery - and another donation opportunity for Causeway Work Centre http://www.causewayworkcentre.org/..
Fancy deserts at Three Tarts Bakery
The newly rebranded Wellington Village Community Association (formerly West Wellington) gave out free lemonade and information.
Bedraggled, but not beaten. Tasters line up at Sushi Umi.
Line-ups start to get longer at Sushi Umi - as the rain starts up again.
Inside Sushi Umi - free sushi samples.
Hard core local foodies enjoying their sushi - and a dry moment.
The lovelies at Flowers Talk - giving out free roses.
Congratulations to Flowers Talk for one of the most colourful displays.
Line forming at P'tite Bill's Bistro
Pulled pork sandwich and a smile at P'tite Bill's Bistro.
More volunteers taking donations in the rain near P'tite Bill's for Causeway Work Centre http://www.causewayworkcentre.org/.
Fresh Air Experience got into the act with a sidewalk sale - and a bit of shelter.
Tasters taking advantage of the shelter at Fresh Air Experience.
Okay, there was more hard rain by the time I reached Booster Juice, but this guy tried to keep things from getting too juicy.
More deserts - these ones at Three Bakers and a Bike.
Three Bakers and a Bike. Mouth watering yet?
Iced Tea at Bridgehead - with more pouring rain.
Montha and her crew at Siam Bistro Thai Cuisine offered delicious Thai iced tea. (sorry for the mistake in labeling you earlier Montha!)
Thyme and again served treats inside during the rain.
Coconut squares and meatballs at Thyme & Again.
At Thyme & Again. Another volunteer collects donations for Causeway Work Centre http://www.causewayworkcentre.org/.
The offerings at Nectar Fine Teas.
The display and some tasters at Nectar.
Newly expanded Collected Works bookstore offered lots of liquid refreshment.
A young taster shows off his treat and his face paint.
The display and soggy crowds outside Great Canadian Theatre Company.
A few tasters near GCTC.
The really yummy gourmet chicken sandwiches at Allium.
The rain was finally letting up by the time I reached the Foolish Chicken. He looks positively dry.
At the Foolish Chicken.
At the Foolish Chicken. Another volunteer collects donations for Causeway Work Centre http://www.causewayworkcentre.org/.
Tasters comparing notes outside Allium.
Yes that's a man in a giant lobster suit outside the Royal Oak.
The offerings at the Royal Oak.
And the growing crowds outside the Royal Oak on Wellington.
More lobster and Crowds near the Royal Oak.
Absinthe always draws some of the biggest lines - but this year they added face painting and a live DJ.
Face Painting at Absynthe.
The DJ Spins at Absynthe.
The mini buffalo burgers at Absynthe.
Tasters at Absynthe - obviously ready for the rain. Or a biblical flood.
Tasters outside Emerald Bakery.
Indian food and sweets on offer at the Emerald Bakery.
A smile and a small promo from Emerald Bakery.
A look back at the growing lineups at Parkdale and Wellington West around 2:00 as the sky finally begins to clear. At this point I needed to rush home to pick up my son who was eager to try out the Bouncy Castles.
Kudos to a number of non-food shops that added their wares - and free treats or drinks - to the day.
Now it's 2:15 and the sun is out. Great little "Art in the Alley" display beside Chick Pea children's boutique and a live Jazz Band.
Another look at the Art in the Alley display near Chick Pea.
Back at Metro and the staff look happier now that their tent isn't blowing away.
More staff and food offerings at Metro.
A happy young taster loving his mini burger with Carmelized onions at Metro.
More tasters near the Wellington Diner - notice the sidewalks are almost dry.
The scene at new alternative health service CaSalubris.
More at new alternative health service CaSalubris.
Nicastro's finally got their samples and display outside - and the umbrellas turned into shade.
Sidewalk sale display at Red Chair Kids.
Parma Ravioli in full gear.
Sunshine brought more eager tasters.
And longer lines - here at Nectar.
But of course, the big excitement for kids: two massive bouncy castles near Rosemount and Wellington West.
The bouncy castles near Rosemount and Wellington West.
bouncy castles near Rosemount and Wellington West.
The view from the top of the bouncy slide (yes they said I could go up).
Elmdale Tavern put on a free blues-tinged rock and roll show.
Jewelry for sale near Elmdale Tavern.
Next Year, make sure you check out the band at the Elmdale Tavern - thanks guys!
Dish Catering promoting their soon to open restaurant at 1024 Wellington: the full scoop at this blog http://www.foodieprints.com/item/2593
Dish Catering set up a tent at Fairmont and Wellington West in Hintonburg to promote their soon to open restaurant: the full scoop at this blog http://www.foodieprints.com/item/2593
The fine folks from Dish Catering - who are opening a new restaurant / storefront at 1024 Wellington West. The full scoop at this blog http://www.foodieprints.com/item/2593
Alpha Soul is another new restaurant opening up in Hintonburg at Levonian the Shirtmaker - which is moving upstairs. The cookies here were a hit with my son.
The owner of the new Alpha Soul restaurant with her amazing cookies.
Carbon Computing showing off the new iPad - which isn't food, but is still selling like hotcakes.
Vina Del Mar - sad we were too late to try any samples which got rave reviews.
Two tasters - she works at the Springroll House, which also participated for the first time this year (and which we also missed).
<sigh> One of our local faves, the Springroll House Cafe, but we missed the samples. Next year we start East and work West.
Fab Gear in Hintonburg had a sidewalk display...
And Fab Gear also offers ice cream - with samples for Taste of Wellington West.
The display near Heavens to Betsy.
Even the St. Vincent De Paul thrift store added this great food-themed window display.
Hillary's Cleaners did their bit as well with a free give-away.
Saslove's Butcher ended the day by raffling off a 19 pound lobster.
BIA Executive Director Annie Hillis with the fish buyer from Saslove's (sorry, didn't get the name) and Dianna Ashworth - who helped put the Taste day together.
A measly 13 pound lobster at Sasloves. The one they were raffling off was 19 pounds!
