Wow: Crazy Surprise, Amazing Food

Friday night my husband surprised me with a little gift. Not that... something else. He made reservations for us, Saturday night at Beckta (edit: The site doesn't like my links for some reason, you can google Beckta and it should pop up.) EEK! It is the most fab restaurant in Ottawa. It's owned by some hot shot Ottawa sommolier, who went to NYC and made a name for himself there. Came back to marry his girlfriend and open Beckta! Ottawa, considering it's the Nation's Captial, doesn't have too many really good restaurants. I think this place raised the bar to a VERY high level. Hopefully other places will catch up. The food is amazing, but it's the service! The staff is SO wonderful.

Last time we went was December 30th, one day before my due date, 3 days before Erica was born. I had gestational diabetes (boo) and was (obviously) pregnant. Now, if I didn't have GD, I might have had a splash of wine, but the GD just wouldn't allow it. So, here I was at a place that made it's name on wine, I couldnt even have a taste. Despite that we had a great time.

Last night, let's say I made up for lost time. I started with a Beckta Kir (Sparkling wine and raspberry puree). Yum.

Appetizer: Bison Tartare : Diced Bison Striploin, Capers, Red Onion, Plum Brandy, Horseradish Crackers and Sunny Side Quail’s Egg

Yep I ate raw Bison last night. It was really good! I thought it would be chewy and gross, but I decided to give it a go. The good thing about eating there is you know it's going to be quality. so if you are going to have anything outside your comfort zone, do it there. It was very peppery, I wasn't expecting that. Very good. Quails eggs are extremely tiny.

Then I had: Canadian” Bouillabaisse Our Freshest Shellfish and Seafood with Roasted Sunchokes, Celeriac and Salsify in a Clear Lobster Broth

The seafood was shrimp, scallop, soft shell crab, tiny lobster claw and some kind of trout. It was really good. Two things about it though. The portions are not big. Note I said Shrimp and Scallop in the singluar. Over the whole meal we had appetizers (sean had the squash soup), bread (with tasty butter) a main (sean had the steak) and dessert (I will get to those later). You walk away feelling full, but not stuffed. It's very different, cause I usually walk away from a restaurant saying "OH I am SO full!". This is just a different way of eating. I suppose it is really how we should all eat. Until you are satisfied, but not over full. The other thing: Soft Shell Crab... how do you eat that? for those of you who have never seen a soft shell crab, crabs shed their shells when they outgrow them, you take this shell-less crab and... deep fry that MoFo! Seriously, it's just all there and I think you are just supposed to eat it all. I picked apart the carcass, cause I jsut don't eat brains, even crab brains. Has anyone else eaten a full soft shell crab? I had the above with a Reisling.

Then for dessert: Bûche de Nöel Gianduja Chocolate Roll, Meringue Snowman, Rich Cherry Sauce, Bacio Gelato & White Chocolate “Snow”

Very good, very cute presentation. Sean had "How bout them apples".

All in all an amazing dinner. I am so fortunate that Sean and I can afford to go to a place like this everyone in a while. When I complain that Sean has to work the odd long hours, (note I didn't say overtime, he doesn't get paid for extra time at the office, even when it means he works long weekends and until 1:00AM) I should try to remember that his job is one that pays well, and we have a comfy lifestyle. My job, despite it's bizarre government headaches also allow me to live like I do. For that I am thankful.

And since we were out: we could discuss... Mount Rushmore!!! Mulch: I have to say Sean is worried that you are posting your favorite things, not the most important or significant. Sean is protective of the ideal that is mount rushmore.... Anyway, we actually discussed this MR last night.

So here is my response to Mulch's GHII song MR:

#1. Welcome to the Jungle. Slash is on the front, it's the song that everyone wants to play. It realy is the marquis of the game.

#2. Talk Dirty To Me. That is actually Brett Michaels on vocals. Like they did the thing where you put a guy in a black suit witht he little white dots all over him, and film him singing... so that's important. Also on a personal note: I had this bloody song in my head for like DAYS after playing this once.

#3. Slow Ride: Cause it's the first one, it's the one where most people vcut their teeth. It's the one where you go... Hmmm... maybe we should try this thing on easy.

#4. La Grange: Cause this is the only song I can get 4 stars on easy. It's also frickin catchy!

What have you found to be the easiest song to play? I have problems when the notes are not in a set rythm. That is where I get screwed up is if there is a tiny pause or something. Which is why I am surprised I do OK on La Grange. It isn't a set rythm, but I know the song so maybe that is why I do so well. Sean almost got perfect on Miss Murder. He said it was really easy and I should do well on it. Maybe I'll give it a go, but I suck SO bad at this game!

I have an idea for a MR, but I have to see if Mulch even watches this show. If not, then I will think of something else. I will get back to ya'll later!

As a side note it is snowing like a ... thing that snows a lot. No really, this is insane. Please send help.