October 27, 2011

The Bring Food Home Conference Runs This Thursday To Saturday In Peterborough

October 27, 2011/ PTBOCANADA

From October 27th to 29th, farmers, processors, health care professionals, educators and government officials will be coming together at Trent University for a unique food conference called Bring Food Home 2011: Preparing the Ground for a Sustainable Food System. Conference attendees will be engaged in collaboration to build a food system in Ontario that is responsive to the needs of all.

On Thursday, Bring Food Home will host the "Let’s Talk About Food" event at Showplace. It will feature scholar and food policy expert, Mark Winne; the Director of Sustain UK, Jeanette Longfield; Indigenous scholar and educator, Dawn Morrison; writer and broadcaster Jon Steinman; and a welcome address by Mayor Daryl Bennett. Tickets can be purchased at the Showplace Box office for $12, or $5 for students and seniors.

Conference organizers have been working closely with Farms at Work, a local non-profit that works to keep farmland active and healthy, to provide conference attendees with a range of educational and engaging experiences. A number of other local programs will be making presentations and participating in the conference proceedings.

Peterborough’s local food scene offers wonderful opportunities for conference participants to visit innovative food projects, including By The Bushel Community Food Co-op, JustFood Boxes and Trent’s Seasoned Spoon Café. A bus tour to McLean Berry Farm and Kawartha Country Wines is being offered. Conference attendees will also enjoy the "Feast of Local Flavours" at The Elmhirst Resort, featuring local beers and food made with ingredients from Peterborough and Kawartha area farms.

For more info about the conference, visit Bringfoodhome.com.

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October 26, 2011

Here Are Some Signs That It's Definitely Fall In The Patch

October 26, 2011/ PTBOCANADA

Signs that Fall has arrived in Peterborough... the windows have gone up at Hot Belly Mama's and The Old Stone Brewing Company for the season. No more enjoying a meal in the summer breeze.

The Reggie's chip truck near Trent University is closed for the season (but don't forget to visit them in East City!).

The Silver Bean Cafe is closed for the season.

The fountain at Millennium Park has been turned off for the season.

Know of other signs that Fall has arrived in the Patch? Send your pics to tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

October 07, 2011

PtboCanada Restaurant Review: Karma's Cafe

October 07, 2011/ PTBOCANADA

Karma’s Cafe
217 Hunter Street West
Peterborough
(Reservations Recommended)
705-748–5451

Karma's is one of my favourite restaurants in the city and best for authentic Tibetan, Malaysian and Southeast Asian cuisine. I love it for its vibrant flavours and unpretentious atmosphere.

Its walls are uncluttered, the tables free of unnecessary cutlery or condiments, the air calm and peaceful, and the food sings. Every bite fills your mouth with tastes that burst with authentic flavours of lands far away.

In the heart of Peterborough’s restaurant district, Karma's has been a fixture for many years and the most impressive quality about this establishment is the consistency of its food. One of the biggest compliments owner Karma has received in the history of the restaurant was bestowed upon him during his appearance on Restaurant Makeover—the celebrity chef on the show didn't change a single item on the menu, and in fact, stated that Karma actually taught him a thing or two.

We go to Karma’s a few times a month. Tonight we bring a friend from out of town. As always, we dive into Karma’s Platter—a platter of each of the appetizers.

We all get to savour chicken satay with its succulent grilled chicken and a tangy, mildly spicy peanut sauce, light and crispy Thai spring rolls stuffed with chicken, glass noodles, cabbage, cloud ear mushrooms, cilantro and green onion that are thankfully in no way greasy. We also sample fried momos—dumplings filled with ground steak, cilantro and onions, cold rice paper salad rolls overflowing with fresh green mango, papaya and herbs, lemon garlic shrimp wraps with a sweet chili sauce, Bami–Hapjes—noodle and vegetable patties and Nasi–Hapjes, which are rice and vegetable patties served with a smooth tamarind sauce. Each dish offers a distinct signature and each mouthful is alive with texture and freshness.

Karma's specializes in exotic noodle dishes, offering a wide array of tastes to suite any craving: sweet, spicy, tangy, citrusy, smooth, and crunchy heaped on plates garnished with fresh vegetables. Or treat your taste buds to one of Karma's delicate curries served with fragrant steamed rice. All the food is fresh, healthy and beautifully presented, and we marvel at the impact it has on our soul as the tastes linger on our palette and in our memories for days. As I write this review, I am hungry all over again and long for our next visit to Karma's Cafe.

—reviewed by PtboCanada's food writer Tammy Simon

(Other reviews by Tammy Simon: Brio Gusto; Electric City Gardens; Elements)

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada.

October 05, 2011

Boston Pizza Hosting Special Event Tonight For Greater Peterborough Health Services

October 05, 2011/ PTBOCANADA

Support your Family Health Teams by visiting Boston Pizza South today (October 5th) between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., where the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation is hosting a Celebrity Server Night to raise funds and awareness for the Family Health Teams in the City and County of Peterborough.

Local personalities such as former Peterborough Petes Captain and Canada’s World Junior Team Captain Brent Tully will be among the celebrity servers for this special occasion.

Ten percent of sales from the night go to ensuring that your family health care clinics are in a place to respond effectively to our community’s health care needs.

Reservations are recommended. Call Allen at Boston Pizza at 705.740.2775.

[Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation]

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September 16, 2011

What To Do In The Patch This Weekend

September 16, 2011/ PTBOCANADA

The signs of Fall are upon us: cooler temperatures, crisp air, and leaves starting to turn colour and fall. There is an abundance of happenings in the Patch this weekend so be sure to enjoy!

Friday:

The Attic presents Rue Guy, Levon, Roboteyes, 10 p.m., $5, 19+

Showplace Performance Centre presents International Grand Illusionist Ryan Joyce, 7 p.m.

Pirate Radio Showcase Night at Market Hall, Doors open at 7 p.m.

Late Summer Craft Harvest Show, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. 478 Bonnacord Street

Saturday:

Peterborough Farmers' Market, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. Morrow Park

Hutchison House Fall Plant Sale, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m., 270 Brock Street

Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, 9 a.m. - noon, Rogers' Cove

Green Eyewear celebrates 2nd year of business, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 374 George Street [Related Post]

Taste of Downtown presented by the DBIA, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Charlotte Street between George & Aylmer

Late Summer Craft Harvest Show, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. 478 Bonnacord Street

Trent Valley Archives Open House, noon - 2 p.m. 567 Carnegie Avenue

Peterborough Pride Parade, 2 p.m. Starting from City Hall - 500 George Street

Sunday:

Terry Fox Run, 8 a.m. - noon, Nicholls' Oval [Related Post]

Purina Walk for Dog Guides, noon, Lions Community Centre, 347 Burnham Street

Do at the Zoo Two, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Riverview Park and Zoo [Related Post]

Also, be sure to check out many of the Artsweek Peterborough festivities offered over the weekend.

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Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada.

September 05, 2011

Sunrise Cafe Has Closed & In Its Place Dag's Grill Is Opening Soon

September 05, 2011/ PTBOCANADA

The Sunrise Cafe (at 395 Alymer) has closed down, and Dag's Grill is set to open soon in that location.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada.

July 26, 2011

Spotlight: EPIC Ventures Winner Shish Kabob Hut (Which Will Appear On Food Network's "You Gotta Eat Here!")

July 26, 2011/ PTBOCANADA

In May, the GPA EDC launched a new program entitled EPIC Ventures to recognize entrepeneurs in our local community. The winner each month will be chosen from your votes by visiting the Business Advisory Centre by the 20th of each month.

We recently had a chance to sit down with Don Vassiliadis, owner of Shish Kabob Hut, and the first winner of the EPIC Ventures program. Vassiliadis, a second generation owner of the restaurant, talked to us about how the business has flourished over the years and opportunities yet to come. The Shish Kabob Hut opened back in 1976 at the corner of Parkhill and Water, and several years later they moved to their current location at 220 King Street. They are thrilled to be celebrating their 35th year in business this year, and have branched into both a catering and party rentals business—making them an all inclusive establishment for any of your dining needs.

An active member in the community, Vassiliadis takes every opportunity to have his restaurant participate in local events happening in the area. You may have spotted him recently at the DBIA's Ribfest and Fiesta Buckhorn. An upcoming event he has Shish Kabob Hut participating in is the 100 Mile Dinner presented by the Peterborough Agricultural Society (August 7th at 6 p.m.), which will have local food and area chefs preparing the meal. Tickets can be purchased for $30 from Don at the restaurant, as he is helping co-ordinate the event along with Rural Routes, the Peterborough Farmers' Market and the GPA EDC office.

Also, stay tuned in the Fall when Shish Kabob Hut will be featured on The Food Network's new show, You Gotta Eat Here!. (Peterborough's Reggie's will also be featured on an upcoming show.)

Shish Kabob Hours: Monday - Closed, Tuesday/Wednesday 11:30 a.m. - 8 p.m., Thursday/Friday 11:30 a.m. - 9 p.m., Saturday 4 p.m. - 9 p.m., Sunday - Closed. Click here to view menu, take-out is also available.