I have been avoiding every elevator and taking the stairs for the last few weeks. Why? Because of meals like the one I had at Allium. I know, I could have not eaten all of the foie gras, or perhaps scraped the meat off the pastry of the tourtiere, or maybe I could have skipped dessert all together.. No. I finished every last thing on my plate last night and I have no regrets. I might be thinking of that creamy lobster roll every step I take up to my 15th floor apartment but it was well worth it.
The five course meal was part of the monthly Omnivore's Ottawa supper club that is organized by Ron Eade - the premise being that food lovers converge on a restaurant on an off peak night and are dazzled by a special menu from the chef. Allium offered a 5 course menu filled with decadence and a glass of wine with the main for $100 (tax and tip included). It's a fantastic evening out, if you're a food fan and you have not attended one of these club eatings, I highly recommend you do.
As I mentioned, the food was decadent. First course was a scallop, tuna tartare with truffle oil, prosciutto crisp and lobster roll. This was one of my favorite courses, the tuna tartare and lobster on that fluffy white roll was wonderful way to start. Second course was a maple duck breast, braised leg in pastry, foie gras mousse over a scallion pancake and cauliflower and goat cheese puree. Third course was a herb salad with lemon dressing, honey, walnuts and allegretto cheese. This was a different type of salad - it was salty, sweet, different. Fourth course was flat iron steak, angus tenderloin cube, shank and tourtiere with a tomato relish/ketchup. At my end of the table we were oohing and ahhing over the perfectness of the tourtiere and then we hit the shank which fell apart at the slightest touch of our forks - so tender. Finally, fifth course, a brownie with ganache hidden underneath, ice cream on top, candied nuts, raspberry sorbet and blood orange supremes. My favorite part of dessert was the raspberry sorbet, BURSTING with flavor.
This was an unbelievable meal. I'm looking forward to returning to Allium and trying their regular menu - I'll be sure to climb a few extra flights of stairs for it.
Allium
87 Holland Ave
