From the Mouths of Babes....

So I was attempting a new salad recipe the other day (barley & black quinoa) and my 5 year old walks into the kitchen and asks what I'm doing. Upon hearing that I was trying a new recipe he says:

"Mommy will I like it or will I say I like it, then go spit it out in the bathroom so I don't hurt your cooking feelings?"

Le sigh.

(photo credit: taken from hotels.com)

Paesani's Caffe

PAESANI'S CAFFE &ITALIAN EATERY

226 PRESTON ST., OTTAWA, ON K1R 7R4
Phone: (613) 233-9666


This restaurant is still a secret food gem in Ottawa's Little Italy but once you try it will be a place that you go to over and over again.


Paesani's opened in 2003 and continues to be a family run business serving up a home style  breakfast and lunch. The lunch menu offers panini, sandwiches, wraps and daily lunch specials. Their new dinner menu is traditional Italian and made to order and consists of antipasti, pasta's and entrees. Recently renovated, Paesani's is cozy and intimate with seating for 35 and a 24 seat patio.


Bottom line, Paesani's has a phenomenal chef who knows Italian food and knows it well.  They have a solid menu for lunch and dinner and it's the perfect place for a small private function and party (set menus available for up to 30 people)


I've been there for breakfast, lunch and dinner and I've never left disappointed.


But don't take my word for it - try it yourself.

My Best of 2009....

Here is a random in no particular order of preference collection of things that I came across this year that I absolutely love...

1. Victoria Beckham's perfume: Beckham Signature...I love the fact that it reminds me of cotton candy.

2. The TV show 'Glee'

3. The website 'Beyond The Rack'...big fancy names, ridiculous prices

4. The ballet flats by Pretty Ballerinas...now in Canada [Montreal]

5. The children's singing duo 'Bobs & LoLo' [Treehouse]

6. The website 'Etsy'...I could spend hours checking out all the online shops.

7. CoverGirl 'Exact Eyelights' mascara in Black Pearl

8. GOSH cosmetics Lip Gloss #009

9. Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Lipcolor #035 [Iconic Iris]

10. Annabelle Liquid Eyeliner in Espresso & Black

11. Tide Stain Release In-Wash Booster pacs [they really do work amazingly well]

12. nuyu facial cleaning milk [love the smell]

13. Dan Thompson's Beauty Busted blog [Yummy Mummy Club]...the man has saved me a fortune in cosmetics

14. Blip.fm [cause we all love playing DJ]

15. Rice paper pulled pork Spring Rolls from the Mekong [divine]

16. The album 'The Fray' by TheFray.

17. The children's TV shows Yo Gabba Gabba and Olivia.

18. Hydrasense Nasal Care sprays [colds what colds?]

19. Boiron Coryzalia Cold Homeopathic Medicine

20. Triaminic Flowing Vapours for children

21. Aleva Naturals: Breathe Easy Cream

22. Triaminic Pure Remedies Non Medicated Nasal Saline Mist for Children

23. Studio M clothing line [The Bay]

24. D'lish Clothing Co. handbags

25. Lori Michaels dresses

26. Porter Airlines

27. Twitter [I'm @cbernardi]

28. Vimeo

29. Evian Roller Babies TV ads

30. Kashi Original 7 Whole Grain crackers

31. Kashi Cherry Dark Chocolate TLC Chewy Granola Bars

32. Two Monkeys Coffee and Tea House in Ottawa

33. For everything food and recipies: Delish.com

34. Farmville

35. Green Mountain Coffee...their Hot Cocoa is so good.

36. Keurig® Single-Cup Brewer

37. Tassimo Coffee system

38. Olay Quench Body Wash

39. The artist: Florence + Machine and the song 'You've Got The Love'

40. Lebanese spinach & meat pies from Aladdin Bakery in Ottawa

41. Stuntman Stu Red Line Merlot

42. The Yummy Mummy Club [yes I write a blog for it but that's besides the point]

43. Gok Wan's TV Show: How to Look Good Naked

44. Best websites for the kiddlets: treehousetv.com, pbskids.org, nickjr.co.uk, nickjr.com, tvokids.com

45. Canadian Olympic Team Unisex Trapper Hat by Hbc

46. Tuong Ot Toi Viet-Nam Chili Garlic Sauce

47. Allessia La Bomba Hot Antipasto Spread

48. La Belle Excuse White Balsamic Vinegar

49. Crerar's No. 1 Golden Honey [Vernon, ON]

50. Prairie Premium Ground Flax Seed

51. Dimpflmeier Healthy Living Prebiotic Multigrain Bread

52. La Vache Qui Rit Cheez Dippers

53. Natunola Health's Delight Omega-3 Instant Oatmeal with shelled flax

54. Y & Y Brand Rice Paper

55. Pastene Fillets of Mackerels in Olive oil

56. Fruits & Passion Green Tea Body Souffle

57. Fruits & Passion Cucina Lime Zest Regenerating Hand Cream

58. Fruits & Passion Cucina Ginger & Sicilian lemon Regenerating Hand Cream

59. Purell Moisture Hand Sanitizer Therapy

60. Smith's Rosebud Salve