Ottawa, Do You Know your P0utine? Chance 4 to Win a Pair of Tickets

A total of 3 opportunities to enter the draw for the pair of tickets (value $50) to the Give to Live Poutine Crawl (July 17, 2010) have been spoken for. Two remain.

Again, here is how the raffle works:

• Everyday, we will post a picture of poutine from an Ottawa restaurant, not necessarily one that will be included in the poutine crawl.
• We will leave hints. We may even be careless enough to leave links to websites or Facebook pages.
• The first person to comment on the post, correctly identifying the eatery where the poutine comes from, will be entered into a draw for the pair of tickets.
• Each day, a different first correct commenter will be chosen.
• If someone submits multiple guesses, the first one submitted will be considered.
• The winner of the tickets will be chosen using random.org Friday afternoon.

Here is the 4th opportunity. This time, there are two mystery poutines pictured:

Mystery Poutine 1

This poutine is a small and goes by the name “Hogtown” ($6.99) It came with deep fried bacon, sauteed mushrooms, caramelized onions, cheese curds and a less flavourful sauce (much less savoury) than what authentic Quebec poutine-goers would be used to.

Mystery Poutine 2

This bacon poutine is also a small ($6.49). It came with deep fried bacon, cheese curds, and the same less flavourful sauce.

Both were made with freshly cut and single fried fries. In fact, on your way to this establishment’s washroom, you may walk by palettes of Yukon Gold potatoes that will eventually end up as poutine. Katilin (@kaitli) (fellow Ottawa food blogger) and I thought the fries were fried in oil set too low. They came almost soggy and slightly grease laiden. The fries were also cut somewhere in between thick cut and shoe string, 7/16″ according to the chain’s website. Still, they tasted of fresh potato and the poutine was served “smoking” hot.

This happens to be the establishment that re-ignited Ottawa’s love for poutine. It belongs to a Toronto-originating chain that serves 20 varieties of poutine with several sauce options. Varieties include “traditional”, pork, chicken, beef, and vegetarian. Sauce options include vegetable-based gravy, curry sauce, and a meat sauce. The chain has received a good deal of press, opening 5 locations in Toronto and locations in Kingston, London, and Tremblant (Quebec). The chain even held a “World Poutine Eating Championship“, one participant establishing a new world record (13 lbs of fries, cheese curds, and gravy eaten in 10 minutes).

The chain was founded by one Ryan Smolkin.

Interestingly, the chain was missed during a Toronto Poutine Crawl that was organized by a number of food bloggers earlier this year. The Ottawa establishment will be missed in the GiveToLive Poutine Crawl as well.

During the establishment’s opening week (week of July 28, 2010), it gave away Pop Shoppe bottled soda with its first boxes of poutine. Line-ups went out the door from its stainless steel counter.

Stainless Steel Counter

Inside the establishment, you will find an 80s theme, including a wall with icons from the era. Most recognizable is KITT from Knight Rider. The chain’s logo features a big haired person with 80′s style oversize aviator glasses.

On your way out of the establishment, you are invited to make your addition to its community chalk board.

Chalk Board

Name the establishment and be entered in the draw for a pair of Poutine Crawl Tickets.

Good luck!

Particulars:
Smoke’s Poutinerie
407 Dalhousie Street
(613)789-2872 (CURD)