Let's Eat

Bushmills. Unlike Scottish single malt whisky (note the Scottish spelling vs ‘whiskey’ in Ireland), which are normally double distilled, the Irish triple distill theirs which some say makes it smoother and generally more approachable - you be the judge. The Irish and the Scots always have to be different. If St Patrick ever had a tipple though, I venture to say that it would be a Jameson from Southern Ireland! A smooth blend of pot still and fine grain whiskeys; bright, pale amber with subtle aromas of white flower, nectarine, ripe pear and clove; mellow and approachable on the palate, with spicy vanilla, wildflower honey and ginger flavours. I prefer this regular version on the rocks or after a special dinner in an Irish coffee.

Jameson is now distilled at the New Midleton Distillery in County Cork. It is by far the best-selling Irish whiskey in the world; in 2019, annual sales passed 8 million cases.

John Jameson, after whom the distillery was named, was actually a Scottish legal clerk. He was born in Alloa in 1740 and started the distillery in Dublin in 1780. I just had to say this because my dad was born in Alloa where Maclays IPA beer is still brewed and available all over the world! It has a comparatively low price for a very good IPA! I have generations of Irish ancestors too on my grandmother’s side who married the Scottish marine engineer. But that’s another story.

Well, in fairness, we cannot leave out Northern Ireland where the Old Bushmills Distillery is, in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The company that originally built the distillery was formed in 1784, although the date 1608 is printed on the label of the brand – referring to an earlier date when a royal license was granted to a local landowner to distill whiskey in the area. I wonder if this has anything to do with the spirit of Irish competition where Jameson started 4 years earlier in the south?

Well, enjoy St Paddy’s Day and please, don’t drink adulterated green beer; wear the green Derby hat instead!

I also reviewed a number of LCBO Vintage release wines and I don’t know about you, but I am hard pressed to find decent wines in the $10 to $17 range anymore. Wines that not that long ago were in that range have been hiked to over $20, which I personally refuse to pay for our regular house wine enjoyment. I will splurge on special occasions for several wines I love and when company visits. I will mention one wine from a quality producer (Boekenhoutskloof) that is always consistent, Porcupine Ridge in Swartland, South Africa. Their Syrah, coming in at 14.5%abv is on special, hopefully still when you read this, at $13.95 (regularly $16.95). Even at regular price it represents good value in a red wine which matches grilled meats, from hamburgers to thick juicy steaks, and is a serious, dark and smoky Syrah, with black olive, black pepper, floral and black plum notes. Cheers, and feel free to drop me a line if you have a question or want a recommendation on what beverage to have with a particular meal you will be preparing. With Covid the last couple of years, I have missed holding sociable gatherings on food and wines/beers/ spirits matchings!

Brian Turner

Foundry Coffee Bar: A place to connect

In today’s busy and fastpaced world, it’s unusual to find a business (especially in food service) that has a primary goal of getting their customers to take their time and stay a while. That’s exactly what Kaitey and Kevin Cosgrove had in mind when they re-imagined a Bridge Street storefront in Carleton Place and created the Foundry Coffee Bar.

The couple moved to Carleton Place from Orleans in 2016 and found the more time they spent sharing pints with new friends at the local craft brewery, or chasing kids around the beach at Riverside Park, the more they knew that this was where they would set down their roots.

They both share a passion for good coffee and chocolate chip cookies but wanted to throw another item on the menu of Foundry by adding connections at no extra charge. By carefully designing the shop with particular attention paid to seating and tables they’ve crafted a special space that encourages patrons to relax, enjoy their wide array of coffees and teas, along with all-day breakfasts, ssandwiches, pastries, and make new acquaintances. My wife and I dropped in on a recent Sunday morning. I tried a Mighty Valley Coffee drip (they also have rotational drip, espressos, and cappuccinos, lattes, macchiatos, and more). We chose an avo-toast and chicken-bacon wrap for our midday nosh. Service was quick and friendly and the dishes were great! My avo-toast was a light focaccia slice generously heaped with avocado and topped with cherry tomatoes, pickled onions and drizzled with a balsamic reduction. Their recipes were developed by Melanie Boudens of The Vegan Chef at Home and Grow Your Roots Foods, making many of the items vegan-friendly. They’ve also connected with Practically Perfect Bakery to offer a selection of gluten-free baked goods.

The Cosgroves are proud of the fact they’ve discovered all the connections needed to bring the Foundry to life right in town. From finding Mighty Valley Coffee through the local farmer’s market, to hiring an expert baker, it’s a home-made success story. They’ve also taken the connection theme to the second level of the building where their office is located, by creating additional offices and a meeting room for those entrepreneurs starting out or in need of a professional space.

They also realized that spontaneous connections can happen at any time, hence their extended hours. The Foundry Coffee Bar is open Monday to Friday from 7 am to 8 pm and from 8 am to 6 pm on weekends. It promises to be the spark needed to put some night-life back on Bridge Street. They’re located at 122 Bridge with ample on-street parking but well within a comfortable stroll or cycle from a good part of the community. And a liquor license is coming! You can reach them at 613-7038964 and check out their offerings online at foundrycollective.ca

If you’re lacking connections for some great coffee, bites, and a new sense of community, the Foundry Coffee Bar is open.