Passion For Flavour at Wired Up Pugs Bistro-Galt

The more I spend time in Galt, Ontario, the more grateful I am to be part of such a unique and creative community.

On a recent trip to our RiverFront Condominium presentation centre in the Southworks Mall, my colleague and I were looking for a lunch spot nearby.  Just across the street, nestled in an historic cottage overlooking the Grand River, is the newly opened Wired Up Pugs Cafe-Bistro.  The restaurant, named for Chef Amit's love for his collection of his pug dogs, is both quaint and inviting.

Upon entering, we were warmly greeted by Amit, and I instinctively knew we were in for something special. He is a chef with a passion and this bistro, not his first, is a place where he can fine tune his life's experience in cuisine. An artist not only in the kitchen, Amit is a bit of a triple threat as he also is a talented photographer and musician. His philosophy, "Do what you  love", is evident in his menu and, with extensive experience in kitchens globally, he has much to offer the lucky patrons of this community..

 

On my first visit, I ordered the Red Pepper Sweet Potato soup which was comforting and packed with flavour and just the right amount of spice.  Next, I enjoyed a terrific fresh green salad with maple praline, goat cheese topped with roasted chicken.  All the food served at its peak of freshness and that is why I love this place.  The dishes may lack visual presentation but I go for the flavour and am never disappointed.  Another time, my niece and I chose to share dishes, the Avocado Enchilada and Pad Thai.  At Amit's suggestion, we started with the enchilada as he cautioned it was very filling and subsequently, we didn't have room to order the Pad Thai.  We'll have to go back soon and I also want to indulge in the homemade desserts - Coconut Cream Pie and the newly created Apple Pear Cranberry and Sugar Cream Pie - along with a selection of specialty teas.

 

What you will notice when you enjoy the food here is that Amit has a penchant for developing flavourful chutneys and sauces. The flavours were so fantastic that I ordered some as Christmas gifts. My favourites are Pimento Eggplant chutney, Mango Chutney and Spicy Maple Aioli.

Not just a lunch place, this bistro is open nights for dinner and sometimes offers live music events.  I'm intrigued to see what the dinner menu offers and, coupled with live music and a bottle of wine, I bet it would be a great way to hibernate on a cold winter's night. And, since Amit is perpetually creating, there will most likely be something new on the blackboard menu at every visit. The value, too, is outstanding. I wonder how he can prepare such wonderful food at such a reasonable price. 

Be sure to visit this treasure the next time you are in Galt.  Located at 93 Grand Ave. South, in Galt/Cambridge, ON.  Tel: (519) 624-1849, Open Tues-Sun, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Downtown Galt Retail Resurgence

There is nothing more appealing than a mix of old and new.  An historic city core that preserves it's charm while reviving into an eclectic locale for fashion and home decor is what every city aims to achieve.  Such is the current state of downtown Galt, part of Cambridge, Ontario.

I am not a resident of Galt, however I have been exploring the area since promoting RiverFront Condominiums.  As our project readies itself to begin construction in 2013, I wanted to discover what the neighbourhood was all about so I could let our new purchasers in on the secrets of this unique community.

Finlay Fine Furniture

Recently, en route to the Cambridge Farmer's Market, I was delightfully surprised to come across some established and new exciting retail shops offering quality home decor and fashion items.  Of the most established in the area, Finlay Fine Furniture, originally from Stratford, has been offering high-end new and pre-owned furniture to customers near and far with an impressive collection of brand names.  With over 4,000 square feet housing quality brands like Kittenger, Baker, Stickley, Henkel Harris, there is no need to trek to Toronto to find beautiful, one of a kind furniture.  In fact, Finlay Fine Furniture is so popular with clients, that they've expanded to a 12,000 square foot second location two blocks away to display their ever-growing inventory. We are fortunate to have this savvy retailer in our area.

Right next door to Finlay, is a new boutique, The Art of Home,  housing a collection of new and vintage housewares and select furniture pieces.  I have to admit, this store caught my eye instantly!   The mother-daughter duo of Joanne Malone and Pamela Mangos recently opened their doors in May and it's easy to see what draws people in.  The store is beautifully merchandised with dishes, pillows, linens, home accents dappled with lovely refurbished painted antique furniture which both proprietors create.  This is a lifelong dream for these two ladies and the passion for vintage collectibles is evident in their engaging smiles.  A store that would ideally fit into Toronto's trendy home decor area, The Art of Home sets itself apart with its affordability. Everything is so modestly priced that anyone on a budget can surely walk away with something they cherish. As Pamela says, "What's the fun of shopping if you can't buy anything?"  And right she is!  I found a beautiful hand-painted wardrobe for my home that very day. These ladies have a knack for breathing new life into old pieces and creating an environment to browse, shop and linger.  Truly a special place.

The Art of Home

Joanne & Pamela  of The Art Of Home

Also on Main Street in Galt, across the way is Willow House, offering furnishings, interior design  and upholstery services.  What an ideal shop to consult design experts on fabric choices to re-upholster the pre-owed Ethan Allen dining chairs you found at Finlay's?  Perhaps you might be in need of custom draperies for your new home, well, Willow House has plenty of fabric choices and styles to choose from that will complete the look of your living space.

Willow House

Down the way from Willow House is the newly opened fashion boutique of acclaimed Canadian designer, Rodney Philpott.  For women who wish to adorne themselves in something truly unique, you couldn't find a more creative and avantgarde designer.  Philpott offers glamorous edgy couture clothing for fashionistas.  His unique service is custom fitting, fully aware that the majority of  woman struggle to fit into off-the-rack styles. His window displays are eye candy and if you are worried about being caught in the same dress as another gal at an upcoming holiday party, fear not. Rodney will create a look as individually beautiful as you.

Rodney Philpott Designs

One final mention is a brand new retailer selling consignment furniture located in the Southworks Mall. The boutique, Next Time Around is down the way from RiverFront Condominium sales centre and is the perfect place to find quality items to furnish your abode. Or, subsequently, if you are downsizing to an exciting, simplified life in a new condo, what better place to sell your over-sized furniture? Proprietor, Kristy Morgan, has extensive knowledge in the design field and can help you decide what and how to consign or how to create a look for your home environment that suits your style with items from her store.  Soon, they will be offering interior design classes in store to teach you the techniques of the design trade.

Next Time Around-at Southworks Mall

I have to say that being an avid collector of pre-loved and vintage furniture and decor, I was absolutely thrilled to discover these incredible shops in the Cambridge area. If you haven't explored downtown Galt, be sure to check out these delightful retailers and, who knows, by the time you do, there may just be a couple more new opened choices in time for the Christmas shopping season.

Cambridge Farmers Market

A trip to any farmer’s market leaves one with a sense of connectedness to the land, the people who grow our food and the community in which we live.

Frequenting markets since childhood, I’m fortunate to live within 15 minutes of both the St. Jacob’s and downtown Kitchener markets.  I love to meet my friends over coffee early Saturday morning and discuss what food items we were seeking to create our recipes for the week.  The sense of balance and vitality after a market visit is truly soothing to both the palate and the soul.

Recently, I ventured further east to make my first visit to the Cambridge Farmers' Market, located in downtown Galt.  The day I chose was a brilliant warm September Saturday and parking a few streets away allowed me an enjoyable stroll through the emerging core of Galt.

 The Cambridge Farmers' Market itself is a true farmer’s market in a sense that all vendors offer foods and preserves grown within a 100 km radius of the market.  Still operating at its original location which began in 1830,  the Cambridge market is the third oldest farmer’s market in Canada!   The full market of vendors gather every Saturday and due to the popularity of this unique market, it is now running every Wednesday from May to end of October.

As I made my way through the outdoor market, I was overwhelmed by the variety of produce, the colours and shapes. Fall is the best time as the endless display of squash, pumpkins, beets kale, apples, pears are a delight for the eyes.

For a small market, I was surprised at the selection of offerings. From local organic greens to specialty baked goods from a British Baked Goods, Ontario's largest family owned British Bakery also specializing in gluten-free items, you are sure to leave with something special. 

Along the way, I sampled a yummy spread at the Garlic King. This vendor sells a wonderful buttery, garlicky , herb spread will have you baking garlic bread in a pinch or adding it to anything cooking on the stove.  I should have purchased the larger container because my household has been using it non-stop for 5 days!

 The indoor portion of the Cambridge market offers a place to have lunch, enjoy fresh brewed coffee and continue shopping at Tanner's Cheese  

and Southern Pride Poultry

... as well as a wide selection of preserves and the most extensive variety of exotic mushrooms.  

                         
When I left the Cambridge market that day, I left with a very familiar feeling.  I felt as if I had been to a neighbourhood party.  Meeting new people, watching children laugh and play, swapping recipes with strangers, the experience made me feel complete.  I'm smiling still.