She wore Bluuuuuuuuuuuuuue Cactuuuus

Wait, that's not how the song goes!  Somehow on Sunday after looking after my nephew in the AM Adam and I ended up at Blue Cactus.  This wasn't our first choice, we careened through the market on the FREEZING Sunday looking for somewhere that wasn't insane busy that was not serving brunch.  I get brunch, but we do not need to have it at 99.9% of all eating establishments in the city, but I digress...


Tasty steak and cheese!



We ended up here and I will say this:  This place is tired.  It felt like a hangover.  Maybe because I've been living in Ottawa for 10 years now (holy s**t!) and this place has not even changed an accessory since then.  The furniture is getting worn, it just doesn't jive with the light of day, although I think they can get away with it in the evening.



We sat near a window, the place wasn't too busy (yet, but it was Sunday and cold).  The water glasses were scratched and old and the one at my place was dirty but PROPS to the server for recognizing this right away and getting me a fresh one.

Liam Maguire, who is this guy anyway?

You know, today was one of those days where even though I had an awesome lunch made I wanted to go out.  So I solicited some of my favourite colleagues (T and littleC) in hopes that we could do lunch - they obliged!  Funny enough we didn't even have to ponder where we were going, as T had already decided for us - Liam Maguire's - a known pub on St. Laurent which has served us multiple times in the past.



Simple soup and sandwich

I mean, the place is decent, about what you  might expect for a typical pub, although more highboy chairs than anything, but that's alright.  We got a cozy half booth corner, perused the menu's and waited for our drink order to be taken.......and waited......and then the waitress came!  But to another table, so we waited some more......and then we waited....littleC slumped over and T complaining about how hungry she is, this was not starting off well.

What seemed like an enternity (me, I was in no rush but it still felt long) we finally got drink service and an apology, nice touch.   We mentioned we were ready to order as well and the waitress said 'well, whatever works' - lunch works for me thanks! :)

I Juan my money back...or at least some cheese...

The experience that inspired me to start this blog. 

It was today - wait, it still IS today.  A (my partner in crime) and I were out on the town running typical suburbanite errands (the big box home reno stores for some generic inspiration) when we realized it was time for lunch.

We had passed by a Mexican restaurant in Orleans called Willie and Juan's several times before and today we even backpedalled to get there.  Who wouldn't want to have decent tasting Tex Mex food in a place that is pretty easy to get to and has parking? (read: is not downtown).   Located on St-Joseph, formerly a Mexicali Rosa's I had high hopes, and I wanted to support local entrepreneurs as well.

A and I walk in and the man who took us to our table was pleasant enough, we asked for a booth thinking it would be a more comfortable experience...not necessarily the case.

First note: A giant gash in the wall with bare concrete very visible....