Chantsy Eats: Common Eatery, new Ottawa restaurant, opens on Elgin Street

I think I can pretty much say that I have accomplished one of my many life goals. Being invited to a new Ottawa restaurant opening and having the chance to sample half the menu… and loving it! This is exactly where I wanted to be, when I started blogging about 5 years ago. It goes to show you that hard work does pay off, and that sometimes you just need to start doing and stop dreaming!

Back in November 2015, I gave you a glimpse of 380 Elgin street’s Common Concept Shop, and even planted a seed about the soon-to-be “eclectic eatery”. Well, it’s open now! It’s called Common Eatery and it’s anything but common. The moment I walked in, I knew this was going to be my new hang-out spot. What a great use of large windows, street views, natural lighting with an urban vibe. This space is perfect  to host events or throw a wicked party! In fact, I am sure they are already hosting hip hop nights (*adds upcoming events to calendar and books babysitter)

The food was fantastic: All carefully prepared, with wild contrasting ingredients and beautifully plated too. The cocktail list, blew me away. Also, it’s a danger zone, because when you use really good mixes and high quality ingredients, it’s easy to get carried away! I realize now that I don’t hate liquor, I hate cheap liquor! I am also now switching from bubbles to cocktails (anything with egg whites, St- Germain or Gin, please!)

I don’t want to talk you through this, but more so let your taste buds salivate over my pictures. By the time our meals arrived, I was famished and didn’t take any pics of our actual dinner. I had the bison slider  where the patty tasted like we make at home. Lots of fresh Mediterranean flavours with herbs in the meat (delicious!). I tasted my friend’s steak and ravioli which was also excellent.

Common Eatery Ottawa New restaurant 2016 Elgin Street Ottawa Fashion Blog Ottawa food blogger
I call this one #BloggersEat (a photo of a photo of a photo)
Common Eatery Ottawa New restaurant 2016 Elgin Street Ottawa Fashion Blog Ottawa Cocktail bar
Totally digging the hoop chandelier
Common Eatery Ottawa New restaurant 2016 Elgin Street Ottawa Fashion Blog Ottawa Foodie
Cool people hang out at Common Eatery
Common Eatery Ottawa New restaurant 2016 Elgin Street Ottawa Fashion Blog graffitti
Awesome Egyptian inspired grafitti artwork greats you at the entrance
Common Eatery Ottawa New restaurant 2016 Elgin Street Ottawa Fashion Blog Go Green cocktail
Go-Green! Gin and St-Germain are on my to-drink list
Common Eatery Ottawa New restaurant 2016 Elgin Street Ottawa Fashion Blog Foodie
Peaking inside!
Common Eatery Ottawa New restaurant 2016 Elgin Street Ottawa Fashion Blog drink menu
The cocktail menu
Common Eatery Ottawa New restaurant 2016 Elgin Street Ottawa Fashion Blog Cool toilet
The devil is in the details… all the way down to the toilet bowl!
Common Eatery Ottawa New restaurant 2016 Elgin Street Ottawa Fashion Blog cool spaces in Ottawa
Romantic
Common Eatery Ottawa New restaurant 2016 Elgin Street Ottawa Fashion Blog Common Concept
The view from outside
Common Eatery Ottawa New restaurant 2016 Elgin Street Ottawa Fashion Blog Cocktail
All the drinks! The hot pink one is called Unicorn and is served in a hollow sphere ice cube! Crack the ice and the drinks spills out.
Common Eatery Ottawa New restaurant 2016 Elgin Street Ottawa Fashion Blog Cocktail lounge
Bacon and Eggs! Like I said, I love egg whites in my cocktails! Also, that maple bacon tho.
Common Eatery Ottawa New restaurant 2016 Elgin Street Ottawa Fashion Blog Chantsy
Cozy private nook in the back
Common Eatery Ottawa New restaurant 2016 Elgin Street Ottawa Fashion Blog Blogger
Crab cake, scotch egg, toke salad and guac!
Common Eatery Ottawa New restaurant 2016 Elgin Street Ottawa Fashion Blog
Apple Wood Smoked Apple Pie Manhattan

Common Eatery Ottawa New restaurant 2016 Elgin Street Ottawa Fashion Blog Bar on Elgin

 

 

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Style Profile: Amanda Montgomery from Latest Wrinkle

The other day, I was reminded by my dear friend Katie (from Yow City Style) to just go for it! I am a go-getter by nature (obvi… have you read the rest of my blog!), but sometimes I am reminded of what it feels like to be rejected and so I avoid doing things. Well, I put myself out there and finally reached out to my curvy crush Amanda of Latest Wrinkle in Toronto, because I wanted to feature her in my Style Profile series. Well, guys, she got back to me! I wonder if I swayed her by dopping the “I’m also from T.O.” line! hahaha

I highly urge you to check out her Instagram as well… this woman knows what she is doing!

What’s your passion for fashion?
Style has always intrigued me. Fashion is the form of art that I most relate to. I love nothing more than storytelling by styling unique pieces together, playing with lines, silhouettes, and colour stories. What truly brings me the most joy is finding new ways to style something that’s been in my closet for years.
What XLusive tip can you share?
My favourite ‘tip’ that I have learned over the years, isn’t really a ‘tip’ at all, it’s actually to forget rules all together! Find what you love, what makes you exited and feel beautiful, and forget everything you have been told, and just rock it!
Oh also, print mixing makes life more enjoyable!

Amanda Montgomery LATEST WRINKLE Canadian Curvy Plus-Size Fashion BloggerStay Social with Amanda!

Twitter: @amanda_monty | http://Twitter.com/amanda_monty
Snapchat: @latestwrinkle
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London Calls: What to Wear to #BASH2016

Did you attend Bash Noir last year? Seriously, it was the highlight of all the events I attended. A job well done, with larger-than-life installations, live art battles, chocolate cigars and mesmorizing dances performed by robotic creatures. I know, it sounds out of this world, and it truly was.

This is why I am so excited for #Bash2016. The Bash events annually support the Ottawa Snowsuit Fund and help raise a lot of funds to purchase snowsuits for kids in the city. After the winter we had this year… I am sold!

Bash 2016, ‘London Calls’ is an enticing affair taking place on June 10, 2016 at the stunning new Horticulture Building in Ottawa’s Lansdowne Park. This 21+ posh affair boasts an evening of royally outrageous entertainment, special guests, London inspired menus and in true BASH fashion- an event experience that is unrivaled in the Nation’s Capital. The ‘Royal Guard’ will be welcoming socialite guests as they enter past the famed skyline, and straight into the London Underground. With a Beatles Cover Band, a VIP High Tea Party, and London themed Tavern, you won’t find a better excuse to support the Snowsuit Fund, and to get seriously ‘groovy baby’.

London Calling Bash2016 June 10 Ottawa Fashion Blog Chantal Sarkisian

Now the question remains… what to wear to the affair?

You would have to confirm with my fellow London fashion blogger living in Ottawa, Flic Taylor from Love A Good Stripe, but based on my research, London style is effortless, expensive with a side of kitsch. And by kitsch I mean colour, pattern, out-of-the-box pairing and just plain old fun! The art is making it look like you are not trying so hard, but you kind of, sort of did.

Quirky London Style- ellecanda.com
Quirky London Style-photo credit ellecanda.com

 

See what I mean? - photo credit ellecanada.com
See what I mean? – photo credit ellecanada.com

Without trying to create a formula, I think this is an opportunity for you to really think outside the box and have fun with your closet. Pairing things irregularly and adding bold colours and print can really take your look to a whole new place. Just make sure you have a killer pair of heels and a show-stopping clutch to pull the entire look together.

See what I mean? - photo credit https://selfserviceuk.wordpress.com
See what I mean? – photo credit https://selfserviceuk.wordpress.com

 

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Ottawa Street Style: Spring Boho fashion in Off-The-Shoulder top

My style goal this spring and summer is to embrace the boho fashion trend, and I think these photos taken at The Tech Wall (a.k.a dog park!) prove that Emma and I nailed it!

I met Emma online, through the Rising Tide Society (Ottawa Chapter). It’s a collaborative group for creatives. We organized this shoot in a few days and made some magic happen! Emma primarily does Ottawa wedding photography, but she’s obviously skilled in street style… wouldn’t you say? These photos came out perfect, and the shoot only lasted 20 min! Now that is talent! She has a great eye and I love the way she makes colours so bright and vibrant!

Now, about the outfit!
I bought my off-the-shoulder top last summer inside Fashion Truck Canada during Bluesfest last year. It was a great investment! I’ve worn it many times and the fact that it’s long and flowy means versatility! I’m wearing Paige jeans from Fashion United,  a vintage Fendi purse, my new Emu Australia mules, sunnies from Ardene (I know!right?) and my hat from Aritzia.

Get Social with Emma!

www.photographybyemma.ca
www.facebook.com/photosbyemmah
www.instagram.com/photosbyemmah
www.twitter.com/photosbyemmah
Pinterest @photosbyemmah
Tumblr @emzhdr
Snapchat @photosbyemmah

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