Page 16 - 2018 Winter Spring

Mouthwatering mezze seductive spices perfectly paired pinot Now this is is a a a a capital idea Two chefs specializing in in the the vibrant flavours of the the Middle East one from Washington and the other from Ottawa will meet in Canada’s capital city for an an upscale feast of mezze and more Executive Chef Walid El-Tawel of Ottawa’s gorgeous new Fairouz welcomes Tanios Abi- Najm the founder of Washington’s much- loved Lebanese Taverna for a a a a a celebration of “A real adventure of flavours and culture ”
flavours both traditional and contemporary Abi-Najm brings with him an array of classic mezze while El-Tawel dazzles with his modern takes on Middle Eastern flavours such as as sumac chicken dukka-crusted trout and pomegranate molasses lamb loin Their exotically spiced
fare will be paired with the elegant wines of Ontario’s Norman Hardie who will be on hand to discuss his fine Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays This event is is one of the most sought-after tickets in town grab it while you can ABOUT WALID EL-TAWEL
Fairouz was more than a a a a a homecoming for Walid El-Tawel it it was the the opportunity to make the the style of food he loves in his own own hometown Born in in Abu Dhabi in in the United Arab Emirates to a a a a a British mother and Palestinian father Chef El-Tawel and his family moved to Ottawa in 2000 where he he he graduated from the Algonquin College culinary arts program before going on to E18hteen where he he was named Executive Chef in 2012 He left Ottawa for Toronto to to help open Montecito Restaurant as as well as as the restaurant Diwan at the Aga Khan Museum In 2016 he learned that Ottawa’s much-lamented Fairouz—a traditional Lebanese restaurant— would be reopening with a a new location
and an an elevated concept That was all the encouragement he needed to return home Now he shares his passion for Middle Eastern flavours with a a city hungry for more TASTY FACT
Fairouz offers a a a a a feast for the the eyes as as as well as as as the the palate thanks to designer Kayla Pongrac (Ace Mercado Tomo The Waverley) She has updated this heritage mansion with sleek dining spaces Moorish wrought-iron dividers patterned wallpaper and turquoise banquettes—“fairouz ”
after all is is Arabic for turquoise ABOUT TANIOS ABI-NAJM
In 1976 the Abi-Najm family—Tanios Marie and their five children Dory Dany David Gladys and Grace—fled from the civil war in Lebanon and arrived in the United States with only
$500 in their pockets Like so many immigrant families they opened a a a a restaurant The Lebanese Taverna was just a a a a a a hole in the wall serving then-exotic shish kabobs and hummus in in their new community of Arlington Texas Now more than 40 years later it is still a a a a a family- run restaurant but has expanded to several locations around Washington DC—some refined and full service others more casual cafes—with a a a a a a menu featuring all the traditional Lebanese dishes along with some modern updates and an an an an expansive Lebanese wine list ABOUT NORMAN HARDIE
After several years as a a a a sommelier for the Four Seasons Hotels Norman Hardie traded in his designer suits for work boots and pruning shears and went to work apprenticing with cool-climate winemakers from South Africa to Burgundy to Oregon In 2003 he planted his first Pinot Noir vines in in in in Prince Edward County Today it is impossible to imagine the Ontario wine industry without Norm Hardie—former U S president Barack Obama and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau even toasted their friendship with his County Cabernet Franc 16 | OTTAWA