Serbian Food Festival

The Serbian Food Festival is held at Holy Trinity Banquet Hall (700 Fischer-Hallman Road) in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.

The Serbian Food Festival (July 29 to 31, 2011) highlights the culture and cuisine of Serbia.  There is a wide variety of barbecued dishes, sweets and drinks to sample as well as live music, dancing and Nole (the festival mascot).

There were a few charcoal pits with skewered lamb and pigs.

I tried the pita (or sometimes called burek) which is a flakey savoury pastry filled with cheese and is often served with yogurt. It is made into a shape of a long tube and then wound into a oval shape.  The pita has a crispy and flakey crust with a soft chewy center.

A cheese filled flakey pastry, $5.

I also ordered chevaps which are a cross between small sausages and mini-hamburgers.  It is served on a bun dressed with Serbian butter (kajmak), raw onions and a small dollop of coleslaw. The chevaps were my favourite and it also seemed like everyone’s favourite or at the very least quite popular.  Other entrées included kabobs, goulash with pasta and roasted lamb and pork.

Chevaps served on a large buttered bun with onions and coleslaw, $10.

A few kabobs waiting for the grill.

For dessert, I had palatschinke which is a thin soft chewy crêpe and the one I tried was filled with chocolate.  There was also an assortment of bite-size sweets, such as waffles, cupcakes, poppyseed swirl, and a large ice cream truck.

An assortment of Serbian sweets.

An ice cream truck with an awe-struck admirer.

It was quite a treat to try the unique dishes, hear the lively music and watch the crowd groove to traditional Serbian tunes.  The only thing I regretted was not bringing my own cutlery to help the environment.  If you can’t make it out this year, there is always next year.

Angie’s Kitchen

Angie's Kitchen, 47 Erb Street West, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Angie’s Kitchen, established in 1962, is a family-run restaurant.  It is well known for its all-day-breakfast menu and also offers catering services for groups of any sizes. The inside of the restaurant is homey, nostalgic and welcoming.  The walls of the restaurant are adorned with pictures and stories of all the people who have shared in Angie’s Kitchen’s history.

The menu offers classic breakfast items such as pancakes, french toast, homemade baked goodies, sausage, ham, bacon and eggs. Many of the breakfast meals include your choice of muffin, bagel or rye, brown or white bread with homemade jam and potatoes. The last time I visited Angie’s Kitchen I began my meal with a homemade cinnamon bun which was recommended by the server.  It was served warm and wasn’t too sweet which I prefer.  My absolute favourite item is the pancakes which are truly the best pancakes I have ever tasted.  They are thick and soft but with a slightly crispy edge.

Cinnamon Bun, $2.50

Pancakes with icing sugar which can be purchased individually or as part of a breakfast meal.

Country Style Breakfast which includes potatoes, two eggs, ham, bacon, sausage, toast with homemade jam, french toast and pancakes, $11.95

For lunch and dinner there are a variety of wraps, pastas, burgers and sandwiches available.  The menu also provides healthy and vegetarian options as well as daily specials.  For example, on Fridays it’s all you can eat fish and chips.

Veggie wrap $7.99 with sweet potato fries for an additional $1.50.

Angie's burger with fries, $8.50.

Hot beef sandwich which includes potatoes or rice, vegetables (in this case it was poached beets) and salad, $11.95.

Garden salad with balsamic dressing which is included in most entrée meals.

Angie’s Kitchen is a down-to-earth restaurant that serves home-cooked style meals and feels a lot like home. It’s a good option if you’re looking for an uncomplicated and tasty meal with a no fuss service.