Natasha’s been participating in an online community called “Ottawa Foodies“, from which she’s been picking up all kinds of excellent dining recommendations and reviews of local food shops. She managed to snag an invitation on Sunday to the (1st?) Ottawa Foodies meetup, and so she cooked her heart out Saturday and Sunday morning so we’d have something outstanding to contribute.

Our first dish was a Roasted Garden Cherry-Tomato Puff Pastry with home-made Basil and Pine Nut Pesto and it was absolutely delicious. Natasha threw a couple of extra seasonings (mostly rosemary) on it once we pulled it out of the oven. It looked spectacular and went over really well at the gathering. I looooove roasted tomatoes.

The second dish was a dessert, a Plum Tart made entirely from scratch, which she put together in her new 11-inch tart pan before realizing we didn’t have any 11-inch serving platters to carry it in. It ran just to the borders of this blue plate we had up in our cupboard, so it got to ride on Natasha’s lap to the party while I drove like a grandmother, and shockingly it made it the whole way in one piece. Another big hit – there was no tart left to bring home afterwards, which is good for Natasha’s esteem, but makes for a sad tartless lunch for Jay the next day. As you cut slices out,  it bled a really delicious purple fruit juice from all the plum goodness soaked up in the glaze.

The party took place on a rooftop patio on one of the new Kent Street condo buildings – really incredible view from the top and a fantastic spot for entertaining. The building management thoughtfully decked the place out in furniture, a rooftop garden, and a pair of matching natural gas wall-fed barbeques. I don’t want to post pictures with a bunch of strangers in them, but here’s a peek at the view off the roof. (Love that lens flare! Wicked shape!)

Just wanted to congratulate Natasha on really outdoing herself – this was a big deal for her, but she baked (!!!) her way through the pressure and made a really excellent impression on the foodies. (Some of whom are professional chefs!)

Also – I learned a really crazy expensive but delicious Sweet Cherry Barbeque Rib Sauce recipe – once I’ve got it mastered I might share it.