Ottawa GreekFest 2009 - Food & Culture Festival
Greek Summer Festival Offers a Taste of the Mediterranean Diet
Aug 13, 2009
Since the first wave of immigrants in the early 1920s, Ottawa has been faced with the indomitable Greek spirit ever so determined to unleash its authentic voice throughout the city. Over seventy years of trials and tribulations has resulted in a stronger Greek community that resounds with the laughter, joy and spirit found during its annual celebration, GreekFest.
GreekFest - The Best Way to Taste Greek Food
Each year, the Greek community in Ottawa puts on the finest celebration of Greek culture and tradition at the Hellenic Banquet Centre, 1315 Prince of Wales Drive. For eleven days, residents of Ottawa can enjoy modern and traditional Greek music and dance while sampling the finest Greek cuisine has to offer. The festival generally runs from late evening to late night during the week and from noon to 11 p.m. on weekends. A free shuttle bus runs throughout the event.
Festival Highlight - Greek Recipes
Greek cuisine can be described as the quintessential Mediterranean diet including plenty of fish, grilled meats and vegetables. There are three main categories of recipes to be found on the official GreekFest website (some of these recipes will be offered at the festival itself).
Appetizers - Spanakopites, Tiropites, Dolmades & Tzatziki
Main Courses - Souvlaki, Moussaka, Arni (lamb) & Pastitsio
Desserts - Baklava, Galaktobouriko, Kataifi & Kourabiedes
GreekFest’s Café Ouzeri
GreekFest’s very own Café Ouzeri will be sure to delight festival-goers with its variety of delicious Greek desserts. Here, they will serve the famous Baklava (layered buttered filo pastry with ground walnuts) and Loukoumades (deep fried honey puffs, dipped in syrup and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar). Ouzeri is the Greek term for small restaurant or establishment serving ouzo, a cloudy aniseed-flavoured drink diluted with water.
Where to Eat After GreekFest
Ottawa has a lot more Greek cuisine to offer after the festival ends in late August. There are numerous Greek restaurants scattered throughout the city; some can be considered fast-food while others offer more Greek ambience as customers sit down and enjoy their meal. Some Greek restaurants in Ottawa include:
- Theo’s Greek Taverna
- Greek to Go
- Mystiko Greek Kitchen and Bar
- Pilos Restaurant
- Kallisto Greek Restaurant
- Greek on Wheels
- The Greek Souvlaki House
- Dalmades Greek Delight
- Kebob Kebob Restaurant
The Greek Community in Ottawa
The Hellenic Community of Ottawa was formed over seventy years ago by a group of Hellenes determined to nurture Greek culture in the nation’s capital. Sports clubs, youth groups and festivals such as GreekFest, have all been a result of the Greek community coming together to preserve their culture and traditions. A one hour Greek television show called, Hellenistic Kaleidoscope, airs on Rogers Cable, 22, every month with news and developments of the Greek community.
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