Edgar - Infectious. Like Bees to Honey.

Today, I paid an impromptu visit to Edgar at 60 rue Bégin in Old Hull. Edgar is the brain-child of powerhouse, Marysol, well known for her food blog she eats bears. I was out of town for the big opening this past Saturday and Sunday. Monday they were closed and so today was my first chance to see the culmination of all the meticulous planning and hard work that went into opening this petit café. Marysol seems to exude boundless energy and determination.

I would be wrong not to mention her number one supporter and fan, Simon, who was ably helping over the weekend and also this Tuesday. What a strong team the two of them make.

When I went today, it was not with camera in hand or with the intent to write. Just to visit, enjoy lunch and to say a hello. There has been quite a few blog posts already, sharing the message of goodness. Maybe my take on it wouldn't be that much different. Great food is, well great food. But I came away with two thoughts that were unshakable as I made my drive home.

First, I don't know Marysol that well, really. We are Ottawa foodie community confrères that share the love of food through personal food blogs, who have met just a handful of times over the past number of months. But she has the darnedest way of making you feel like you have known her forever. Her infectious personality draws you in. Second, the food at Edgar is memorable. Every detail, surgically calculated. Her food is emblematic of that age old phrase 'made with love'.

For those that fall under the spell of Marysol, your life will be enriched. Be you acquaintance, fellow food blogger, Edgar client, supplier of food wares, industry colleague. It is like bees to honey. I bet you even the phone guys liked her in the end, despite all the hassles with installing that debit machine.

For those eating the food here, you will struggle with your decisions and you may not know when to stop. I just can't imagine my experience today was unique. I ROLLED out of Edgar after the most delicious lunch.

I started with a ham, romaine and Jarlsberg cheese panini. So yummy with the Dijon mustard. I had it along side a big bowl of spicy butternut squash and sweet potato soup infused with lemon grass, lime leaves, coriander, cayenne, and curry. It was lovingly garnished with fresh coriander and cucumber cubes.

The compulsion to continue could not be reined in. I just couldn't say no to the now famous orange zesty brioche, that parcels nuggets of bacon and dates. It is best when it is warmed. Simon's suggestion. I went totally sophisticated and ate it with a fork. It seemed wrong to have it without a latte. This would be a chance to give Marysol her sought after practice with the big machines, I thought. Really, I was doing her a favour, wasn't I? She spoiled me with a dash of cinnamon on top. Cinnamon goes well with zesty orange and bacon and dates and briochy flavours. A calculated move on her part? To be sure. As good as she is with the colour palate when making her beautiful art, this lady knows her taste palate as well.

So you think my foodie visit ended with that last drip of emulsified latte milk? Oh no. I was still at the trough. It was now time to pick a treat to bring home to the mister. That sticky apple pecan muffin would bring me high praise. I have been eyeballing it since the blog post of October 9th, where its perfection was unveiled. [For the record, it has vanished already and there isn't even a crumb to be had.] I have been dedicating myself to vigorous product research since mid-summer, searching out the bestest homemade granola in the Ottawa-Gatineau area. 190 grams of granola goodness would be coming home too.

If you are caught up on all the food blogs about Edgar from the opening weekend, you will know that I am confirming that everything the others have been saying is totally true. Be it The Twisted Chef, foodiePrints, heartful mouthful or Rachelle Eats Food. And while you are at it, why not hear what Marysol thinks of it all so far.

Lucky rue Bégin. Lucky Old Hull. Lucky anybody who crosses the threshold of Edgar.

Congratulations Edgar! It must be in the genes.

Edgar
60 rue Bégin
Gatineau (Hull sector), Quebec
819.205.1110
www.chezedgar.ca
www.sheeatsbears.blogspot.com

Update to Brunch hours (effective Oct 1, 2011)
Wed to Fri: 10 am - 6:30 pm
Sat: 10 am - 5 pm (Brunch 10 am - 2 pm)
Sun: 9:30 am - 5 pm (Brunch 9:30 am - 2 pm)
Mon and Tues: Closed