Tag Archives: French

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French Cultural Influence in Ontario

Celebration in Ontario

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It was just over 400 years ago when French explorer Samuel de Champlain explored the wilderness of Ontario, bringing with him the first wave of French culture and heritage. Over the years, French-Ontarians have had to fight hard to keep their culture alive, but have managed to do in a spectacular way, and it is still easy to see the many French cultural influences all around Ontario.

The Arts
The arts are always an important link when it comes to language and identity, and French art is greatly supported throughout Ontario. The Ontario Arts Council have a program that is specially dedicated to Francophone Arts, and this supports everything from new French-language films to visual art groups and craft projects.

Franco-Ontarian Festival
The Franco-Ontarian Festival is held each June in Ottawa, at Major’s Hill Park, and is believed to be the largest Francophones and Francophiles celebration in the whole of Canada. The festival has been running for over 40 years now, each one bigger and better than the last, complete with special musical events and plenty of family entertainment.

Monument de la Francophonie d’Ottawa
The Monument de la Francophonie d’Ottawa was opened in 2006, and features a Franco-Ontarian flag at the center. Around the flagpole is a granite monument that tells the story of French education in Ottawa over time. The monument was so greatly appreciated that the committee that created the park built five more monuments the following year.

Cinefranco
Held each year in Toronto, Cinefranco is a week-long French film festival that showcases both Canadian and French-language films. Launched in 1997, the film festival this year will be held from the 27th of October to the 1st of November, and gives the audience the opportunity to appreciate French films that would not otherwise have been distributed among a Canadian audience. For those of you who cannot make it for Cinefranco this year, keep an eye out for some of the many other film-related events and activities that Cinefranco hosts in Toronto throughout the year, all of which can be found on their social media accounts.

French Food
With such a strong sense of French culture all over Ontario, it is no surprise that there are countless French restaurants to be found. Just like everywhere else in the world, there are a few that really stand out from the crowd, such as Le Select Bistro in Toronto, which first opened its doors in 1977, and whose menu features a delicious array of Parisian classics. Another popular French eatery in Toronto is Coquine, which has won numerous awards for their authentic French cuisine. For those of you in Ottawa, give the modern Black Cat Bistro a try, or, for a truly cutting edge menu, head to Restaurant 18.

French culture is deeply ingrained into life in Ontario, and it brings a certain unique charm to the region. From the authentic French cuisine of Toronto to the lively French festival in Ottawa, Ontario is clearly, and rightfully, proud of its French heritage, and will hopefully be able to retain that for years to come.

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Restaurants to Try in Amsterdam

Amsterdam restaurant

From Michelin-starred fine dining restaurants to trendy yet laid-back cafés, Amsterdam’s food scene is thriving, making it a true haven for any foodies that visit. From the first raw bar in the Netherlands to an eatery that only uses local, farm fresh produce, these are some of Amsterdam’s must-try restaurants.

De Kas
In English, De Kas means greenhouse, and the restaurant’s name is in honor of its location – in a massive greenhouse that used to belong to the Municipal Nursery of Amsterdam. The greenhouse is large enough that it has easily been divided into two parts; the first being a restaurant and the second reserved for growing produce that the kitchen can create exciting menus from. With a focus on contemporary European and rural Mediterranean cuisine, this is the restaurant to visit if you want to taste some of the best of Amsterdam’s local produce.

Bridges
With an emphasis on Dutch and French culinary traditions, Bridges has only recently opened its doors in Amsterdam, bringing with it the first raw bar that the Netherlands has seen. Alongside the fresh and succulent oysters, and the more-ish lobster sandwiches, Bridges also has a drinks list that boasts an extensive range of vintage wines and champagnes, as well as a quirky cocktail bar and cigar lounge.

Vinkeles
Voted by TripAdvisor as the best restaurant in Amsterdam, Vinkeles earned their first Michelin star in 2009 for their delicate French cuisine that strikes a beautiful balance between classic and contemporary. The restaurant’s sunken dining room is surrounded by 18th century ovens, reminiscent of an old French bakery, while the garden views provide the perfect backdrop to the elegant meals served up. While the a la carte menu at Vinkeles is always tempting, the tasting menu is usually the best option for those who are dining at the restaurant for the first time, as it gives you the opportunity to taste a wider range of their amazing creations.

Yamazato
In addition to having some of the finest European restaurants in the world, Amsterdam is also home to Yamazato, the only Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant in Europe. The restaurant is designed to mirror a 19th century Japanese tea house, with the menu focussing on haute cuisine. If you want to taste the best of the restaurant’s dishes, the traditional eight-course tasting menu is what you should order.

Restaurant Johannes
While Restaurant Johannes may not yet have a Michelin star, the food is most definitely worthy of one, as many of their regular patrons would agree. Situated on the ground floor of a canalside house along the Herengracht, considered to be one of the prettiest canals in the city, Restaurant Johannes makes use of classic Dutch ingredients, but in a quirky and innovative way. From the croquettes stuffed with mustard duxelles and ballotine of pheasant to the delicate sweetbreads served with wild spinach, truffles and a red wine sauce, Restaurant Johannes takes Dutch cuisine to a whole new level.

Dining at these Amsterdam restaurants will offer you more than a quick way to fill your stomach. Instead, these establishments all take strong pride in their food, providing guests with an unforgettable gastronomical experience rather than just a simple meal.

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Busting Canadian Myths – OROGOLD Reviews

Like with every other country, there are many myths and misconceptions flying around when it comes to Canada. From exaggerations about the weather to assumptions about the language spoken, OROGOLD busts some of the most common Canadian myths.

Sunrise in Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, Canada.

It is Always Cold in Canada
Canada has a wide range of climates and temperatures, and is definitely not always cold. Parts of British Columbia, such as the Okanagan Valley, are actually desert regions, while Pelée Island, the southernmost part of Ontario, is on the same latitude as Northern California. Although many parts of Canada do experience Siberian conditions, this isn’t the case for the whole country, and especially not so during the warmer months of the year. Knowing the truth about the weather also helps to bust the common myth that many Canadians live in igloos, which is simply not true!

Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City, Canada.

All Canadians Speak French
This myth is primarily due to Quebec, the independent French nation in Canada. Years ago, North America and Europe were one giant continent, with France and Quebec joined as one nation. However, continental drift forced these two continents apart, leaving Quebec to be a unique French nation in North America. Although French is widely spoken in Quebec, it is not required to be learnt in other parts of Canada, and just 22% of Canadians use French as their first language.

Bull moose respecting the road sign.

You Will See Plenty of Beavers, Bears and Moose in Canada
Although beavers, bears and moose are animals traditionally found in the Canadian wilderness, the wildlife that you see hugely depends on the region of Canada that you visit. If you’re only exploring the cities, you aren’t likely to see more than a few birds and squirrels, but, if you venture towards the north of the country, the wildlife available is much more diverse and exciting.

Silhouette of a man holding a gun.

No One Owns Guns in Canada
Although Canadians may not own as many guns as Americans, 31 out of 100 residents own a gun, while in America, the figure is 89 firearms per 100 residents. The main difference is that the firearms that are purchased in Canada are mainly used for sporting and recreational purposes, proven by the fact that the rate of firearms homicide in Canada is half that of the US.

Red-Uniformed Mounties Police the Country
Although the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, also known as Mounties, are the national police force for Canada, they rarely wear their red jackets unless it is a special occasion, such as an official ceremony. Mounties also do not police some of the more populated provinces, such as Ontario and Quebec, as these provinces each have their own provincial police force.

Many of the Canadian myths that you may hear about seem almost laughable, and, when this is the case, it is always best to do some research to find out the truth. No matter what, OROGOLD suggests that you never judge a destination based on the stereotypes and myths that you may hear about it, as these are, more often that not, completely false!