Weathering winter with wine and food

So Ottawa's getting an entire season's worth of snow dumped on it as we speak. At some point I really should go out and shovel, but being all cozied up inside with a cup of tea and Lost on Blu-Ray is much more enjoyable.

Continuing on from my previous post, there's even MORE to enjoy about winter (and get your mind off of how cold it is outside).

OTTAWA Magazine's WinterBites, which runs from January 12 to 28, features table d'hôte lunch and dinner menus at some of Ottawa's best restaurants: Absinthe, Divino, Big Daddy's, Santé, Burnt Butter and many more. Great opportunity to try out a new place without breaking the bank.

The Red and White (January 18, 7 pm, St. Brigid's Centre for the Arts and Humanities, $60) is a swanky soirée in support of Harmony House, a transitional home for women and children who are victims of violence. Le Cafe's Chef Michael Blackie (dude gets around, doesn't he? Busy guy!) and Ruby Watchco's Lora Kirk will showcase their culinary talents, while Domaine Perrault joins wineries from Prince Edward County to serve up the libations. 

The winter edition of the Gatineau Festibière (January 20-21, 4 pm-1 am, Chateau Cartier in Aylmer) looks a-ma-zing. Microbreweries from across la belle province and Ontario will be on hand to pour their lagers, IPAs, stouts and ales: Boreale, Brasseurs du Temps, McAuslan, Unibroue ... just to name a few. Delicious local fare, music, family fun and winter activities round out the two-day festival. Admission is free; tickets for sampling can be purchased on-site.

Lago Bar and Grill, overlooking Dow's Lake, will be the home of the Festival of Chocolate (February 9, 7 pm, $50). Pasticceria Gellateria Italiana, Koko Chocolates, and other local purveyors of this sinful delight, will serve up chocolate in myriad ways for your tasting pleasure. The event is being held in support of the Distress Centre (a cause near and dear to my heart). Eat chocolate for charity? Yeah, you really have to twist my arm for that one ...