Poutini’s House of Poutine @ Toronto, Canada *

Poutine with Traditional Gravy

I endeavor not to fall prey to a checklist mentality when it comes to travel, however I must admit a certain degree of consternation at the fact that I managed to live in North America for four years without visiting either of the other two countries on that continent. Happily, a work commitment gave me the opportunity to make Canada my first novel destination of 2010.

After a day spent navigating the snow-covered streets of Toronto, I sought characteristically Canadian hearty dinner fare. Google Mobile informed me that Poutini’s House of Poutine had been awarded the title of “Best Poutine” by NOW Magazine. Not bothering with additional research, I entered the address into my onboard GPS, and off I went.

In the end, although I can certainly understand the draw of a dish whose primary components are cheese, bacon, and starch, it is the texture that I find singularly unappealing. In my opinion a good serving of chips should be steaming hot and crisp; singe-risk should be imminent! In contrast, poutine is soggy, poutine is mush. Give me NYC’s Pommes Frites or The Hind’s Head’s thrice-cooked chips any day.

Details: 1112 Queen St West, Toronto M6J 1H9, Canada