Thanksgiving on Bank Street
It’s the time of year when the leaves are (kind of) changing, the sun is dipping early, and you’re going to be forced into confinement with family. It may be pleasant and heartwarming, or you may end up with food poisoning and a two-week bout of strep throat. It’s a gamble. The best thing you can do to minimize the pain and chance of violent illness is to bring delicious, healthy food to your gathering! And what better place to find it than on Bank St?
Thanksgiving FACT: The tradition was actually invented by a Brit in Newfoundland after surviving the miserable journey across the ocean.
Reality FACT: You buy yourself a venti mocha frappuccino because you made it out of bed after only hitting snooze four times.
Herb & Spice at 375 Bank has been a part of the community for over 40 years, and has some of the best food you can find in Ottawa. Fresh, organic pumpkins for your homemade pumpkin pie? YES. Organic, ethically raised meat? YES. A cozy, authentic shopping experience? HECK YES.
Thanksgiving FACT: The oldest pumpkin pie recipe dates back to the 1650s. Honour this ancient tradition or else!
But maybe it's too late for you. You’re alone with your cat, no family in a 500-kilometre radius, and slowly dying from a deathly cold. Maybe you should consider some eccinechea and other immunity-boosting supplements from Herb & Spice’s Wellness shop. As you search through the shelves of products, you may come across vitamin d to preemptively tackle your recurrent seasonal depression (or however you choose to describe it), or some krill oil to heal your daily exhaustion and chronic hormonal imbalances.
Thanksgiving FACT: If you live in Newfoundland, where the tradition began, you don’t even get Monday off. So be grateful!!!!
So after you’ve had your fill of bird, real or fake, maybe you are left trying to figure out what to do with the rest of your evening. Well, let us expand your mind with some out-of-the-box Thanksgiving traditions that will solidify you as the life of the party.
Turkey Bowling: yes, it’s real, and no, you don’t throw bowling balls at turkeys (I really did think that). It may be relatively new sport straight outta Cali-forn-i-a, but so was surfing, and we stole that too. Before you thaw your turkey for good, cocnsider taking it for a spin down your hallway. Don’t own bowling pins? Try some plastic cups, or small children. They’ll love the action-packed inevitability of a 12 pound frozen carcass hurdling at them. It’s a moment they’ll cherish for the rest of their lives. I promise.* Once you’ve had your turkey-rolling fun, you simply defrost as usual and enjoy the tenderness of the bowled turkey, whilst bragging to friends and family.
What if you lack hand-eye coordination? What if you have no children to haunt with your frozen ball of death? Consider a Turkey Trot to burn off the calories and the self-loathing that comes after three extra slices of pie. All you need is a turkey costume and some running shoes for this fun, family friendly activity. An official one is offered over in Cumberland, but we’d encourage you to self-organize as a community and run your way down Bank, gobbling loudly for all to hear. Nobody will judge you for only making it two kilometres and giving up. While you’re out, consider picking up extra snacks at one of our grocers (Herb & Spice, Massine’s Independent, Thana Market), a drink at one of our many saloons (Tamis, Atomic Rooster, The Royal Oak). Enjoy your weekend, and stay safe!
*Not actually guaranteed. We claim no responsibility for turkey-related injuries.