I moved to Ottawa
under false pretences as I was lead to believe that I was moving to
an idyllic small town. Instead I have had to endure a town with a
crazy bus system, an O-train that goes nowhere, and a bunch of
cyclists that love to look fast and go slow. There are many things I
will not miss about this town but Ottawa has some amazing culinary
experiences to offer.
The Clocktower Brew Pub:
575 Bank Street www.clocktower.ca
The Clocktower was the first
bar I wandered into upon moving to Ottawa and it immediately became a
fixture in my life. I have spent many happy hours at the various
locations around Ottawa but the Bank location was my first, and will
always remain my favourite. I recommend sitting directly at the bar
as this offers plenty of face time with the bartender, quick service,
and interaction with the regulars. The Westboro (418 Richmond Road)
location is the most aesthetically pleasing due primarily to the
large framed posters of the Clocktower beer labels. I am ashamed to
admit that it took me two years to realize that the Cyrillic on the
Clocktower Red label was simply 'tower' spelt backwards. I will crave
the Pumpkin Ale (available in October) for many years to come but my
'regular' order at Clocktower was always the Cask Brown and a Black
and Blue Burger.
Atelier: 540
Rochester Street http://www.atelierrestaurant.ca/
Atelier is a splurge at $95 per
person with an additional $65 for the wine pairing but the food and
the experience are worth every penny. The first course was set before
us, and the waiter sets forth a stream of words with very little
independent meaning but I understood his language. Sous vide.
Anti-griddle. Dust. Dirt. As I picked apart the first few courses...
This dish finishes too strong. The mouth feel is off on this one...
my husband queries me, concerned, is this real complaining? or fun
complaining? I was having fun. A lot of fun.
The courses were interesting,
complex, and fun to eat. The servers were friendly and invested in
our experience and pleasure. Their love for food and for the
experience translated into our experience of the restaurant. They
readily accommodated my vegetarianism and my husband's dislike of
fish. The 12 courses took us over four hours to complete so we were
there until 1:30am. We were the last customers in the restaurant and
the wait staff offered us coffee, and a tour of the kitchen. It was
the perfect way to complete a fabulous meal and to celebrate
completing my masters degree.
Cafe my House: 1729
Bank Street www.cafemyhouse.com
As a vegetarian in a long term
bi-culinary relationship, I appreciate this restaurant for its
diversity. I have a plethora of delicious vegan food to choose from
as does my husband. The location is difficult as there is very little
parking. However, for a brunch location that serves everyone's need
while gently introducing meat eaters to alternative choices, it can't
be beat. Try the Coconut-Banana French Toast with a Cocoa Latte.
Sweetgrass: (now closed)
Ottawa lost one of it's most
unique restaurants when Sweetgrass closed. This restaurant served
traditional Native American foods so instead of the bread plate the
tables held bowls of popcorn. This was a unique and entertaining
touch. As someone who enjoys cooking, I am overly critical of meals
prepared by restaurants but Sweetgrass served me the best vegan meal
that I have ever had in a restaurant. Sweetgrass was an amazing
affordable restaurant with impeccable service. It's closure is a lost
to the food community of Ottawa.
Isobel's Cupcakes:
1018 Wellington Street West www.isobels.com/
To many cupcakes are nothing
more than a frosting delivery system. I used to be that disenchanted
and disillusioned. That is until I stepped into the confectionery
sugar palace that is Isobel's. The
icing is sweet, fluffy, and magical with none of the shortening
aftertaste common with cupcakes. The cake itself is moist and crumbly
but not overly dry. As an added bonus, Isobel's is close to a very
causal Bridgehead and one of the Clocktower locations.
I lived in Ottawa for a couple of years, and the Clocktower is one of the things I miss the most...
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