Ottawa Restaurant Reviews

A bunch of coworkers are looking to get together for a very casual catch-up lunch for Wednesday or Thursday of next week (probably a late lunch). Somewhere with a patio, cheap food (in price, but yummy), cheap drinks.. just a great casual environment where we can sit down and spend the afternoon catching up with eachother!
Anywhere downtown or the West end, around the Carling and Bayshore area.
And definitely a place where we don't feel rushed or feel as if we are costing the server money by occupying a table for too long.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Hi, I'm new to this community and I'm looking for some good places to eat around Ottawa. So where are your favourite restaurants? You know, the ones that you always fall back on when you feel like eating out but can't make up your mind, the places where you don't have to look at the menu to order.

Preferably in the downtown/eastern Ottawa areas.

My boyfriend's mom is coming to Ottawa this weekend to do the whole meet-the-family thing, and we'd like to take everyone out for an informal brunch/lunch on Sunday.

Ideally, we're hoping to find somewhere close to downtown/within a short bus ride from Sandy Hill, fun, not too expensive (but not cheap), and energetic while still allowing for conversation. We do want to be able to visit, and all. I have only one rule: it can't be Cora's. I love the place, but it's too loud and busy on weekends, especially on Sundays.

Any suggestions?

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Seafood lovers will surely have a great time when they visit Coasters Seafood Grill! I had a great experience in this place together with my date a couple of months ago. Coasters is obviously a friendly place that warmly accommodates customers. Talk about the food... Coasters Seafood Grill has much to offer. Seafood dishes are extremely delicate and yummy. The place is romantic too, with seats and bar stools placed in the best part of the house which offers a great view overlooking the historical Byward Market, soft couches and cozy fireplaces. It will absolutely leave a casual ambiance that insists on total relaxation and fun.

The menu ranges from a large varieties of fresh fish, squids, lobsters etc. barbecued in the open kitchen, to the best delectable fish & chips in downtown Ottawa. Whether you're planning to enjoy a full lunch or dinner, light meal, snack or just to chill out and have a great time enjoying the sights with a glass of wine -- this is the place to be!

Hi all!

I was wondering if anyone has been to the Caribbean Sizzler (www.caribbeansizzler.com), at Slater and Bank.

I'm trying to figure out a lunch place for about 8 or so coworkers, and according to their website, this place looks promising. But, as I walked by this morning (while still closed), it looks more like a type of eat'n'go than a sit-down-and-socialize restaurant.

Is there a secret room in the back or separate door?

Also, should this place be a dud, have any recommendations for interesting, none-too-expensive place to bring coworkers, downtown? [we have already been to Ceylonta AND Horn of Africa :)]

Will gladly provide a review of any place recommended and chosen!

TIA!

Ok, I was surprised to not see any posting on Indian restaurants for the past several pages. Just one post about buffets but I am looking for a restaurant that is NOT a buffet.

I once went to an Indian restaurant that had "thali" plates (a little of everything for one or two people). It might have been on Bank, I am not sure.

Either way, can someone recommend a nice place. Does not have to be downtown. In fact, it is preferable if it isn't.

Thank you!

Hi,

My boyfriend just got a promotion and I want to take him out for dinner. He loves seafood (specifically crab) - but since I'm not a huge fish/seafood eater, I don't know where the best places are. Tell me you want steak, and I'll name 6 good places. Fish? No can do.

I've narrowed it down to a few places thanks to the intarnets... any insight, info and whatnot you can provide would be great. For the record, we're looking to go somewhere nice, but if the best fish is to be found at a less-than-schmancy restaurant, I can live with that!

- Métropolitain Brasserie (Rideau at Sussex, below Milestones)
- Big Daddy's Crab Shack (Elgin)
- Fish Market Restaurant (ByWard Market) I've heard that this place isn't as good as it ought to be - anyone have any supporting evidence?

Any other suggestions/thoughts/opinions would be greatly appreciated - thanks!

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I was reading some of the reviews for restaurants offering Dim Sum over on OttawaFoodies.com and had chosen a place (Fortune Express)... only to discover that it's all the way in Kanata. :(

I'm hoping to go this coming weekend, and I'm looking for a good place near downtown/Chinatown. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

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hello
can any one help me find a vietnamese sub in ottawa.
i had one in montreal this weekend and i want another one.

thanks.
a name and address would be great. if one exists.

http://www.blackcatcafe.ca/

Black Cat Cafe
93 Murray St
Ottawa, Ontario
613-241-2999

Last Monday, we made our way to the Black Cat Cafe, a small bistro restaurant on the edge of the Byward Market, to celebrate my wife's birthday.  We had never been there but read favorable reviews online and were intringued by their simple but appetizing menu.

The restaurant is small and uncomplicated, a blank canvas for the succulent delicacies prepared in the open kitchen at the back.   We were seated promptly by a sidewalk window in comfortable chairs.  There was instrumental music playing softly and when it got dark outside, small candles were lit on each table, giving the whole place a warm glow.  The menu was simple and is printed seasonally, on plain paper, to highlight carefully chosen ingredients at the peek of their freshness.

I started with a gin Martini (Bombay Sapphire) which was clean, crisp and perfectly chilled.  Our waitress started us of with a small plate of freshly baked bread (traditional baguette and sun dried tomato flavored) sliced thin and served with fresh prepared butter.  Then followed a complimentary amuse-gueule which consisted of a piece of red juicy watermelon, skewered on a toothpick with a small heirloom tomato, resting on a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.  The quality of the produce used was evident from this delicious first bite.

We both selected the Crispy Duck Confit appetizer, elegantly displayed on a white rectangular plate with Apple Butter, Rhubarb Compote, Mizuna and Gorgonzola cheese.  The duck's skin was perfectly crispy and all the flavors blended harmoniously to the credit of this wonderful dish.   To accompany the food, I selected a white Chardonnay from Burgundy France and my wife chose the Australian Zinfandel in anticipation of her main course.

Of the 5 items on the main course section of the menu, I was instantly drawn to the Seared Sea Scallops ‘Saltimboca Style’ (Sage, Serrano Ham and Lemon Confit with a ‘Poutine’ of Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, Parmesan and Truffled Mushrooms).  My wife went for an old favorite, the Lamb Rack (Fingerling Potatoes, Buffalo Mozzarella, Eggplant Confit & Red Wine Jus).   Both our dished featured fresh local produce which the waitress explained, varies with availability.  Both of our dishes included a miniature corn cob, still in it's green leaves with the delicate silk.  My dish also featured some sugar snap peas, sweet and crispy, and my wife's has a fesh whole baby carrot.  Everything was fesh, delicious and presented beautifully on large white square plates.   The scallop dish was generous (4 large perfectly seared scallops resting on crispy green asparagus and full flavored Serrano Ham).  As much as the scallops were tender and tasty, the best part was the side dish which featured fingerling potatoes served "poutine" style with truffled crunchy enoki mushrooms, grated parmesan and a brown gravy which brought it all to a peak of mouth watering flavor!  My wife alos enjoyed her generous serving of lamb (3 large tender pieces on the bone)  which was perfectly cooked to her specification.

After such a great meal, there was only one choice for desert: the Quebec Cheese plate (St. Honore and Bleu Bénédictin with Spiced Pecans & Apple Butter).  The cheese was served with thinly sliced French baguette and "pop in your mouth" fresh Concord grapes.  I selected a glass of sweet desert white wine (Castelnau de Suduiraut Sauternes 2003 France) and my wife a 10 year old port (Smith Woodhouse) to enhance the wonderful artisan cheeses served on a large square white plate.

The service was perfect throughout, our waitress pleasant and knowledgeable about the food served.  As with all quality restaurants, the bill was steep but not unreasonably so in light of the quality of the food and wines served.  I highly recommend this delightful little island of gourmet delight for special occasions or spontaneous escapades.