A whale of a lunch spot - Whalesbone Sustainable

Whalesbone Sustainable Oyster and Fish Supply is one of my favorite Ottawa hidden treasures.

 Located in a nondescript store front at 504a Kent Street (just behind the Ottawa Bus Station), the Whalesbone is an amazing provider of sustainably caught/raised fish (both fresh and smoked), oysters, and a variety of other seafood, depending on what is fresh and available. Don't forget to ask what's in the freezer - this is where I get my sustainably caught ahi/maguro for sushi!  In this day and age, it's hard to find fish that you can feel good about eating...

What you may not realize is that they have an amazing brown bag lunch from Tuesdays to Saturdays, 11am to 2pm.  And FREE PARKING!

There is always their thick & creamy chowder chock full of bits and bobs of available sea yummies, as well as sandwiches (regular and supersized) - catch of the day, smoked fish of the day, and my personal favorite, oyster po'boys served up in... a brown paper bag!

The regular size is huge - big soft buns filled with generous portions of fish or fried oysters, slathered in mango hot sauce, mayo, and shredded iceberg lettuce...  gotta eat them while they are hot/freshly made (either on one of the handful of stools in the store, out at the picnic tables, or my usual spot - in my car in the parking lot!).

Today was a new one for me - fresh fried smelts as well as fried calamari and fried potatoes.

Add a gourmet soft drink, juice or Perrier, pour on the hot sauce, and don't forget to finish off your meal (even if you can't eat another bite!) with a chocolate chunk cookie from Bread and Sons - thin and crispy with an impossible amount of chocolate holding them together....

Don't forget to ask for "The Lure" - their lunchtime loyalty card - buy 8 sandwiches get the 9th one!

Love the friendly and helpful staff - I'm going to miss this place when we move... (yes, we are moving....!)...

 

My Favorite Ottawa Restaurants 2016

Here are some of my favorite restaurants (* top picks!) to consider during your stay in Ottawa:

Byward Market

• *La Bottega - 64 George - $ - take out sandwiches and eat in pizza & paninis - hidden gem!
• *Benny's Bistro - 119 Murray - SS - my favorite breakfast brunch spot, French bakery
• *Khao Thai - 103 Murray - $$ - modern Thai food, lovely ambience
• *Kothu Rotti - 408 Dalhousie - $ - Sri Lankan take out - unbelievable flavours - excellent value.
• *Sidedoor - 18 York - $$$ - delicious, finely crafted asian fusion small plates
• Das Lokal - 190 Dalhousie - $$$ - contemporary European cuisine - free parking!
• Chez Lucien - 137 Murray - $$ - cozy bistro with great ambience, good burgers
• Ahora - 307 Dalhousie - $$ - casual Mexican restaurant - downstairs
• Social - 537 Sussex - $$$ upscale/elegant cuisine and ambience
• Metropolitain - 700 Sussex - $$ - French bistro - lots of space - great frites
• Play Food Wine  - 1 York St - $$$ - small plates from one of Ottawa's premiere restaurateurs
• Beavertails - William @ George - $ - quintessential Ottawa treat - sugary or savory pastry 
• Cacao 70 - 51 William - $$ - specializes in decadent choccolate dishes but also serves savoury
• Byward Market Square - $ - in the heart of the Byward market, a mix of small restaurants, bakeries for casual day time dining and touristy shopping opps

A bit of a walk from the Market: - in Sandy Hill

• *Shawarma Palace - 464 Rideau - $ - best shawarma in town - try the chicken shawarma platter!
• *Habesha - 574 Rideau - $ - Homey Ethiopean restaurant - a real gem.

Elgin Street

• *The Scone Witch - 150 Elgin - $$ - locally famous scones served alone or as sandwiches
• *El Camino - 380 Elgin - $$$ - fusion taco / small plates - awesome cocktails and ambience - dark side
• *The Manx Pub - 370 Elgin - $$ - cozy pub with good value, inspired menu
• Datsun - 380 Elgin - $$$ - asian fusion small plates - sister resto to El Camino - light side

Is spring on its way?!?! A visit to Café Sfouf & la Maison du rôti

Is it spring or have we passed on to winter already?!?   Off to Montreal for brunch - can't believe it is mid-March and the snow continues to fall....

We find a little ray of sunshine in an otherwise dreary, cold, damp, slushy day... Cafe Sfouf at 1250 Ontario Est.  Super cozy, family and student friendly - our charming hostess seemed to know everyone.  A great place to spend the morning or afternoon tucked in away from the cold.  They have partnered with vendors at the nearby Marché St. Jacques - can only imagine the flavours to come this summer!  It must be coming...

Although the regular menu of tartines and soups looked good, we had to go with the lebanese breakfast.  

Ridiculously thick labneh dusted with zaatar (an herb mix including sesame seeds, oregano, sumac, and mint) with a big glug of olive oil, garlicky olive oil laced chick peas, cukes, tomatoes, radishes and olives, a spinach, sumac and onion stuffed bread, with freshly toasted pita.  Dessert was meghle, a lebanese spiced rice pudding with strong cinnamon flavour, topped with coconut, almonds, and pistachios.  Top that off with an amazing turkish or allongé coffee and the signature "sfouf" - a golden tumeric semolina cake topped with a pine nut, served with each hot beverage.

Before leaving town, we had to make a stop at La Maison du Rôti, 1969 avenue Mont-Royal Est.  This gourmand destination is a must-visit on any trip to Montreal, but make sure you have a cooler if it isn't a frigid late winter day!  It will get warm, one day, right?

 The store is full of beautifully cut and displayed meats, poultry, and cheeses, as well as gourmet foods from a myriad of cultures.  They also provide hot prepared foods as well as fresh and frozen meals that would wow any foodie.  There is usually a vendor providing samples - today was no exception - we sampled Feelo, a delightfully complex, chartreuse-colored olive oil from Greece.  A taste of summer, fruity with a bitter edge - dreams of summer tomatoes sprinkled with this and sea salt...

 We came specifically to pick up their beautifully prepared duck confit - at $29.95/kg, an amazing deal.

 We picked up their homemade heavenly paté and terrine, some salty gorgonzola, and two small quiches - the Forestière with wild mushrooms and artichokes, and the Poireaux et escargots - leeks and snails.

It is probably a good thing that we do not live in Montréal...

Hoping that Café Sfouf will have an Urbanspoon presence soon!

 

Benny's... it's been too long...

D & I decided we should go for brunch at Benny's Bistro.... it has been awhile.  Benny's has a special place in our hearts.

  We've been going for years, even had one of our first Valentine's dinners there (back when they served in the evenings).  Hey, we've even met the original Benny (have YOU?)!

I love going to Benny's because it always feels like a little hide-away, a secret spot that only the inner Ottawa circle knows about, tucked in behind the French Baker.  

As we entered the cozy, bustling space, it made me smile to see a mother with her new born baby and cooing friends/relatives, a shy young couple with his (or her?) nervous parents, a loud table of older, probably long time friends, several young couples with big goofy grins....  a real cross section of life, everyone in the moment - eyes rolling back after a particularly delicious mouthful, smiles and laughter - enjoying a fine meal with special people. 

Scott Adam's menu is always amazing.  As you read each item, it's hard not to start to salivate, and choosing is always tricky.  

D and I threw out our usual "never order the same thing" rule that morning due to this lovely creation that we had yet to try: Confit albacore tuna...

The tuna (which we later found out was from a sustainable fishery - phew!) was brined and gently poached. The perfectly seasoned, soft & smooth texture of the fish mixed beautifully with the poached egg, spicy, crispy chorizo balls, the smoked tomato water and saffron aioli... and then there was the surprise of the crunchy fennel/radish salad at the bottom of the bowl!  I had to ask for a spoon to savour the last drops of these complex flavours.

The wine list is small, but beautifully selected and very reasonable by Ottawa standards (no glass over $13!).  And who doesn't want to start brunch with a mimosa or a Kir royale!

I'd also like to mention our favourite waitress, Jessica, who seems to always be there when we go, and even though we only come in a few times a year, greets us like we are old friends.  Some how she always seems to have our favorite table available for us - she's that good!  Her attentive service, pleasant conversation, and obvious passion for her job completes the entire dining experience.

Fantastisch! Lunch at Das Lokal

Decided to stop by Das Lokal last month for a quick lunch - I used to frequent the Portuguese chicken place that was here before, and even date back to the KFC days of this site!  I had heard good things about this place - German inspired menu - I grew up on schnitzel (but also on sushi!) - so why not?!?

I literally gasped when I walked in the resto.  Gone was the dark, dated, European restaurant look of the 60's... and I was suddenly transported into a northern European/Scandinavian space - light wood surfaces, colourful banners, natural light pouring in - it was the perfect winter getaway.  Our hostess told me about some of the extras they were working on - cute little fire outside, with fur covered seats to curl up in, even a piano that gets played on the weekends.  

I started with an Edelweiss, a lovely cocktail of sparkling wine and St. Germain liqueur (elderflowers).  The perfect mix of sparkly-sweet-floral tones.  Perfect to whet the appetite... So good, in fact, that we went straight to LCBO to buy a bottle after lunch!.

I ordered the Gravlax Tartine, a yummy open face sandwich with burnt orange wild BC coho salmon on top, creme fraiche and pickled onions, served with a side salad and butternut squash soup (sooooo creamy).  Memories of open faced sandwiches in Denmark and Sweden.

Donald ordered the German Burger - a pork sausage burger served on a sweet roll with the requisite mustard, with the same side salad and delish thick cut fries.

Nice wine list, relaxed service - we'll be back soon!  Another huge selling point - Das Lokal has a huge parking lot (thanks to its KFC roots)...  love the Lowertown location.

No web site that I can find, but they are on Twitter.

Benny's Bistro - my favorite Ottawa brunch spot!

Benny's Bistro has been a hidden gem in Ottawa's Byward Market for years. It's a restaurant I recommend to visitors (and many unknowing locals) that want to have REAL food - not the mainly disappointing fare to be found in the Market these days.

Benny is the name of the original owners' daschund, who was known to show up in the bakery from time to time.  Tucked inside The French Baker (119 Murray Street), you follow a long corridor into a cozy room with a black and white checkerboard floor, filled with colourful walls and photos - a perfect spot for an overcast or chilly day. 

Besides the wonderful pastries that you can order from the bakery up front, Benny's has a consistently strong seasonal brunch/lunch menu that always leaves me reading and rereading the list of options (never mind the specials!), agonizing on having to select one lovely meal over another.  Chef Scott Adams is a master at complex combinations of flavours that burst onto your taste buds - it's difficult not to savour each mouthful as you sadly get nearer to that last bite... thank goodness for the never ending bread to soak up every last drop!

 Winter menu 2013







On my most recent visit, I had the roasted quail with parsnip puree, beet and apple salad with crispy brussel sprout leaves and arugula in a duck reduction.  A lovely slow food creation!

My friend had the roasted organic mushrooms served with spinach and ricotta tortellini, baby peas with wild garlic pesto, and lemon creme fraiche... she loved every bite. 

I also love the gravlax and pickerel dishes on this winter's menu - something for everyone!  Great wine list, no nonsense service, fantastic food - what more could you ask for?!?!

Gatineau Favs

Where to eat out when you're visiting National Office? 

See below for my favs....

1) Bistro St. Jacques - Beautifully prepared bistro food, many entrees served with awesome frites & aioli AND salad (no guilt!). - it was selected as one of the top 10 restos in Ottawa
last year.... and not just new restaurants either!
Vincent is the perfect host.  Highly recommended!

2) Pizazza - mainly thin crust pizzas, an awesome smoked salmon salad, great wine by the
glass.

3) Fleur de Sel / L'Argoat - 2 restos (one a vegetarian, one a crepe (non
vegetarian) that have merged.

4) La Belle Verte - a little vegan/raw vegan resto - delicious and fresh
this time of year. I love the raw pizzas, and the specialty salads.  Here are some reviews.

http://ottawafoodies.com/vendor/1817
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/250/1513710/restaurant/Ottawa/La-Belle-Verte-Vegan-Restaurant-Gatineau

5) Epicerie Poukham - Thai grocery store and restaurant - amazing lunch special - you'll be in and out in 30 minutes - piping hot spring rolls served within minutes of sitting down (included in price of lunch special).  If you're ordering the pad thai, ask them to cut back on the sauce.....  Say hi to Kia when you go (104 Rue Eddy).

FYI - #'s 2 and especially 5 are good at getting you in and out quickly (if you have that 1pm teleconference....).  You should mention to the others if you need to complete and pay for your meal within an hour.

Enjoy!

Restaurants in Ottawa's Byward Market

I often get asked for restaurant recommendations for the Byward Market in Ottawa. It's a very special part of Ottawa, and perhaps that's its downfall - as in many touristy areas, there are always loads of mediocre restaurants that live off the tourists that only come to Ottawa once in their lifetime...

The list was made for a meeting, so the choices are quite varied, but we avoided smaller places that were on the outskirts of the market (see some additions at the bottom). These lists are in no particular order.

Decent affordable restaurants :

• Haveli’s: indian $$
• Khao Thai: $$
• Vittoria Trattoria: italian $$$
• Metropolitan: french $$ - $$$
• Milestones: roadhouse $$
• Lapointe’s Seafood $$

Good but expensive ($$$ - $$$$):

• Murray St Bistro: homemade charcuterie a speciality - won a spot on the 2009 best new restaurant list in En Route magazine
• Navarra: spanish nouvelle cuisine
• Domus Café: high end canadian regional cuisine
• Sweet Grass Aboriginal Bistro
• Play Food & Wine: Beckta's resto in the market, but can be inconsistent
• Kinki: fusion sushi

Small venues:

• La Botegga: my all time fav - lunch counter is a hidden gem
• Ahora: mexican fast food
• Benny’s Bistro: cute little bistro with consistently interesting dishes - great brunch

My favs are underlined. Two favorites that are missing are:

• Casa do Churrasco: portuguese food - very home-y, with parking!
• Chez Lucien: A great little pub - great value, but difficult to get into.

"Our" lunch place.... La Bottega Nicastro

I've been going to La Bottega Nicastro, on George Street in the Byward Market, since 1999, and probably once a month for the past 6 years... Nestled in the back of a bustling Italian fine food store, it's one of the best kept secrets in Ottawa.

The concept? Take fabulous fresh ingredients from the in store deli (they also make the best takeout sandwiches in the Market as well), and serve them up a nice menu of paninis and pizzas made right in front of you if you sit at the bar.....

There are also usually a soup of the day, and pizza and pasta specials. Although they serve a few stand alone salads - go for the panini & pizza, which have a very generous salad included!

Two of our favs - Calabria Mia - spicy calabrese salami with goat cheese, roasted red peppers and rosemary and ....

... the Angelica pizza with proscuitto, mushrooms, onions, mozzarella cheese, and drizzled with spicy olive oil.

A bottle of Farnese Sangiovese goes down nicely - very affordable.

Part of the fun is the bustling store, and realizing that many people in the store don't even realize what's in the back!

Finish of your meal with a real italian latte or cappucino - try the canoli and other pastries from Montreal each Saturday morning....

Lunch is served Monday to Saturday 1130 to 3pm. You often have to wait for a table, but it's worth it.... Thanks to Zorica and Carmella (l & r) for all their hospitality!