ottawaurbanfoodie@gmail.com

Fine food is no secret

June 17, 2010

West End Station Bistro is an old friend to me. I have been going there since the early ’90s when it was still at the end of the strip mall that used to house IKEA.

Secret burger hot spot

June 10, 2010

Chez Lucien is easy to miss but not to forget. It sits at the end of the gastro alley for which Murray Street in the Byward Market has become famous.

Share an Italian table

June 03, 2010

Pasta dominates the menu at Tavola, an Italian restaurant tucked among the big box stores on Merivale.

Pairing food with science

May 27, 2010

In a cozy, pristinely decorated restaurant, Atelier’s kitchen has been fashioned into a lab where molecular gastronomy is applied to classic French techniques.

Pad Thai exploration

May 20, 2010

Pad Thai is the ultimate street food in Thailand, and a popular dish at any Thai restaurant.

Piggy fails to excite

May 13, 2010

What is it about Italian food that everyone loves? Is it the carbs? The rich sauces?

ZaZaZa is blah blah

May 06, 2010

I’m always on the lookout for a restaurant that satisfies all the different palates in my family, being outnumbered in the under 12 region.

Easy place to enjoy

April 29, 2010

At Big Easy’s, you’ll get New Orleans’ style seafood and steak, but don’t hold them to the promise of a bayou buzz.

Sustainable Maritime mouthfuls

April 22, 2010

Walking into The Whalesbone Oyster House, you feel immediately transported to a maritime setting. Wooden planks line the floor, a chalkboard features specials of the day, hand-written signs identify the fresh oysters, and the succulent smell of simmering chowder fills the air.

Flavourful bistro fare

April 15, 2010

Rooted in its neighbourly Hintonburg setting sits Allium, a casual bistro classically seasoned with French touches. The menu changes regularly, and we had a taste of Chef Arup Jana’s spring dishes.

Zen vegetarianism

April 08, 2010

Meditating over the many menu options (amidst the din of other diners) at ZenKitchen, I felt enlightened to learn more about veganism.

Slow down to enjoy La Cabana

April 01, 2010

Looking for a spicy hot spot in the pre-spring weather, La Cabana, featuring El Salvadoran food, seemed like the perfect choice.

Out to lunch in Ottawa, Indian style

March 24, 2010

Over the course of several weeks, I sampled three different Indian lunch offerings.

18 ways to love E18ghteen

March 18, 2010

Eighteen reasons to go to Restaurant E18ghteen

Intersection of flavours

March 11, 2010

Tucked between a pizza place and hair salon is a little restaurant called Zuni Grill that defies labeling.

Comforting plates

March 04, 2010

At The Diner, you can expect hospitable servers and modest plates that are comforting and family-friendly.

A taste of the islands

February 25, 2010

Bold gem colours and loud beats warm the mood at Savana Café, but the amazing Caribbean food makes it a hot spot.

Familiar, friendly but tired

February 18, 2010

Von’s is a casual, neighbourhood-friendly bistro in the Glebe that’s been a local hangout for more than 25 years. However, the food seems stuck in its fusion heyday.

Satisfactory, not dazzling

February 11, 2010

Graffiti's is a popular spot to stop at on the way to a Sens game.

Loosen your belt at Amber

February 04, 2010

If comfort food means Cabbage Rolls, Perogies, Wiener Schnitzel and Spätzle, then the Amber Garden is home sweet home.

No jerks on this Island

January 28, 2010

Island Jerk is a tiny restaurant tucked away in a strip mall in Ottawa South with a homey feel and a television blaring the news in the corner.

Pizza a go, pasta a no

January 21, 2010

Wood burning oven, check. Italian flour and tomatoes, check. Buffalo mozzarella, check. Seated at The Grand Booth, check.

Black Dog Bistro a diner’s friend

January 14, 2010

The buzz from the diners at Black Dog Bistro is good-humoured in this intimate, charming old house in the village of Manotick.

Art in progress at Canvas

January 07, 2010

Like many restaurants today, Canvas has a stated commitment to providing fresh, local and organic food.

Octopus and pig cheeks, oh my

December 23, 2009

Navarra, an unusually small restaurant with an open kitchen, is distinctive in Ottawa.

A simple touch of Paris in the market

December 16, 2009

Tucked away behind the kitchen of The French Baker is a touch of Paris in Benny’s Bistro.

Absinthe: Posh without the spice

December 09, 2009

The aura of absinthe lured us into this airy bistro.

Moonroom an enchanting experience

December 02, 2009

On a quiet night, we wound our way into the candle-lit wee wine bar called The Moonroom.

Mystiko’s Greek fare no longer secret

November 26, 2009

At Mystiko you’ll find authentic Greek cuisine where recipe secrets have been whispered from grandfather to grandson.

Penne no parm

November 18, 2009

For me, two key dishes make an Italian restaurant great: their Bruschetta and Chicken Parm.