Chocdoc - Out and About in Ottawa

[Kerry Beal]

Hubby and I made a quick decision to take the train to Ottawa for a couple of days. The friend who took care of the rug rat for our trip to Toronto last month is still upgrading her nursing and deciding what she wants to do going forward approached us and asked if we would like to get away again. As child care for a disabled child is rather difficult to arrange - it seemed like a good plan!

 

So we are currently on-route - having just left the VIA rail station in Kingston.

 

Managed to get my meal totally out of focus! 

 

\\\\

 

Notice the vegan S'mores on each tray - they are made by a company that EZtemper did a little consulting with back in 2015. They had just got a big contract with Starbucks to provide vegan biscotti and they had purchased a tempering machine that was a lemon! They used the EZtemper until we sorted them getting a different, functional, automatic tempering machine. 

 

I contacted mkayahara for some restaurant suggestions - but welcome any other suggestions that folks come up with.

 

 

 

Edited March 27, 2017 by Kerry Beal (log)

[Shelby]

Yay!!!  I need a road trip right now so this is perfect timing  

[ElsieD]

If it's fine dining you're after, I recommend Atelier.  It is on Rochester Street, near Carling Avenue.  They serve a 12 course tasting menu that is fabulous.  The chef, Marc Lepine, has twice won the national Gold Medal Plates.  Another spot is Beckta, which is on Elgin Street.  Impeccable service, terrific food.

 

if it's some other type of dining you're after, please post and I'll make further recommendations.

[Kerry Beal]

Thanks Elsie - Matt did mention Atelier - didn't bring any posh clothes though!

 

[ElsieD]

Atelier is not a very dressy sort of place.  I have been there in slacks and felt quite at home.  I have also been to Beckta in slacks although wearing a dressy top.

[Kerry Beal]

 

Perhaps sandals were not the best choice!

[Kerry Beal]

First recommended restaurant - Town - just up the street from the hotel 

 

 

Forgot the name of the cocktail already - it's Pisco based 

 

lovely pillowy bread 

 

 

[Kerry Beal]

 

short rub ragu

 

 

ricotta stuffed meatballs

 

octopus

[suzilightning]

everything looks lovely.... and so glad to see you are able to get away with your hubs!!!

 

[chefmd]

11 hours ago, Kerry Beal said:

First recommended restaurant - Town - just up the street from the hotel 

 

 

Forgot the name of the cocktail already - it's Pisco based 

 

lovely pillowy bread 

 

 

Cocktail looks like it could be Chilcano.

[Kerry Beal]

4 hours ago, chefmd said:

Cocktail looks like it could be Chilcano.

Can't find the name - their website is down and I didn't make note of it before she took away the menu.

[Kerry Beal]

Breakfast at the hotel - we know better!

 

 

 

[Anna N]

 I haven't had breakfast in a hotel for decades. For me it never was about the food which was always iffy. The prices were always exorbitant. But the hushed atmosphere was something that could not be replicated anywhere.   It was like Sunday morning mass but without the incense.

[JoNorvelleWalker]

2 hours ago, Kerry Beal said:

Breakfast at the hotel - we know better!

 

 

 

Looks like they're serving last night's hollandaise.

 

[Kerry Beal]

1 hour ago, Anna N said:

 I haven't had breakfast in a hotel for decades. For me it never was about the food which was always iffy. The prices were always exorbitant. But the hushed atmosphere was something that could not be replicated anywhere.   It was like Sunday morning mass but without the incense.

Sadly - this one was not quiet either!

[Kerry Beal]

18 minutes ago, JoNorvelleWalker said:

 

Looks like they're serving last night's hollandaise.

 

And slightly warm frozen hashbrowns are not rosti either.

 

[Kerry Beal]

 

Tazo chai at the Canadian Museum of Nature - took a wrong turn going towards the National Gallery.

[FauxPas]

I have friends and family in Ottawa but haven't been there in a few years, so I'm overdue for a visit. Just checked with my cousin who lives in Wakefield, Quebec and who used to spend a lot more time in downtown Ottawa before he retired. Here are his thoughts.

 

I rarely get into downtown Ottawa so my favourite restaurants are somewhat dated.  But here are some suggestions, no guarantees:

-          Beckta, just south of downtown, used to be the best in town

-          Absinthe, in the west end, ok if going to the Great  Canadian Theatre Company but out of the way

-          Whalesbone or Whalebone Oyster House – good fish restaurants south of downtown area

-          Chez Lucien – a favourite funky little restaurant east of the market area with ok food, try the steaks

-          Courtyard – in the market area along with many other restaurants, used to be good

-          Metropolitan Brasserie – central, east across the street from the Chateau Laurier

-          Vineyards Wine Bar Bistro – downstairs in the market area, easy jazz many weekday nights with acceptable food

-          Riviera – new on the Sparks St mall, should be good since the cooking team has two other good restaurants, El Camino and Datsun.

 

[Kerry Beal]

15 minutes ago, FauxPas said:

I have friends and family in Ottawa but haven't been there in a few years, so I'm overdue for a visit. Just checked with my cousin who lives in Wakefield, Quebec and who used to spend a lot more time in downtown Ottawa before he retired. Here are his thoughts.

 

I rarely get into downtown Ottawa so my favourite restaurants are somewhat dated.  But here are some suggestions, no guarantees:

-          Beckta, just south of downtown, used to be the best in town

-          Absinthe, in the west end, ok if going to the Great  Canadian Theatre Company but out of the way

-          Whalesbone or Whalebone Oyster House – good fish restaurants south of downtown area

-          Chez Lucien – a favourite funky little restaurant east of the market area with ok food, try the steaks

-          Courtyard – in the market area along with many other restaurants, used to be good

-          Metropolitan Brasserie – central, east across the street from the Chateau Laurier

-          Vineyards Wine Bar Bistro – downstairs in the market area, easy jazz many weekday nights with acceptable food

-          Riviera – new on the Sparks St mall, should be good since the cooking team has two other good restaurants, El Camino and Datsun.

 

Thanks for that - tonight we are headed to Whalesbone (the one on Elgin). Riviera is on our radar - wondering if it might work for lunch tomorrow. Beckta is just up the street.

 

 

Edited March 28, 2017 by Kerry Beal (log)

[Kerry Beal]

 

Negroni for me, dark lager for hubby 

[Kerry Beal]

 

Strip loin with Chimichurri 

 

 

fingerling potatoes with chive

 

 

Bone marrow

 

 

Cauliflower - roasted, fried - with cauliflower cream, almonds, drunk raisins and padano cheese. Great potential - not terribly well executed sadly.

 

 

[ElsieD]

21 minutes ago, Kerry Beal said:

 

Strip loin with Chimichurri 

 

 

fingerling potatoes with chive

 

 

Bone marrow

 

 

Cauliflower - roasted, fried - with cauliflower cream, almonds, drunk raisins and padano cheese. Great potential - not terribly well executed sadly.

 

 

 

 

Are you you eating this at Whalesbone?

[Kerry Beal]

A little further up the street is this store that hubby insisted we go to again today.

 

 

 

 

We also stopped in to a Japanese dollar store. 

[Kerry Beal]

10 minutes ago, ElsieD said:

 

 

Are you you eating this at Whalesbone?

Yes - sorry - Whalesbone on Elgin.

[Anna N]

 You found a Japanese dollar store? Wow!