Ottawa restaurants for 18...

[jenc]

Need some suggestions, my friends. I'm in Toronto putting together a Bachelor/ette dinner in Ottawa wherein everyone will dine, drink, possibly be a little bit rowdy and then the boys and girls will part ways for their respective shenannigans.

My dining research tells me that Black Cat and Beckta are tops to hit, as well as Urban Pear, L'oree du bois, possibly, Par-fyum.

However, unless I'm mistaken, these all land on the classier side of where we really want to be and am needing some alternate suggestions. I'm trying to avoid Asian places, since they're a dime a dozen in Toronto. I'd also like to stay in and around the downtown area, so it's just a quick cab ride anywhere we want to go.

Help? S'il vous plait!

[shelora]

Talked to a trustworthy friend from Ottawa last night who sang the praises of the Whalesbone Oyster House. I believe it's a new place, she said its small cozy and packed. Great food. Could be what you are looking for. I'd go.

430 Bank St., 231-8569

[Teri Everitt]

Talked to a trustworthy friend from Ottawa last night who sang the praises of the Whalesbone Oyster House. I believe it's a new place, she said its small cozy and packed. Great food. Could be what you are looking for. I'd go.

430 Bank St.,  231-8569

←

I have a friend who works there. It is indeed all of those things, but it is very small so for a group of 18 you need to book ahead.

Ahora has really good food but it is teeny tiny and might be a little more casual than you were thinking.

[sugar plum]

I lived in Ottawa for years and restaurants in the Byward Market would probably suit your needs (i.e. close to the nightlife!). I would recommend the following:

www.bluecactusbarandgrill.com

www.empiregrill.com

www.theblacktomato.com

www.domuscafe.ca

(a little higher end...maybe not suitable for a Bachelor/Bachelorette party)

Another great location, close to the Market, is Elgin Street. I loved these restaurants there:

www.johnnyfarina.com

www.bravobravorestaurant.net

Have a great time!

[jenc]

Thanks guys!

Turns out someone in Ottawa decided to host a BBQ for the couple instead before all of us went off to our respective events.

Domus was fantastic though! Had a great lunch there. I should post my review. Sneak peak at photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jlunar/tags/domus/

Really quite a fabulous lunch.

Meant to try Black Cat but never made it back. Another time! And definitely that oyster house.. looooove oysters...

Thanks again!

[AshleyW]

Well, there are so many good restaurants in Ottawa that you may want to try out. Domus, Whalesbone Oyster House and Ahora are on Chef Vardy's favourite restaurant list (Chef Vardy is the executive chef at Beckta). He was interviewed by CBC Ottawa Morning few weeks ago and he gave his list of favourite restaurants in Ottawa (not in particular order):

Domus Cafe (87 Murray street, Byward market)

Ambiente (18 Beechwood Ave.)

Luxe Bistro (47 York Street)

The Manx pub (370 Elgin St)

Seafood: The Whalesbone Oyster House (430 Bank Street)

Fine Dining: Signatures (453 Laurier Avenue East)

Fine Dining: Baccara, at the Casino du Lac Leamy

Mexican: Ahora (307 Dalhousie Street, Byward Market)

Caffe Ventuno–Il Negozio Nicastro, Westboro

Italian: Cafe Spiga (271 Dalhousie St, (At Murray)

French Cuisine: Les Tartuffes (in Gatineau)

Vietnamese: New Mee Fung (350 Booth Street)

Japanese & Sushi: Genji (175 Lisgar Street, at Elgin)

I got the list from someone asking CBC for the list since no one can write the list while driving and listening.

[MinhD]

Have any of you actually eaten at Genji? Thoughts, comments?

Typically, I'd trust a good chef on his/her recommendations for other good eateries, but I read a few reviews online about Genji and they weren't exactly raving, a number of them seemed to have an issue with the fact that the owners weren't Japanese (i.e. Chinese).

[AshleyW]

Have any of you actually eaten at Genji?  Thoughts, comments?

Typically, I'd trust a good chef on his/her recommendations for other good eateries, but I read a few reviews online about Genji and they weren't exactly raving, a number of them seemed to have an issue with the fact that the owners weren't Japanese (i.e.  Chinese).

←

If they implied that Chinese can't cook non-Chinese food, that is absolutely nonsense.

Don't you know that there are many famous Chinese chefs out there across the world who can cook French cuisine, Italian cuisine, Japanese cuisine, Vietnamese food, Thai food, fine dining food, etc. etc. etc?

Chef John Leung, the co-owner of Parfyum (former exec chef of British high commissioner and Eighteen restaurant) is a good example. Chef Susur is another famous chef in Toronto (from Hong Kong).

In Hong Kong and other countries, many exec chefs of 5-star hotel restaurants are Chinese. Are you aware of this?

Perspective restaurant at Brookstreet hotel (in Kanata) also includes sushi and other Asian influcenced dishes in the menu. Chef Michael Blackie worked at Mandarian Oriental Hotel in Hong Kong and Oberoi resort in Bali, Indonesia. His kitchen expereince in Asia has definitely broadened his cultinary skills to another level.

I go to a restaurant for the good food. Who care if the restaurant owner is Chinese, Jamaican, French, Japanese, Vietnamese, Italian, British, Korean,.... as long as the food is delicious?

By the way, this is Canada - a multi-cultural place!

Edited August 11, 2006 by AshleyW (log)

[AshleyW]

You may want to check out the review of Genji by OttawaXpress.

http://www.ottawaxpress.ca/food/food.aspx?iIDArticle=9722

I think Ottawa Citizen's food critic, Anne Desbrisay, also gave a review of Genji few months ago. But I can't find that article from Ottawa Citizen's website any more.

Edited August 11, 2006 by AshleyW (log)

[CharityCase]

Well, there are so many good restaurants in Ottawa that you may want to try out. Domus, Whalesbone Oyster House and Ahora are on Chef Vardy's favourite restaurant list (Chef Vardy is the executive chef at Beckta). He was interviewed by CBC Ottawa Morning few weeks ago and he gave his list of favourite restaurants in Ottawa (not in particular order):

Domus Cafe (87 Murray street, Byward market)

Ambiente (18 Beechwood Ave.)

Luxe Bistro (47 York Street)

The Manx pub (370 Elgin St)

Seafood: The Whalesbone Oyster House (430 Bank Street)

Fine Dining: Signatures (453 Laurier Avenue East)

Fine Dining: Baccara, at the Casino du Lac Leamy

Mexican: Ahora (307 Dalhousie Street, Byward Market)

Caffe Ventuno–Il Negozio Nicastro, Westboro

Italian: Cafe Spiga (271 Dalhousie St, (At Murray)

French Cuisine: Les Tartuffes (in Gatineau)

Vietnamese: New Mee Fung (350 Booth Street)

Japanese & Sushi: Genji (175 Lisgar Street, at Elgin)

I got the list from someone asking CBC for the list since no one can write the list while driving and listening.

←

This is quite a good and comprehensive list. I agree with most everything but haven't tried Genji so can't say one way or another what it's like (I'd have thought Suisha Gardens would be on the list).

I wish the Manx wasnt on it though because it will send too many people there and make it even harder for me to get a table on a weeknight!

[mkjr]

Was looking to see if anything has changed from this thread. Similar request to OP - group dinner - close to about 10 -12 or so - good budget. Similar parameters. I have not been to Ottawa for about 5 years and have no idea what the dining scene is like.

Choices are Luxe, Domus, Stella, e18hteen, social (these last two seem more like bars though) Kinki is also there but if is it too sushi type fusion (similar to Blowfish in Toronto), it may not please all (me yes, but not a group). Vittoria Trattoria is also a choice but I have not been there for many many years and wonder if it is still a good place or not. Not sure if there is flexibility outside these choices but feel free to add advice on others.

Also a factor is a very good wine list - and by that I mean 100% (not 300%) mark up and good, non-LCBO product selection in the 100-120 dollar bottle range - i.e. I do not want to pay $100 bucks for a $30 dollar bottle.

Thanks for your input.