Heading to Ottawa and looking for a place to eat? We’ve got you covered from breakfast till that late night binge. Here are five must-try food spots in Ottawa.
Le Cordon Bleu Bistro @ Signatures
Did you know that the world’s most prestigious culinary academy – le Cordon Bleu – has a location in Canada? Did you also know that you can sit down for dinner prepared by some of the most esteemed culinary talent in the country at the restaurant attached to this academy? Make your way to Le Cordon Bleu Bistro @ Signatures to have your mind and your taste buds blown. Located inside a quaint blue and white historic home in Sandy Hill, the menu at Signatures offers some of the most esteemed culinary delights designed by Executive Chef Yannick Anton. Local produce and seasonal ingredients make up dishes such as the saffron foam topped corn and lobster bisque soup served with a rich jalapeno cornbread crouton, and the seared scallops with braised beef cheek agnolotti, butternut squash pure, and gruyre fonduta. For dessert nothing will please a chocoholic more than the craftily arranged platter of chocolate ganache tarte, chocolate gel, and white chocolate coconut praline ice cream. Food at Le Cordon Bleu is art and these artisans prepare nothing short of a masterpiece.
Zen Kitchen
Vegetarians and the rest of us all have good reason to check out Zen Kitchen in Chinatown. Chef Caroline Ishii has designed a line-up of gourmet meatless cuisine fit enough to convert even the staunchest carnivore.
Don’t even think about beginning your meal without ordering the most epic starter first. The flash fried sesame-crusted local exotic mushrooms served with a green papaya slaw with maple-ginger and sweet pepper sauces was hands down my favourite thing on the entire menu. The pecan-crusted seitan main is hearty and vibrant, smothered with creamy polenta, oven-roasted cherry tomatoes, Le Coprin mushrooms, sauteed greens and a grilled peach and pepita chutney. The hand cut Ravioli is earthy and balanced with tempeh-caramelized onion, smoky tomato sauce, Mornay, nut parmesan, eggplant pickle and sauted seasonal vegetables. Finish your meal with the Mexican chocolate cake with warm chili-chocolate sauce (so good, you’ll want two!) and the crunchy and awesome caramel bourbon pecan pie.
This quaint little restaurant is the perfect place to spend a casual evening over an endless supply of delicious food whether your meal preference slants in the vegetarian direction or not.
The Art is in Bakery
Get out of bed and make a beeline for The Art is in Bakery in Mechanicsville. This hipster brunch spot is a gathering place for Ottawa’s trendiest food lovers. Scribbled on the chalkboard menu you’ll find pleasing a.m. specials like the house cured dill gravlax served on a homemade dill potato bread and the ever popular croque madame made with egg and gruyere, smothered in bechamel and served on a homemade white bread. On your way out, grab a bag full of freshly baked pastries, croissants and bread all of which are handmade in house from start to finish. The good stuff sells out fast so get here early. Super skinny jeans and fake glasses are completely optional.
Smoke’s Poutinerie
If you’re looking for the best poutine you’ll ever have in life, hop in your car and drive four hours east to Chez Ashton in Quebec City (I’m serious). For a close second, make your way to one of two Smoke’s Poutinerie locations in the city. There are several options for “tricked out” poutines on the menu but purists will appreciate the traditional loveliness of hand-cut fries and squeaky fresh Quebec cheese curds smothered in a classic or veggie gravy. Embrace the food coma.
Zak’s Diner
For a late night binge, Zak’s Diner in Byward Market is the place to be. Burgers are the “it” item here and range from the sophisticated goat cheese, sauted mushrooms and bacon burger all the way up to the Zak Attack special – two 6oz patties with Swiss and cheddar cheese, bacon, and creamy 1,000 island dressing. Wash it all down with Zak’s famous thick milk shakes available in several flavours including mocha, lime, mango, raspberry, peach, butterscotch, and pina colada.
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