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Top 10 Favourite Places in Ottawa in 2016

Posted on December 31, 2016

Ottawa’s ever-evolving culinary scene brought us a lot of highlights in 2016. Listed below are our most memorable experiences, from trendy eatery to ice cream shop and everything in between. We’re looking forward to what 2017 has in store, Ottawa’s dining scene keeps growing and we’ll be here to share our favourites.

Fairouz

Fairouz brought Middle Eastern food with upscale flair to Ottawa and their array of healthy options, including muhammara dip, falafel and halloumi, kept us coming back. We’d recommend it for adventurous groups that are open to sharing.

La Cabaña

We discovered homey El Salvadorean pupuseria La Cabana by chance and we’ve since become big fans of these fried tortillas stuffed with fillings like cheese, pork and the mysterious edible flower ‘laroco’. Topped with tomato sauce and fermented cabbage “curtido”, it’s one of our favourite lunches.

North & Navy

Prettiest pasta in recent memory. @northandnavy’s #rhubarb and spring garlic #corzetti

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A sleek setting to enjoy North Italian cuisine in Centretown, North & Navy was one of our favourites for group dinners or date night. What more do you need than some fresh pasta and a negroni?

Supply & Demand

Speaking of fresh pasta, Supply & Demand always delivers. Their well curated menu is one of Ottawa’s best. They also occasionally offer pasta making classes that are an excellent way to spend an evening.

Meatpress

#Meatpress is one of our favourites for a reason, this #porchetta is 👌

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A go-to for lunch. Meatpress somehow always manages to surprise with flavourful, upscale ingredients stuck between two pieces of bread.

Union 613

Though the year brought a lot of trendy new places, we always end up back at Union 613 for cocktails and atmosphere. Their speakeasy is our favourite place in town.

Sansotei Ramen

It’s cold out there ❄! Nothing like a bowl of #ramen (with black garlic oil) on a frigid day from @sansoteiramen.

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Authentic Japanese tonkotsu finally arrives in Ottawa. The occasional lines at Sansotei Ramen are worth it for rich, flavourful broth and the best noodles in the city. Top it with some garlic oil for an extra treat.

Edgar

Edgar – at the top of our #brunch list for a reason. Toujours un vrai délice. 😋merci @marysolfoucault

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Our favourite place for brunch before the year started and it still is as the year ends.

Moo Shu Ice Cream & Kitchen

Though a lot of ice cream/gelato shops opened in Ottawa this year, Moo Shu was miles ahead with innovative flavours that changed our perception of what ice cream can be.

Mariposa Farms

Literal farm to table, our drive out to Mariposa Farms led to a magical Sunday lunch, feasting on incredible duck confit after seeing exactly where it came from.

Best Of

Top 10 Ottawa Area Date Night Ideas

Posted on October 21, 2016

So you’ve finished your favourite Netflix series and you’re in the mood for an adventure that doesn’t consist of a VIP cinema seat at your local Cineplex (and you’re not yet ready to re-marathon all of Stranger Things). Bytown Bites has you covered with our top 10 Ottawa Area date night ideas.

Aylmer

Explore the main strip of Aylmer, accessible via a short drive or a longer bike ride from Ottawa. Bistro L’Autre Oeil is one of our favourite patios (if weather permits) with an extensive craft beer list. Antonyme has tasting menu options that defy their pricepoint and a walk on the marina before sunset is sublime.

Quand t’es en #Outaouais, mais t’as l’impression d’être dans les maritimes. #sunset

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Byward Market
Explore one of the best art collections in the country at the National Gallery before grabbing some gelato at Mantovani 1946. Take your gelato to go and have a seat at Nepean Point to to watch the sunset, catch some fall colours and largely avoid the Byward Market chaos that is close by.

Centretown
There are a lot of options in a neighbourhood that keeps reinventing itself. The Museum of Nature is free to explore on Thursday evenings and is a nice way to precede or follow dinner at Whalesbone or Fauna and some of the unreal ice cream at Moo Shu‘s. Alternatively, dine in the intimate atmosphere at Fairouz or Town before catching a performance at the National Arts Centre.

Chelsea
Get to Nordik Spa early and enjoy North America’s largest outdoor spa before finishing the evening at Chelsea Pub, for a beer and a poutine to undo all the health that preceded it. Stop by Boucanerie Chelsea Smokehouse and pick up some of the best smoked salmon we’ve ever tasted before you drive back home.

perks of the job. #aufguss overdose.

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Gatineau

Start a weekend at Edgar for our favourite brunch in the Ottawa area before diving into all there is to discover in Gatineau Park. Personal favourites include the Carbide Willson Ruins and Pink Lake.

The spoils of living in Ottawa #nofilter

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Hintonburg
Start with some coffee from the Ministry of Coffee and Social Affairs and grab a donut from nearby SuzyQ to have one of the best morning combos that we can think of. Spend the rest of the day window shopping and exploring various shops around the area including Danish Modern and the always surprising St. Vincent De Paul‘s thrift store. Stop in for lunch/brunch at Meatpress or have a pint at Tooth and Nail/take some growler’s to go from Beyond the Pale.

The perfection of @theministryofcoffee #coldbrew.

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Little Italy
Grab one of Dirienzo‘s famous sandwiches (our favourite is a #14 with the eggplant), pasta and/or a cannoli and have a picnic in the Dominion Arboretum before having a relaxing stroll around Dow’s Lake. Finish the night with cocktails at The Moonroom.

14 with the spicy eggplant, one of my favourite lunches in #Ottawa #dirienzo

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Lowertown
Enjoy Alirang‘s famous Gamjatang stew (or if it’s out, you can’t go wrong with bibimbap) before catching an arthouse film at the Bytowne Theatre.

Old Ottawa South
Check out the hip Belmont Snackbar for a meal or a drink, visit Stella Luna for some of Ottawa’s finest gelato. Follow that with a film at the Mayfair or spend your evening playing arcade games at the House of Targ, which has some amazing perogies if you’re in the mood for more food.

There are some delicious #brunch options at @belmontottawa #oldottawasouth

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Wakefield
Wakefield is a gem that is within driving distance. Walk along the water and have a fantastic meal at Village House. Finish the evening with a show at local institution, the Blacksheep Inn, and try not to start looking up real estate prices in the area.

Can’t get enough of these #autumn walks.

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Best Of

Top 10 Brunches in Ottawa

Posted on August 21, 2016

So it’s Sunday morning and you’re in the mood for some variety. Your stomach may be grumbling for a variety of reasons but let the anxiety of indecision not be one of them by simply choosing from one of our favourites.

Bytown Bites Top 10 Brunches in Ottawa.

  1. Edgar
    A cozy brunch haven in Gatineau. Folks flock here for indulgences like their famous “dutch baby” with maple syrup, sharp cheddar and pork belly ($14).
  2. Benny’s Bistro
    Tucked in the back of the French Baker, Benny’s Bistro is consistent and full of brunch surprises like their confit albacore tuna loin ($19). Breakfast (with a smaller menu) available on weekdays.
  3. The Manx
    Affordable and delicious, The Manx offers up a variety of brunch, bruncher and bruncherer options. Our favourite is “The Soho” which consists of two eggs, cowboy beans, braised mushrooms and hashbrowns ($10.50)
  4. Fraser Cafe
    Upscale surroundings and brunch options that will take your around the world including the Huevos Rancheros ($13.50) and Okonomiyaki ($14.50).
  5. Union 613
    Soul food brunch, their fried chicken and waffle sandwich (with poached eggs, pickled green tomatoes and spicy maple syrup) is a sight to behold ($15)
  6. Les Vilains Garcons
    An adventurous menu that always changes, with options typically around $15. A great change of pace for brunch.
  7. Art-Is-In Bakery
    Despite its large warehouse setting, the lines for brunch never seem to dissipate. And for good reason. Their famous fried pickle melt ($8.95) is a must.
  8. Wilf & Ada’s
    A scratch diner that does the basics and more. “Eggs in Purgatory” ($13.50) features eggs poached in a spicy tomato sauce that will set your brunch on fire (in a good way). Full menu available on weekdays.
  9. Brother’s Beer Bistro
    More than just beer, their brunch features many items made in-house, including a 36-hour sous vide porchetta served with eggs ($15)
  10. Mariposa Farms
    Literal farm to table. If you are looking for an adventure, drive out to Mariposa Farms and try their $45 3-course “Sunday Lunch”. Ingredients like duck confit and foie gras can’t get any fresher.