Janice Dickson
OTTAWA 鈥� While Ottawa has no shortage of beautiful and historical places to visit 鈥� and might be better known for its bureaucratic hum than a night-time buzz 鈥� it has, in fact, a burgeoning food scene with a thriving nightlife to match.
Visitors coming to Ottawa overwhelmed by the number of chain restaurants congesting the city core can find solace in this list of where they need to eat in Canada鈥檚 capital.
Tucked away in a parking lot about two kilometres from downtown Ottawa is an industrial-style building that houses a bakery and restaurant that鈥檚 bustling with activity and smells like an open-oven freeing the aroma of fresh-baked bread.
Inspired by boulangeries of Paris and caf茅s of Brooklyn, Art-Is-In bakery is an eclectic mix of homemade pastries, perfectly poached eggs, soups and loaded sandwiches.
Egg, fried potato and avocado might seem an odd combination of ingredients to put on a pizza, but it鈥檚 a winning combination at this unique spot that features $1 coffee refills in generous cups, and, this time of year, Michael Bubl茅鈥檚 Christmas album.
A hostess greets you at the door and shuffles you into one of two lineups: for the restaurant or the bakery. Both equally long, they move quickly. Seating is cafeteria-style so you might be cosied up next to strangers, but the food is so exceptional you don鈥檛 notice your seatmate.
Smaller in size, but carving its own culinary path just on the other side of the Alexandra Bridge in Gatineau, is Edgar. The space itself is small and if the tables are full, which they usually are, you will be waiting outside, but the server brings you coffee so you can sip away until it鈥檚 time to eat. On weekdays, Edgar offers soups and sandwiches with an often changing menu, but seasonally fresh ingredients, and is known for its weekend brunch.
Peter Hum, an arts writer and restaurant critic at the Ottawa Citizen, said there has been a shift in Ottawa鈥檚 food scene spanning two decades, as chefs and restaurateurs keep up with food trends developing across other cities. Hum said if visitors don鈥檛 mind the wait, they should line up for Edgar chef Marysol Foucault鈥檚 exquisite desserts.
If you鈥檙e feeling lethargic after brunching your way through the better part of the day, head over to the National Arts Centre for a cup of Equator coffee, a rich and velvety Ottawa Valley roast, and take in the view of the city鈥檚 most picturesque intersection, boasting views of Parliament, the National War Memorial and streetscape.
As the day shifts to night, Andaz in the Byward Market is the perfect place to watch the sun go down. The hotel鈥檚 rooftop lounge, Copper Spirits and Sights, located on the 16th floor, possesses a coveted view of the entire city.
Amy Karlin, an Ottawa-based blogger, said she has also noticed a shift in the city鈥檚 food scene and 鈥渘ow it鈥檚 a whole different ball game.鈥�
鈥淐hefs are not afraid to experiment,鈥� she said.
Karlin鈥檚 top recommendation for visitors from out of town is Riviera on Sparks Street.
鈥淚t鈥檚 almost in a class of its own. You walk in and there鈥檚 such an atmosphere to the place,鈥� she said of the old bank that has been converted to a stunning restaurant.
Karlin recommends sitting at the bar where you can chat with bartenders about their creations.
A short Uber from downtown will take you to Supply and Demand, which offers rustic pasta dishes, vegetable-based small plates, fresh oysters and an upbeat vibe with an open kitchen. It also hosts pasta-making classes over wine.
And in nearby Hintonburg, Hum recommends Carben Food and Drink, which he said pushes the envelope a little further.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a place where you go and if there鈥檚 a loss of conversation, you end up talking about the dishes,鈥� he said. He also recommends Les Fougeres in Chelsea for a rustic experience.
