Ottawa Foodies

Liza Blue, in complete agreement with your review: VL can, i'm sure, tweak the place (and food) for just a bit more umph. They might be able to survive just on the spillover from Bridgehead, but imo they've got potential / foundation for more than that.

Perhaps it would create too many hurdles, but this is exactly the sort of place i'd like to see augment their regular biz. by staying open later and selling one or two craft-ish beers not readily available elsewhere. With its exposed brick and artsy interior, big windows, etc., VL would be a nice place to relax, sip & enjoy a light meal while reading a paper, etc.

Could be a dynamite cafe. Should be a go-to destination when shopping in Westboro.

We had a couple of sandwiches. Unfortunately neither sandwich packed much flavor so we won't be back here to eat but to have coffee.

Too many gift items.

Perhaps they should sub-let half the store to a really good baker and bake their own breads and have a good variety of muffins, cookies and loaves with special order cakes.

Then they could really concentrate on creating memorable soups and sandwiches and brunches.

Discovered this new place last month and have been coming here once in a while for morning coffees. Coffee is fair trade (hurray!), their products are mostly fair-trade and/or from the 100-mile radius.

They try really hard. Maybe too hard, but maybe it's because they know they are competing with big names (Starbucks, Bridgehead), but they have some pretty nice artwork and other gift ideas that I will be checking up on closer to the holidays. It's refreshing to see a local-focused entrepreneur in the area, and I hope that they succeed!

Came here for brunch on Sunday, and thoroughly enjoyed their Ham, Asparagus and Cheese crepes. They have only a few choices, but the woman serving us said that they can mix and match ingredients, as well as what they may have on hand for other specials. At $6 for the order, plus a few dollars for coffee, it was a pretty good deal and well enjoyed.