Ottawa Foodies

Just went to The Lindenhof last friday night for dinner. It was a cold wintery day and we felt like some good home cooking (prepared by someone else).

It has been about a year since we were there last. Unfortunately it seems to have lost a little of its charm. The waitresses no longer wear the German outfits, the menus are now an oversized plastic coated sheet(of the Denny's variety) rather than the multi page 8 1/2 x 11, and the tables no longer have table cloths. It seemed to us that the selection was a bit smaller than previously but not sure.

The food was still very good and the prices are the same as I recall. Seems the owners are trying to save a few bucks unfortunately.

Been going here for years at the old location though have not been yet since they changed ownership and moved locations at the same time. The new owner was the only non-German employee at the old place and was extremely friendly and knowledgeable the few times she waited on me in the years I've been going here. I first went here in the summer of 1988 and have been going regularly the last 10 years.

The food is always extremely good and dead-on authentic. Spaetzle to die for. Ham Hocks are incredible! Every kind of schnitzle as well!

This simple and somewhat old fashioned type German restaurant to me is good home style comfort food. I love going here when we tire of the flash and pompt of some of the more upscale restaurants of the city. This place always makes me feel like I'm coming home (even though I'm not German...).

The simple fare of schnizel, cabbage and potato never lets me down when I need to fill up.

Eight of us went to Lindenhof last night for the 3rd instalment of our monthly Dinner Club.
(We choose a restaurant from the Entertainment Book every month and use our coupons).

We arrived at 6:30 and by 7:30 the place was packed. They had put us up in a corner near the bar which was perfect.
Oddly enough, there was only one waitress working the whole restaurant by herself. She told us this right away and apologised in advance for this.
Since we were in no hurry and have a months worth of catching up to do, we have no problem with slow (but friendly) service.

All main courses come with a salad or soup to start. The soup was Lentil/Vegetable and the salad was mixed greens with cucumbers and red cabbage and a garlicky vinaigrette. They were both very nice and light.

BF and I ordered the "Champignons au Gratin" to start (not sure why they write it in French?). I have normally seen this dish come in that little plate with the holes and each mushroom goes in each hole with cheese on top. At Lindenhof, it comes in a bowl with the broth (?), cheese and mushrooms all mixed together. It was very tasty but the presentation was a little strange.

Main courses were the various schnitzels, the stroganoff and one combo platter. The meals were served with either roasted potatoes, spatzles, sauerkraut or cabbage.
I had the Jager schnitzel which was a rich brown gravy with mushrooms. The pork was tender and well cooked and the sauce very tasty. I tasted the Bratwurst and it was also very good.
We had this with beer and wine and schnapps.
Everyone was happy with their meal and we agreed it made a nice change from the usual restaurant fare. It's nice hearty food on a cold winter night.
Sadly no one had room left to try the apple fritters but we will go back!

Another strange thing: The waitress not only told us that she was working alone, but that the cook was new - not really what you want to hear when you are about to order your meal. However, the food was great and we were all impressed. They both did an excellent job on such a busy night.

Once again, I forgot to bring my camera. I have got to get into the habit of that!!

They've got every imaginable kind of Schnitzle and I've had a few of these over the years and they've all been fantastic. Go during their annual game specials where you can get deer schnitzle and that sort of thing. Go anytime, they are all great. I always order them with Spaetzle because I love theirs so much.

I've had a variety of their wurst in the last 10 years and it's always been fantastic!

Some of the best I've ever had and I lived in Germany for 2 years where my GF of the time's mom was a trained chef.

Agree that the ham hocks at Lindenholf are very good. They are just hugh, in size and taste. And so was everything else german at this place. I went with a frauline and she said the spatzel was outstanding and so was the brat.

I used to go only for the weiner schnitzel, but have since learned to make it at home... pretty good.

But the ham hocks were stupendous. It was so large I had to take some home, and it tastes great as leftovers, as well.

I do however have a preference for fatty meats, foie gras and other decandent things... no, I actually don't eat a lot of chocolates.

Whenever I meet a german in ottawa I ask them where they eat. All have said Lindenholf. (I once asked the senior Mr Mrak of mark motors where he eats when he eats out. He says he doesn't eat out a lot, but when he does this is where he'd go.) It is also the oldest and first german rstaurant in ottawa. Think it's been through new owners though.

Just saw this on the "Desperately Seeking" list. Have had the ham hocks several times and they are spectacular! Mmmmm, ham hocks!