Ottawa Foodies

We tried to eat lunch there; while being taken upstairs to be seated we were suddenly told the tables were reserved and we could either wait 20 minutes for a table, or eat at the bar. We chose the bar, but the bar did not have seating for the three of us. So we left and went to a dim sum place nearby.

p.s. The uniforms were not that interesting either. Definitely not "classy sexy". Perhaps it will be different in the summertime, but I don't know if we will go back there now.

I haven't been to Moxie's in awhile, but everytime I have been there, I didn't think that the end of the world depended on how much clothing the servers were wearing! I only once found that a female server there was showing a bit too much. Everyone arguing or debating here needs to give their heads a shake and worry about something more then clothing on servers. How about we start with the kids at home with no parents raising them, or even better, feeding them proper food!!! The review option on this site is about food and drink, nothing else. I think the forums are the place to talk about the other topics. I have worked in the industry for 20 years, and have seen alot in that time. No one is ever asked to let it all hang out, and if they were and did not want to, that individual certainly has the choice if they want to work in any certain establishment! Watch all the little teenagers walking down the street and let's worry about how little they wear, not a server in decent work attire. Bon Appetit!

User 882:

"I really felt like the women there were being pushed into 'selling' themselves for tips/increased business and I decided I would not return."

I have decided not to go back. Not because I'm insecure but because I think it's unfair that women have to look/dress in such a manner to be able to pay off their loans.

I do not patronize any place that encourages this and just because some women choose to dress in this way on heir own time does not mean I would frequent an establishment that mandates it.

I have nothing against the specific women who work there at all. But as far as the only hiring criteria being "passed experience and bilingual" that is rubbish. Again, I'm not saying that the people who work there are not good at their jobs but I feel very confident that the hiring staff is going for a certain look/age and will not hire outside of it regardless of the qualifications of the people being turned down for positions.

To all of you people who are sitting here bashing Moxie's ..if you don't like it stop going there! I am a server there currently and I've been serving at different restaurants in Ottawa for about 4 years now, and Moxie's by far the best paying one. I am currently in my last year of medical school and I've managed to pay for my school this year without any loans. If I have to wear a skirt to do so, then so be it. Take a walk through the market on a Saturday afternoon and I guarantee you, you're going to see much shorter skirts and more revealing shirts. I'm definetely not a hooker or a stripper I'm just trying to make a living. When I see women come in who look like they don't want to be there or look me up and down with a snotty face when I walk up to the table I feel like I should be twice as nice to them to try to make them feel a little more comfortable or make them realize I'm not just some skank in a skirt. Honestly take a better look at the uniforms the skirts aren't that short. Ohh and as for the hiring criteria you have to have past experience and be bilingual! The majority of the men that do come in upstairs are regulars who we've all gotten to know, and even their wives and families have come in! Imagine that a wife who trusts her husband and isn't insecure!!
I just don't understand how so many people continue to go there but you get at least one table a night who are rude and go out of their way to try to make you feel like crap probably because they can't wear the uniforms we do. That's the way I try to see it so I don't let them get to me!!

Regardless of everything I've said about Moxie's in the past their Chicken Tandoori pizza is amazing and I will definitely come back again for it.

The following discussion was moved into the forums as it caused some debate: ottawafoodies.com/forum/608

I've been Moxie's in Gloucester a few times now, and quite enjoyed the food. It a nice price point, where you can get nicer food, but at a price on par with the neary East Side Mario's or Montana's fare.

I do have to say that the waitresses are so skantily clad that it is ridiculous. They seem to have a hiring policy based on "if you can fit into this tiny black dress". It is getting to the point where I feel awkward suggesting we go there, as if I was suggesting we all head over to Hooter's.

Pete: I've been to both locations and I can definitely tell you that there is a VAST difference between the women's attire at the Bayshore and Gloucester locations. It really does seem like a policy thing at Gloucester and that is really unfortunate.

At the risk of being labelled a chauvinist pig.. ok.. maybe not really. I agree the skirts can get short here, and it certainly does get my attention, but I like the 'classiness' (minus the foot on chair) of the place better than other places I have been where the the skirts run short, and the service and food run even shorter. This may be a cop out, but I'll say this: I go to Moxies at Bayshore a couple times a month for lunch, and I've NEVER seen a server in an outfit that was not flattering. Some outfits were shorter, some longer, but all looked 'attractive'. I contrast this with places that have a 'short skirt, v-neck' dress code policy where some servers who are perfectly attractive ladies are made to wear very small, and very unflattering outfits. I'm not sure if maybe the Gloucester location has um.. shorter standards than Bayshore. Of course.. maybe it's generational, as when I grew up, if you were a girl who chose to wear 'smaller' things, that came with the increased effort, nay, responsibility to keep all your bits hidden appropriately. Now with such role models as Paris Hilton... I'm not sure young people have the chutzpa to appropriately wear such fashion and still be classy.

Tiana: my BF and I thought the same thing...and were wondering what the interview process was like. Did they take measurements or have to wear a skirt? Did their hair have to be longer than shoulder length? And if the interviewees didn't fit the 'profile', but were really amazing servers at their past jobs, did they get turned away?
I really was shocked! Can't believe she put her leg up on the chair....wow.

I had the Shanghai Noodles with shrimp. The choices were with shrimp or chicken and you could order it with as much or as little heat as you wanted...mild, medium, or hot. I ordered it mild and it was a really nice level of heat/flavor. Nice sized shitaki mushrooms, baby bok choi, carrots, ginger, green onions, and zucchini (yellow?). It was full of flavor, but maybe a bit too much sauce since there was a pool of it at the bottome. When I got the rest of it packed up to go, I asked to not have the sauce.

I will go again if going to a movie at Silvercity and order something new!

Home of the best sweet potato fries I've ever had!

I've never been a fan of the make-it-yourself style, where they give you bread and a bowl of salsa.