Ottawa Foodies

I ate dinner here recently with a friend, neither of us being vegetarian but both appreciating the excellent food.

I started with their gypsy soup which was the soup of the day. It was a nicely spiced bowl of soup with lots of chickpeas and squash - very hearty and it came with a slice of delicious bread.

The person who took our order ended up forgetting to place it so in compensation she brought us a tray of papadums which were delicious - sadly they didn't have any mango chutney.

For dinner, my friend ordered the half-poutine and half-broccoli and cheese over rice which was...strange but he loved it. I tried it and it was tasty although not your usual Ottawa poutine by any means.

I had half chickpea curry and half tofu tamari on top of a sweet potato. It was delicious although after a while, I found the sweet potato part to be a bit overwhelming.

Before we left, our server brought us two complimentary sesame-ball type things for dessert. I wish I could give a better description - they sort of tasted like sesame and nut butter made into a ball? Anyway, I thought that was very sweet of them especially considering that we didn't have to wait THAT long.

All in all, the food was very good and I'd go back. The music is REALLY irritating at times but I think that's just me!

I found it a little creepy. Though it was not "pushed" on me or anything, it was prominently displayed everywhere. Afterwards I did some research on the web and didn't like what I learned. But, hey, if it's their choice, it's their choice.

I would probably eat there more if it wasn't for the guru thing.

I suppose you are right - that place in Westboro with all the Elvis stuff certainly creeped the hell out of me and I'll never go back after my first time. Same can be said for many "sports bars" and other "themed" restos.

We have eaten at the Ottawa location. It is not "pushed on you", per se, but it is definitely a prominent feature (walls, menu, dress, etc.). Didn't bother me any, and I'd go back for the food, but it creeped my husband out (his words, not mine). Different strokes for different folks. I'm sure a restaurant full of other emblems symbolic of another faith or belief system, say, Jesus icons and Biblical passages, would bother some folks too. If you're going to outwardly display these things, its a business risk you take -- not everyone is going to like it.

I'm curious about your comment "the guru thing is not for me". I have not eaten here, but I've eaten a lot at their restaurant in Halifax and at least at that one the "guru thing" is in no way, shape or form pushed on you. Sure there are pictures of Sri Chimnoy everywhere, with books and pamphlets and so on. But it certainly isn't in your face. We've only ever gone for the excellent food.

The food is very good. The guru thing is not for me.

I saw Kiwiw's review and the name rang a bell - so I went to their website and sure enough this place is connected to Sri Chimnoy. I haven't been here, but I've been a huge fan of their place in Halifax - Satisfaction Feast for almost 20 years now! I look forward to trying out their Ottawa location.

I just went to Perfection-Satisfaction-Promise... wow. I will admit to being a veggie-phobe first. I live near P-S-P, and often walk by, and it always smells great! Anyways, I had the special, which was a cucumber dill sauce with more cucumber, celery, onions and sprouts inside a tortilla. It came with a very tasty soup and a nice salad as well. It was great! The portion was huge, and I couldn't believe I'd avoided this place for so long. My boyfriend ordered the "painted potatoe" - mashed - with the poutine topping... loved it. He also got the lentil soup, which at first he thought it had too much lemon, but once he added some pepper, it was perfect. The service, of course, is fantastic. I plan on going back over and over again!

I've been going to this place for ages. I love it, and so does everyone that I've taken there. The premise for the majority of the menu is that you choose a potato or rice bottom and then the topping (examples include steamed veggies, chickpea curry, chili, gravy). The lentil soup is excellent. My usual (if I'm not getting the special - usually excellent) is the Rainbow Salad Combo with the chickpea curry and the herbal dressing. Also, save room for either the carrot cake or chocolate tofu cheesecake (the best non-cheese cheesecake I've ever had).

The staff is uber-friendly. Their religious beliefs are obvious but not intimidating. The atmosphere is calming and casual.

I LOVE this place. I eat there at least once a week. BEST VEGGIE BURGER EVER! Great salads. Their lunch specials are pricey but worth it.