Ottawa Foodies

Ashley, I have to tell you about an experience I had at So Good a few years ago, the guy there is beyond "social".
I went there with my kids, including my youngest who is autistic. The guy let me bring in Pizza Pizza for my son, who wouldn't eat the food there. He packed up our order to go when my son had a meltdown in the middle of our meal. And when I apologized for the disturbance he said "It's no problem, I've worked at a children's hospital with kids like your boy, I hope the rest of your day is better."

I can contrast this treatment with an experience at the Works (former Beechwood location) where we were treated quite badly when my son was quiet and behaving well. We walked out of there, and bought our dinner down the street at someplace friendlier. I've never been back, and though I don't tell other people not to go there, I'll never spend another penny there.

The guy at So Good is welcome to my business anytime, regardless of whether or not the food is the best or most authentic. The "hospitality" part of the hospitality industry is important too.

Let me clarify about my comment then. So Good was first introduced to me by a colleague (who is a vegetarian) many many years ago. She told me that she and her husband ate there all the times. The food was sooo good! I reserved my comments at that time since I am quite aware of the taste difference between "Canadian Chinese" food (i.e., extra sweet and sour) and "regular Chinese food".

We only tried the food there once. But we felt that once is enough for us at that time. Things may have been changed now. They may have changed their chef since our visit.

But for us. We left with the knowledge that this is yet a typical Canadian Chinese restaurant. The owner is quite smart to offer an extensive menu for vegetarians (this certainly differentiates them from others).

You may want to say that "If the food tastes good, does it matter whether it is regular Chinese food or not?". Absolutely in agreement! But the food we ate was terrible at that time. (We ordered congee with some stir-fried noodles for lunch, can't remember the exact dishes now. I normally evaluate a restaurant by ordering their stir-fried flat noodles to determine if the chef is good.)

I have to agree that the owner is pretty social. Many of his customers went to his place to eat because of him. (The lack of customer service is a known problem in most of the Chinese restaurants!)

My son's friend's family has a Canadian-Chinese restaurant in the east coast. She told me that her dad wants to make some changes to have some regular Chinese food in the menu. But their customers demanded the old taste back (i.e., extra sweet and extra sour taste). So, they have to listen to their customers. She also told me that her dad (the chef) and their family won't eat those dishes in the restaurant. LOL.

Unlike the first poster, I find that So Good is much much better than Ging Sing - I've never really liked their food.

I like the atmosphere, and the owner (Peter) is very helpful. If you want something specific, he'll generally have it made up for you even if not on the menu. If you want something different, you can ask him to make you something, and try something different.

Lots of selection, good food, and friendly staff. It is one of my favourite places down Somerset.

Anything Wu Se, or Pepper Salt is good here. Lots of veggie options available for those who don't eat meat. Definitely not authentic, but like Golden Palace, satisfies the craving.

Cozy little restaurant. Owner is extremely charming and happy to help with any questions or give recommendations. A lot of the dishes are very sweet, they must soak the chicken in a sugar mixture. Try the Wu Se Chicken or Wu Se Vegetables - it's a stir fry with an amazing spicy peanut sauce. Some people argue it's not authentic Chinese cuisine, but I like their twist on most dishes. Also has a huge vegetarian selection for those interested...

I love this restaurant. If you don't know what to order (there is an extensive menu!), just ask Peter (the owner) for a recommendation. You definitely can't lose that way. On the vegetarian side of the menu, my favourite dishes are the hot and sour soup, the spring rolls, Egg Plant with Black Bean Sauce and Fried Tofu & Cashew Nuts with Sweet Paste. If you're going for dinner, I recommend making a reservation almost any day of the week. They're closed on Mondays.

Do not recommend this restaurant to everyone. For the same area, recommend that you try Ging Sing.

Extensive menu of vegetarian items here, and those hoping for the Szechwan style will be particularly pleased (i.e., no shortage of tasty sauce). Their Buddha's delight is a favourite of mine -- lots of mushrooms!