ottawa foodies

Scone Witch opening in the new building at 150 Elgin Street. Hello!

Side note to whoever did the little fold-out announcement/menu: Nice work!

As we're on the street...at 274 Elgin, this place has not been mentioned yet and deserves attention.
Had a really excellent espresso and warm slice of lemon cornmeal cake. A+
Carisse Studio Café
www.cscafe.ca/

They also have very tasty-looking paninis + specialty desserts and a gallery of Jean-Marc Carisse's photos on the walls.
A beautiful place/addition to the neighbourhood.

Backdrop

I guess this actually opened in December. Looks very interesting!

constantlycooking.wordpress.com

forgot picture

Maybe that place on the corner of Parkdale and Wellington will finally open up ... it's been under renovation for about 2 years now :-)

... because that part of town needs another restaurant.

Seed to Sausage will open a retail space at 729 Gladstone Ave. (between Bronson and Rochester) soon - blogs.ottawacitizen.com

Ottawa Citizen food columnist and blogger Laura Robin's look forward to 2014's new restaurants, shops and events: www.ottawacitizenstyle.com There are a number of things mentioned that are not yet on the radar here at OF.

Those Hot Cream Holes look delish! But I won't be saying that out loud at the office... and don't ask your kids to google that!

St. Louis Ribs is set to open at Clyde/Baseline on January 20, barring last minute issues. Apparently they are currently hiring, and looking for people to be guests at soft opening.

Do you know how to get on board for the soft opening??? That's my neck of the woods and I've been watching the project come along. Looks like there is still quite a bit to be done. I've hit the spot on Elgin once or twice and don't mind the wings at all. I haven't ventured much further than that on the menu. Maybe at the soft opening I can make a case for getting some local stuff on tap, hahaha.

Any info would be great.

On their facebook page, a staffer said to contact her if interested in the soft opening. No idea how many people they want. Email contact was christine@stlouisfranchise.com

What is the interest in a soft opening of a franchise? Why not go to another location where the kinks have been worked out and people know what they're doing?

"Ottawa Citizen food columnist and blogger Laura Robin's look forward to 2014's new restaurants, shops and events: www.ottawacitizenstyle.com There are a number of things mentioned that are not yet on the radar here at OF."

...which leads to...

"...Ottawa’s first Noodlefest, to be held in late February. The event is the brainchild of Roy Abou Rjeili, an Ottawa restaurateur who is staging a series of “underground” chef’s markets,...
!!!!!!!->>>>Plans for future Underground events include a taco fest May 3 and a slider and burger barbecue to be held in summer.<<<<-!!!!!!!!!!"

...which makes me EXTREMELY happy.

@AD_2 re "What is the interest in a soft opening of a franchise? Why not go to another location where the kinks have been worked out and people know what they're doing?"

- You may get to try something new, esp if you've never been to the franchise before or they're testing new product;
- Discuss directly with the owners/staff;
- Free stuff!

opening today in the dead of winter is Stittsville's Thailicious Food Truck. A husband-wife operation, both Thai expats and both steeped in the Ottawa restaurant scene via tons of experience @ Pookie's Thai.

They're getting started with familiar options, most entres @ $10 tax in (thailiciousfoodtruck.com). But, wife (Sea) is also a Cordon Bleu graduate, so menus of the future may stray into lesser explored areas (is "fusion" still a bad word?).

Panera (in the Lowe's parking lot on Hunt Clug) has got to be opening soon. The signs are up and they've been working on the inside for a month already with a heated tent at the entrance.

I noticed a new St. Louis Ribs/Wings Pub/Restaurant on Merivale in a brand new building just to the west of the MallWart at Merivale and Baseline. The giant televisions were on, so I assume that they're open.

St Louis has good wings and their sauces are also tasty.

I'd be interested in hearing what others think of Panera. It seems to be a real hit in Toronto but I've been there on my last two visits and I am not a fan. The bread is too doughy and the egg and sausage inside were overcooked and McDonaldslike.

I went to a Panera in Syracuse. I thought it was just okay. I assumed they would have good bread but it was just that squishy doughy stuff.

Fauna had a flood this past weekend. No idea if that will further delay opening or not.

oh hell!

I feel for the guys at Fauna. It seems they have had one thing after another delay them.

for me Panera is to soup and sandwiches what Starbucks is to coffee, good, but not the best, and 100% consistent and predictable. I would choose Panera over fast food, but not over a non chain place like Luigi Panini or Art is In.

This is mentioned in Laura Robins' Ottawa Citizen Style post but I think it deserves pointing out anyway: Marc Lepine is opening a new six-seat restaurant called THRU. Apparently the name is related to the concept. I'm really curious about this one!

blogs.ottawacitizen.com

Has anyone checked out the new Mexican place in Vanier? Ola Cocina?

@HungryPete I did sample their tacos, tamales et Chorizo Tostada. Highlights was the Tostada. The lady (originally from Pelican Grill) runs the place makes the Chorizo in house which really stands out in the Tostada. Tacos are nice corn tortillas and you can have pork, chicken, beef (I think) and vegetarian. Tacos are simple topped with authentic ingredients. Overall very good tacos. I still think Corazon de Mais and El camino are superior but overall this place is a nice addition. Talks are that they will make in house Paellas in the near future for take out. Very interesting.

Not sure if this will happen in 2014 but it will be a new opening none-the-less.

According to today's metro newspaper Pat Nicastro, co-owner of La Bottega, will be opening a second location of La Bottega in the yet-to-be-built condo on Pamilla and Rochester streets.

Suzy Q donuts is moving into 233 Armstrong, near Parkdale market, where Orange art gallery currently is.

Next to Suzy Q is Holland's Cake and Shake shop.

(around the corner in the same building is Beyond the Pale, and new Railbender Tattoo and Art gallery)

Anybody knows if The Bacon Factory beside l'Esplanade is opened? Can't find anything online...

Confirming SuzyQ is moving to a bigger production facility and retail space, which may include an actual restaurant (!). Some big news regarding availability may also be around the corner. Hush hush

Bacon Factory did not appear open yet when I went by last week.

Panera is open. West Hunt Club, east of Merivale, across from the car dealerships, in the Lowe's mall.

The bread is not too shabby at all. That's all I got.
A bit on the spendy side depending on what you get. $7 for a loaf of bread is a bit high, but the miche loaf is quite large. The country bread had a bit of a hint of a tiny bit of a smidge of rye in it somewhere in the very back if you really looked for it. There wasn't even a remarkable taste of yeast. It was only barely interesting.

I haven't tried the all-white yet as it is in the freezer.

Nice that each loaf comes with a freezer bag and a tin tie.

is Mena on preston street open yet. menu looks nice.

MeNa ? YES !!

www.menarestaurant.com/

www.urbanspoon.com

The new LCBO at Wellington and Somerset is scheduled to open March 6 according to the LCBO website. I passed by today, and there were lots of activity inside, as well as stock there already!

I just received a flyer from Poukham Thai Cuisine. They will be open for take-out and delivery in the evening this Saturday March 1st around downtown Ottawa area; Byward, Ottawa U, Elgin St, etc. It must be nice to order food to eat at home while it's cold out. They offer gluten free and vegetarian dishes. I can't wait to try their food as Thai food is my number one FAVE!!!

Suzy Q donuts will be running a trial with... Farm Boy! Details unclear, but looks like your fave treat will be much more accessible shortly!

Interesting considering Auntie Loo's just cut a deal with Farm Boy as well.

Farm Boy has a history of carrying local products - Fifth Town cheese, Art-Is-In bread, and Rochon chocolates for example. Good on them for giving shelf space to local businesses.

.... and Farm Boy does Gravensteins !!!!

Forum - Gravensteins at Farm Boy

Cedars and Co are opening in the Kilborn Mall according to a sign in the window of the former convenience store.

Kardish is coming to Westboro .... were the Carbon Computing (Ottawa) went into its death throes.

kardish.com

anyone seen this phuket royale on Somerset? think it said chinese bbq on the side on building.....i was driving by so might be wrong. is this place new? or just underwent a facelift?

Further to upthread post re Fauna, according to their FB page www.facebook.com/Faunaottawa now they're having legal issues w the landlord.

I swear, it's like the Foodie Gods have it in for this place...

Phuket Royale open as of last Saturday.

Owner/manager tells me it sits around 100 and the chef is from Thailand.

Next entry will be photo of lunch menu.

No take out menu or website yet .... to follow.

Forgot to take pic of inside. It looks nice and clean and spacious.

[I've copied this to the vendor entry Phuket Royal -FF]

Pho Van Van moved down Holland and the old location became the Vietnamese Garden or something until the beginning of the month. Now it is Pho Dragon. The combo deals are gone and the prices have all jumped. Not an asian person in the place, as far as I could see. Not that that's a bad thing. I just found it odd after the dozens of times I'd been there before.

Pho Van Van is one of my favourites,

As far as I know, the owner of Pho Van Van's original location didn't renew his lease because Pho Van Van was doing so well he thought he could run a Pho place and be just a successful.

That's why Pho Van Van moved down to the condo, and the Vietnamese Garden was the landlord's attempt at Pho,

Guess it didn't last.

EnglishFoodie - really? Pho Van Van put alot of effort into setting up their new location, I'm surprised to hear that it was because their lease wasn't renewed and they got kicked out of their original location. I ate at the new Pho Van Van once shortly after it opened in the new location and was disappointed and haven't returned.

In terms of the original location, the restaurant was called something generic like Asian Village. I went there a few times, people seemed nice enough, inexperienced, a few kids out of high school were waiting on tables, etc.

We went to the new place Pho Dragon a few weeks ago on a Sunday night. Were the only ones there though seemed there were people coming in and out for take out. I didn't notice that prices had changed all that much. They had been open less than a week. I was taken aback by the server who was not asian at all ... He said the place was owned by 3 people who had experience in the food business (hospital/nursing homes) and that they had hired asian chefs. Nothing to complain about at all. Was pleased to that the place was open as I seem to remember a few Sunday nights being very disappointed because all the asian restaurants in the neighbourhood were closed. In all the changes, I'd like someone to stock a better selection of beverages. My kids like apple and orange juice and it has never been avail. Maybe this is a good thing - once this happens we'll know for sure that they've made the break from typical "authentic" asian hole in the wall place aka where to get decent cheap asian food for the whole family.

Yes- the owner of the Pho Van Van bldg, decided not to renew the lease for the resturant Pho Van Van. That is why they moved down the street. And Asian Village was opened by the owner of the bldg.

Moscow Tea Room opening soon: www.moscowtearoom.com/

It's opening on Sussex.

There is a new Indian place at Queen/Lyon where Nate's briefly was (beneath the Glue Pot). It's called Dana's Indian Cuisine. I'll try it soon.

Angeluccis opened this week in Barrhaven, corner of Woodroffe and Strandherd, the other end of the new mall that has a CIBC, Kardish etc. Trying it out Saturday night. Looks nice inside.

Angeluccis
3091 Strandherd Drive
Barrhaven, Ontario
613-440-0064

Well World Burger beside the 168 sushi on Merrivale is fairly new.

Their double cheese burger is pretty good. Better than 5 Guys. Better bun, better meat, better toppings.

Driving down Bank yesterday, I happen to see windows covered up with simply a squirrel picture on them.

This was in the Glebe - anyone know whether this is a resto or not?

Any idea of where on Bank?

Schnicken is referring to a location right across the street from the Mayfair next to Wags (the pet store). I read about a pinball games place opening around there but not sure if that's where the squirrel posters are.

Yeah, that was supposed to be a pinball and perogies joint called House of Targ, if I'm not mistaken.

I shit you not.

" ... pinball and perogies ..."

I'm SO there !

Crossed fingers for Eight-Ball-Deluxe or any other classic, non-multilevel pinball.

Clk clk clk clk clk ... ching ching ... clk clk clk ... ching ching !

Kinda reminds me of Wringers ... food and drinks in a coin laundromat, in the Glebe.
.
.
.
... and I love perogies, as well.

Eight Ball was my favourite! Very cool idea.

The brown paper is covering the old bicycle place.

House of Targ is at the end, down the stairs. It was the old Bayou.

Not sure about the brown paper place, but I got my eye on House of Targ !

houseoftarg.com/

I don't even know what most of this means and i'm still interested.

"Quit talkin' and start chalkin'!"

Oh hey, I just found out that Essence Catering is opening up a store front out of their facility on Parkdale just up from and sort of behind the old fire station that The Urban Element is in.

Jason the owner says they hope to be open this Friday! And will be doing "Take out lunch service. To go dinners. To go BBQ. And an order counter for "Premium meat". The company we get all our meats from."

EDIT: and he says " Saturdays all summer we will do something cool in the courtyard with meat!"

Must-try restaurant in the Hull region : Bistro l'Alambic (307 boul. St-Joseph)

Just opened about one month ago. The quality of the food is great and the service we received was pleasant and friendly!

If you like places that offer TASTY food and a cool atmosphere go and check it out!

re upthread House of Targ discussion, the sign on the paper at the place on Bank St seems to have what looks like the Black Squirrel Books sign up...but the website reads:

"Grand Opening Thurs. Arpil 17
Pinball & Perogies: together again for the first time!
Subscribe to our newsletter for grand opening details & concert listings.
See you soon Ottawa.

House Of TARG
1077 Bank St. "

Blossom Vegetarian Café at 209 Gilmour Street (just west of Elgin).
Sign says: Soups, salads, daily specials, desserts and drinks. Eat-in or Take-out.
Closed as I passed this evening but looks like they did a very nice renovation inside.
Open Tue-Sun 11am-6pm.

Side note: that building needs some TLC.

I heard news from Chelsea this morning that La Boucanerie Chelsea and Cafe SoupHerbe have closed, Mama Teresa's has opened there, and that a couple well-known Ottawa restauranteurs are have bought Cafe SoupHerbe and are making plans; can Stephen Beckta confirm?

BITE Burger Bar is opening tomorrow at 11:30am.

Wheresdafood Where is BITE?

Beside Murray Street (restaurant)

My favourite Pizza and Wings place is opening up a food truck on Carling and Preston in June. I asked them about it the other day and they said it would Indian Style curries.

www.olive-green.ca/food-cart/

*Bite Burger House if you want to google it

Looks like the space on Wellington that used to be Harvest Loaf Bakery has been leased. No indication yet of what's moving in, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for something good.

Sweet Secrets will be opening up May 3rd (Grand Opening) from 11am-Midnight. 286 Elgin (Right in Sugar Mountain). It is retail and production space. We will be making candy right on site. Come by on opening day for samples, meet our team and watch candy being made!

Looks like tonight's the night House of Targ opens: metronews.ca

I live in Centretown and noticed a new place open on Elgin called Ginza. Their sign advertises ramen, sushi, and sake. Could this be the ramen place Ottawa has been sorely lacking? Has anyone tried it yet? I definitely plan on going within the next few weeks.

Sparrow Seed, initial comments are that it still isn't great ramen but it might be the best in Ottawa.

Here's an exchange I had about it on Instagram: instagram.com/p/mtJMp3g49V/

Worth a try anyway. Let us know what you think!

Sparrow Seed Apparently it's owned by the same people that owned the green tea place formerly in that spot. I've eaten at the green tea place and it wasn't anything to write home about so I am not getting my hopes up.

New brewery/brewpub opening May 24 at 73 York St. called Lowertown Brewery. More info here: www.momandhops.ca
And at www.lowertownbrewery.ca/ they may still be hiring...

Hey Fellow foodies , I am actually one of the new Owners of Ginza -Ramen sushi and sake bar,We are not the old green tea, and i Agree with Pasta lover,Everything about green tea was average or Worse(Service,atmosphere etc)

I am also a part-owner of Wontonmama(which we have built into somthing great over the years)I have been to almost every major Food event in this city for the past 5 years and all the great restaurants in the major Canadian city,My team at Ginza is very passionate in being a great restaurant, we are the city's first Authentic ramen shop, our chef Koichi Paxton trained in japan and has already made a name for himself in the ottawa food scene,We currently make our Tonkotsu Ramen From scratch(the Right/only way), in the Hakata style,

SPARROW SEED,FRESH FOODIE,PASLA LOVER,

I would personally like to invite you all to come by Ginza for a Glass of wine and food on me personally , i am confident you will see my passion in the new restaurant =) , you can email me at Nara_sok@hotmail.com if you guys wanna set it up,

if anyone else has any question feel free to ask, as i would be more then glad to answer!

Cheers!

Sounds great. Can't wait to try it.

Any news on this place yet ? (Next to Ottawa Bagel in Wellington West)

Beechbone luncheonette is now open (Whalesbone).
40 beech st

Brown bag lunches, Mon-Saturday.

I've actually had ramen twice from Ginza, take-out both times, and was quite pleased with it. The egg yolk was still semi-liquid by the time I got to the office and dumped the broth in, which was a definite plus.

Foodismypassion, are you actually making the noodles from scratch as well?

Frig, now I'm probably going to have it for lunch tomorrow. Cool and rainy, not a bad day for noodle soup.

Beckta moving to Elgin St

www.ottawacitizenstyle.com

Wow. That's big.

HUGE even.
Nice to see that building getting some love. I was sad when Friday's went.

That IS big. Although I'm not sure about this whole three-storey-screen-showing-the-kitchen thing, eesh.

Also, the thread's kind of come full-circle, since there's a Scone Witch sign right next to that location (pointing you around the corner to where the actual Witch lives).

Thanks for the excitement guys. I hope you like Beckta's new home. As for the three-story screen, I should clarify that. The screen is in the new building that the Grant House is attached to (the Performace Court where our underground parking is). Most of the programming for it is from their tenant, the Canada Council of the Arts. The landlords asked us to have a camera set up on our pass in the kitchen so they could showcase the plating of great food as art to tie in with the Council's mandate. I hope that puts your mind at ease.

And it's great to be Scone Witch's neighbour. I think I've been there a dozen times in the last month alone! They are providing great fuel for this endeavor.

Hey flandriod, i glad that you enjoyed our take out Ramen, i actually debated quite a bit to offer it as take out or not. But after experimenting we came to the conclusion it's still a great meal, on the other hand I highly suggest you have it in house as you get to enjoy it 100%,

About our noodles we actually made our own noodles the first week, but we found a noodles company that made one just a little better so we decided to go with that one, we will in the future again make our own as we're always testing out new combinations with our Japanese noodle recipe,

We are going to offer the thin(which we use in our ramen now) a think noodle(we get a lot of request for) and our house made noodle (which you can taste the freshness) and somthing we want to do, so the bowl is 100% from scratch,

Cheers my friend!

Thanks Foodismypassion, the reason I asked about the noodles is that I noticed the difference after the first time. They were a bit thicker and more spaghetti-like the first time, but really quite good, so I'm glad to hear you're thinking of making your own again in the future. I didn't have any problem the second and third times, by the way, but given the choice I'll always prefer house-made.

As far as takeout goes, it's good enough that I've been back more than once, but the farthest I've gone with it is a block, so everything was still piping hot and arranged the way it was packaged. I'll try to have it in house when I get a chance.

Off to Mena on Preston this weekend. I haven't seen a tag for this restaurant or a review as yet.

Psst... MēNa :)

Thanks FF! Wow, I really suck at finding things on here!

Kelsey's on Merivale has been replaced by Hard Stones Grill.

So when is Matt Carmichael's "Joe Beef-inspired" restaurant due to open on Somerset? When I heard about this last August, I nearly headbutted my computer screen I got so excited. But I haven't heard a peep since. Any word on the Ottawa Foodies Street?

Originally someone posted that it was going into the old BoM location but the Celtic Cross ended up there instead.

Susie Q donuts is moving into the old Cube Gallery location on Armstrong, beside the Big C and right around the corner from Beyond the Pale/Pail.

Rizak, that has been Orange gallery for a while, which recently moved to City Center. Beyond the Pale is also moving to City Centre very soon. No idea what is going in their old space. Michael Holland is opening Cake & Shake beside Suzy Q (when it goes in the old gallery space on Armstrong).

Seen on Armstrong where Orange used to be...

Okay. I can't keep up, which is why we have this thread, I suppose.

Beyond the Pale is expanding to City Centre, keeping the Hamilton Ave shop open for now.

Come to think of it, J.P. (from Turtle Island Brewing) told me that BTP was keeping the Hamilton Ave location for distribution. I gave him 6 pounds of rum and brandy soaked, maple syrup dipped vanilla beans to make some beer with in order to get that information. We'll see what he comes up with.

I have it on good intel that BTP is going to open a tapas type place in the old location.

Too bad you had to give away your stuff when you could've read about it in the paper. :). www.ottawacitizen.com

Stealing Captain Caper's photo and kind-of sorta answering his question...

Another bakery will be opening in the Harvest Loaf's old space - one that is BELOVED by the OF community. I'm sure they will be announcing it sometime soon once all the renovations are completed :D

Just opened this week. The Studio Café.
This is a GORGEOUS café that fronts an arts studio and arts school. It features Happy Goat coffee, too!

Am liking all this movement into City Center... creative parking lanes aside, it has the potential to become a really neat foodie space.

@Qster - is it ART-IS-IN???? IS IT? IS IT???????

@Rizak "I gave him 6 pounds of rum and brandy soaked, maple syrup dipped vanilla beans ... in order to get that information..."

What information do i have to give you to get a pound of those?

Nuclear launch codes, or beer.

That started out as 4 pounds of vanilla beans. However, after soaking in rum and brandy for 6 months, then in maple syrup for another month, they took on some extra weight.

I had a couple of people asking already. Sorry, folks. These are not for sale. I was keeping them for a special project and have been claimed by Turtle Island Brewery. The amount of beans I start with is limited by the amount of vanilla extract I make. That's about 8-12 pounds per batch, depending on how much I put aside for other uses. When I'm done making the extract, I cover the beans with maple syrup until they flavour it well. Once bottled, I bag the beans and put them in the freezer until needed. Now, that makes 2 uses already. The beans are still whole (split), so most of the caviar is still in them. I don't scrape them before use. There's no need. Then, they go into a batch of what I'm assuming will be a lovely beer. I guess we'll find out pretty soon. This is only going to make enough to give away a couple of times a year with none really left over for my dear friends here. If a commercial dude thinks they're worth boiling up for extra flavour, fine. I don't feel comfortable trying to sell them or giving them to people who may be disappointed with them.

We'll see. If I manage to go national with my extracts ...

OSoloMeal - Good guess! But no :P

The French Baker?

I heard Macarons Et Madeleines finally found a spot in that area, so I've assumed it is them moving into the old Harvest Loaf space.

Curious, Qster, is the new business a secret? Strange way to build hype...

From Foodieprints blog

"For El Camino, rumour has it Carmichael is looking into burgers or pizza, trying to replicate El Camino’s chefly takes on a plebian dish. Already, opening a second location at 343 Somerset Street W. with Montreal’s Joe Beef-inspried fare has been abandoned."

HFF I'm not sure it's a secret actually, but to be on the safe side I didn't want to preemptively give it away if they hadn't officially announced it. Or even if they wanted to do some sort of announcement or just let regulars figure it out eventually. I was just too excited once I found out to keep it COMPLETELY to myself, so this was my way of sharing my excitement without getting in trouble ;)

former Pecco's location on Murray to become Fiazza Fresh Fired pizza joint

www.fiazzafreshfired.com/

Qster, if it really is the French Baker then I have just gained 5 pounds thinking about them. I LOVE their croissants, and pretty much everything else they make.

I've also heard that Macarons et Madeleines is moving from his home bakery to the Harvest Loaf location. Stéphan makes some amazing pastries!

AD_2, the news that Carmichael's Joe Beef-inspired restaurant has been abandoned dims my heart light. Damnit.

Isobel's Cupcakes on Wellington looked shut down when I walked by today. Anyone know what's up with that? Nothing on their website yet.

I've heard that El Camino is expanding to the other half of the downstairs area of that building. Don't know about the credibility of this rumour but I heard it and there it is.

Isobel's Cupcakes et al ... RIP.

If I ever started a bakery I would call it Trendies.

I would make the the latest bakery trend. That way, I could switch from cupcakes to brioche (or scones or flapjacks or donuts) ... or whatever the next trend is ... when necessary.

I could stay in business and always being supplying the latest 'hot' item ... at a top dollar price.

I think the next trend has to be crojacks. Half croissant, half flapjack. Basically, big round flat flaky delicious croissants. With bacon. And a bit of maple syrup.

Oh, god.

Sounds good. I'm in.
TAKE MY MONEY AND START TRENDING DAMN YOU!!!!

Meet the 'Piegel', a bagel/savoury pie:
www.tesco.com

Sens House Sports Bar and Grill: senators.nhl.com

"Senators fans will also be able to enjoy the best Molson Coors products" :/

In the same location as Lowertown Brewery, which is kind of insulting to everyone.

"Senators fans will also be able to enjoy the best Molson Coors products"

...and the award for irony in a marketing blurb goes to...

I just got a note from Stephan confirming that he is moving to where The Harvest Loaf used to be. They hope to open in July. I am sooooo glad! My neck of the woods, too, So that makes it even better!

Fratelli in the Glebe closing May 31.

Ion Aimers bought it and it will become a restaurant named (Segue) with key staff coming from Beckta and Fraser Cafe (if I remember the article right).

This comes from a Ron Eade blog post that I don't have the URL for at the moment.

New Taco place just opened in Sandy Hill called Cali.

www.urbanspoon.com

Oops. I'm talking about Macaroons and Madeleines moving into where Harvest Loaf used to be.

Ginza ramen opened up a spot in chinatown. between booth and preston on the south side of Somerset.

Not a new opening but a surprise closing - according to Citizen, Zen Kitchen closed abruptly last night.

According to their twitter feed :

@nellleo @foodiePrints We're closed for about a week, then re-opening.— ZenKitchen (@ZenKitchen613) May 23, 2014

Well that's pretty embarrassing for Peter Hum / Citizen.

ottawacitizen.com

In part: "Friday night at 9:36 p.m, ZenKitchen’s owner Dave Loan succinctly posted on his personal Facebook page: “ZenKitchen, July 26, 2009 – May 23, 2014. I’ll always remember you.”

That’s terrible and even shocking news for Ottawa foodies and in particular, for vegans in the city and beyond.

...

Rest in peace, ZenKitchen."

Weird though: Peter Hum retweeted Zen Kitchen's tweet from yesterday morning that said they'd be closed for a week, then re-opening. Then this morning he wrote the story that they're closed for good. He knew of their earlier tweet yet wrote the closed for good story 24 hours later. Wonder if there's more to the story here.

The lack of replies/engagement after the ZenKitchen tweet would suggest that Peter Hum's knowledge is the most current status.

The other possible way to read all of this is that Dave Loan is leaving ZenKitchen, and it will reopen in a week under new ownership.

All speculation of course. Time will tell. For now, the vegans will have to slum it a little. :D

Sad news, it's been a tough year on everyone.

I wish Dave nothing but the best, a really great guy who deserves better..

Terry

More on Zen Kitchen in the Citizen:

ottawacitizen.com

Work is happening at the NW corner of Seneca and Sunnyside where 'EZPZ Pizza' was.

The old EZ sign is still up, but we spotted a chalkboard inside with some Italian food listed and the word 'Molto' at the top... this may have just been a relic from the previous two 'Moltos' at this location.

Anyone know anything?

Domus closed as well. Confirmed by them on twitter.

To clarify, Domus Housewares is closed. John Taylor's Domus Restaurant is expanding into the space. The Housewares owners wanted to retire.

No - this time it's the cafe too, confirmed by John Taylor. Landlord issues according to whoever runs the Petit Bills twitter account. Check out @domuscafe

Yikes! Don't these landlords like great food????

New sign on Woodroffe near the Shell Station in the little strip mall in Barrhaven that "Capital City Smokehouse and Restaurant" will be opening soon. No details other than I heard it will seat 200.

Opening on June 3 in the GCTC Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre at the corner of Wellington and Holland - Teatro Cafe. teatrocafe.ca/ Very excited about this both for pre-dinner treats as well as a tapas option in the neighbourhood.

If Teatro Cafe can figure out how to draw customers when the theatre is dark, then they should do all right.

How many food purveyors have been at this spot since Greenberg Theatre has opened ?
This is a real question ... not a dig. I can count two or three ... but I think it may hve been more. Help me out.

By my count, there have been 2 full-time attempts and at least one other during Theatre times only. Agreed that the challenge is getting people in the door when there is no show on stage. The owner has done some nice renovations to the space and he is using an induction stovetop and steam oven that should allow for more complete menu choices, that others could not offer.

I came across a sign today in a window on Richmond Road just west of Whispers, across from the Mac's. it said "Oh So Good Desserts and Coffee House" opening soon.

There are now several 5 Guys in Ottawa. I kept telling my co-workers there is only the one in Trainyards, and google backed me up.

One of my co-workers kept insisting there is one near Lowes. Eventually I had to threaten to extirpate him if he continued to mention the 5 Guys at Lowes . . . but he was right. There is one there, but google maps doesn't know about it yet.

Francis, there's been a Five Guys near the Lowes on Hazeldean Rd for more than two years.