Visiting from India [General]
2015 Sep 6
1. Maple Syrup
2. www.brewdonkey.ca/ for tours of local micro breweries
3. don't know, don't care
4. All of them! Be sure to try Poutine and Beaver Tails (relates to your question 1. but you can't take them home)
5. Will give its some thought
2. www.brewdonkey.ca/ for tours of local micro breweries
3. don't know, don't care
4. All of them! Be sure to try Poutine and Beaver Tails (relates to your question 1. but you can't take them home)
5. Will give its some thought
2015 Sep 6
Thank you zymurgist!
Maple syrup, of course :) Any advice on quality brands? The Spouse will love the idea of a microbrewery tour, so thank you for that.
Yes, poutine and beaver tails are on my "to try" list. I did read the "poutines" thread on this forum - and oh my goodness, y'all certainly know how to dress up fries!
I also intend to eat at The Black Tomato - I understand that it's dedicated to local sourcing, and that totally floats my boat! Any other establishments doing good, honest, unpretentious food?
Maple syrup, of course :) Any advice on quality brands? The Spouse will love the idea of a microbrewery tour, so thank you for that.
Yes, poutine and beaver tails are on my "to try" list. I did read the "poutines" thread on this forum - and oh my goodness, y'all certainly know how to dress up fries!
I also intend to eat at The Black Tomato - I understand that it's dedicated to local sourcing, and that totally floats my boat! Any other establishments doing good, honest, unpretentious food?
2015 Sep 6
The best beavertail is the Killaloe sunrise (lemon and cinnamon sugar). Do not get pulled in by the allure of oreo reeses pieces peanut butter banana chocolate sauce creations. With the killaloe, you can actually taste the dough.
Try Clover. It's one of my favorite restaurants downtown. Really great plates. You must have the fugazi for dessert.
If you're gonna get maple syrup, skip the light stuff and go for amber. More flavor, better body. Brands are all kind of the same as long as it's 100%. (okay, that's a lie, but you're not gonna find the small batch heritage stuff in Ottawa in October, plus it's ridiculously expensive and not worth it).
Non-Ottawa specific things: Butter tarts, caesars, nanaimo bars, tourtiere, ketchup chips, all dressed chips. Saskatoon berry anything (jam, pie, the dried berries). Wild east coast blueberries if you can find them. Caribou/bison/elk/other wild game jerky. Go to Tim Hortons once, just to say you have and then never again. Get a shawarma, maybe?
Try Clover. It's one of my favorite restaurants downtown. Really great plates. You must have the fugazi for dessert.
If you're gonna get maple syrup, skip the light stuff and go for amber. More flavor, better body. Brands are all kind of the same as long as it's 100%. (okay, that's a lie, but you're not gonna find the small batch heritage stuff in Ottawa in October, plus it's ridiculously expensive and not worth it).
Non-Ottawa specific things: Butter tarts, caesars, nanaimo bars, tourtiere, ketchup chips, all dressed chips. Saskatoon berry anything (jam, pie, the dried berries). Wild east coast blueberries if you can find them. Caribou/bison/elk/other wild game jerky. Go to Tim Hortons once, just to say you have and then never again. Get a shawarma, maybe?
2015 Sep 6
Thanks collision,
The Clover menu seems exactly the kind of thing we are looking for, and dried berries and jerky should be easy to schlepp home, that's a great suggestion.
Will there be any farmers markets happening around that time? I saw that there's a food and wine festival Oct 30-Nov1. Would you recommend it?
The Clover menu seems exactly the kind of thing we are looking for, and dried berries and jerky should be easy to schlepp home, that's a great suggestion.
Will there be any farmers markets happening around that time? I saw that there's a food and wine festival Oct 30-Nov1. Would you recommend it?
2015 Sep 6
There is the Ottawa farmer's market at Lansdowne Park on Sunday's from 8am -3pm - usually. Depending where you will be staying, it is a lovely walk along the Rideau Canal. For locally sourced foods at restaurants there is Taylor's on Bank St in the old Ottawa south area, walking distance from the Farmer's market. Quite a few restaurants do source local foods and so the menu at that time will reflect more fall fare:
any of Steve Beckta's restaurants - Beckta, Play or Gezellig
Wellington Gastropub
Petit Bill's Bistro
These just off the top of my head - there should be lots of suggestions from others.
If you have access to a car and would like to see another farmer's market, there is one Saturday mornings (8am -1pm) in Carp. You must try the pea meal bacon on a bun there. Lots of things to possibly take home at both markets.
For a nice drive up the Gatineau river to Les Fougères restaurant (20 minutes from downtown by car). They make fantastic tourtière. They also are big proponents of sourcing locally. That would be good at lunch so you'll be able to see the scenery and then not very far from there (about 15 minutes by car) is the small town of Wakefield.
The locally printed magazine "edible Ottawa" also has tons of info - you can check out their Facebook page:edibleottawa
Have a wonderful trip!
any of Steve Beckta's restaurants - Beckta, Play or Gezellig
Wellington Gastropub
Petit Bill's Bistro
These just off the top of my head - there should be lots of suggestions from others.
If you have access to a car and would like to see another farmer's market, there is one Saturday mornings (8am -1pm) in Carp. You must try the pea meal bacon on a bun there. Lots of things to possibly take home at both markets.
For a nice drive up the Gatineau river to Les Fougères restaurant (20 minutes from downtown by car). They make fantastic tourtière. They also are big proponents of sourcing locally. That would be good at lunch so you'll be able to see the scenery and then not very far from there (about 15 minutes by car) is the small town of Wakefield.
The locally printed magazine "edible Ottawa" also has tons of info - you can check out their Facebook page:edibleottawa
Have a wonderful trip!
2015 Sep 6
chappamom, to answer your question about the Wine and Food Show, it is best avoided by a food tourist like you. It's a wine and food trade show, with expensive booze samples (once you factor in the cost of admission) and mostly substandard and overpriced food choices.
Everyone's suggestions have been great! If you spend a bit of time reading the forums and reviews on our site, you'll likely get lots of good ideas. Enjoy your visit to our city!
Everyone's suggestions have been great! If you spend a bit of time reading the forums and reviews on our site, you'll likely get lots of good ideas. Enjoy your visit to our city!
2015 Sep 6
For some reason a lot of people prize the lighter maple syrups but in my opinion that is dead wrong. The darker ones have more flavour .
Black Tomato is a great place with a great selection of beer.
Yes, get a schawarma. Sure they have that sort of thing where ever middle eastern people go (and Greeks - gyros is very similar), but the local stuff is good. Go for the chicken not the beef.
Black Tomato is a great place with a great selection of beer.
Yes, get a schawarma. Sure they have that sort of thing where ever middle eastern people go (and Greeks - gyros is very similar), but the local stuff is good. Go for the chicken not the beef.
2015 Sep 6
Malak Pastry on Bank st, go at least to try the Lebanese ice cream.
I do not know any other place in the city that makes it and I keep on asking people to see if there is any other place I can compare it to.
People keep on telling me it is "not something you make at a store and usually made at home" and that is it hard to make (I've asked so many people, some older, some from many arab places and it is the only place that has this ice cream here.
Baklava and cookies are good there too.
Cedar's grocery, the prepared salads,cold counter- the "mama ghanouj" eggplant salad, dandelion salad,the cheese filled half circle fried pastry "thing" (I forget the name).
-they sell a lot of local foods at this store.
The farmer's market at Lansdowne on Sundays too is neat.
-there is a wine and food show at the Leamy Casino- it is with Quebec food producers and worth going to. You can buy many foods to take home and even locally made wines.
Food samples are well priced and generous too.
Todric's restaurant uses a lot of local ingredients and they also make their own sauces,jams and sesanings you can buy to take home.
The jams change all the time.
If you like sports I'd reccomend an hour at Skyzone trampoline, it is super fun.
If you like dance classes Capital City Dance has adult drop-in classes Mon-thu from 8:30-9:30 pm.
You learn a different hiphop dance or moves or else jazz,ballet,contemporary.
Their classes are really good.
I do not know any other place in the city that makes it and I keep on asking people to see if there is any other place I can compare it to.
People keep on telling me it is "not something you make at a store and usually made at home" and that is it hard to make (I've asked so many people, some older, some from many arab places and it is the only place that has this ice cream here.
Baklava and cookies are good there too.
Cedar's grocery, the prepared salads,cold counter- the "mama ghanouj" eggplant salad, dandelion salad,the cheese filled half circle fried pastry "thing" (I forget the name).
-they sell a lot of local foods at this store.
The farmer's market at Lansdowne on Sundays too is neat.
-there is a wine and food show at the Leamy Casino- it is with Quebec food producers and worth going to. You can buy many foods to take home and even locally made wines.
Food samples are well priced and generous too.
Todric's restaurant uses a lot of local ingredients and they also make their own sauces,jams and sesanings you can buy to take home.
The jams change all the time.
If you like sports I'd reccomend an hour at Skyzone trampoline, it is super fun.
If you like dance classes Capital City Dance has adult drop-in classes Mon-thu from 8:30-9:30 pm.
You learn a different hiphop dance or moves or else jazz,ballet,contemporary.
Their classes are really good.
2015 Sep 7
Ooh, I'll also second the Carp farmer's market. I grew up around there, lovely scenery to drive through.
If the weather is nice, I would recommend picking up some prepared items and heading to either Parliament Hill, Major's Hill Park, Nepean Point, Jacques Cartier Park...heck, anywhere with nice grass. If you've never been to Canada before, it's a good way to appreciate the landscape. I did the whole picnic-on-front-of-parliament-thing with out of town friends and they loved it. They couldn't believe you could just...sit on the grass in front of a political office (They're Americans. I'm gonna guess you don't do that at the White House).
Zym, I'm glad we're on the same page. Thankfully, the amber stuff is sometimes cheaper because nobody likes it!
If the weather is nice, I would recommend picking up some prepared items and heading to either Parliament Hill, Major's Hill Park, Nepean Point, Jacques Cartier Park...heck, anywhere with nice grass. If you've never been to Canada before, it's a good way to appreciate the landscape. I did the whole picnic-on-front-of-parliament-thing with out of town friends and they loved it. They couldn't believe you could just...sit on the grass in front of a political office (They're Americans. I'm gonna guess you don't do that at the White House).
Zym, I'm glad we're on the same page. Thankfully, the amber stuff is sometimes cheaper because nobody likes it!
2015 Sep 7
Wow! That's a lot to, er, chew on. Thank you so much, people. We will be in Ottawa for a week, with no real agenda (no rushing round for us, thank ya!)
Gardenermom: My son is a third year Carleton student, and lives in Little Italy, so I guess we'll be staying somewhere in his vicinity - I'm thinking Airbnb - and yes, we can probably rent a car to drive out a bit. My image of Canada is wide open spaces and beautiful scenery, so it'll be nice to do that, especially if our destination is a farmers market. And two consecutive days, back to back? Even better!
Collision - the picnic idea is cool too, let's hope Offspring doesn't roll his just-out-of-teens eyeballs at it!
Prettytasty: that grocery store sounds delectable. Lebanese ice cream is the gummy stretchy thing, right? If I recall, it's called boozi or booza... yum. I'm drooling all over my keyboard and frying the keys!
Thanks warby for the heads up re the food show - I guess it's one of those things that looks good on paper, but... :D You saved us a pretty pile.
If you guys are like me, you're probably biased towards your city, but I'd like your take on whether to visit Toronto. My son says it's "like any U.S. city" and that "Ottawa has more character, culture, and color." Would you agree?
Gardenermom: My son is a third year Carleton student, and lives in Little Italy, so I guess we'll be staying somewhere in his vicinity - I'm thinking Airbnb - and yes, we can probably rent a car to drive out a bit. My image of Canada is wide open spaces and beautiful scenery, so it'll be nice to do that, especially if our destination is a farmers market. And two consecutive days, back to back? Even better!
Collision - the picnic idea is cool too, let's hope Offspring doesn't roll his just-out-of-teens eyeballs at it!
Prettytasty: that grocery store sounds delectable. Lebanese ice cream is the gummy stretchy thing, right? If I recall, it's called boozi or booza... yum. I'm drooling all over my keyboard and frying the keys!
Thanks warby for the heads up re the food show - I guess it's one of those things that looks good on paper, but... :D You saved us a pretty pile.
If you guys are like me, you're probably biased towards your city, but I'd like your take on whether to visit Toronto. My son says it's "like any U.S. city" and that "Ottawa has more character, culture, and color." Would you agree?
2015 Sep 7
Standard Ottawa stuff is covered above, but don't see much about cheese and charcuterie, which you can find a lot of. Albion Rooms is good for it, as is Beckta, Murray Street, Brothers Beer Bistro, and a few others. Loads of quality Quebec cheeses and lots of tasty local cured meat. A few stores in the market and, if you can get there, Seed to Sausage specializes in artisinal type stuff. They won't be too far from where you're looking at staying.
Most creative chefs? Atelier is at the top of that list. El Camino is probably the most popular restaurant in the city. Allium is my favourite. Supply and Demand is great, as is the new Carben.
Aside from the Beavertails, tea at Chateau Laurier is really the only other traditional Ottawa foodie experience I can think of. Their Sunday brunch is really worth doing as well.
Ottawa Beer Events will have a rundown of local breweries.
Check Ottawa Magazine and the Ottawa Citizen websites for more reviews and listings.
Toronto is great, but it's a serious hike.
Most creative chefs? Atelier is at the top of that list. El Camino is probably the most popular restaurant in the city. Allium is my favourite. Supply and Demand is great, as is the new Carben.
Aside from the Beavertails, tea at Chateau Laurier is really the only other traditional Ottawa foodie experience I can think of. Their Sunday brunch is really worth doing as well.
Ottawa Beer Events will have a rundown of local breweries.
Check Ottawa Magazine and the Ottawa Citizen websites for more reviews and listings.
Toronto is great, but it's a serious hike.
2015 Sep 7
RE: dark vs light syrups
I use the lighter syrups in my products so that the flavourings can shine through. If I were to use a darker syrup, it would overwhelm the vanilla notes and the smoke from the barrel.
I've never liked darker syrups, either. My dad used to run a sugar bush and we always had gallons of the stuff kicking around. I just never got a taste for the darker range. I guess that's why there are different grades.
One is not better than another. That is personal preference.
I use the lighter syrups in my products so that the flavourings can shine through. If I were to use a darker syrup, it would overwhelm the vanilla notes and the smoke from the barrel.
I've never liked darker syrups, either. My dad used to run a sugar bush and we always had gallons of the stuff kicking around. I just never got a taste for the darker range. I guess that's why there are different grades.
One is not better than another. That is personal preference.
2015 Sep 7
I love the picture of your suitcase! Reminds me of what mind usually contains when I come back to Ottawa!
I am just going to suggest, since your son is in Little Italy, check out Seed to Sausage on Gladstone St. It's a small store (locally owned) and honestly the sausage is amazing and they do have some products that you can also transport back home with you. The staff are very friendly as well, and can help with selection.
This is a personal favorite for me!
I am just going to suggest, since your son is in Little Italy, check out Seed to Sausage on Gladstone St. It's a small store (locally owned) and honestly the sausage is amazing and they do have some products that you can also transport back home with you. The staff are very friendly as well, and can help with selection.
This is a personal favorite for me!
2015 Sep 7
Does the NAC still have a Sunday brunch?
I could not find much info online. I thought the NAC one was a bit better and had way better desserts (mini creme brulee, French macarons, other stuff).
For Brunch buffet- the one at Whole Foods is great and only $10.
Not fancy,you pay ahead of time,they give you a plastic reusable plate.
There was maybe 15 items and no drinks or juice included (that was fine).
They use real eggs and had organic yogurt and granola,real maple syrup too!
I had some egg dish,my mother thought it was an omelette- but I'm not sure. It was some eggs with veg and cheese baked in a muffin tin.
It was good,but I could not finish it-as I had eaten too much of their fruit compote...
I could not find much info online. I thought the NAC one was a bit better and had way better desserts (mini creme brulee, French macarons, other stuff).
For Brunch buffet- the one at Whole Foods is great and only $10.
Not fancy,you pay ahead of time,they give you a plastic reusable plate.
There was maybe 15 items and no drinks or juice included (that was fine).
They use real eggs and had organic yogurt and granola,real maple syrup too!
I had some egg dish,my mother thought it was an omelette- but I'm not sure. It was some eggs with veg and cheese baked in a muffin tin.
It was good,but I could not finish it-as I had eaten too much of their fruit compote...
2015 Sep 8
Here's an interesting place I've really wanted to visit. About 45 min outside of Ottawa
www.mariposa-duck.on.ca/
If you get Shawarma, go to Shawarma Palace
x2 on the Killaloe sunrise
and x100 on the Beckta restaurants
Brasseurs Des Temps is a great micro brew restaurant on the Gatineau side. Beautiful patio too if you go on a nice day. They also have a little museum & show off their brewing equipment in the basement.
www.mariposa-duck.on.ca/
If you get Shawarma, go to Shawarma Palace
x2 on the Killaloe sunrise
and x100 on the Beckta restaurants
Brasseurs Des Temps is a great micro brew restaurant on the Gatineau side. Beautiful patio too if you go on a nice day. They also have a little museum & show off their brewing equipment in the basement.
2015 Sep 8
OOOH! And in October - You should definitely drive up to Champlain lookout in Gatineau park and get a great view of the Ottawa Valley in its fall colours.
I hear this place nearby is pretty good
fougeres.com
I hear this place nearby is pretty good
fougeres.com
2015 Sep 8
Since you're likely to be in'near Little Italy i'll note that FLAPJACKS on Preston could only be a more Canadian experience if the servers were little upright walking beavers in Mountie costumes. Glorious maple syrup drenched breakfast available all day.
I fall on the Dark Side of Maple Syrup myself, but really you won't go wrong with most types.
Some great suggestions upthread but i'll second the Farmers Markets for something truly local and generally yummy.
For food trucks. you need (NEED) to get a poutine from a truck... the one at Sunnyside and Bank, a short stroll from Carleton, is pretty damn good.
Streats truck on Oconnor below Queen is awesome. I can't say it's particularly Canadian, just awesome.
If you find yourself at an SAQ on the Gatineau side, consider picking up a bottle of Sortilege maple whiskey. Uniquely Quebecois, very tasty. Also, Ice Wines - you can get those at any LCBO or SAQ.
I fall on the Dark Side of Maple Syrup myself, but really you won't go wrong with most types.
Some great suggestions upthread but i'll second the Farmers Markets for something truly local and generally yummy.
For food trucks. you need (NEED) to get a poutine from a truck... the one at Sunnyside and Bank, a short stroll from Carleton, is pretty damn good.
Streats truck on Oconnor below Queen is awesome. I can't say it's particularly Canadian, just awesome.
If you find yourself at an SAQ on the Gatineau side, consider picking up a bottle of Sortilege maple whiskey. Uniquely Quebecois, very tasty. Also, Ice Wines - you can get those at any LCBO or SAQ.
2015 Sep 9
Lone Star (tex mex) is a great spot:) awesome fajitas, chips and salsa are delicious and fun food sharing (bonus good prices).
Stroll along preston to Somerset to China town.
Dowslake has a nice pavilion (food so so but nice view for pre-meal drink on Preston)
Gatineau park hike, Mackenzie estate has a restaurant with high tea (not sure of the fall schedule).
The national art gallery is open late Thursdays and I think they have free entry after five, followed by a bite in the market or elgin or preston.
Stella Luna on Bank street has the best gelato (IMO) and wonderful love story:))) check their website www.slgelato.com The owner also participated in an international gelato completion and ranked very well for her chocolate cherry gelato (Sooo good!!!!)
Stroll along preston to Somerset to China town.
Dowslake has a nice pavilion (food so so but nice view for pre-meal drink on Preston)
Gatineau park hike, Mackenzie estate has a restaurant with high tea (not sure of the fall schedule).
The national art gallery is open late Thursdays and I think they have free entry after five, followed by a bite in the market or elgin or preston.
Stella Luna on Bank street has the best gelato (IMO) and wonderful love story:))) check their website www.slgelato.com The owner also participated in an international gelato completion and ranked very well for her chocolate cherry gelato (Sooo good!!!!)
chappamom
I can't tell you how pleased I am to find this community! I'm a food blogger based in India (my blog here: www.foodtravelblog.in) and I am going to be visiting your city with my husband during the last week of October this year. I have never visited Canada before, so I'm super-excited.
I have (too many) questions for you guys:
1. What local/Canadian food products/ingredients should I be looking to try, buy, or bring home, and where should I be looking?
2. Are there any "guided food tours" available in or around Ottawa? Or any culinary experiences that you recommend I try?
3. Who would you say are the most innovative chefs/restaurants in your city,and why?
4. Food carts, food trucks, street food - any recommendations?
5. Anything else you'd like to share (related to food or not!) about your city?
We travel a fair bit, and when it comes to food, we're up for anything...
Thank you (in advance) for your time!