ottawa foodies

So where does everyone like to go to relax on a patio in the summer in Ottawa?

Pub Italia, The Carleton Tavern, my cottage! I tend to avoid the market, it's full of overpriced pints.

I agree about the market and the pricing. I feel for Pub Italia, it just doesn't seem as busy since Heart & Crown showed up down the block. I worked on Preston years ago so we went to Pub Italia all the time after work.

Best patio is in my back yard :-)

Lots of free beer and food.

Daniel O'Connell's Daniel O'Connell Irish Pub .... Go for the beer on the patio (see pic) and stay for the live jam, Sunday afternoons (3-6pm). (Bring your singing voice and/or your musical instruments.)

BUT .... Save your appitite for somewhere else. (Absinthe is across the street.... so ya can 'slum it' and recover with some Foie Gras.)





PS: The sock behind the 1st beer, in the picture, is my harmonica holder !!

I'm curious what criteria y'all use for "best".

Personally I find the Daniel O'Connell's one pretty drab. It was hacked out of a parking lot, and basically you are sitting at the edge of a parking lot. Almost part of it. It's pretty spartan to be sure.

I enjoy patios the most for the view. As much as I dislike Mexis, the one at Dow's Lake is nice for an afternoon pop on a sunny day.

My all time favourite (so far...) is in Sorrento, Italy. Unbelievable view, great wine and antipasti.

I like the Black Bear's patio on the weekends in the summer. It's nice and quiet downtown on the weekend and their patio is covered and uncovered and the trees are perfect.

I do enjoy Pub Italia for their selection: I got so excited when I saw Mythos in the Beer Bible. I was instantaneously transported back to Greece. Sadly though, the food at Pub Italia is wanting. I don't expect spectacular food, but something a bit better than what I've had.

Oh yes.... another thing about Daniel O'Connell's patio.....

Besides being drab, hacked out of a parking lot, and spartan.... they don't have any Fancy Pancy Beers.... now that keeps the riff raff out !!







PS: Picture is of customer enjoying the sun... because she only got shade at the Royal Joke's patio, next door.

Ah yes Summertime...

Best Patio to People Watch Byward Market = Heart & Crown
Best Patio to People Watch Downtown = Parliament Pub or anywhere on Sparks Street
Best Patio to (future) People Watch = Heart & Crown (Preston Street)

Best Beer Patio = Pub Italia

Best Patio to PaRtY on with Friends = "The Man's"

Best Patio for Boat Watching = Kelly's Landing (1980 River Road, Manotick) - And, BONUS they also have great food!

Best Patio for Boat Watching (Montreal) = anywhere lockside in St. Anne de Bellevue

I personally really like the patio at Il Piccolino; not a "beer patio" by any means, but the vine covered lattice with tiny lights makes for a really nice quiet place to enjoy a glass of wine and some appies on a hot night.

How did I know you were going to mention Picccoline FiH? I will agree it's nice, but the patio at Bistro 115 in the Market is better (IMHO).

The market def has overpriced pints but it's great for people watching during the summer.

My fav spots to hit for drinks:

Heart & Crown (street patio and courtyard patio)
Blue Cactus (not quite a patio but open concept during summer, same intersection as H&C)
Pancho Villa

I love Pub Italia for its massive selection of beer, and that goes a long way with me.

Strangely enough, I do indeed put The Black Bear as my second choice, because it's a block away from my apartment!

Momomoto: yes the proximity is definitely the best part. And the Black Bear has a great Scotch selection.

Food&Think: Kelly's landing in the summertime is amazing. It's too bad it's so far out of the way!

Hey P-i-O! Nothing wrong with liking Il Picolino! I have fond memories sice I moved. Do I really mention it that much? :(

Also, I really sitting on a patio for breakfast on a warm morning. I like Cafe Mio and Al's Diner for this. The prettiest breakfast patio with a gorgeous country view is Aux Petit's Lutins in Aylmer. Food = Average, Service = Friendly, View = Spectacular!

Nope... you don't mention too much... I'm just teasing.

check us out at POP UP PATIOS (on Ottawa foodies, twitter @popuppatios, facebook).

Ottawa's newest gourmet food truck and patio on the rideau canal.

Ottawa has been asking for it- so we thought we'd deliver it!

murray street patio is great!

For outstanding scenery I give a nod to the crazy horse patio in kanata.

You like the look of the overpass on the 417?????

;)

Hey Krusty pick me up next time you're heading into kanata and I'll buy you a pint and point out the finer points of this establishment.

The Barley Mow in Almonte is riverside. Great sights and sounds...a bit hard to find the parking lot on the way in (usually only a problem on the way out) but a pretty cool view once you get down by the water.

Swan at Carp on the porch...bit of construction at road but thats a bit away

I agree with "eastcoast" I like Murray street.

Speaking of patios, did anyone notice that the Fox and Feather on Elgin have put a massive gazebo-type cover over their patio? The food there is diabolical, but their sun trap of a patio overlooking Elgin was the best thing about the place and now they've covered it up.

Patios for beer: pub Italia & BDT

Patios in the Market: Cornerstone (Mohitos) & Heart & Crown

Patios for scenery: Maya Noche & Wakefield patios

Patio for food: Murray Street