Foods from Corner Bar and Grill
Comments
2011 Oct 21
Sometimes, when I eat at an average establishment with nothing new under the sun, I ask myself: is this restaurant necessary?
In the case of Corner Bar & Grill, everything was below average, or even downright bad. With an exception, the side mixed green salad was decent, the bottled Kraft bottle balsamic dressing notwithstanding.
Corner Burger: driest I've had in Ottawa, and extremely uninspired toppings. The bacon was a unique phenomenon. Before this experience, I had never had the misfortune of having flavourless bacon. This bacon looked great but absolutely had no taste. Worst thing ever (check my handle). The burger was horrible and didn't even taste grilled, the bread: hard and chewy, not toasted.
My girlfriend's chicken wrap: equally bad. Slimy chicken, not grilled, and untoasted bread. Weak.
The place was too loud and uncozy layout, with depressing lighting. The TV screens, though many, are tiny, they looked like 32-inchers.
Major blah, this place. Absolutely nothing new, and poor execution at basic dishes. Never going back.
In the case of Corner Bar & Grill, everything was below average, or even downright bad. With an exception, the side mixed green salad was decent, the bottled Kraft bottle balsamic dressing notwithstanding.
Corner Burger: driest I've had in Ottawa, and extremely uninspired toppings. The bacon was a unique phenomenon. Before this experience, I had never had the misfortune of having flavourless bacon. This bacon looked great but absolutely had no taste. Worst thing ever (check my handle). The burger was horrible and didn't even taste grilled, the bread: hard and chewy, not toasted.
My girlfriend's chicken wrap: equally bad. Slimy chicken, not grilled, and untoasted bread. Weak.
The place was too loud and uncozy layout, with depressing lighting. The TV screens, though many, are tiny, they looked like 32-inchers.
Major blah, this place. Absolutely nothing new, and poor execution at basic dishes. Never going back.
2011 Aug 13
We went out the other night, looking to unwind after a long week with a light dinner and a couple of pints, and ended up at the Corner.
The menu includes plenty of the standard pub fare (fish & chips, nachos, etc.), but the sandwiches are real gems. I ordered the "Uptown Turkey": generous amounts of smoked turkey, pears, melted brie and fig spread on a soft, warm ciabatta bun. Delicious! I waffled between ordering fries or salad, but finally chose the fries. They were crispy, not oversalted (which is often a problem in this city, it seems), and really, really good. I was pleasantly surprised by the coleslaw, which was more like a fresh salad of green and purple cabbage and bell peppers, topped with sesame vinaigrette. I often leave pub coleslaw untouched, but I polished this one off.
My boyfriend had the steak sandwich, which was topped with lots of mushrooms and onions and served on the same ciabatta bun. He chose the garden salad, which included some very fresh-looking mixed greens and a generous assortment of vegetables. His only complaint was that he ordered his steak medium-rare and it came out medium-well. We both enjoyed our pints of Mill St. Belgian Wit.
Our server was friendly and prompt. My only complaint was that it was so loud I had a hard time hearing my boyfriend across the table, despite the place only being maybe half-full. I'm blaming the bro-types hanging out near the tv at the bar. I'd agree with foodie1260; this place needs to figure out whether it wants to be a lowbrow drinking establishment that happens to serve surprisingly good food, or a successful neighbourhood resto-pub. It was a bit worrisome that the place was half-empty on a Friday at 8:00 p.m, which makes me think that if the Corner doesn't get its identity crisis sorted out, it'll go under, especially since Westboro has so many other good pubs and restaurants where you can bring your family or a date without having to shout over the bros at the bar.
The menu includes plenty of the standard pub fare (fish & chips, nachos, etc.), but the sandwiches are real gems. I ordered the "Uptown Turkey": generous amounts of smoked turkey, pears, melted brie and fig spread on a soft, warm ciabatta bun. Delicious! I waffled between ordering fries or salad, but finally chose the fries. They were crispy, not oversalted (which is often a problem in this city, it seems), and really, really good. I was pleasantly surprised by the coleslaw, which was more like a fresh salad of green and purple cabbage and bell peppers, topped with sesame vinaigrette. I often leave pub coleslaw untouched, but I polished this one off.
My boyfriend had the steak sandwich, which was topped with lots of mushrooms and onions and served on the same ciabatta bun. He chose the garden salad, which included some very fresh-looking mixed greens and a generous assortment of vegetables. His only complaint was that he ordered his steak medium-rare and it came out medium-well. We both enjoyed our pints of Mill St. Belgian Wit.
Our server was friendly and prompt. My only complaint was that it was so loud I had a hard time hearing my boyfriend across the table, despite the place only being maybe half-full. I'm blaming the bro-types hanging out near the tv at the bar. I'd agree with foodie1260; this place needs to figure out whether it wants to be a lowbrow drinking establishment that happens to serve surprisingly good food, or a successful neighbourhood resto-pub. It was a bit worrisome that the place was half-empty on a Friday at 8:00 p.m, which makes me think that if the Corner doesn't get its identity crisis sorted out, it'll go under, especially since Westboro has so many other good pubs and restaurants where you can bring your family or a date without having to shout over the bros at the bar.
2011 Mar 22
And here's my pub club - it was okay - maybe it needs some cheese with a little more flavour to it?
This place is going to rock in the summer though - I'm sure those windows open right up on to Richmond :)
A note on the coleslaw - it's done up in a sort of "asian" sesame dressing - not the typical creamy or vinegary coleslaw dressing we're all used to. I did NOT like it (it tasted...weird), and in fact I was a little sad because I do love a good coleslaw.
This place is going to rock in the summer though - I'm sure those windows open right up on to Richmond :)
A note on the coleslaw - it's done up in a sort of "asian" sesame dressing - not the typical creamy or vinegary coleslaw dressing we're all used to. I did NOT like it (it tasted...weird), and in fact I was a little sad because I do love a good coleslaw.
2011 Mar 22
Ventured here for brunch one sunny spring-y Saturday (spring? where have you gone??). I agree with the previous posters that the atmosphere is sterile but servers are SUPER friendly, good at their jobs and the food is not bad. There are definitely better places to eat in Westboro but Corner has its place.
Here's a picture of my roomie's pear, brie, and turkey sandwich, which she enjoyed.
Here's a picture of my roomie's pear, brie, and turkey sandwich, which she enjoyed.
2011 Mar 1
A lot of better choices in this neighbourhood.
This establishment is located at the former Puzzles location near the corner of Churchill and Richmond.
The food is decent (not anything to write home about) and the staff is friendly. The atmosphere itself is quite sterile.
What comes with this restaurant is the former Puzzles clientele. Most being great, fun loving folk, but a decent percentage of them are seriously problem drinkers.
After a couple of early dinners, I've seen guys yelling at their waitresses to get their friends some beer and folks practically falling off their barstools at a 5pm.
Could be a fun place, but maybe don't bring the family.
This establishment is located at the former Puzzles location near the corner of Churchill and Richmond.
The food is decent (not anything to write home about) and the staff is friendly. The atmosphere itself is quite sterile.
What comes with this restaurant is the former Puzzles clientele. Most being great, fun loving folk, but a decent percentage of them are seriously problem drinkers.
After a couple of early dinners, I've seen guys yelling at their waitresses to get their friends some beer and folks practically falling off their barstools at a 5pm.
Could be a fun place, but maybe don't bring the family.
Fish&Chips
we asked for our fruit, and i told the server i had asked for no cheese. she replied quite aggressively "why are you allergic?"
she got me a new omlette, of course by this point my partner had finished his meal and had to sit and watch me eat mine. also our fresh fruit arrived...we paid $2 extra each for one strawberry sliced up, 2 grapes and 3 cubes of cantelope. at the glebe location they are nowhere near this stingy and usually free of charge give you plentiful amounts of fruit on your plate. i wont be going back!