Foods from Black Bear Pub
Comments
2011 Mar 6
Just returned from the Black Bear after an awesome night of apps and drinks with a buddy of mine. THis is my second time at the Black Bear after my haggis experience about a month ago. (see review below)
I am starting to love this place. It's never too busy, but it's never empty. (based on the two times I have been that is) The Black Bear has a fantastic beer menu, and tonight I really enjoyed my Leff Dark and my Pilsner Urquell. mmmmmm Good Euro beer.
My friend and I shared 2 pounds of mussels and nachos. The nachos were alright - absolutely nothing to complain about. And if I did find any fault with them, I would be expecting too much out of pub nachos.
The mussels were SWEEET!. for 11.95, we got about 40 mussels. We were eating them all night. They were plump and juicy, and in a lovely tomato sauce. I was so surprised and excited when I saw the quantity that sat on my table. Sorry about the terrible picture, I forgot my camera, and the lighting was very poor. Take my word for it, they were tasty, plump and there were lots of them. And you can't beat that price. My buddy is from PEI and he approved of the sea food, so this further solidifies my comment.
The service was great - the waitress took care of us very well. All in all, this is the perfect place to enjoy some modest food, drink good beer (or scotch, since they have tons of awesome scotch) and have a great conversation.
Highly Recommended Pub!
I am starting to love this place. It's never too busy, but it's never empty. (based on the two times I have been that is) The Black Bear has a fantastic beer menu, and tonight I really enjoyed my Leff Dark and my Pilsner Urquell. mmmmmm Good Euro beer.
My friend and I shared 2 pounds of mussels and nachos. The nachos were alright - absolutely nothing to complain about. And if I did find any fault with them, I would be expecting too much out of pub nachos.
The mussels were SWEEET!. for 11.95, we got about 40 mussels. We were eating them all night. They were plump and juicy, and in a lovely tomato sauce. I was so surprised and excited when I saw the quantity that sat on my table. Sorry about the terrible picture, I forgot my camera, and the lighting was very poor. Take my word for it, they were tasty, plump and there were lots of them. And you can't beat that price. My buddy is from PEI and he approved of the sea food, so this further solidifies my comment.
The service was great - the waitress took care of us very well. All in all, this is the perfect place to enjoy some modest food, drink good beer (or scotch, since they have tons of awesome scotch) and have a great conversation.
Highly Recommended Pub!
2009 Jul 21
People shouldn't be surprised at the quality of outdoor patio pubs in Ottawa.
After all, it is an outdoor patio pub in Ottawa. {;-)This isn't Europe or even Montreal. I'm surprised it was as good as you say. In fact, sounds better than most things one would find on, for example, Sparks Street Mall with the exception of perhaps the Parliament Pub.
After all, it is an outdoor patio pub in Ottawa. {;-)This isn't Europe or even Montreal. I'm surprised it was as good as you say. In fact, sounds better than most things one would find on, for example, Sparks Street Mall with the exception of perhaps the Parliament Pub.
2009 Jul 6
In an attempt to enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend my boyfriend and I racked our brains for a decent patio to sit on for dinner. Having passed it numerous times, we decided to try the Black Bear Pub, located in the Albert at Bay hotel, which features a beautiful patio that covers the entire corners of the block.
We sat ourselves and after reading the menu I wished we'd got up and left. The usual pub fare appetizers, pizza, burgars, and patsta; being Italian, I will very rarely order pasta or pizza as I can make them both better and fresher at home. I ordered a fairly safe choice, the club sandwich, my boyfriend had the roast beef sandwich (which was the only thing that sounded appetizing. We got the salad bar option and regretted that too. This was the saddest little salad bar I'd ever seen, I'm sure it's feeling were hurt just being displayed for all to laugh at. Boring romaine, lackluster dressings, bean and chickpea salad (very decent, bland potato salad, and atrocious pasta salad with canned tuna.
Our entrees came, my club sandwich looked like a chicken burger, I even double checked that it was indeed what I had ordered, the server pointed out that the back bacon was under the chicken breast, so small it wasn't visible or present in taste! I had to ask for mayo, which I thought was the norm on club sandwiches, and my side salad was that same sad looking mess or romaine from the salad bar. Overall a bland, boring meal and 45 minutes tat I will never get back. My boyfriend's roast beef sandwich with gravy was also lack luster, again bland and boring. I usually pick at his fries, but these were almost muddy tasting, as if the oil was dirty or they sat for a while and then refried... i don't know but it was gross.
Since we wasted our $34 (after tax before tip, with soda), hopefully I can stop my fellow foodies from doing the same.
We sat ourselves and after reading the menu I wished we'd got up and left. The usual pub fare appetizers, pizza, burgars, and patsta; being Italian, I will very rarely order pasta or pizza as I can make them both better and fresher at home. I ordered a fairly safe choice, the club sandwich, my boyfriend had the roast beef sandwich (which was the only thing that sounded appetizing. We got the salad bar option and regretted that too. This was the saddest little salad bar I'd ever seen, I'm sure it's feeling were hurt just being displayed for all to laugh at. Boring romaine, lackluster dressings, bean and chickpea salad (very decent, bland potato salad, and atrocious pasta salad with canned tuna.
Our entrees came, my club sandwich looked like a chicken burger, I even double checked that it was indeed what I had ordered, the server pointed out that the back bacon was under the chicken breast, so small it wasn't visible or present in taste! I had to ask for mayo, which I thought was the norm on club sandwiches, and my side salad was that same sad looking mess or romaine from the salad bar. Overall a bland, boring meal and 45 minutes tat I will never get back. My boyfriend's roast beef sandwich with gravy was also lack luster, again bland and boring. I usually pick at his fries, but these were almost muddy tasting, as if the oil was dirty or they sat for a while and then refried... i don't know but it was gross.
Since we wasted our $34 (after tax before tip, with soda), hopefully I can stop my fellow foodies from doing the same.
2011 Feb 1
In an effort to avoid the guilt for missing Robbie Burns’s day, a few friends and I went to the Black Bear on Saturday. To be clear the Robbie Burns gimmick just happened to fall on the same time as another celebration, so I wouldn't say it was the focus of our evening.
After ordering some interesting beers (Boddingtons, Pilsner urquell, etc.) us men at the table decided to go for the haggis while the women went for a burger (yeah, lame I know).
I have never had haggis - and usually people are afraid to eat such a monstrosity. Let’s just say that it is not bad at all. It is kind of like Sheppard’s pie or a Salisbury steak, with interesting spices and a strong taste of iron. haha..
I will say again that I cannot compare this to anything, having not eaten haggis before, but it is actually very tasty and palatable. Who knew! The black bear did a decent job presenting the haggis with potatoes, broccoli and parsnips.
Best of all, it came with a little dram of Scotch - not good scotch mind you - but it was a nice touch.
My girlfriends 'irish burger' was delicious. It was just a normal burger with goat cheese feta on it. Nothing special, but very good.
The Black Bear isn't the nicest pub in the world, however it is an excellent choice if you want to go to a place with a bunch of friends and chat over a few drinks. It's not packed with drunk university students, and the service was above average.
A local singer-songwriting Rick Knowles, performed for the Pub on Saturday, and he was actually pretty good. So it is good to note that the Black Bear does provide some entertainment.
To my surprise I actually enjoyed my first haggis. It is interesting that haggis is a mainstay on the menu.
I will keep this pub on my radar for a nice scotch tasting (which they offer quite frequently).
Overall, I’d say the evening was way above my expectations and I would gladly return for a laidback evening.
Although I enjoyed the Haggis, I won't be eating it with any frequency. I will save the 'pleasure' for special Scotland related celebrations.
After ordering some interesting beers (Boddingtons, Pilsner urquell, etc.) us men at the table decided to go for the haggis while the women went for a burger (yeah, lame I know).
I have never had haggis - and usually people are afraid to eat such a monstrosity. Let’s just say that it is not bad at all. It is kind of like Sheppard’s pie or a Salisbury steak, with interesting spices and a strong taste of iron. haha..
I will say again that I cannot compare this to anything, having not eaten haggis before, but it is actually very tasty and palatable. Who knew! The black bear did a decent job presenting the haggis with potatoes, broccoli and parsnips.
Best of all, it came with a little dram of Scotch - not good scotch mind you - but it was a nice touch.
My girlfriends 'irish burger' was delicious. It was just a normal burger with goat cheese feta on it. Nothing special, but very good.
The Black Bear isn't the nicest pub in the world, however it is an excellent choice if you want to go to a place with a bunch of friends and chat over a few drinks. It's not packed with drunk university students, and the service was above average.
A local singer-songwriting Rick Knowles, performed for the Pub on Saturday, and he was actually pretty good. So it is good to note that the Black Bear does provide some entertainment.
To my surprise I actually enjoyed my first haggis. It is interesting that haggis is a mainstay on the menu.
I will keep this pub on my radar for a nice scotch tasting (which they offer quite frequently).
Overall, I’d say the evening was way above my expectations and I would gladly return for a laidback evening.
Although I enjoyed the Haggis, I won't be eating it with any frequency. I will save the 'pleasure' for special Scotland related celebrations.
2008 Apr 22
I've been several times in the past and they were wonderful. Usually there is a theme of some kind and you get appetizers with the scotch as well. You get information sheets, too, so you don't have to try to remember next time you're out shopping or want to order a drink.
In the summer they hold them on the patio so you can bring a cigar, as well.
In the summer they hold them on the patio so you can bring a cigar, as well.
Pasta lover