Ottawa Restaurant Reviews

Written By: Victoria Garland

While Alex and I are busy enjoying the summer heatwave, soaking up the sun rays on the patios of Ottawa’s finest delicatessens and epicurean eateries (with new reviews in the works!), I thought I’d keep everyone’s mouths watering by adding some of my best drink recipes!

A self-proclaimed bartender extraordinaire (Miss Mixologie), I have quite the repertoire amongst friends and guests alike. While busy working on our most recent reviews, I would love to share some of my most favoured drink concoctions.

N°1

York Street Sling
(A different take on the Singapore Sling)

1oz of Vodka
0.75oz – 1oz of Cherry Brandy (to taste)
Fill glass with ice and orange juice
Add 2 sweet wild cherries to the drink (try not to substitute for maraschino!)

A surprisingly simple drink recipe, but extremely delicious and refreshing.

Now to start working on those restaurant reviews…
Bottom’s up!
xoxo

42 York Street
Ottawa, ON
tel. (613) 562-7827

Reviewed by Victoria Garland and Alex Massaad

These people are in fact my neighbors, so I will have to hold my punches on this one. I’m not sure why I would ever order online with them ever again, I did once, and it took over two hours. When I called, they eventually told me that there was only one driver for 3 stores, and he was new today.

Great, thanks alot Quiznos, A little notice would be nice considering this was supposed to be my meal.

Never order Quiznos delivery!

50 Rideau Street, Suite #300, Ottawa ON K1N 9J7 (entrance at Rideau & Sussex)
Tel. 613.236.6565

The Exchange (homepage)

Reviewed by Victoria Garland and Alex Massaad

Deep Fried Pretzels. We all love pretzels when they’re salty, we love them even more when they’re deep fried and salty.

Victoria used to frequent this Pub back before the renovation (when it was called The Elephant and Castle) specifically for the bangers and mash along with these deep fried pretzels. We’re both pleased to see these items carried over to the menu after their recent re opening around March 2010.

If you’re downtown, or shopping at the Rideau Centre, this is a great place to stop off, enjoy a beer and grab some delicious appetizers!

I have been too busy in the kitchen this past month. I have not eaten out that much and have had to hold off on the reviews, quell chance!

Back Soon

92 Clarence Street
613-241-6835

Reviewed by Alex Massaad

This review might seem a little strange by the title so let me clarify. The service at Cornerstone is terrible and the ambiance is slightly worse. The place doesn’t look bad, or dirty or anything, it just lacks something. After a very brief wait at the bar (our bar drinks hadn’t even been made yet) we were seated at a table in the middle of a very noisy restaurant.

I’m not one to usually pick apart tiny details, but the tables here are horrible. This is the second time I’ve visited Cornerstone and this is the second time I’ve had to jam my feet under the table in order to sit comfortably. Did the owners not sit in these chairs before ordering them for the restaurant? Maybe they did and I’m just built differently than they are. I also became well acquainted with the furniture while our waitress took about 5 minutes too long to take our orders.

Noise aside. Tables aside. Slow servers aside. The food was pretty good. We started with the Thai Guacamole Dip which is “A fusion of Thai spices and guacamole served with lime salted corn tortilla chips.” A very good Guacamole but not quite enough. There were too many chips left at the end, which seemed a little disappointing. It definitely beats some of the other Guacamole’s in the market though. I would probably order it again if I were there for drinks.

For an entree I had the Roasted Chicken with Pear Chutney which is described in the menu as a “Roasted breast of chicken topped with a vanilla infused pear chutney. Served with seasonal vegetables and roasted potatoes.” This might be worth coming back for on a quiet night . . . if that ever happens at Cornerstone; most night’s its pretty full.

The Works Gourmet Burger Bistro (visit their homepage)

580 Bank Street
Ottawa, ON
613.235.0406

1 order Belgian Frites as appetizer
1 Greek Goddess Burger
1 Avril’s Avocado Avalanche
2 medium Milkshakes

Total Bill for two people dining: $48.36

Reviewed by: Alex Massaad

Victoria and I arrived a little after 3pm, right after I finished a mid-day magic show for my other job as a magician in Ottawa. The first thing I can advise is BE PREPARED TO WAIT.

This place is packed. Which for me was a good thing since it’s always a good indication of a delicious menu. We waited about 35 minutes in total, more than enough time to read their extensive menu and get your tummy grumbling. They took our drink orders about half way through our wait, which was a clever way to keep us in the restaurant rather than head elsewhere.

When we finally sat and ordered we were greeted with our milkshakes, mine was a strawberry banana and Victoria opted for wheat grass juice (!!!). Adding to the “flair” of The Works is their measuring cup delivery of all non-alcoholic drinks (you can still get pint glasses if you’re drinking beer though, I’m tempted to see if this is the one place on earth that might serve a pitcher with a straw . . .)

Their Belgian Frites, according to their menu are “a trio platter of fresh-cut Factory Fries, crispy breaded Onion Rings & our amazing Sweet Potato Strings & 3 cool Dipsticks for dipping.” They were more than enough for both of us and by the time our burgers arrived, with their own sides, we were almost completely stuffed.

The burgers were fantastic and made for excellent leftovers the next day. We only managed to eat half of the burger. I give this a rating of 4 out of 5, which is a lot since I generally rate highly on the experience. While I’m not running out the door to go back, I definitely will, when I’m prepared for the wait though! Also since I was driving I could not have any beer, I think this would also improve the entire dining experience.

Vineyards Wine Bar and Bistro (visit their homepage)

54 York Street (In the Cellar)

Total Bill: $60.08

Reviewed by: Alex Massaad

Home of the “$12 French Fries (with a magnificent side order of sirloin steak and Caesar salad)” and a beer menu that requires a second visit just to get to the end of the list!

Situated on the same corner as two other restaurants, Vineyards has the feeling of being a bit hidden away in the city.

Victoria ordered a Hoegaarden beer along with the Cajun Creole Belgian Style Mussels which comes with their (amazing) french fries and mayonnaise.

I ordered a Stella Artois beer along with the Vineyards Belgian Style Mussels and we both got the deep fried Calamari with sour cream dill sauce.

One special note about this place is that you have to walk up to the bar to order your drink, water is also available there when your thirsty for a refill. This is due to the tremendous selection and expertise that the bar staff have regarding pairings and beer choices. A server came for our food orders.

In the evenings a Jazz band plays in the corner, its a very nice touch. I give this 4 out of 5 stars and would definitely go back as its close, central in the ByWard Market and relatively cheap.

Reviewed by Alex Massaad
When last Sunday rolled around it was snowy and cold; I did not want to hunt far for food.
It was definitely a fish and chips lunch-day. The fish is usually pretty good at most places in the market, so Victoria and I really wanted to find a place that had excellent french fries. Heart and Crown was close, and fit the bill.
Unfortunately our laisez-fair attitude towards the aquatic component of the meal came back to bit us in end. The fried fish fell apart so easily that it was an effort to eat. The fries were good, but the flakey fish made me wish I just went to The Brig instead.
Overall I give this Fish and Chips 2 stars out of a possible 5, but would go back for their other delicious food still.

Jimmy The Greek
50 Rideau Street (Rideau Centre Food Court)
Total Bill: $7.90
Reviewed by: Alex Massaad
Well today I felt like a mean Greek salad and Jimmy The Greek has never disappointed me before. It’s close, fresh and always very very tasty; what more could I ask for at lunch?
I decided at the last minute to add the chicken and I can honestly say, this was the best decision I’ve made all day.
I give the Greek Salad w/ chicken a 3.75 out of possible 5 stars. I would take this rating with a grain of salt, it all depends on how good the rest of the food gets from here on out. If I stick to pub food this one will move on up to a 4. Maybe I will re-review this one some day . . .