Bistronomy Ontario

A must see on the map of Ottawa's trendy restaurants, with a beautiful room open to the kitchen where the cooks are busy. The decoration, rather refined, is adorned with mirrors of all sizes, beautiful leather benches and wooden furniture. Simple and effective! We recommend without hesitation the oyster platter, the beef tartar or the tasty homemade fresh pasta every day (classes are even given to learn how to make pasta). Definitely a place to be discovered outside the tourist areas.

Bloomfield Public House is the kind of facility we'd all want in our neighbourhood. Installed in the former village bank (the door of the vault is still there), it is presented under two distinct entities: on one side a café with its large garage door opening onto the terrace, and on the other the restaurant with its industrial-chic look. The Prince Edward region is the featured culinary region, with local dishes that vary with the seasons and arrivals, not to mention the delicious products from the artisanal smokehouse.

The brainchild of Stephen Beckta, who is also at the helm of Beckta Dining & Wine and Gezellig, Play Food & Wine offers a slate of small dishes with a penchant for cheeses and charcuterie. The inspiration in the kitchen is undeniably European, but everything is concocted with very Canadian products, whenever possible. To accompany these little delights, a very extensive wine list completes the experience (a nice selection of wines by the glass), and for each dish, a wine is suggested for the pairing.

Jamie Hodges and Amber Thom are behind this gourmet address opening in 2019. Formerly owners of the Juniper Cafe, they sold it to create their own eatery, established in the historic center of the city. With its beautiful Mid-Century style decor, it offers small and large bistro dishes, all concocted with seasonal foods from about 20 local farmers and producers. The wine list and cocktail list are worth a visit. Bonus: a wine store to take away, open the same days from noon to 6 pm.

Clearly one of the best restaurants in town, Hunter & Co. is a gourmet experience based on sharing. The chef and his brigade concoct all sorts of succulent dishes inspired by local products and flavors of the world. Oysters, charcuterie, roasted marrow bones, grilled cheese (the best in the world, it seems), braised beef cheek, duck dumplings and other delights are on the slate (possibility of a blind menu, chosen by the chef). The list of alcoholic beverages is worth mentioning, especially for the house cocktails.

The famous diners are these small unpretentious restaurants that can be found all over North America. We love them for their comfort food. Mira Mira has understood this, while updating the formula with a slate that, for lunch and dinner, oscillates between great classics (roast chicken, steak and eggs, hot chicken, etc.) and bistro dishes (yellowfin tuna, tagliatelle with mushrooms, etc.). However, the way everything is prepared stands out, the creativity is there. Also check out the weekend brunch menu, one of the best in town.

Opened by the team behind The Wren, a gourmet address next door, The Wood Owl is more of a wine bar, supported by a cuisine that perfectly matches the wines offered. You can enjoy a pan-fried entrecote with romesco sauce and salsa verde of charred shallots accompanied by pommes allumettes and a good glass of Malbec. That said, the menu does not only offer French-inspired dishes, but also Spanish, Korean and South American. Mention should also be made of the home-made charcuterie.

La Banane is a restaurant of fine French cuisine with some borrowings from the world. From the outset, we would like to emphasize the originality and beauty of the decor, with its huge "raw bar" (oysters, scallops, etc.) overhung by Art Deco lamps, its large leather benches in a semi-circle, and its vintage-looking space at the front. On the plate, oysters, Nova Scotia lobster, seared foie gras, aged steak grills, etc. To top off the meal, how about a slice of salted caramel banana cake?

Little brother of the Fraser Cafe (located in New Edinburgh), The Rowan plays the neighborhood gastro-pub card. Small and large dishes to share, world flavors and veggie options on the slate, with something for everyone. On weekends, the place is very popular for its gourmet lunch/brunch. We recommend the smoked trout, the frittata with green onions and goat cheese, or the Breakfast BLT sandwich with fried egg, cheese and mayo. There is also a nice selection of cocktails, not to mention the local craft beers.