Ottawa’s heart starts beating again

The recent trend has been to open inviting addresses in slightly more outlying areas of Ottawa, such as Hintonburg, Westboro and the Glebe, among others. Today, the city center takes its revenge and is filled with cafes, restaurants and even a new hotel, all very exciting. Here are our most recent favorites in the heart of the Canadian capital.

The Metcalfe

The historic Metcalfe Hotel was recently integrated into the portfolio of the Montreal group Gray Collection, owner of the William Gray and the Petit Hotel, as well as many restaurants in Old Montreal. Its makeover and location make it the perfect place to discover Ottawa’s gourmet novelties.

What makes the Metcalfe Hotel spectacular is the five-story atrium onto which the chic and warm refurbished foyer opens. The simple and elegant rooms are arranged all around this kind of inner courtyard, but with a view of the streets of the city center. However, there are a few “Atrium” category rooms, whose windows face the interior of the building. The occupants must not forget to close the curtains!

With a few tables in the lobby and the bar that stretches to the common areas, the Cocotte Bistro is inviting, whether for a drink, simply, or for a full meal. The cocktails are well executed. The kitchen is open morning, noon and evening, with a wide choice of dishes that chef Stephen La Salle has drawn from the French repertoire, then modernized on occasion. The Ottawa Brest, for example, with its reference to beaver tail (fried choux pastry, sugar, cinnamon, hazelnut praline), is a nice wink.

We could very well do an all-inclusive stay here, but that would be depriving ourselves of the pretty addresses that follow.

Little Victories

The first victory, which is not a small one, is to have obtained, for its flagship café, this spectacular location on Elgin Street. From its large arched windows, you can see Confederation Square, the National Arts Center and the Château Laurier.

Within walking distance are the Parliament, the Rideau Shopping Centre, the small independent shops of Elgin Street and the Byward Market, which has taken on a touristic and very festive turn in recent years, with its string of chains, pubs and nightclub.

In short, the Little Victories is in the center of the action, perfect to start the day or to take the afternoon break. Still alive, the space is large enough that you almost always manage to sit down, whether at a small table for two or at the large communal table.

There’s caffeine for filter, espresso and even tea lovers. At rush hour, we may avoid the “slow bar” where the baristas prepare filters by the cup, but otherwise, it’s possible to spoil your geek of indoor coffee by choosing its house roasted bean and brewing method. At the counter, there are a few sweet things to eat, but it’s above all for the hot liquids and the atmosphere that we frequent this place.

Arlo

A quartet of owners made up of chef Jamie Stunt, sommelier Alex McMahon, Mark Ghali and Emily Bertrand have taken possession of one of the beautiful red brick properties on Somerset Street.

It was first the terrace, called “Petit Arlo”, which welcomed the first customers in the summer of 2020. Then the interior was furnished and decorated little by little to become the superb house that is today. now the “big” Arlo, with its “apartment” on the second floor for events.

The chef cooks generous dishes, focused more on pleasure and generosity than on analysis. The same goes for wine. Alex, who knows the best artisanal domains from all over the world, unearths treasures and takes the liberty of putting some aside in the cellar for special occasions. There are new discoveries with each visit.

Gitanes and GBurger

The decadent burger served at Gitanes, a superb restaurant that opened in the fall of 2019, was so popular that a year later the team dedicated a new address to it, almost across from the first one on Elgin Street.

At the GBurger, you can of course order the famous sandwich enhanced with époisses, grilled red onion and aioli, to eat in a bath of Bordeaux sauce, but there are also more classic versions, as well as a ” steamed”, poutines and salads.

The original Gitanes, with its modern Parisian brasserie feel, serves a menu to match the decor, including oysters, tartare, onion soup, steak frites, and more. One of the major attractions of these two addresses: you can drink as well as you eat there, with an excellent menu of cocktails, beers and artisanal wines.

Other good addresses

Three Tarts

It would be a sacrilege not to stop by this Ottawa institution — it’s been around for more than 30 years — to pick up a tart, a scone or cookies while walking, or even a cake or a pie to take home. But beware, the pastry shop is only open on December 30 and 31 between Christmas and New Year’s Day, then closed from 1^er to January 10.

Corner Peach

Want to get out of the city center and take a short aperitif walk? From the Metcalfe Hotel, it takes 25 minutes to get to the Corner Peach Restaurant, on the border of Chinatown and Italy. This cute little corner bistro serves rustic and delicious cuisine. The portions are generous, so you can make do with two starters or share the main course. The place now has a grocery store where you can buy all sorts of good things.

moon room

From Corner Peach, you’re only a 15-minute walk from this little bric-a-brac bar where the cocktails are excellent and the small bites (including the parmesan and truffle popcorn) are too.