Original Ottawa

Type: Small plates restaurant Location: 225 Strathcona Ave Website: www.erlingsvariety.com Price: ~$15 per plate; two plates per person recommended

Original Ottawa is back after our winter hiatus with a special treat: one of Ottawa’s tucked-away foodie gems, Erling’s Variety.

This “small plate” style restaurant is just off Bank street in the north of the Glebe and has a cozy, hip style that is inviting to diners.

Small plate is a dining style where diners order multiple courses and share. Erling’s Variety has a very Canadian feel, with dishes that highlight local ingredients and the many cuisines that make up Canadian eating. I was excited to give this a try; this style is usually a bit out of my price range, but Erling’s was worth saving up for.

My dining companion and I ordered four plates overall, and shared. The first to arrive was a dish of sautéed Brussels sprouts with back bacon and parmesan shavings, with a little beet-red sauerkraut on the side. It was a spectacular start, full of complementing flavours, and disappeared quickly.

The second dish was a lemon-and-anchovy pasta. Unfortunately I don’t eat fish, so my dining companion acted as seafood correspondent and confirmed that it was delicious. (I braved a try; I’m trying to learn to like fish. If I enjoyed the taste of ocean, it would have been great.)

Third to come out was a dish of pork belly on ginger-apple-beet sauce and eggnog spaetzle. Spaetzle, a German soft egg noodle or dumpling, are a personal favourite, so I was excited to try this. The dish excellently balanced the fatty umami flavours of the pork with the fresh sauce and spaetzle.

The last plate was roasted chicken breast with peach chutney on a bed of grain and spinach salad. The chicken was some of the best I’ve had in ages, with perfectly crisp skin and tender insides. The peach chutney added a bright note to the flavour, and the salad had a Moroccan sensibility with what I think was a hint of buckwheat honey. It was aromatic, delicious, and competed with the Brussels sprouts for “favourite dish of the night”.

Type: Doughnut shop Location: 969 Wellington St. W Website: https://suzyq.ca Price: ~$3 per doughnut, depending on how many you get

Suzy Q has been a star of the Ottawa food scene for years. I knew as soon as I heard about it that it was a must-try: I grew up eating small-bakery handmade yeast doughnuts, and the mass produced kind could never compare. I’ve been a fan for years now, and you’ll see why if you give them a try. If you’ve never had a fresh-baked doughnut before, this might just be a revelation.

Originally in in a tiny venue with regular lines out the door, Suzy Q moved a few years ago to their present location: a gorgeous, bright-yellow store with room to sit. They serve coffee and tea, but the doughnuts are the main attraction. Some flavours, like sugar munkki or maple bacon, make a daily appearance — others depend on the day or the season. This visit, I got myself a seasonal treat: a pumpkin spice latte doughnut.

All of Suzy Q’s doughnuts are built on the same soft and fluffy base, a truly excellent yeast doughnut with either a topping or, more rarely, filling. My favourites include the d’oh nut, a familiar-looking pink-with-sprinkles doughnut; the London Fog, an earl grey tea and vanilla-covered doughnut; and of course the Sugar Munkki, their original flavour — sugar-and-cardamom-coated and always delicious. Don’t skip it because it looks “plain”; the cardamom really makes it something special.

Though their new location makes eating in easy, a box of Suzy Q doughnuts will quickly disappear anywhere you take it. If you haven’t tried these doughnuts yet, make a point of visiting their shop in Hintonburg. You may need to queue, but you’ll be sure to find a flavour that appeals to you.

Type: Hawaiian (Poké bowls) Location: 134 Bank St Website: www.paradisepoke.ca Price: ~$15

When it opened in the first week of October, Paradise Poké sold out before close for the first couple of days. It wasn’t just the hype built up by this colourful tropical escape of a restaurant: the bowls really are that good.

Poké is a traditional Hawaiian raw fish salad, similar to a sushi bowl. It’s been gaining popularity here because it’s a delicious and healthy option, and Paradise Poké has taken the concept and run with it. In addition to their fish, chicken, and veg bowl creations, you can make your own bowl using options like beets, tuna, tofu, fresh vegetables, and their house sauces like spicy mayo, sesame dream, and miso ginger.

I always love to see a great product supported by great marketing, and Paradise Poké has that in spades. From their logo, website, and photography to their stunningly decorated little shop, their visual aesthetic encourages you to try their food. There’s little space inside for sitting and eating, but their focus is on to-go lunches in a part of town where it can be hard to find something fast, healthy, and tasty. They serve their poké in compostable bowls and offer wooden chopsticks, reducing the amount of plastic waste your meal produces.

Though they’ve just opened, I feel confident recommending Paradise Poké. It’s already mouth-watering, and it will be a place to keep an eye on as it sounds like they have big plans for the future.

Type: Shop Location: 729 Gladstone Ave Website: https://seedtosausage.ca

I can genuinely say that my life and my diet have been richer since discovering Seed to Sausage. Tucked between Chinatown and Little Italy, this store is a wonderland for any foodie that’s worth a browse — or a thorough visit.

Seed to Sausage’s claim to fame is their cured meats and sausages, made locally using traditional techniques. I am particularly a fan of their spicy Northern italian Salami: it’s perfectly balanced and is some of the best cured meat I’ve ever had. In addition to meats, they curate a store full of unique cheeses, preserves, and condiments with a focus on local small-batch goods. You’ll recognize Michael’s Dolce from my trip to the farmers’ market; another favourite is Top Shelf Preserves. Try their pickled asparagus if you get a chance.

I’ll admit, I’d never heard of charcuterie before moving to Ottawa, but now I can’t live without it. Seed to Sausage is my go-to for an easy and impressive charcuterie board, any time. It’s also great for hard-to-find goodies like specialty hot sauces and mustards. The titular sausages are, of course, amazing.

Type: Pizza Location: 86 Murray St Price: $12–$15 Website: http://fiazza.ca

Pizza is always delicious, but it’s rare for a pizza place to stand out as much as Fiazza Fresh Fired. Specializing in gourmet personal pizzas, Fiazza uses fresh local ingredients and fires your pizza on the spot, creating my favourite Ottawa pizza.

Located in the market, Fiazza’s great storefront and patio is open and welcoming. They are licensed and have a few beers on tap. They also serve gluten-free crust and have vegan cheese options, which makes this a great place to go as a group since they can accommodate different dining needs.

Though they have a number of intriguing pre-designed pizzas, made fresh when you order, I love making my own creation. This pizza is a classic red sauce base with both fresh mozzarella and goat cheese, topped with pickled artichoke hearts, grilled red onions, and arugula. I’m a total convert to arugula on pizza: it adds a peppery bitter flavour that complements the cheese and toppings fantastically.

If you’re a pizza fan, or love local businesses that use fresh gourmet ingredients, I definitely recommend checking out Fiazza. From the crust to the ingredients, it’s my favourite pizza in town.

Type: Diner, breakfast Location: 428 Bank St Price: $7–$12

No list of local food venues is complete without a good place for a classic diner breakfast. Ottawa has several great diners, but for an inexpensive and traditional diner breakfast, Bramasole is my go-to. You don’t get much more classic, so if you have a simple yearning for unlimited coffee, butter-soaked toast, and eggs any style, this is my top recommendation.

Located near Bank and Gladstone, Bramasole is central and busy in the morning, especially on the weekend or after special events. However, you’re not likely to have to wait for a table as they have lots of seating. Service is occasionally a bit slow due to how busy they get, but the price is right, the plates are huge, and everyone is friendly.

Though they have a full breakfast or brunch menu including pancakes and eggs benedict, it’s the classic egg breakfast that brings me back to Bramasole. Their eggs, toast, bacon and fried potatoes are a comfortable and homey start to the day, and I find myself craving them after a busy night.

The fifties decor and big vinyl booths are a great addition and set the tone for this classic diner. If you’re looking for a big and affordable North American-style breakfast, Bramasole is a must-try.

Type: Cafe, shop, and events Location: 555 Somerset St W Website: thearthousecafe.ca

The Art House Café, opened this year, is already a hub of creative and social activity. Their goal is to support and promote the creative community in Ottawa through their shop, their events, and by giving creatives a place to meet and socialize. Whether you want a beer on their new patio, coffee and snacks inside, unique local merchandise, or to attend one of their many meetings and workshops, they have something you’ll love. That’s why this new venue is already an Ottawa Allstar.

Standing on the corner of Somerset and Bay, this gorgeous old brick building with its patio and mural will be sure to catch your eye. The interior is just as inviting, with comfortable furniture and walls full of local art. They carry local craft beers, have kombucha on tap, and serve sandwiches, empanadas, and assorted baked goods. Though I didn’t order food this trip, I’ve enjoyed their delicious kombucha and baked treats before.

Tucked in a side room of the building is the shop, full of all sorts of things created by locals. This is also a print shop, which really does make the Art House Café a central hub for creative activity.

One of the back rooms includes a sink and tables and can be rented out for workshops or meetings of all kinds.

The café has a warm and inclusive atmosphere, including gender-neutral bathrooms.

As well as being a cafe with a unique shop, the Café has a calendar bursting with events. You can find weekly events on their website, or stop in to view their posted calendar. Events include thread art nights, writing groups, life drawings, jam sessions — anything creative you can think of. Coming in September, their parking lot will be hosting part of Remixed, a festival of art and community in Chinatown.

Type: Greek cuisine Location: 258 Bank St. Price: $6–$16

For the last few entries I've been taking you on a tour of my favourite restaurants, and that list is not complete without The Greek Souvlaki Shack. Run by a Greek family, this Bank street restaurant serves the best Greek food in Ottawa.

My mom is the one who found this spot, which is tucked away in a small storefront and easy to walk past. It had the best reviews online of any local Greek place, and it's lived up to that. With a solid regular menu and a rotating selection of specials, this restaurant serves authentic and delicious Greek food like the chicken souvlaki platter I ordered.

The platter is a great value, both in terms of quality and of quantity. You get a lot of food, and it's all good. The potatoes and rice are lemony, and the souvlaki has that real flame-grilled flavour. For smaller meals, they also do a fantastic gyro or souvlaki pita. The drinks are Greek as well, including a beer filtered through volcanic rock and flavoured with a touch of honey.

Type: Mexican cuisine Location: 307 Dalhousie St Price: $10–$15 Website: http://www.ahora.ca

I was introduced to Ahora as “the bext Mexican in the city”, and for me,  it has lived up to that from day one. Tucked away in a basement in the Market, this restaurant is easy to walk past but definitely worth noticing.

The key to Ahora delicious Mexican is flame-grilling their meats. Every dish has that real fired flavour which blends with and enhances the spices. The restaurant itself is cafeteria-style: you go to the cash to order and pay before receiving your meal. There is an open salsa bar, and they offer additional sour cream and guacamole for a little extra.

My favourite dish is the Plato Ahora, described as “Burrito au gratin filled with black beans, chicken or steak, salsa gringa and guacamole, topped with salsa Ahora and sour cream”. The plates come with two sides; I love getting beans and rice and mixing them with salsas to finish off my meal.

Though I didn’t get a drink with this meal, Ahora also makes sangria and frozen margaritas, and both are excellent.

Type: Event Location: 1000, Exhibition Way, Ottawa, ON Cost: Free to attend Website: http://ottawafarmersmarket.ca

As a good food city, Ottawa is full of farmers’ markets, but the best known might be the one at Lansdowne. Running since 2006, it’s a great way to start a Sunday morning and get all the fresh local produce and other awesome local food that you need for the week. In addition to meat and produce from local farms, the Lansdowne farmers’ market includes local honey, knitwear and jewellery, doughnuts and baked goods, ceramics, soaps — all kinds of great stuff. Here’s a few of the things I found at the market.

Two different vegetable stalls.

One of the local fruit stalls.

The core of the farmers’ market is, of course, the produce! Ottawa is a great growing region that produces a huge variety of fruits and vegetables, represented all summer long at the farmers’ market. Right now there’s a lot of berries, beets and radishes, carrots, and leafy greens. I find that I can really taste the difference when I buy local, so I love getting flavourful produce at the market.

There’s also prepared food to be eaten right at the market and often, live entertainment, so you don’t have to be buying food for later to enjoy the market. 

Local jam producer Michael shows off his jams.

One of the best parts of the market, if you ask me, are the jams, preserves, honey, and other tasty longer-lasting edibles. Nothing really beats local raw honey, and one honey producer even brought in a closed-up slice of hive for viewers to see the bees at work.

Last but definitely not least, the market offers a very cool selection of booths selling local products like candles, creams, soap, wool, and jewellery like the above soap from Castor River Farm. 

Type: Ramen Location: 153 Bank St Price range: ~$15 Website: http://www.sansotei.com

Though not originally an Ottawa restaurant, Sansotei ramen deserves an Original Ottawa write-up. This is the place that convinced me to love ramen, and I’ve been a regular ever since. But be warned: this small restaurant often has lines out the door waiting for seating. Try it and you’ll understand why.

My favourite dish is the Tonkotsu Black, a creamy traditional ramen made with real pork bone and topped off with black garlic oil. The website says the garlic oil “takes our signature Tonkotsu flavour to another dimension” and you know, I don’t disagree with them — this is a transportative experience.

Here’s the Tonkotsu Black with thick noodles and bamboo shoots, topped with two slices of fried pork belly, a soft-boiled egg, and green onion. You’ll want to eat most of this with the chopsticks if you can, keeping your face close to the bowl for noodles to prevent splashback. The spoon is for the broth, which is incredibly rich and filling. This ramen fills every nook and cranny of your stomach; you’ll leave feeling satisfied and stay that way for a while after.

The soft-boiled eggs are a favourite part of the dish — modelled here by my dining partner.

Type: Pho and Vietnamese cuisine Location: 648 Somerset Street West Price: $8–$12

If you’re in Ottawa and haven’t had pho yet — what have you been doing! With nearly 10,000 Vietnamese-Canadian residents, Ottawa is full of fantastic pho places and other great Vietnamese cuisine. Pho, a beef or chicken soup with rice noodles, is a Vietnamese street food that is both delicious and filling. Saigon Boy Noodle House, my hands-down favourite pho place in town, serves a broad variety of different pho options that all come in small, medium, or large bowls.

The pho arrives with a plate full of fresh greenery and herbs to season your food. It’s tasty on its own, but I love to add some hot sauce, a squeeze of lime, and some fresh Thai basil to my pho. Other condiments include bean sprouts, hot chilis, and Hoisin sauce. If you get the rare beef pho, your thinly sliced beef cooks to perfection in front of you in the hot broth.

Pho is best eaten with both chopsticks and a spoon: chopsticks to grab the noodles and meat, and a spoon for the broth. At Saigon Boy, you won’t want to leave any broth uneaten. Broth is a big deal for pho, and every place does theirs a bit different; it’s the amazing broth at Saigon Boy that keeps me coming back.

Though I had this bowl in the summer, pho is an ideal meal for Ottawa winters. It’s also my go-to soup if I’m feeling under the weather; like chicken noodle, it has everything you need to heal. Whether you haven’t had pho yet, or are a pho connoisseur looking for somewhere new, I recommend Saigon Boy Noodle House!

Type: El Salvadoran food Location: 848-B Merivale Rd. Price range: $5–$15 Website: http://lacabana.ca

One of my favourite things about Ottawa is how much food from all around the world there is. La Cabaña, this week’s review, specializes in pupusas — a traditional Salvadoran dish of a thick corn tortilla stuffed with meat, cheese, beans, or a combination of the three. They also serve tamales, soups, and other fantastic cuisine from El Salvador.

This restaurant isn’t concerned about plating, but instead focuses on delicious food at very affordable prices. I’ve had a few dishes here, but this time around I had to go right for the mixed pupusas with the curtido and some horchata to drink.

Horchata can mean a few different drinks, but in this case it’s a milky but dairy-free drink with ground nuts, spices and cocoa, refreshing and not overly sweet. It’s a great accompaniment to the pupusas and I recommend giving it a try.

Curtido close-up.

Pupusas with curtido.

If you get the pupusas, I have an important recommendation: don’t skip the curtido! Curtido is a spicy coleslaw-like relish, lightly fermented, made with cabbage, onions, carrots, oregano, and lime juice. It nicely complements the meaty, cheesy pupusa and adds a bit of spice and tang.

Type: Monthly event Location: 651 Somerset St W Cost: Free Website: http://ottawacomicjam.blogspot.ca

Ottawa’s art scene may be smaller than Toronto’s or Montreal’s, but it is thriving. The Ottawa Comic Jam attracts local comic artists, illustrators, animators and fun-loving amateurs alike, and is a welcoming and inclusive space. Every month, a handful of people get together at the Shanghai Restaurant and create improvisational comics by drawing a single panel and then passing the paper on to someone else.

The Shanghai was the first chinese restaurant in what is now Ottawa’s Chinatown, and has a long-standing history of community involvement and support of the arts. The restaurant hosts a variety of events both public and private, including karaoke, open mic, art shows, and of course the Jam.

The Jam tends to bring in 10–20 people and starts at 7pm the last Wednesday of every month except December. People of any skill level are welcome, and the evening tends to go to about 9pm. The event is free, but you‘re encouraged to bring your own drawing supplies. Paper is provided.

Suzanne Marsden has been the primary organizer for the event for the last eight years. An animation industry veteran, she’d attended the previous version of the Jam before it ended, and decided to keep things going herself. If you’re thinking of attending the Jam for the first time, seek her out and she’ll help you find your place in this casual but very fun monthly event.

Type: burgers & fries Location: 329 Bank St and 278 Dalhousie St in Byward Market Price range: $15–$25 Website: burgersnfriesforever.com

Burgers & Fries Forever (BFF) is an Ottawa Allstar: hands-down the best burgers and fries in town. I constantly recommend this restaurant to everyone who likes burgers, and it only takes one visit to see why. These fresh, never-frozen halal beef burgers form the juicy base for a wide range of burger creations, including a different burger of the month, every month, at each location.

Dalhousie St location.

And I can’t forget the fries! BFF’s concept is to have fries as good as their burgers, which is a tall order considering how good their burgers are — but they live up to it. Their hand-cut fries are double-fried in the Belgian style and served with one of their unique house dipping sauces. Traditionalists can also still get their ketchup, vinegar, or mayo.

Now I know I’ve been hyping their beef patty, and it IS amazing, but for this meal I was at the Dalhousie St location which offers chicken burgers. Their chicken burger is a completely real, beautifully juicy chicken breast that has been perfectly deep fried. It’s just as amazing as the beef patty.

This trip, I got the Smokin’ Bird, which has a crispy fried chicken breast patty, applewood smoked cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and their housemade garlic aioli. For my combo, I got the regular fries with samurai mayo dipping sauce, a delicious BFF invention full flavour and heat. The Dalhousie location also has a Coke Freestyle machine, which, if you haven't used one before, is a lot of fun. These things have every Coke product ever made programmed in, and you just hit a few buttons and get the specific drink you’re looking for.

BFF is also a great choice for anyone who wants to enjoy a halal burger; people keeping kosher will also enjoy the availability of beef bacon instead of pork. If you don’t follow halal or kosher rules, you’ll just enjoy the delicious food. This funky, well-run business looks like a highly established chain, but it’s an Ottawa original. Their marketing is great, and the name (a play on Best Friends Forever) is catchy — and it’s all supported by a genuinely delectable menu. Make sure to try both the burgers and fries when you go — after all, they are BFFs!

Type: dessert bakery Location: 464 Bank St. #3 Price range: $2–$5 for an individual treat Website: threetarts.ca

I have to admit: I'm a dessert snob. Growing up with a mom who loves to bake, I got used to excellent homemade desserts with real ingredients and a light touch on the sugar. But sugar is cheap, so too many bakeries pump their desserts full and obscure the flavour. Not Three Tarts. As a dessert snob, this is my #1 baked goods spot downtown.

Don't get me wrong, these treats are sweet — but they are perfectly balanced to bring out all the other flavours. This trip I got three items: a cheesecake brownie, a sour cream custard tart with nectarines, and my favourite, the Hungarian rhubarb shortbread.

Cheesecake brownie: this is the only place I'd really trust to do a good cheesecake brownie. There's a real cocoa taste to the brownie and the cheesecake part is genuine cheesy cheesecake. Definitely recommend.  

Sour cream custard nectarine tart: I hope I don't sound over-enthusiastic when I say this tasted like summer. The nectarine was perfect, and the tart was delicious right down to the crust (often the stumbling block for a good tart). I need to try more of their sour cream custard desserts!

Hungarian rhubarb shortbread: this is my go-to dessert at Three Tarts. It's hard to find good rhubarb, and this square is full of real rhubarb and delicious light shortbread flavour. I get it every time I go.

Type: Korean food Location: 512 Bank Street Price range: $10–$20

Korean is one of my top cuisines, and Dolsot Cafe is my go-to for dolsot bibimbap or spicy chicken bulgogi. If you’ve never tried Korean, I recommend it, but keep in mind that a lot of the dishes are hot: if it’s reddish or orange, it’s sure to have a kick. 

For this meal I ordered the spicy chicken bulgogi, which comes on a hot iron plate that continues to fry the food right at your table as you eat. Each meal comes with side dishes, including delicious Korean potatoes and kimchi. My dining companion ordered the dolsot bibimbap, one of my all-time favourites: rice and seasoned julienned vegetables topped with a fried egg. You can add hot sauce at the table to taste. “Dolsot” refers to the hot stone bowl it’s served in, which keeps the rice and veg frying. It’s a little extra to have your bibimbap in a hot stone bowl, but it’s absolutely worth spending the extra dollar or two.