Ottawa

[Steve Spong]

Hey all,

I'm heading to Ottawa in a few weeks for the first time in about 15 years, so I'm interested in any places worth checking out in the Ottawa/Hull area. I'll be staying at the Albert at Bay Suites, so I hope the location isn't too troublesome by foot, although moderate cab distances aren't really a problem. I know of the Black Tomato, but beyond that, I'm very much a neophyte. Any suggestions/hints?

[Tapsucker]

There has been a few threads recently on Ottawa. The Clocktower Brewpub has not been to popular with other posters, but I rather like it. The food is not great, but the beer is pretty good and I've always found the staff nice.

It's on Bank by the highway. I would walk there on a warm night and cab back, or vice-versa.

Not really a beer place, but last winter I had a really great meal and fantastic hospitality at a Lebanese restaurant in the Market. I don't remember if it was on the corner of William and Clarence or By Ward and Clarence. If you see it and like Middle Eastern food, I highly recommend it. There are lots of Middle Eastern places in Ottawa (sorely lacking in Toronto) but this was a cut above. They also had a great little band that night in the tiny place.

Enjoy!

[JerCraigs]

I'd recommend The Black Tomato and The Manx for downtown. Food at BT was quite nice, with a servicable list of Ontario micros. Had a superb pint of Church Key West Coast at the Manx.

Vineyards was nice, but some of the more exciting beers were past their best befores.

Pub Italia was quite nice, with a solid selection but the beer list is mostly stuff you can find around [Toronto]. The pizzas are nice and available as halfs.

Unless you are rating I wouldnt bother with Clocktower. Food is okay, but they often seem to have few or none of their own beers on, and the above are better options IMHO.

If you have a car pop over to Marche Jovi in Hull for some Unibroue bottles.

[PRMason]

If you have a car, pop over to L'Autre Oeuil in Aylmer, Québec. Its about a 20 minute drive from downtown, but well worth the effort. Very good Québec micro list.

[Lubiere]

For l'Autre Oeil, you can also take STO bus 41 from Wellington St. to 55 Principale (its a rush hour bus, from 3pm to 7PM), and the 51 back to Rivermead station...50% of the lines then go back to Ottawa.

http://www.sto.ca/index_e.asp

L'Autre Oeil is great because you will access things which are not available anywhere in Ontario:
http://www.theletterx.ca/lautreoeil/

[esprit]

I take exception to Craigs comments about Pub Italia, they have the best selection of bottled Belgian beers in Ottawa and these are beers you cannot buy anywhere else in Ottawa. Definitely worth a visit if you want some decent Italian grub and some great bottles.

[KwaiLo]

I make it a point to go to both Pub Italia and the Manx when in Ottawa.

Over the last 5 years, we have had 2 beer weekends per year there.

Great selection at both, decent food at both, and Pub Italia is great for soccer games.

[Brews Phillips]

All the places mentioned above are great. I'm not too familiar with Ottawa pubs (yet!), but I think the Arrow and Loon at 5th Ave and Bank St. (in the Glebe) deserves a mention too. They seem to have a good selection of Ottawa-area beers on tap/cask.

[JerCraigs]

I take exception to Craigs comments about Pub Italia, they have the best selection of bottled Belgian beers in Ottawa and these are beers you cannot buy anywhere else in Ottawa. Definitely worth a visit if you want some decent Italian grub and some great bottles.

I actually meant stuff you could find around Toronto. Sorry, I should have been more explicit.

[SteveB]

Small but cool beer selection - insane food, awesome atmosphere, very cool all around.

http://www.thewellingtongastropub.com/

[Steve Spong]

Thanks for the input, I'll try to bear all this stuff in mind! Also, other than L'Autre Oeil and Marche Jovi, are there any other decent places (both for food and beer) in Gatineau?