Last weekend Merry and I drove up to the Ottawa Tulip Fest with our friends Jim and Allison. We love the tulip tradition and the long friendship between Canada and the Netherlands that it commemorates. Walking in the park with thousands of other people of all cultures for the sole purpose of viewing flowers and celebrating the coming of spring has a very soothing effect.
Saturday was cold and rainy but we were warm inside the National Gallery of Canada www.gallery.ca/english/index.html. The National Gallery has a great contemporary art collection and includes an impressive photography collection. The current highlight is a video installation that depicts (I think) an imaginary voyage to the Antarctic. Earlier in the day we also stopped across the river in Gatineau, Quebec to visit the Museum of Civilization, Canada's version of the Smithsonian. There we saw a very interesting exhibit on the early fur trading routes established in western Canada by the North West Company. www.civilization.ca/cmc/home
The real reason I love to go to Ottawa, however, is to sample the top-notch French restaurants. I thought it might be interesting to share my personal favorites.
On this trip we selected Le Saint O and Le Tartuffe. To my taste they are among the best in Ottawa.
327 St. Laurent Blvd., Ottawa, ON
Rating: 5 stars Price: $$$ Last visit: May 8, 2010
EIP Comment: A bit off the beaten track. No tourists. Don't let the slightly shabby exterior fool you. This small gem offers a menu of French classics with strong Quebecois accents: Halibut with almonds, guinea fowl Wellington, Ris de veau with local honey, duck confit with maple syrup, three pepper fillet minion with Quebec blue cheese butter. The soup special on this visit was two flavors in one bowl, savory country mushroom on one half, sweet parsnip on the other. Deserts are inventive.
133 Rue Notre-Dame-de-L’ile, Hull, QC
Rating: 5 stars Price: $$$$ Last visit: May 7, 2010
EIP comment: In a lovely old house, the principles of modern French cuisine applied to fresh regional produce: cranberry-stuffed roasted quail, pheasant with wild mushrooms, ostrich steak, lively house terrines, flavour-rich soups and magnificent deserts. Excellent food, we’ve been there multiple times. Caution: service can be very leisurely – dinner is easily 3 hours or more.
We also usually have a lunch in the Byward Market at Domus, but didn't find the time this year.
87 Murray Street, Ottawa, ON
Rating: 4 stars Price: $$$ Last visit: May 2008
Rating: 4 stars Price: $$$ Last visit: May 2008
EIP Comment: We stop here on nearly every trip to Ottawa. Lunch is a treat, dinner divine. Domus focuses on Canadian/Continental food, made with Canadian ingredients, exquisite wine selections showcasing Canadian vintages, and unique preparation and styling.
In addition, I highly recommend taking a drive in the Gatineau Hills then stopping at L'Oree du Bois for dinner.
15 Kingsmere Road, Old Chelsea, QC
Rating: 4 stars Price: $$ Last visits: May 06, 2005, summer 2006, summer 2007
EIP Comment: Take HWY 5 North (direction Maniwaki), exit Old Chelsea, left after the village before the park. Long-established, rustic-looking restaurant in pretty Gatineau forest setting. Special menu of regional cuisine starring locally produced ingredients. Expect to linger.
Finally, there are two restaurants both named Le Panache, one in Quebec one in Ottawa, both are worth a visit.
Rating: 4 stars Price: $$$ Last visit: May 07, 2005
EIP Comment: Offers fantastic French-fusion cuisine, located rue Eddy (corner St. Laurent) in a residential neighborhood. Kir royale a treat. Service was great on our last visit.
Le Panaché Café-Restaurant (613) 230-0111
634 Somerset St. W., Ottawa, ON
Rating: 3 stars Price: $$ Last visit: May 3, 2008
EIP Comment: This unpretentious French restaurant is a surprise to find in Chinatown. Food was generally very good (one or two minor misses on our last visit) with appetizers and desserts above average. Reasonably priced and very friendly.
If you are headed to the Capital of Canada, I suggest you check out at least one of the above. I'd be happy to hear any comments on any of the above suggestions or to learn about any others you like.
Happy dining.
Your blog is really awesome. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. I like various cuisine food, french culture , french tradition, french language with pimsleur very much. Last summer i have visited France as well as I have visited French restaurant. I have enjoyed French food very much.
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