Local Foodstuffs in Ottawa

[breadmanswife]

Hi folks.

Planning a trip to Ottawa and was hoping a local Chowhound (or one that visits there frequently) would have some suggestions for "must-have" munching while there. Please, no recommendations for Tim Hortons or anything made primarily of maple syrup -- while these are scrumptious, I'm looking for something a little more authentically local than that.

Thanks.

[breadmanswife]

Thanks for the suggestions everybody.

It sounds like there's quite a collection of great places from which to choose -- I'd better start hitting the gym regularly in preparation for all that food!

[piccola]

Assuming the weather's nice, you can walk from one place to another and burn off those calories ;-)

[kgoffin]

If you plan on touring the ottawa valley then plan on dinner at Fitzgerald's in Almonte and Castelgarth in White Lake. Both are wonderful and use local ingredients whenever possible. Both are my go to place for a special evening out.

[jacu]

If you get as far as Perth, try the Hungry Planet.

www.hungryplanet.com

Wonderful handmade food with Aisan, Caribbean and Mediterranean influence flavours. They are in the Where to Eat in Canada book and have been featured in Ottawa newspapers quite a bit.

My parents live in Perth, and everytime I visit my SO and I go for lunch (they aren't open for dinner, except Fridays, and even then it is only until 7 p.m.

)

Highly recommended.

[jen2202]

Shawarma palace, 460 rideau st......not the fanciest place, but the absolute best Lebanese food i have ever tasted!

[piccola]

Sconewitch - scones, of course

Kettleman's - "dessert bagels" (a horseshoe-shaped pastry with cream cheese filling)

Le Boulanger Français - croissants, even better if you can get an almond croissant; or any of the sandwiches from the bistro in the back

So Good - eggplants in black bean sauce, or anything pepper-salt

Mayflower - fish 'n chips (my parents swear by it)

Ashtar - hummus or falafel

Middle East Bakery - pita with zaatar, or the sweet flatbread

Di Rienzo - sandwiches, or focaccia

Curries - dosas

Ahora - Mexican food

African Palace - Ethiopian food, try the vegetarian platter

[piccola]

Forgot:

Pure Gelato - gelato (duh) or waffles

[hoagy294]

If you like American/food court style Chinese food then go to the Golden Palace. I never understood why anyone thought it was worth a special trip, stick to Somerset W for good Chinese/Vietnamese food.
I haven't lived in Ottawa in 12 years and miss the pizza from the Colonande.
Domus in the market used to make their brunch from the various cookbooks on sale in the store and was a nice space.

[PaulV]

Dinner at Beckta or Les Fougeres. Breakfast at SconeWitch. Croissants at the French Baker on Murray St. Chocolate truffles or cake from Stubbe's. Lunch and a pint at the Manx Pub. Chicken Schwarma from Marroush on Elgin. Browsing for Italian at La Bottega (Market) or Nicastros (Merivale). Coffee at Planet Coffee (Market) or Bridgehead (various locations around the city) or Morala (Glebe). Pizza at the Colonnade (Metcalfe) or Newport (Westboro - home of the Elvis Sighting Society). Burgers at The Works (various locations). Afternoon Tea at the Chateau Laurier. Smoked fish from the Chelsea Smokehouse. Local cheese at Ottawa Bagel Shop and Nicastro's (Wellington St. location). Depending on the timing, the Carp Farmer's Market (Saturday mornings 8-1, but only for one more week) or Ottawa Farmer's Market (Lansdowne Park - Sundays 8-4).

[cheesymama]

You must check out Golden Palace for their egg rolls (discussed in an earlier thread). They are the best I have ever had, another favourite dish from there are the Garlic Chicken Balls, but I have never been disappointed there. It's on Carling near Woodroffe.

[jen2202]

i 2nd their egg rolls!!! delishhhhh, and the lemon chicken is good too.