As you might expect of a capital
city, Ottawa has a good range of
restaurants, some geared firmly to the
expense account, but the majority
informal, reasonably priced
affairs - surprisingly so
considering the amount of
political money floating around.
Indeed, a main course and a drink
should rarely cost you more than
$25. Ethnic restaurants are
commonplace - from Italian through
Mexican, Chinese and Spanish - and
although there is no distinctive
Ottawa cuisine as such, the city's
chefs borrow strongly from the
French-Québecois tradition - Québec
is, after all, just across the
river. The trendiest joints are in
the Byward Market area, but there
are also a number of good places
in the few blocks to the south of
Parliament Hill, and a small
Chinatown on Somerset West and
Bronson. In addition, Ottawa has
sprouted dozens of
café-bars
, some offering little more than
glorified bar food, but many
dipping into Asian, French and
Italian cuisines to provide
excellent food at very affordable
prices - $10-15 should see you
fixed in all but the priciest of
places. These café-bars have
dented Ottawa's
bar and pub
scene, but there is still a
reasonable range of downtown
drinking places with a particular
concentration in and around the
Byward Market, which heaves with
revellers on the weekend. Finally,
a word about
snack and fast
food . Chip vans are something
of an institution here, so be sure
to try their mouthwatering
poutine
- fries covered in gravy and
cheese curds.
Restaurants
Casablanca Resto , 41 Clarence St
(tel 789-7855). Wonderful Moroccan
cuisine and delicious coffees.
Byward Market area. Chez Jean
Pierre , 210 Somerset St W (tel
235-9711). The best French
restaurant in town, with prices to
match....
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Cafes and
cafe-bars
Bagel Bagel , 92 Clarence St. Nine
different types of bagel with an
assortment of fillings from $2.50.
Open late every night. Byward
Market area. Café Crepe de France
, 76 Murray St at Parent. Divine
crepes from $8 in a distinctive...
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Bars and pubs
Blackthorn Café , 15 Clarence St
at Sussex. In the Byward Market
area, this trendy spot
incorporates an English-style pub
and has a pleasant outside
terrace. Blue Cactus , 2 Byward
Market. Slightly hectic bar with a
good line in...
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