The dining-out biz in Ottawa has grown to the wonderful point that not every place fits the standard definition/structure we usually assign to restaurants. Here’s a bunch of places that don’t fit the strict ligature of restaurant classification, but that you really should check out.
LE CAFÉ: Chioggia and golden beet root (Photograph by photoluxstudio.com/Christian Lalonde)
107 Fourth Avenue Wine Bar
Situated in the middle of the tame and predictable Glebe, bursting with mediocre pubs and Indian restaurants, Fourth Ave. is a great place to go for a cocktail or an exceptional glass of wine in a chill environment. Food? Go for lunch; go for a light dinner. The small steak frites is the best deal in town, and the daily specials are imaginative. 107 Fourth Ave., 613-236-0040, 107, 107fourthavenue.com
Murray Street Kitchen Charcuterie Wine
The best charcuterie in town awaits, paired with smash cheeses and excellent pickled sides. Awesome patio and crazy mojitos. 110 Murray St., 613-562-7244, murraystreet.ca
Savana Café
This wonderful, cozy, gimme-a-hug resto is all about the love. It’s been there in that snappy heritage house since, like, the 1400s. Never mind that — go for the Carib-inspired nosh and the fun cocktails. 431 Gilmour St., 613-233-9159, savanacafe.com
The Whalesbone Oyster House
Too small to be called a resto and too big to be just a bar, the Whalesbone splits the difference. The food, served up in a kitchen the size of my ass, is run by Charlotte Langley. She knows that quality fish doesn’t need a big sauce to be yummy. 430 Bank St., 613-231-8569, www.thewhalesbone.com
