There are three things I haven’t done since we moved up to Ottawa in late October. In part it’s due to circumstance beyond my control, and some of it can also be blamed on inclement weather. But in the end it’s mostly because I’m so very lazy.
1. I’ve yet to learn the layout of this city. Map and globe skills aren’t exactly my forte, so this isn’t a thing that will just occur to me one day. I’ve got to sit down and study a map for a few hours. Sarah is too good with directions, which makes me lazy. Even when I’ve been to the Costco forty times I still need verbal commands for when to turn. And the odd time where she prompts me and I actually do know where I’m going, I’m all, “I know! I KNOW! What am I, some kind of moron?”
2. I have to go to ByTowne Cinema, Ottawa’s independent theatre, which incidentally is about three blocks from my house. Back in University, I discovered Windsor’s little indie theatre late in my third year, and since leaving I’ve pissed and moaned about not having anything like it close to where I live. Now I’ve got one down the damn street and I’ve been here for three months and I haven’t gone once. I’ll go, and soon—but not this week.
3. I need to find three good places to eat. To date, I’ve found one. There’s some strange Ottawa phenomenon where the dine-out food is almost always bad or tasteless. When we first got here we’d came off a cruise where we’d eaten our fill of phenomenal food until we frankly didn’t want it any more. You can only handle so much decadence before you’re dying for Kraft Singles and Wonderbread. After a month of home-meal detox, we started to eat out, and we found ourselves disappointed time and time again. At first, we thought it was a matter of the food paling in comparison, but enough time has passed for us to admit that the food here just kind of sucks. Tim Horton’s is Tim Horton’s and Mr. Sub is Mr. Sub, but the mom and pop restaurants and the local franchises aren’t exactly floating my boat. The Royal Oak gets two stars, Mexicali Rosa’s gets two and a half—even Cora’s hasn’t impressed me all that much. The best meal I’ve had was at The Cock ‘n Bull Pub & Eatery (picked not just for its ribald name.) I need to find at least two more stand-by restaurants. We’ve got Sparks Street and The ByWard Market—this should be easier than it’s been.
Comments
1) No one can help you with your sense of direction (which would mysteriously surface one to coast of the Rock to be sure)
2) Do it now! DO IT!
3) Good places to go in the Market are: Blue Cactus (Mexican), Le Jardin (French), Haveli (Indian) and The Fish Market (Fish). For crap's sake GO to these places! I, of course, have only eaten at 2 of those, so you can review the rest for me. Better advice can be found from Paul Mickeymouse, who is a foodie, and doesn't steer us wrong.
That was me, J, posting earlier.
J
The Keg is also decent, but I'm not really a steak guy.
I'm starting to think that I'm just a whining be-otch.
J
Go to "The Works" for burgers....awesome!.....May seem a bit pricy, but....awesome!
Three locations....ask Sarah for help....Beechwood, Westboro and the Glebe.
Take it from Carnivore...awesome burgers...good slaw and chips too...don't know about fries...didn't try them.
Carnivore! Using the secret channel. Excellent!
I wonder if PPM will understand who you are?
Big Sack
You don't know me, but I came upon your part of the blog-world through a friend (N) who is friends with J & T. On a particularly dark and depressing day, N sent me your posting on the origin of the name of your blog. Reading the story made me smile, even laugh, when I really needed it, so I thought I would make a return visit just to see what's up.
As a fellow former-T-dotter-turned-Ottawan (6 years and counting) I often wondered early on why I decided to come to this land that God had so obviously forsaken. Now, however, I can't even imagine going back to the Megacity/self-proclaimed centre of the universe. So, here are a few of my thoughts on your thoughts - you can take them or kick them to curb as you wish:
1. The city layout is not that difficult, except when the road you're travelling on changes its name 3 times within 10 km, or decides to become one-way (usually in the opposite direction) without warning. Sometimes you do long for that nice predictable grid layout of Toronto.
2. Yes, indeed you should check out the Bytowne at some point. However, I had a similar experience when I lived in Sandy Hill for a brief period (about 3 blocks away from the theatre) and I didn't pay a single visit during that time. Now that I live farther away I'm there every two weeks or so. I think it's because of the fact that it's so close, you think, "Why not snuggle up on the couch with a good rental from Blockbuster?" (Incidentally, if you happen to patronize the Blockbuster on Rideau, apparently it is far superior to any other Blockbuster in the city and is possibly on par with the independent video stores on Elgin or Bank.)
In any case, don't fret. The Bytowne isn't going anywhere, and you'll get there eventually.
3. Generally, the dining out experience in Ottawa does suck. There are a few notable exceptions, however.
[I should say at this point that I tend to avoid Sparks St. and the Market, as I feel they are more for tourists or suburbanites looking for a good time. But that's just my opinion.]
If you are a fan of ethnic cuisine like I am, I hope you will find these recommendations useful (and tasty!)
* East African Restaurant on Rideau - Ethiopian food, very cheap and extra-tasty because of the visceral experience that occurs when eating with one's hands. I used to go to the Horn of Africa next door, but they did something weird to their injera, the bread that is served with the meal.
Chinese - Chinatown (Somerset St.):
* Yang Tze - expensive and the fanciest Chinese restaurant in Ottawa; good dim sum but you have to get there early to get a table.
* I forget the name but the restaurant directly across the street from the Yang Tze has great dim sum as well and is usually a bit less busy.
* So Good - many vegetarian/vegan options and cheap
* Basil Leaf - Schezuan, Mee Xim, Jadeland, Royal Treasure, Shanghai, Mekong.....there are so many good ones!
Vietnamese (these are in Chinatown too) - I'm a big fan of the noodle soup but these places have the other stuff as well:
* Pho Bo Ga, Pho Bo Ga La, Pho Bo Ga La 2 - they're all basically the same restaurant located within 2 blocks of each other. Dirt cheap huge bowls of comforting noodle souop and great fresh salad rolls
* New Mee Fung
* Chez Nam
* Café Indochine - this one's in the Market and is half decent
Indian: (a lot of these places have eat-til-you-bust buffets)
* Ceylonta (Somerset & Bank) - Sri Lankan cuisine
* Roses Café - original is on Gladstone but there's the Roses Café Also (on Dalhousie in the Market) and the Roses Café Too (on Richmond)
* New Delhi (Bank St.)
* Nagina, Haveli, Café Shafali are all supposed to be good and located in the Market
Caribbean:
* Caribbean Flavours (Somerset, in Chinatown) - fantastic roti platters and real homemade ginger beer
* Groovy's Roti Hut (McArthur)
Vegetarian/Vegan:
* The Green Door (Main St.) - buffet-style with various casseroles, curries, lasagnes and other dishes. You pay by the weight of your plate. Delectable desserts!
* Perfection Satisfaction Promise (at Ottawa U) - Can be a little scary because of the cult-ish Zen staff that run it, but the food is delicious and not that expensive.
Steaks:
* The Keg Manor on Richmond Rd. Expensive but oh-so-worth it.
Japanese:
* Ichibei (Bank St.)
* Kinki - I've never been but I hear it's good and $$$
* Joy (Somerset)
Pubs: (Elgin St. Decent food, good atmosphere, good brunches as well - forget Cora's which is totally overrated)
* The Lieutenant's Pump
* The Manx
* The Elgin St. Diner is great for 2 a.m. breakfasts after a night of drinking/clubbing. Breakfast at other times is just mediocre, I find, but I know people who swear by the place. The fastest service in Ottawa, I guarantee you (it's actually a bit scary when you've barely placed your order and it's already on the table in front of you.)
Mexican:
* Ahora (the Market)
* The Black Tomato - not sure how to classify this place but it's in the Market and the food is good. They also have a great music selection - they sell CDs in the restaurant.
I'm sure there's lots more out there to add to the list but I've exhausted my memory at the moment. And if you hate all this kind of food, you don't really care. I just like food...a little too much, it would seem.
Happy eating and blogging! I look forward to your upcoming posts.
Cheers,
Isha
New Reader
;)
N is originally a friend of T and I
T(2) is a friend of J
N & T(2) are betrothed.
J gets action from N while T(2) gets action from T.
I is always welcome into the action on either count because she's cute.
T & J ARE married.
J and T(2) Beat each other up.
Everyone hates T1000.
That's about it.
Wow. Thanks for the many recommendations. I promise to gorge myself over the next month and report back with good news. I've eaten at that Keg which was a hoot--nice place and the food (for steak) was damn good. I've had Ethiopian once before on a trip to Chicago, but the meal was tainted by a bottle of honey wine. Will try that again minus the wine. Other than the Keg, I think all those places you mentioned are new to me. Thanks again.
Raarrgghhh!
Carnivore
Big Sack