Jenny is a fresh food enthusiast from Ottawa, with west coast roots. You can following her cooking and photography fun at instagram.com/forevermunchies.
“This is the best party I’ve ever been to!”
That’s something I heard multiple guests exclaim throughout the night, as I explored the multitude of musical entertainment, activities, and culinary bites spaced out over multiple floors of the newly opened Andaz Ottawa Hotel (part of the Hyatt Corporation) in the Byward Market. The grand opening of the hotel took place on Wednesday, September 7.
The Mayor of Ottawa arrives:
Guests enjoying the trendy lounge space beside the hotel entrance and reception area:
The grand opening successfully highlighted the spirit behind the Andaz brand, which seeks to reflect local culture while exuding an overall vibrant and modern atmosphere.
And of course, to wash it all down, the second floor featured several beverage stations using a variety of local products:
There was a make-your-own-caesar station featuring Walter craft caesar mix (plus all the pickled, smoked, and spicy toppings you could possibly want!). I was overwhelmed, so I asked the expert bartender to whip one up for me. Other beverages featured (not pictured) included a maple whiskey cocktail, and beer from Beau’s.
There was also a bar with four punchy shrub cocktail options, made with local fruits.
I tried the lime and mint shrub cocktail, which paired perfectly with a generous plate of charcuterie – featuring salamis, sausages, and other goodies from Seed to Sausage.
And for dessert: a chocolate and wine pairing station. Featured products include chocolate (made with cacao beans from the Dominican Republic) from the Ontario-based Hummingbird Chocolate Maker, and wine from Rosewood Estates Winery in Beamsville, Ontario! Obviously, I snuck away with multiple pieces of the rich, dark chocolate.
The guests were also entertained by fun activities such as the MDRN photo booth (with an instant GIF maker), portrait drawings, and a Twitter wall.
To end the evening, many guests rode the elevator up to the rooftop bar and patio area, where they could enjoy a panoramic view of the Byward Market and Parliament building off in the distance.
The Andaz Hotel grand opening reflected both a love and appreciation for its surroundings, by providing a new platform for local and regional producers and businesses. It also demonstrated the gorgeous spaces it has to offer the city. The event was perfect way to introduce the newest addition to downtown Ottawa.
Let us know which of the local products featured at the hotel that you’d most like to try!
For more on the Andaz Hotel Ottawa, visit their website, or find them on Facebook or Twitter.
