Photo Courtesy of Aunt Olive's Facebook Page
Post by Dominic Maggiolo, Ottawa food philosopher and blogger on vegetarian food and culture. Check out some of his other writings on his blog, Le Jeune Gourmand.
In a world dominated by multinationals such as Starbucks, McDonalds and company, the quaint, small, tucked away local business shakes in its little boots, afraid to shine and claim fame in its home town. Ottawa’s Aunt Olive’s promises to be different. Part café, part fashion store, Aunt Olive’s is uniquely pleasing business that allows patrons, regulars and aficionados of all kinds to shop for assorted and unique vintage treasures, all while enjoying to a scrumptious vegetarian meal.
I had heard of Aunt Olives through a friend who used to shop there while living in Ottawa, though I never took the time to go and discover this cute café. When I finally had a chance to explore her menu, I was pleasantly surprised: this hidden local joint is a must to visit.
My girlfriend and I made our way for lunch on a beautiful Saturday. We were immediately greeted with a smile and were told to sit anywhere we wanted and browse the menu. Amid the eclectic chairs and tables, we couldn’t help but feel totally relaxed, almost as if we were at home. The atmosphere was comfortable and stimulating.
On to the food… We ordered a childhood favourite of mine, the root beer float, all the while inspecting the menu. Served in a frosted mug, you’re greeted with this chalice of smooth root beer and topped with creamy vanilla ice cream. Ahh, to be 12 years old again! I could assure you, it did not survive our hungry rampage. Aunt Olives also serves up a daily soup, which is always vegan. On this exact day she featured “Tomato and dill”. The rich brick red soup was beautifully perfumed by the fresh smell of the dill.
Our main shortly arrived: Grilled vegetable panini with chèvre. This lip-smacking fabrication is a must-try for anyone who loves the smoky taste of grilled vegetables and soft goats milk cheese. Neil Young serenaded us and made this experience all the more pleasurable. Before we left, we munched on a ginger molasses cookie. What a perfect way to end a simple lunch on a beautiful day.
Before you go and spend 15$ on a crummy sandwich and coffee at Starbucks, take a short detour and make your way to Aunt Olives at Gilmore and Elgin for a laid back luncheon for only 8,50$. This includes your soup and sandwich, though I recommend trying their root beer float for added flare. It’s rare to discover a setting that dish up a good-sized bowl of (vegan) soup and sandwich for a fair price.
Aunt Olive’s is located at ?209 Gilmour Street, Ottawa, ON K2P 0N9
(613) 565-0564
Hours of operation?:
11am-5pm Sunday to Wednesday
11am-8pm Thursday Friday Saturday
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