In this new biweekly feature, Apt613 asks blog contributors and local food lovers about their recent Ottawa area restaurant highlights to help you find new tasty treats to discover or revisit when someone inevitably asks, “Where do you want to eat?” We want to hear about something that you ate and loved! Leave comments below, and if you’d like to contribute to a future edition of Best Bites, email <editors@apt613.ca>.
Best Bites this week:
- Chez Lucien (137 Murray St)
- Bobino Bagel (61 Laurier St Gatineau)
- Giovanni’s Snack Bar and Pizzeria (376 Booth St)
If you have been hip or “with it” in Ottawa anytime over the last 20 years, you’ve probably at least heard of Chez Lucien in the market. If you haven’t yet hit up this cozy, bustling, classic pub at the quiet end of Murray Street, go this weekend. They call themselves a “bar bistro,” setting up huge expectations for the food, and I promise that they do not fall short. You may have heard of their famous burgers, widely accepted as the Best in Ottawa among the aforementioned hip and happening folks of the last two decades (they literally just celebrated their 20th anniversary in February). Those burgers have reached legendary status, and so for that reason alone I took a friend there for his first venture into Chez’s welcoming embrace. While I had to have a burger, he opted for the moules frites. Technically a starter, and priced at only $15, it was a brilliant decision. Mussels and fries is a classic French dish, and hugely popular in Belgium too, but it is rare to find in our primarily English-style pubs around here.
Moules Frites at Chez Lucien. Photo: Kiersten Vuorimaki
The perfectly slim and crispy fries were piled high on the plate, and the mussels arrived fragrant, steaming, and practically tumbling out of their bowl. The broth changes daily, and we were blessed with a hugely flavourful tomato and herb broth that was chunky, savoury, salty, fresh and perfect. I would order it as a soup any day of the week. The mussels were delicate and juicy, while the portion was very, very generous for a starter. Chez is always bustling, so we sat at the bar and had excellent service from the bartender, as well as some great local beers on tap. If you’re lucky you might spot some Parliament Hill heavy hitters, a former professor or two, or the off-duty staff from your other favourite gin joint in town. Chez is always a great idea, and it is definitely more than just perfect burgers.
It’s not often that a new restaurant opening merits a press conference, but I guess when you’re opening the first Montréal-style bagel join in the Outaouais, you just have to pull out all the stops. Opened in February, Bobino Bagel is finally bringing fantastic bagels to Gatineau. While we on the the Ottawa side of the river have been spoiled with bagels, this new location along the historic drag of Laurier is the perfect place to grab bagels and coffee directly across from the Museum of History. The head bagel chef has impressive bagel-making chops, and is planning big things for Bobino. Their variety of bagels is growing, and they are all dense, chewy, sweet and strangely light, like all good Montréal-style bagels. They are all baked in an enormous pink wood-fired oven, true to the whimsical branding of the whole shop. The cream cheese is made in house, and the dill pickle version is tangy, dilly, and luscious, perfect on a sesame or everything bagel. Or put the everything cream cheese on everything. Go wild. They offer delicious-looking sandwiches too, naturally. Bagels are $1.85 each, $9.95 for 6, or $14.85 for a dozen. But who buys just one bagel?
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- An easy excuse to cross the bridge. Photos: Kiersten Vuorimaki
I know I’m preaching to the choir here. We live in the 613. I do not need to sell you on bagels. We know and love excellent Montréal bagels here. These are excellent. The vibes of this places are delightful, there is plenty of seating and they are planning a huge bright patio for summer as well. They have parking, and are truly across the street from the museum, so make them a stop on your next interprovincial Hot Girl Walk.
Giovanni’s Snack Bar and Pizzeria is most definitely the best-kept secret of Little Italy. Just off the beaten path on Booth Street, Giovanni’s has been part of the community since 1965, and they are still some of the best pizza in town. Their variety of thin-crust pies with authentic Italian toppings like porchetta, eggplant, and pancetta means there is something for everyone, no matter how you like your pizza. (Anchovies? Artichokes? Egg? Fresh basil? No problemo.) One pizza generously feeds one person, so bring your appetite and a friend, order two pies and do your best to finish them both. I recommend the classic Contadina Pizza with paper-thin pepperoni, mushrooms, and sweet red peppers. The crust is chewy and dense, with a great crisp on the outside. Add some chili flakes for the perfect spice. The sauce has a deep tomato flavour and a bit of a kick to give the pizza fantastic flavour. It pairs really well with the spicy Calabrese or veggie-loaded Verdura pizza. Pizzas range from $16-$24, and you may be waiting for a table if you go on a busy night! If you go for lunch, be sure to get an espresso to top off the experience.
The Contadina at Giovanni’s. Photo: Kiersten Vuorimaki
We want to hear about something that you ate and loved! Leave comments below, and if you’d like to contribute to a future edition of Best Bites, email <editors@apt613.ca>.
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