In this 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:
- Spark Beer ( 702 Somerset W)
- Noodle House 79 (1600 Merivale Unit 5)
- Grounded Kitchen (1545 Carling Ave)
I remember visiting Spark Beer in early 2020 shortly after they opened on Somerset Street West. I’m so pleased they made it through the pandemic because Spark Beer brews up some of my favourite sour beers and serves a mean pizza. If you’re familiar with any of their beers, you’ve come to expect creative names and the pizza menu doesn’t disappoint. “Won’t Somebody Please Think of the Children” is a classic cheese pizza, while “The Number One Pizza in Heaven” gets you a spicy pepperoni pizza with St. Albert mozzarella, pickled jalapeños, Korean chilli flakes, honey drizzle, and parmesan cheese. My favourite has got to be the “Good Good Things” which comes topped with thinly sliced potatoes, garlic butter, cheese, capers, and black pepper. You can order your pizza for pick up through their website or for delivery on Uber Eats, and it ranges from $16-22. In nicer weather, they’ve got a dog-friendly (s)parking lot patio with plenty of picnic benches.
Good Good Things at Spark Beer. Photo: Hannah Manning
They also have seasonal promos: in the summer, I’ve enjoyed a pizza and beer for $22. Most recently, they’re running a lunch special with 20% off food and drink every Tuesday through Friday from 11:30am-5pm. Keep an eye on their website and social media (on Instagram @spark.beer) for the latest deals!
Finally, we have Spark Beer to thank for the first Ottawa Craft Beer Week, an event we’d love to see return again next year!
-Hannah Manning
We should all know that the city is teeming with delicious Vietnamese food. Recently, I got a hot tip about a place on Merivale slinging $10 banh mi that rivals some of the best I’ve found, so of course, we had to check it out. My best friend and I took ourselves out for lunch in search of this banh mi at Noodle House 79, and we found a bright and bustling restaurant with fun music, extensive menus and friendly service. I was surprised at how busy it was during the lunch hour on a weekday, but as the piles of fragrant, colourful food came pouring out of the kitchen, it made sense—this place is no secret. Since we were there for the banh mi, we barely skimmed the menu, but it was full of classic Vietnamese dishes and various house specials at reasonable prices. The banh mi are $10.99, but for $14.99 you can add a bowl of wonton soup, which we did. The soup was salty and flavourful, and the wontons were tender and juicy. The broth was stuffed with spring onions, cilantro and pork, and the soup alone would have been a satisfying meal.
Banh Mi and wonton soup. Photo: Kiersten Vuorimaki
But the banh mi. Oh, goodness. The bread is perfection. Warm, and slightly toasted the outside is light, crispy and golden, but the inside is soft, moist and buttery, and melted in our mouths. There was no toughness or chewiness that you sometimes find in a baguette, and the crispy outside didn’t crumble into a dry, messy pile. Inside the gorgeous bun, the grilled meats were saucy and lean, and the pickled daikon, carrot and cucumber were sweet, crunchy and fresh. The paté was savoury and creamy and gave the veggies the perfect base. The sandwich and soup together were the perfect meal, and I will think about that bread for a while.
-Kiersten Vuorimaki
Grounded Kitchen has moved to an unassuming office building on Carling, but they have done a great job getting the word out about their new space and amazing-looking brunch menu. I noticed and put them near the top of my To-Do list. Recently, a friend and I were looking for somewhere to meet up late afternoon for nibbles and coffee, on a weekday and Grounded fit the bill. With a full menu and an extensive coffee and cocktail list, we were spoiled for choice. We settled on their Happy Hour menu, with a few $12 eats after 3pm, and coffees. My oat milk cortado was rich, and hot, with a lovely full-bodied espresso. We got the cornbread, disco fries (garlic oil, herbs and spices with garlic mayo, and parmesan), and the halloumi and berries. While I’ll order any dish with halloumi, anytime, this one was different and I’m still thinking about it. The fried halloumi was crispy, hot and salty—the perfect base for the cold ripe strawberries and the fresh basil. The contrasts were further enhanced with the drizzle of hot honey, and scattering of pistachios for some crunch, sweetness and a touch of heat. Despite the crummy slushy weather outside, this felt like a summery burst of flavour, and every bite was different. The portion was on the small side, for a shareable, so next time I will get my own order, as the perfect appetizer for something rich and satisfying like their famous BBQ. I can see it pairing well with their pickle flight and some burnt ends, or even with some oysters if you’re keeping it light.
Halloumi and berries. Photo: Kiersten Vuorimaki
While we were there a few people ordered the burgers, which looked and smelled amazing. Patrons were also coming in to get pastries and coffee to go. Grounded closes at 5pm Monday-Wednesday, so you have to go later in the week if you’re looking for dinner. Parking was easy and free, with a validated parking slip, and their cozy patio far from bustling Carling Avenue is probably pretty peaceful in the summertime.
-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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