There is no shortage of fine dining options in our beloved Capital City. Foodies can get their fix in virtually any neighborhood, and while we’re often accused of playing catch up to trendier Montreal or Toronto, Ottawa is (almost) always on point with keeping up with restaurants fads and new concepts.
Recently, a few Southern-style joints have popped up in the downtown core, integrating down-home comfort food with modern twists. The newest addition to this trend, Union Local 613 or Union for short, takes it to new heights by not only featuring classic Southern items on their menu, but by featuring local produce and meats as often as possible.
Started by three friends who are all connected to the Wellington Gastropub, Union is sure to quickly become a Centretown staple. Ivan Gedz, chef Chris Lord, and Matthew Fantin, decided on Southern food after noticing the growing BBQ trend in the United States. The menu changes with what is in season, while placing the emphasis on varying cuts of meats. I had the pleasure of trying some of their appetizers, and was blown away by the intense flavor found in unexpectedly matched ingredients. The tangy lettuce wrap filled with pig ear, blue cheese sauce, and cornmeal was perfect, and I kept finding myself stopping the waitresses to continue “trying” the appetizers I had already had seconds and thirds of. Blandness is definitely not on the menu at Union.
Another way in which Union is sure to stand out is with their décor. Rustic, yet elegant, it features communal seating as to encourage socializing between guests. In other words, if you answer your phone during the meal, you won’t only be rude to the person with who you came with, but to 8 other people as well. Union is quaint and features 48 seats, which only adds to the intimacy created by the dim lighting and dark wood surroundings. However, this restaurant is far from bleak. The walls are filled with bright graffiti, and the open concept kitchen that allows guests to peak at their meal preparation, makes a unique dining experience. The pièce de résistance however, might be the uniquely designed beer taps, which feature various knives and kitchen instruments as handles. That and the use of mason jars to serve cocktails and beer will only solidify Union’s appeal to hipsters and the like.
Union is open for lunch and dinner, and is one of the only restaurants in the area to continue food service until 2am, making it a top destination for club-goers who crave something a little finer than a shawarma. There’s also talk of opening a basement speakeasy later in the year. All in all, Union’s comfortable atmosphere, friendly owners and staff, and of course, amazing food, is sure to make it one of Ottawa’s newest hot spots.
Local Union 613 is at 315 Somerset St. W., near O’Connor Street.
