MR B'S MARCH HOUSE RESTAURANT - 2401 BANK ST - 731-6800

Service is good and the restaurant decor is attractive and a touch formal, but not overly so. Everything is well prepared and attractively presented to tantalize the taste buds, from tasty soups to its good and varied selection of entrees. The location is a small strip mall, with ample parking, near the Shallows Restaurant. The mall runs off Bank Street, but Mr. B's is not that obvious, especially when going South on Bank so you have to watch carefully for it.

   Date: Sat Apr 17 08:29:15 1999
   From: bu932@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Jim Roy)

Mister B's, corner of Hunt Club and Bank (across the road from Tuscon's in a dumpy little strip mall beside a motel) is a discreetly-sited gem.

It's a local arm of the March House and anything Italian you order is a wonderful experience. It's also expensive, but also another sure-fire relationship warmer for you and your special someone.

   Date: Tue Oct 26 21:28:41 1999
   From: ae965@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Michael DiCola)

GREEN VALLEY RESTAURANT - 1107 PRINCE OF WALES DR. - 225-8770

Perhaps I should have seen it coming when we pulled into the parking lot....more Ford Tauruses than a dealer's lot. I guess the use of salt, or the lack there of, should have been expected. Anyways, I did say value, the average bland entree rings up at $17 and the house wine at $20. Servings are extremely small to boot!

How has this place ever survived ? We won't be back, but at least I can now say ate at an "institution".

   Date: Thu Jun 20 21:31:30 1996
   From: cz568@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Robert Batsch)

I think the GVR has survived simply because of the very things you cited. Its clientel is the "blue-rinse" generation. Regulars have their "own" waitress who has been serving them for umpteen years. Appetites are small so the servings match. Bland food is considered a plus. For these folks, change is something unwelcome; stability and familiarity are welcome.

While it definitely is not to everyone's taste, this restaurant does well by catering to a particular market segment. Considering the aging population this sounds to me like a great strategy for remaining in business for the *next* several decades. By then, most of today's trendy spots will have withered and died.

BTW, I agree fully with your assessment and it does not suit my taste either. However, there are lots of people for whom it does fulfill a need.

   Date: Sun Jun 23 06:23:37 1996
   From: aa720@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Roger Lewis)

CULTURES - ST LAURENT SHOPPING CENTRE -

   Date: Thu Sep 26 18:42:06 1996
   From: di648@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Karen Wattie)

TUCSON'S - 2440 BANK @ HUNT CLUB - 738-7596

The place looks like a Southwestern bar so naturally I'm expecting fahitas, steaks etc which they do have. But the meals we had were very gourmet, beautifully presented on gorgeous plates. The entrees we had were grilled porkchop to perfection, a medley of beans marinated in a light vinagrette. I had the linguine with clam sauce.....oh so delicious. The portions are HUGE. My appetizer alone (seafood salad) was enough of a meal for me. Dessert was included...I had homemade cheesecake (the lightest and smoothest I have ever had) and my friend had triple chocolate pecan pie (the title says it all....:)

This was indeed one of the best dining experiences I have ever had. Highly recommended. Located at Bank/Hunt Club. Reservations recommended.

   Date: Sun Sep 29 07:28:10 1996
   From: bj248@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Dora Parisi)

KELSEY'S BAR & GRILL - SOUTH OTTAWA

The food was great along with the very friendly and attentive service. They have a rather extensive menu, including a lunchtime 10 minute or it's free menu. We chose the potato soup, natcho appetizer plate which had a well spiced ground beef base with a liberal application of jalapinos over the nachos.

We all chose from the 10 minute menu. I had a szechuan pasta dish that had a well prepared and very tasty chicken and peppers combination with more pasta than I could finish. The others in our group had a stuffed pasta and caesar dish that everyone was very happy with. Definitely worth a return visit. We gave top ratings to everything.

   Date: Tue Oct  6 11:43:15 1996
   From: bu932@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Jim Roy)

EAGER BEAVER CANADIAN BAR & GRILL - 77 CLARENCE - 562-1222

Today I had the Alberta .... a beef steak with salad and potatoes and vegetables. Excellent and perfectly cooked as specified. My companion had the Arctic Char and she loved it (I tried it and it was succulent and also perfectly cooked). Service is good. Decor is different, but the food will not disappoint. Prices are reasonable.

   Date: Sun Oct 27 01:26:36 1996
   From: dc750@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Yves J. Meubus)

TUCKER'S MARKETPLACE - 61 YORK ST. - 241-6525

It's...not bad. $10.95 for all you can eat; there's no menu save for a drink one. (Which is okay; not exceptional.)

All you can eat: there's a salad bar which is pretty good, a desert section (various cakes, mousses, ice creams, toppings), a hot food section -- quite a variety, and then various oddities like grilled something-or-other (I don't eat meat, so this is a purely vegetarian review; sorry), and tons of `comfort food.' The food isn't exceptional, but there's certainly nothing wrong with it. It's not unlike what you'd eat if somebody's parents had you over for dinner. Plain, solid, tasty stuff. It was busy enough so that a fresh dish of [...] was put out often; there wasn't any of that gross-dried-out problem you usually see in buffet-style stuff.

However, the idea of $10.95 all-you-can-eat with so much variety greatly appeals. I and my friend ate rather disgusting quantities; one of the plates I came back with was nothing but potatoes smothered in mozzarella, cheddar and green onion, and a pile of squash covered in whipped butter. Mmm -- fat! The squash was really good, which says a lot, given that it's squash. And don't pass up the potato salad at the salad bar, or the baked potatoes. They're very good with potato.

What else? There was an Oriental sort of veg-n-noodle deal I liked, some penne in (weak but creamy) cheese sauce with peppers... Hmm. Nothing remotely experimental, but, like I said, `solid.' And neither my friend nor I eat meat, and we were both impressed with the number of veg dishes.

Oh, right -- service. Since they depend on getting tipped for little things, it was great. Ashtray changed regularly, water glasses never going empty, plates removed quite promptly.

Anyway, now you know where to go next time you're ravenous and craving comfort food. Probably not a place for a first date, given that both I and my friend were crass enough to slip off to the washroom to loosen belts.

   Date: Sat Nov 23 16:18:56 1996
   From: ay028@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (K.M. Mennie)

LE BANCO - HULL CASINO -

It contained items like cannelloni with a tomato cream sauce and smooth ricotta cheese filling, roast carved to your liking lamb, fish (that I had never heard of before but it was excellent), many salads (all beautifully presented and fresh), soup of the day, many desserts (poached pears, babas with rum sauce, fondue.....I could go one but you get the picture.

We had reservations but this is an exception NOT the rule. They do not accept reservations. Go early, the lineups are huge.

And of course going for some gambling later added to the whole experience. It was such a great place to hold such an event. Highly recommended.

   Date: Wed Dec 18 07:18:04 1996   
   From: bj248@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Dora Parisi)

THE PINES - 2259 PRINCE OF WALES

Really enjoyed the evening - over 2 relaxing hours - pleasant and efficient service - dancing to a duo - keyboard & vocal, and good food at a reasonable price.

We split a caesar, had perfectly done steaks - (we were in need of a cholesterol hit), and shared a grossly good desert. There was a nice selection of a half dozen veggies with the main course.

With 1/2 litre of red, 1 beer, 2 B52 coffees, tax & tip, the bill was easy to take at $50. (coupon had a $14 value - therefore $64.)

Nice atmosphere with a fireplace crackling away.

Definitely will be back.

   Date: Tue Mar 12 13:20:07 1996
   From: ac444@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Sandy MacTavish)

THE PINES (MONTEREY MOTOR INN) - 2259 PRINCE OF WALES

They had a large choice of rolls and breads, salads, breakfast and dinner choices, and deserts. They had Belgian waffles, pancakes, French Toast, scrambled eggs, quiche, omlettes made to order with innumerable fixings, bacon, sausage, etc., chicken with lightly curried wild rice (great!), roast beef.... Dessert choices included delicious looking pies, fruit salad, Black Forest cake, steamed bread pudding and apple crumble, custard tarts with strawberries on top, trifle....

Service was good, including non-stop refills of juice, but my coffee didn't stay very hot for some reason? The price was $12.95 plus taxes and tip. Although there is a washroom for the mobility impaired, there is a short flight of (3) steps to get to the dining area. One of the nice features of the dining area, is surround of arched windows that light the place up with morning sun shine. The clavicord music played during the meal added to the enjoyment.

   Date: Sun May 19 08:29:15 1996
   From: cx172@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Elat Lerner)

BROADWAY'S - 1896 PRINCE OF WALES DR. - 224-7004

This time, my whole family went to this place last night. Everyone (including my sometimes critical father) LOVED IT! The items we had were Steak Sandwich, Chicken Parmagiana, Veg Fahitas, Chix/Steak Fahitas, Chicken Quesidillas.

Just the fries (coated) are enough to want to go there. Portions are HUGE not that this is a consideration for quality but it just so happens they have quality also. And the house wine was really good, nice and dry. Again, everything was very fresh and very hot.

For a family of 6, (all adults) a large appetizer, wine, 1 beer, tax & gratuity came to about $110.00

We sat in one of their large booths to have privacy and we were all very comfortable, just enough room.

Excellent time once again was had by all in my family!! The location is the one off Highway 16 by Fisher. The same mall that has Country Style Donuts & Hasty Market.

As an added note: I'm glad I made reservations, the place was packed lastnight!

   Date: Sat Nov 14 09:21:46 1998
   From: bj248@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Dora Parisi)

Broadways in Orleans (although I can't comment on the other Broadways because I haven't been to them). I had the Chicken Wrap and it is really superb. Their fish and chips are fantastic and their pizza is good (but the only thing that they're really skimpy on for some reason).

   Date: Wed Dec 15 01:30:43 1999
   From: cp949@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (David Clermont)

WEST END STATION BISTRO - 3659 RICHMOND RD., NEPEAN - 721-9639

The presentation is always appealing to the eye, but more importantly, the food is always tasty.

The menu usually has a variety of about a dozen or so entrees.

I won't go into what I had the last time I was there as chances are that it won't necessarily be on the menu this time as there seems to be a continual rotation of interesting entrees.

The place is quite popular so reservations may be necessary.

   Date: Sat Mar 27 16:46:40 1999
   From: bu932@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Jim Roy)

THE BLACK TOMATO - 11 GEORGE ST. - 789-8123

It's an excellent choice for a late supper, maybe after you've been to an early evening movie at the World Exchange Plaza. As a bonus, they've got a bin full of lesser-circulated CDs with an emphasis on jazz, blues and "new music" (whatever in heck that is).

   Date: Tue Oct 26 21:28:41 1999
   From: ae965@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Michael DiCola)

Is the service always really slow? Arrived for opening at 11:30, finally were given food nearly an hour later.

   Date: Thu Apr  8 17:36:31 1999
   From: ac391@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (E. McCullough)

The service (at differing times/servers) went from average to excellent. The one server I had almost seemed to know what I was thinking and I waited for nothing. Of course, I love the food there too. I'd wait forever for their Bruschetta.

   Date: Thu Apr  8 23:45:58 1999
   From: be680@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Tara Shannon Tucker)

LE CAFE - NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE - 53 ELGIN - 594-5127

They have a table d'hote with a variety of dishes to choose from. Tonight, they had a wonderful Alberta pepper beef tenderloin for $19.50 and a slightly flavoured chicken dish for $18.50 or so.

Call in and find out what nights they have this chef's specila and make a reservation.

   Date: Mon Apr 12 22:41:41 1999
   From: ct247@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Philip G. Allan)

SANTE - 45 RIDEAU ST. - 241-7113

If you can catch the corner table overlooking the intersection, it's actually a nice diversion when the conversation slips for a minute or two.

Their menu is an eclectic blend of Thai, vegetarian, continental. Service is outstanding. Semi-pricy, but a great place if you're looking for a special experience to share with a special person.

   Date: Tue Oct 26 21:28:41 1999
   From: ae965@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Michael DiCola)

CAFE 101 (CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL) - 101 LYON ST. - 237-3600

The Table d'Hote (sp?) for $19.95 included choice of appetizer (sliced duck on a bed of greens) or soup (spicy Won Ton) followed by entree (Venison with Spaezel, Cheese and Tomato pie, or Red Snapper) with apple crumble and ice cream for dessert.

The venison was superb (first time in a very long time for me) as was the duck. The presentation and taste were amazing for the price.

I somehow doubt the price will remain this low once business picks up (the place was empty at 6 pm on Friday). The A La Carte menu didn't have anything over $20.00 on it either. :)

All told, an excellent meal for a very good price.

   Date: Mon Nov  1 12:58:55 1999
   From: al520@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (James Burrows)

BACO RESTAURANT & WINE BAR - 200 BEECHWOOD AVE. - 747-0272

It has a wine bar and dining area on the first floor, a non-smoking dining room on the second and a loft style Private dining room on the third level. On Saturdays, live jazz is offered from 7 pm.

Our group went there for lunch and sampled the soup of the day that was a very tasty squash concoction. Not being a real squash afficionado, I still liked it.

As entrees, the Pinon pepper crusted medallion of beef with spiced wedge fries and field greens, the open-face, snow-candy grilled chicken sandwich with caramelized bacon and chedder cheese, the Oneida sauteed wild mushrooms with brandy cream and fresh herbs and the baked trout with rice were selected by different group members.

We all enjoyed both the soup and the entrees. I tried the creme brule for dessert and found it quite enjoyable as well. The quantity of food is on the spartan side, but very attractively presented and all was considered quite tasty.

Soup was $4 and the entrees ranged from $9 to $15. Dessert was $7. My bill came to around $37 with one drink, including tip. Evening dining prices for entrees range from $17 to $24.

None of our group sampled the wine. The list looked interesting, if not all that much in the 'economy' range. Not being a wine connaisseur of any distinction, I really can't comment on that part. If someone else tries this place, possibly they can cover that aspect as well.

This restaurant is definitely worth trying if the price range is within your occasional lunch or dinner budget for the slightly more upscale fine dining.

   Date: Thu Nov  4 18:06:19 1999
   From: bu932@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Jim Roy)

TAFFY'S DINER - 100 GLOUCESTER - 234-6582

I am a potato afficianado, no, let me make that more specific. I am a "home-fries" potato snob.

I have been looking for the perfect homefry ever since they closed that little restaurant beside what used to be a theatre in the Beechwood area. Beechwood theatre, I suppose? I think the restaurant was called the "Linden," though it has been so long, my memory is fading. The memory of those deeeelicious homefries is still strong though. I thought I had the famine licked, but then the Green Place( later known as Maxwell's) on Laurier was closed too. Where to go? Where to go?

As with so many things in life, I did not have to go far to find, not perfect, but excellent home fries. There is a little restaurant on Gloucestrer street called "Taffy's." It's a mom and pop place. They make a great breakfast. They cook your eggs exactly how you want them. Their bacon is crisp, flavourful and fresh. And best of all, their homefries have flavour. I like onions in my homefries. They do them just right at Taffy's.

Now, I am not saying that Taffy's is as good as the Linden or The Green Place. But Boy! They are good fries! A complete breaky ( bason, eggs (2), HOMEFRIES, toast and a coffee is about three bucks. Karl

ps. If anyone else thinks they have THE hot spot for homefires in Ottawa, please, please let me know.

Manythanks

   Date: March 31, 2003 2:46 pm
   From: kochco@magma.ca (Karl Koch)