La Cabana has been my favorite pupusa spot for all time! They are still delicious after my first…read moretaste 20 years ago. They have the best cheese bubbling out the tasty tortilla and their sauce is amazing. The pupusas are huge and delicious. Knocked down stars because the restaurant interior has gone super downhill since new ownership, use to be a great place to dine in!

There are 2 Mexican like places in Ottawa I will eat at. This is one of them. I can't believe I…read morehaven't reviewed these people! I love the atmosphere of the restaurant. If I closed my eyes, I am back living in South America. The live music, the smells and colours, not to mention the bar, all make for a complete experience. The food. OMG the food. I have savoured every single dish I have had there. Nothing has disappointed, or even mildly annoyed me. My several dining partners have all been of the same mind. I love taking people here for the first time and listening to them extol the yummy-ness. Go. If you're a Mexican or South American at heart, this little restaurant in a strip mall will titillate your tastebuds. (note: I can't believe I said, "titillate your tastebuds". That's a first. Lol)

Kicking off my new year new badge with a banger! This was an amazing experience. Three course meal…read more Food was not only delicious but the presentation was on point. Atmosphere was cozy and intimate. While we didn't know what the Italian meant our server was very nice and walked us through the whole menu! 100% would do this again!

The Tuscan potatoes are my new addiction! Service was perfect and super friendly. Very cosy vibe…read moreinside, had a fantastic dinner.

Spainish food in Ottawa. Tapas are very tasty and generous in portions. I had a little bit of…read moreeverything honestly. I really enjoyed the octopus. It was quite flavorful. Came on a bed of vegetables. Oxtail also came on a bed of vegetable. I think this one was my favourite. We had some cheese croquette. Olive cheese... I should've written down the name to make this review. Server was really kind and she was very helpful. Left very full and happy.

We came here as a large group for a friends birthday. We ordered calamari, zucchini fritters,…read morepulpo, shrimp, and a few other things to start. Everything was pretty good. We also got 3 traditional paellas to share. It was very flavourful but the rice is cooked very very al denté which I'm not used to. I'm not sure it was cooked this way even when I had it in Barcelona. Overall though the flavours were there and the portions were good. However, we ordered 3 of the same paella and we noted to them that one of the three was a lot smaller for some reason. We weren't sure if they had made a mistake. To our surprise, the server (maybe owner?) was not surprised at all and brushed it off, staying that it is the same portion in a much smaller pan. Honestly we had more than enough, but it was kind of awkward that they serve different size paellas for the same price. It seems a bit sketchy like they would change the portion on you depending on the group size? Usually when you order something for a set price, it's a standard size. Besides this, the service was good.

We enjoyed our lunch! The service was good. Parking was easy. And the food was good. Not the most…read moreamazing sushi, but good. I HIGHLY enjoyed their edamame. It was seasoned with a sesame oil and seeds. It was a refreshing change up. We shared some calamari which was super good too. Then we shared a salmon sushi pizza but I felt I could taste the oil It was fried in, but the salmon and avocado was amazing!! Loved how It was seasoned!!! The rolls were super good too. The salmon roll was light on salmon but It was good. The house special was so good. Lots of flavor!!! I would try It again for the first time based on this visit. But I think I still enjoy another sushi spot better in the area.

As mentioned in the other reviews, the restaurant is nicely decorated and has a nice menu. Having…read morebeen to a real Izakaya, this is not really an Izakaya. It is a Japanese restaurant with a large selection of appetizers and mains, many are seafood bites and sushi rolls. I was here for lunch and they do have lunch specials that are similar to regular Japanese restaurants'. I ordered the braised pork belly ramen. It was ok. It could have used more flavour. It was a little bland. The noodles were nice. The pork belly was fresh but also could have used a little more taste. The ramen were also accompanied by sliced shiitake mushrooms, baby bok choi and asparagus. I would go back and try something sushi like when I am not pregnant.

I wanted to support a Latinx-owned business during Latinx Heritage Month and saw this gem was…read moreoffering delivery. Plantain Cartel is sort of an extension of the Soca Kitchen (same company, same location) that serves plantain montaditos and patacones. I originally thought it was the Holland location, but it was actually the new Beechwood location that just opened up last month. I might be wrong, but I think everything under Plantain Cartel is only available for takeout or delivery. All of the plantain sandwiches are gluten-free. I got the pulled pork sandwich and the yuca fries. The sandwich had braised pulled pork, roasted ham, pickled onions, mustard, ketchup, garlic aioli, feta, and house pickled slaw in between two large, smashed and fried plantain slices. The plantain was salted and the edges were crunchy, but the middle less so. The pulled pork was tasty, especially with the pickled onions, garlic aioli, and pickled slaw. The sourness of the pickled veg really complemented the pork. I was a bit worried that it wouldn't be as crispy/crunchy by the time it got to me, and, unfortunately, I was right, but that didn't make it any less delicious. I'd like to try it again, but closer to the location, as it started to get even more difficult to eat about halfway through. Super messy and a five-finger, full hands kinda sandwich. Plan for lots of napkins! The yuca fries had a sweet sugar cane glaze and shaved Parmesan. It was sweet and salty and the flavour reminded me a bit of Filipino ensaymada, with the sugar and salty cheese on top. The flavour was good, but the yucca was sliced so thick that it wasn't crispy at all. The photo made it look like they were almost deep fried and crispy all over, but that wasn't the case. Still good, but I was craving the crispy texture, so I was a bit disappointed. I was tempted to also order the ceviche with plantain chips, and the Iberico ham-flavoured gourmet Spanish potato chips. Next time!

This review is for delivery only…read more My friends and I were supposed to go to the Elmdale for patio oysters, but it rained so we had to cancel. My friend recommended we get delivery from Soca Kitchen, which was an amazing suggestion. We ordered a seafood tower. It arrived in about 40 minutes and was fresh, well packed and delicious. All of the dishes were well insulated and remained the correct temperature. All dishes had the right sauces and accoutrements. Soca offers a fancy but delicious seafood. If I have another special occasion, I will order from them again.

My daughter turned 18, and where's a better place to celebrate than Restaurant E18hteen…read more I booked a table a week before to make sure we have a table. Thankfully, there were 2 spots left. The place is very elegant inside out. The service was perfect, music was very classic, food was delicious. An amazing fine dining experience on every level. I felt that their menu is limited. We ordered the following: Grilled Octopus with mint chermoula, roasted chickpeas, 'nduja aiolo, blistered tomatoes & chicory. The Octopus was cooked to perfection & the flavors were amazing. Vol au vent d'escargot Puff pastry stuffed with braised escargot l, goat cheese crumbled, spinach, Parmigiano & mizuna My daughter loves escargot & she enjoyed it very much. Halibut with shrimp & Octopus escabeche, shishito peppers, stewed lentils, butter braised asparagus, garlic parsley oil, cilantro mojo & watercress. It was so good, each component was delicious, when you eat them together it was heaven. Two, 7 oz angus reserve tenderloin it comes with two sides, and a sauce. We had one with mashed & mushroom, the second fries & Ceasars salad. Both steaks were a perfect meduim rare! Mushrooms & Ceasars salad were so good. The mashed lacked seasoning & the fries were too salty. For dessert, they celebrated my daughter with a complimentary pavalova which I thought was so sweet! It was a wonderful surprise. We also ordered pistachio chocolate and it was OMG! The perfect ending.

What a disappointment last night. We clearly informed the restaurant about my wife's gluten and…read moredairy allergies. As well we indicated that subbing cow cheese with goat cheese would be great. Upon arrival our waitress told us she had read the notes and was aware. Much to our surprise, they served her a beet salad....with cow cheese!! Later that evening she became ill as a result. But that wasn't the worst of it. We waited 1 hr and 15 minutes for our main meals. Leading up to that moment they also forgot to serve her gluten free bread, which was store bought and like cardboard. That was 20 minutes after I had finished mine. At this point we had had enough of this atrocious experience. Rather than wait longer, we spoke with both the waitress and maitre'd and asked for our bill. They both lied and told us it would be ready in 2 minutes. Ten minutes later, they showed up with it as we were in the process of leaving and had our coats on. We agreed to sit back down and try the mains. My wife had a sablefish meal that was flavourless and not fresh to say the least. I had a lobster tail meal whereby the lobster was watery and not fresh. Needless to say 1 bite of each meal and the coats were back on and we were settling our reduced bill and leaving. What a disappointment for our special Valentines outing. Never will we go back, and I advise people to do the same.

We went for a seafood experience on a special night where the menu would not be available…read more I hadn't been to Vanier since I was a kid. 1st time here. I was far from home on this cold night. Walked in heels pretty far from a side street as they don't have a parking lot. Greeting was lukewarm. Tiny table for 2 was ready. I have to emphasize... 1 guy was working for the handful of tables this place has and it was the worst service I've had in a long time. Barely there. No care. All we needed from him was drinks and plate removal as it was a small buffet night. Fail. We were easy going guests and he was just ... Not good. Menu was on the annoying download app. This is a Latin fusion spot and I was excited for the offerings. Seafood to me.... Meant crab, maybe lobster bites.. scallops, clams or mussels. No. Shrimp and calamari only. $40 a person and drinks were $16 each. My friend couldn't drink hers for the bitters and getting a replacement took too long like everything else. Oh.. there were oysters but not many came out. I had.. one! 1! Salad. Rice. Fillers. Upon leaving - no thanks. No goodbye. The outside looks amazing and besides the tiny table we could fit nothing on.. it was cute. Modern. But service with the attitude killed it. And lack of options. No next time. But I'm curious how people feel about the day to day menu.

We came here for breakfast as a party of 4 on a Sunday morning. The waiter was funny and explained…read morethe options well. I had the "No Surprise Breakfast" and it was absolutely delicious. The ham was good, bacon was good. Their salad dressing is some of the best I've ever had. Their home fries are amazing. And the English muffins are homemade. I've only ever been here for breakfast but if it is indicative of how their other meals are im sure it is amazing.

This was, without question, the best meal and dining experience I've had in a very long time. It…read morerivals The French Laundry in every way--except the price, which makes it even better. Our party of four began with cocktails, warm olives, and focaccia, followed by the root vegetable salad, scallops, another round of that irresistible focaccia, the cod, and finally the lamb dish. Every course was exceptional--beautifully prepared, perfectly balanced, and absolutely delicious. We couldn't manage dessert this time, but that just gives us the perfect reason to return. I'm not sure when I will be back, but I hope I will have the opportunity to eat here again.

Solid place for dinner. It's a relatively smaller establishment and it's actually hard to tell what…read moreit's like inside b/c from the outside, the blinds kinda block the view. It's a quaint atmosphere with a nice bar. The staff are super attentive and helpful and very friendly. The food is fantastic up and down the menu - appetizers, entree, and dessert. They also have an extensive drink/cocktail menu that was great as well. Will definitely return when I'm back in the area.

We really enjoyed the food. The small charcuterie board was a great way to wet our appetites. The…read moremicro greens and caramelized peaches elevated the Burrata plate. The flank steak was a very good dish, the chimichuri had a good kick, but did not overwhelm my palette. The deconstructed key lime pie was unique and a reason for me to go back in the near future. A few reviews on Yelp criticized the strip mall location/gas station in the parking lot. Sorry, I did not notice because I was busy enjoying the great food and chatting with my wife!

Great food, service and ambiance Fabulous spot for a quiet…read morecozy dinner Friendly service and the owners are on site and in the kitchen

"Soif: A Wine Bar That Forgets About Dinner" I understand…read morethat Soif is primarily a wine bar, but if food is on the menu, the portions should at least resemble a proper meal. Last night, I ordered the fish with vegetables. What arrived was honestly insulting: two tiny, sad slivers of fish perched on a bit of kale -- for $22. I'm not exaggerating when I say it couldn't have been more than 10 grams of fish. Imagine going out for dinner and your "main course" looks more like a garnish. My friend didn't fare any better. She ordered the crab guédille, which turned out to be served on what was essentially a hot dog bun. For the price and the setting, that choice felt lazy and downright ridiculous. Soif may be a place to enjoy wine, but the food should not feel like an afterthought or a joke at the customer's expense. Unless you plan to eat beforehand and only sip here, I cannot recommend Soif for dinner.

Was looking for a wine bar and wanted something different. What sets this spot apart from other…read morewine bars is that they specialize in organic wines. The selection is huge so getting recommendations is very important. I decided to go with a good wine pairing so I could try many different wines. I was not disappointed with the selections. The staff knew so much about every bottle and had a story to go along with it. Service was impressive. The food was good. The highlights were the charcuterie board, pork belly and Brussel sprouts. Ambience was casual and low key. It was a good experience especially having the opportunity to learn and try so much.