TL;DR/The Short Version: Delicious food at popular restaurant in the Byward Market. The beef cheek was melt-in-your-mouth. The Long Version: I was at Play Food and Wine Bar for a professional event that was sponsored by a pharmaceutical company. We were a group of about 30-40 people and had a section of the restaurant to ourselves. We had a set menu with a choice of mains (beef or vegetarian). We started off with a few hors d'oeuvres served on spoons. Servers were going around with them and I got to try two different types. One was a shrimp on a dollop of wasabi cream and the other was a gnocchi. Both were tasty and prepared us for the delicious meal to come. We all had the mixed salad, which was a spring mix with grapes, candied pecans, and whipped goat cheese, in a cucumber and mint vinaigrette. I loved the different textures and even though the salad came pre-dressed (I always prefer dressing on the side), the dressing wasn't heavy, so I didn't find it too overdressed for my tastes. For my main, I chose the beef cheek (the vegetarian option was gnocchi). The beef cheek was so tender and literally fall-apart. I didn't even need a knife. It was so flavourful too. It came with mushrooms and mashed potatoes. There was an olive and sun-dried tomato sauce on the beef that I found a too potent and overwhelming in flavour, but overall I still enjoyed the main. For dessert we had the chocolate tart. It had salted caramel on it and under the layer of chocolate was a layer of white chocolate fudge. It was very rich and decadent...overly so. I finished it nonetheless, lol. Service was excellent. We had several servers assigned to our group and they were attentive. They kept our water glasses and wine glasses full. Although I enjoyed the Pinot Grigio, I was driving, so had to limit myself to a glass and a half. Play Food and Wine Bar is owned by Stephen Beckta, who is a bit of a local celebrity, lol. His first restaurant is Beckta, which I have been to and while it's more upscale than Play, I actually enjoyed the food at Play more. His other restaurant is Gezellig, which is in my neighborhood (Westboro) and I've been to it a couple of times, and I definitely like Play better. I'm glad I was introduced to Play. The room we were in was lovely. It was long and narrow and had a bar. As with all restaurants in the Byward Market, parking is paid parkade parking or paid street parking only. Review #139 (2025) read more

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Our server was awesome. In fact the staff here were so friendly and fun. She didn't rush us and made sure everything was to our liking. We had such a great experience here. read more

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My second visit and will be back again What a cool vibe - really neat music in a relaxing atmosphere The staff are so attentive, I'd say their name speaks for itself Good wine , great food and lovely play list ! Right next to the Ottowa sign without any type of " touristy " feel Kind of unique ! read more

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We made a reservation here for a special occasion. It has been on my list for quite a while. Checked in and the hostess verified the special event. We were seated on the second floor. I was a bit surprised at how business casual the decor was. It's comfortable, with lots of leather type bench seating. A good portion of the customers were business people. Our waiter knew we were there for a special occasion. He also knew the menu very well and was willing to express an opinion when asked, like what paired well, what his favorites were. All of the dishes were beautifully prepared and delicious. Thank you Play staff! read more

Play Food And Wine - Wine Bars Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

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If you're like us, small dishes are our preference for dinner. Play Food and Wine is definitely the place for this. The choice of dishes and sizes always satisfy us. It was the same that evening. But I must say the Wow moment were, after the entrees, the desserts. Just by looking at them, I have just good memories. As customary, the restaurant offers pairings for each dish but we usually prefer a bottle that could accompany us all along. The Malbec Septima was our choice for the steak, the gnocchi and the salmon. The service was excellent. read more

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It has been awhile since I've been to a restaurant that challenged my tastebuds. This spot was wonderful for a lovely lunch with old friends and good conversation. The timing of the food was just right and we felt it was a luxurious leisurely meal. I'm really glad they left the menu on the table because we referred to it with each dish to help identify what was on the plates. My risotto with sausage had many ingredients and every bite was different and amazing. The charcuterie plate was okay, only one type of meat with a load of crostini, a large dab of grainy mustard and two small sauce containers of a micro slaw of fennel and salsa of pineapple and peppers. The plating was nice for the flavourful fish. The sourdough bread is worth the extra cost with the whipped brown butter. Service was great read more

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Modern small plates restaurant in the heart of byward market. Great for a fancy meal and great for big groups as well. Made a reservation online for a work dinner and was easily accomodated for a large group. On the dinner menu, you choose 2 small plates for $40. I got the toasted fennel gnocchi and steak with fries. All the dishes were plated beautifully and we were quite full after too! I also had the negroni sour for my cocktail and opted for a dessert at the end for an extra $10. The maple pudding chômeur was delicious! read more

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Our whole experience was wonderful!! The food was great! Our bartender was fantastic! We plan to go back for their 8-course New Year's Eve extravaganza! read more

I made a reservation for Thursday night. It was pretty busy, so I'm glad I reserved ahead. They were having a promotion for $40 for two small plates. 2-3 plates was recommended for a full meal. It was a nice promo to try two different things but I didn't see a regular menu to just order a la carte. I got the gnocchi with duck confit, sweet potato purée, butternut squash, kale and a bit of duck crackling. The soft gnocchi with the crispy duck was a perfect pair. It was delicious. However the gnocchi was a bit soft, and not chewier like I'm used to. For my other dish, I got the steak and frites. The steak was very tender but it was overly salted. Fries were ok. Nothing special with this dish but it wasn't bad either. I also tried the mocktail which was kombucha with a few other things. It was sweet and sour and I enjoyed it. Overall the food was pretty good, and service was friendly. read more

Play Food And Wine - Gnocchi - Wine Bars Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

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All good food, great service, cute venue, but a bit pricey. Lunch is $30 for 2 small plates, one cocktail was $19. The Cenote cocktail was light, sweet and refreshing. I started with a fish cake, the side veggies were fresh and crisp. The cake was too heavy on the potato for my liking, but still good, and great crunch. The lingcod was seasoned well, turnip purée was on the sweet side. The veggies were crunchy which I liked. I had a good meal, although expensive for lunch. But I was just visiting Ottawa so maybe these prices are what to expect. read more

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I visited Play for the first time with some colleagues for a Holiday gathering. We were a large group and they seated us at a large table on the second floor which was basically surrounded by windows, really nice on a sunny day! We all ordered 2 small plates as suggested by the menu. The food all came out together which was nice and in two courses. The portions for some of the plates were a bit small, but other items seemed to almost be a full meal. If you are really hungry, I'd recommend ordering 3 (they are all $14). The drinks were good and they had a small beer list (cans and draft). I did not get dessert however my colleagues ordered the crème brûlée and it was apparently delightful. Overall a nice experience and will likely visit again if I have fancy friends in town :) read more

Play Food And Wine - Wine Bars Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

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Went for a friend's birthday with a group of 8. Even with a party of our size, the execution of the dishes ordered was good. Usually with larger groups, there's some inconsistencies I find but this was flawless. Recommend the strip loin, pork ribs, and the sourdough. The whipped brown butter (they call it caramelized butter) is a great addition. Wish the bread was warm though. Servers are knowledgeable and friendly. Food came out a bit slower between the courses. Might be because our group was larger than average. read more

Every bite is delicious. Service is impeccable. We ordered the squid (cooked to perfection), soco salmon (the crispy skin in so yummy!), prosciutto and burrata (perfect pairing), the fettuccine with duck ragu (a must try!!!), and the steak and frites (its good, but pales in comparison to the pasta) Serving size is small for its pricing. We ordered 5 dishes for 2 hungry adults (1 male, 1 female) and figure we should order at least 2 more. Definitely a place with quality. I will come back read more

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I know the young generation like those trendy spots. I also like new, innovative gastronomic ideas - if they are really new and innovative. With Play Food and Wine - first what comes to my mind: 'very small, overpriced portions'. My son will 'hate' me for this statement and the 3 stars - he would gave given 4 stars at least. He liked most the wine menu with some very interesting options on it. We had a Persan from Nicolas Gonin (Isère) - which was really good for CAD 85. Please get me right I like small portions with a multiple course gourmet dinner - I'm also willing to pay the price for good food - no worries about that - and they have mentioned up front that you need 3 to 4 plates to get enough but those will adding up and you will not even get some bread with the cover. But the ambiance of the restaurant is very nice and service was really great - very friendly a little up-spaced but that's ok for the restaurant. The food was ok nothing special - I had the linguine with shrimp - good but no surprise at all (and the linguine were hardly self made) - also the tuna crudo was ok - I would have expected just the little more or unexpected... but you get 'business as usual' for a little more dollars. ... ;-) - therefore the 3 stars from my perspective. Overall not a bad eating experience and we nevertheless had a lot of fun with the family in a nice environment- and that's at the ent what it is all about. read more

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So we were greeted by a arrogant waiter...our party of 3 ordered 2 cods, 1 steak and 1 sausage...then our waiter looks down on us and assumed we don't know how to eat at higher end restaurants (well after the food we had if this is considered a higher end restaurant I wonder how low the bar is to be considered "higher end"). The food was ok. The cod was ok, little too over cooked and dry. The steak (medium/well) was chewy and dry (any steak eater knows this is a red flag of steak that's been sitting for awhile). The sausage was dry but has a decent amount of favor. So many good reviews but I just don't see it.. read more

Relaxing, comfortable spacing, and an elegant selection of dishes. We had multiple servers who were eager to meet our needs. The R&B music provided a fun atmosphere. The portions are on the small size. It is great for those who don't want to overeat and still feel like they ate enough. read more

Went for Christmas celebration. We had a tasting menu and it was a delicious experience.

Been here many times over the years. Always a wonderful experience. Their staff is lovely and very helpful with any recommendations for food and wine pairings- and the vegan options never disappoint. read more

I was staying nearby and decided to try Play Food and Wine for one of my meals out in Ottawa. I walked in around 6:00 pm on a Monday and it wasn't too busy yet. Even so, I opted to grab a seat at the bar which was definitely the highlight of my experience! The bartender was super friendly and happy to share his knowledge about Canadian wines that I had no idea about. The menu is succinct and changes all the time. It's small plates style so best to go with someone and share; however, since I was alone, I opted for two dishes by myself: the fresh fig with goat cheese and prosciutto, and the Asian beef brisket. Unfortunately, neither dish really did it for me. I'm not one to complain about food and always excited to try new things, but the flavors and texture of the fig dish didn't go great together, while the beef was more of a mushy meatball that was definitely filling but not very satisfying. I'm sure if I had been with more people we could've gotten more dishes and maybe one would've wowed me, but these really missed the mark. On the plus side, they do have a good lunch special (two courses for $22) and a nice charcuterie selection. That, paired with some nice wine service, could warrant a return visit if you twisted my arm. read more

Play Food And Wine - Figs, goat cheese, prosciutto, chive, oranges - Wine Bars Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

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Ok...I get it. I see why this is easily one of the hottest dining destinations in Ottawa. I honestly didn't expect to be this impressed. Located in the middle of downtown, steps from the national gallery, this modern eatery is dishing out Canadian inspired tapas style plates. The $22 lunch special features any 2 menu items. This is more than enough for one person as the portions are far bigger than your average tapas plate. My lunch choices: Grilled halloumi cheese: there is a lot going on here, and it's all phenomenal! The sweetness of the honey pairs perfectly with the grilled smokey cheese. Red deer pappardelle: yes you read that correctly, deer. A beautifully constructed dish full of fall flavors: squash, tomatoes, mushrooms & onions. But of course the star is the deer meat, which was more enjoyable than any beef I've had. Tender, juicy, with a subtle hint of sweet. My first deer experience won't soon be forgotten. Ricotta fritters: this is culinary art brought to life. Tender ricotta fritters surrounded by chocolate crumbles all swimming in a strawberry sauce. And is that a kumquat? Are you kidding me? This must be desert heaven. All the buzz is more than justified. A table at Play is worth whatever wait or parking issues you may have to go through..... read more

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Play is an excellent pick for a relaxing dinner where you can unwind and savor a variety of dishes while enjoying the company of others. Our group of 10 had a wonderful experience. I enjoyed the warm elegant atmosphere and the service was both personable and professional. Since the dishes can be served tapas style, there are many shareable options including cheese and charcuterie plates to start with. Our waiter advised that the entrees could also be shared, but they are prepared in smaller portions with the intention that each person can order two to try. Listed with each entree is a suggested wine pairing to compliment the dish. **TIP: The entrees are listed beginning with lighter options at the top and become richer as you move down. Both of mine were definitely more substantial than I anticipated: I began with the Hanger Steak ($17) which came with a generous pile of natural-cut fries. The steak was cooked to a perfect medium, however was chewier and contained more gristle than expected. Flavor-wise, the slightly sweet marinade and grilled flavor was delicious. As for my second entree, I went with the Red Snapper ($16). The pan-seared fish was cooked well throughout and had a nice crispy layer on top. The Parmesan broth, kale and lentils provided freshness and a mix of textures making for a satisfying dish overall. I preferred this to the Hanger Steak. Prices are on the steeper end, but for a special occasion I feel that treating yourself to a nice meal at Play is worthwhile. Keep in mind that the service is more leisurely paced. The expectation is not to be in and out quick so plan for at least a 2-hour meal for the best experience. Menu: http://www.playfood.ca/Menus/tabid/4167/Default.aspx read more

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If you like tapas style eatery, go here in heart of downtown Ottawa near Hayward Market. It was a festive atmosphere, Winterlude when we decided to try our luck without any reservations. We got lucky however we were offered a two hour window only to sit and eat which was more than enough for us as we wanted to continue our promenade outside. We ordered start offs of heavy and light: gnocchi, sweet potatoes wrapped in bacon in cream and swiss chard and tuna crudo with cucumber, melon and tangy naranjilla. We did order another popular dish prawns with rice and red Thai curry but we were disappointed since we found it very ordinary. Each tapas on the menu listed wine suggested accompanyment. We drank Bordeaux Superior which we don't normally drink from- we always like try something new! If you're really hungry tapas ain't for you. Great for intimate occasions! Need to reserve in advance since it is a popular eatery. $$$ read more

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The steak was extremely chewy!!! I have no idea why they could serve this at a restaurant in the center. The curly hair waiter was not professional. He looked at us funny when we ordered 4 plates for 3 people while the other table of 2 ordered 2 plates. What's wrong with this attitude ? Very Disappointed !!! read more

Play Food And Wine - a plate of food on a table - Wine Bars Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

Careful, this restaurant is NOT worth the hype. Food: the food was good, nothing exceptional, but it was tasty. We had the gnocchi, cod, halloumi and beef tartare. Our favourites were the halloumi and cod. The gnocchi was too zesty to my liking. Price: this is the factor that REALLY sets me off. For a small tiny plate of beer tartare, it cost us $15! This cow better be eating gold grass because otherwise, it is SO NOT worth the price. The portions were SO TINY. I was not full at the end of the meal and I think I overpaid for what it was worth. Ambiance: the ambiance could have been nice, but a big group in the corner completely ruined it for me. They were SO loud that I had to scream across the table to have a conversation with my friend. At no point did the staff go over to simply give them a friendly reminder that they're in a public place, should not be standing on the chair nor screaming on the top of their lungs. Overall, it was not my best meal. read more

Play Food And Wine - Wine Bars Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

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The food/tasting dishes had so much flavour and our server had such a comprehensive knowledge of her craft

Might be the best gnocchi I've ever had. Everything about that dish was perfect. The steak was good, cooked perfectly. read more

I have to agree with previous reviews, the quality of food & service certainly decreased over the years. Yesterday was my third consecutive annual visit to PFAW and I left a little underwhelmed. Nevertheless, my previous experiences were great and this review reflects my overall opinion. The historic location, as well as the small plates menu initially drew me to try out this restaurant. Upon my first visit I fell in love with the cheese selection and the wine pairing suggestions which accompany every tapas item on the menu. PFAW pride themselves in locally sourced ingredients turned into upscale fusion dishes. Service at PFAW has always been impeccable. The wait staff are extremely knowledgeable and if you're unsure of what to eat/drink, they ask the right questions to figure out the perfect pairings. It seems, however, that the morale of the staff has gone down, which is unfortunate because most of the staff have worked there for years. Yesterday's dining experience felt slightly rushed and less personalized. We ordered the Beet Salad ($12.00), Beef Tartare ($15.00), Fries with Garlic Aioli ($7.00), and the Three Cheese Platter ($17.00/ most of the cheese comes from various regions in Quebec). The fries have always been to-die-for--a perfect balance of saltiness & crispness. The Beef Tartare was slightly under seasoned and the Taro chips, which were served as an accompaniment, were a bit greasy. The vegetables in the Beet Salad (radishes & beets) were unevenly cooked & cut, resulting in hard vegetables. The Cheese Platter was great as usual. I especially enjoyed the apple butter which helps counter the fat from the cheese. I look forward to returning in the upcoming years and seeing how PFAW continues to upkeep their charm. read more

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Went here for Valentine's Day. Their food and wine selection is fantastic, service is always incredible and I love the atmosphere. The charcuterie board is great and their desserts are great too. If you want a nice, upscale date spot, this is it. Obviously a bit on the pricier side, but you get what you pay for! read more

We were excited to try Play as sharing small dishes is our favorite way to eat and Play is highly reviewed. The dining room is light and airy, decorated with interesting art from the nearby Alpha Gallery. Play is known for its wine pairings. When we asked our friendly waitress about wines, she quickly offered to give us each a taste. The wine decided (it was really nice), we turned our attention to food. Our first dish was the grilled sour dough with brown butter. The sour dough arrived warm and I am a big fan of the brown butter, but the bread was heavily salted. For good bread, no extra salt is needed. And at 4 dollars, the bread was a disappointment. Our second dish was the vegan coconut arancini. The dish was artfully plated. The arancini themselves were expertly fried with just a hint of coconut. The problem was the pickled mango. It too was extremely salty and overpowered the delicate arancini. And 20 dollars seemed like a lot of money for only 3 small fried balls of rice. Our third dish was the striped bass, usually among my favorite fish. The bok choy that accompanied the fish was cooked expertly with firm stalks and wilted leaves. The fish itself tasted more like cod than striped bass. It was very fishy tasting. I set it aside (something I almost never do with fish), although my partner enjoyed my leftovers. Our final dish was the toasted fennel gnocchi. The dish was prepared with mushrooms with the pork jagerwurst on the side as I do not eat meat but my partner is a tolerant but committed carnivore. This dish was also over salted with the gnocchi tasting heavy and doughy. Luckily, the white wine pairing suggested with the gnocchi was very nice. We decided to seek dessert elsewhere and walk home. Overall, an enjoyable evening with albeit with a disappointing, overly salted supper. read more

Attention to details. Love the food and service. I have came here to dine for 4 times. Every time is a pleasant experience. There is nothing on the menu that I wouldn't try. read more

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Seared scallop and gnocchi were excellent. Sparkling wine from Niagara was recommended and did not disappoint. Great atmosphere inside. Service was also great read more

TLDR Came here on a Friday night and ordered 3 plates: seabass, trout, and pork belly. Seabass was our favourite. Cooked and seasoned perfectly. Trout was just okay - covered in a heavy cream sauce that overpowered the fish. Pork was good - nicely caramelized skin with a lot of flavour. Fair prices, especially for the portion. Will be returning to try more! read more

Play Food And Wine - Wine Bars Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

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The best food and service in town! Their seasonal menus are never boring. My favorite restaurant in Ottawa.

We were tourists in town and had no idea how good this restaurant is. We enjoyed multiple small plates. The presentation was good and the food was wonderful. Next time we get back to Ottawa. We will go hear on our first night in town. read more

Anyone who knows me, knows that "fancy" food and restaurants scare me. Legit, I feel anxious if I don't understand the menu. I have, in the past, felt embarrassed and even had tears sting my eyes if I'm too overwhelmed and don't know what anything is. Last night, my beautiful sisters in law and I went to Play. Before going, I studied that menu so hard! If nothing else, they had steak frites...I'll be ok. Well, let me tell you...I did not have the steak. One sister insisted I try new things, and the other (fellow Newfoundlander) assured me that there were new things for her, too. We ordered cured Arctic char, pork belly, beet salad, grilled halloumi cheese, charcuterie, goat tostado, beef tartar, and Brussels sprouts. Not all of it was for me, but I did try it all and it was YUMMY!!!! And I would totally go back. I know.....who am I? New leaf? Perhaps... read more

Play Food And Wine - Pork belly, beef tartar, charcuterie, grilled halloumi, goat tostada, beet salad, Brussels sprouts and arctic char...all yummy! - Wine Bars Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

We decided to visit Play on reservation while in Ottawa as our special night out. When I booked I made a note to mention that we were celebrating a special occasion. I just want to being by saying that at no time was this request acknowledged or asked about so I assume whomever receives the reservations made no note to inquire further about that - I had planned to order some champagne and a few extras but without an opportunity from the team those orders did not happen. This did colour the remainder of our visit... We ordered the, butternut squash soup with truffled crème fraiche $8, the grilled halloumi with zucchini noodles, piperade, olives and peanuts $15, the beef carpaccio, with jerk spice, jalapeños greens and comté $16 and finally the duck wings with fennel, kumquat, sweet & sour sauce $17. My wife enjoyed the butternut squash soup but found the halloumi to be tasteless and not well cooked. We cook with this regularly at home and they burnt it to the point of char - when we inquired with the server we were informed that is how it was done. Most of it went uneaten in the end. The beef carpaccio was quite good and I loved the spicy kick of the jalapeños. The duck wings were cooked well but overly sauced and it coated my mouth in an unpleasant manner. By the end of these items we were both unsatisfied and still pretty hungry. The claim to not be tapas bar (the owner apparently prefers to not be called that according to the server) but they do like to be referred to as a sharing plate restaurant. That said, the portions are not large enough to share, and the prices are too high to order too many items. I ended up ordering a gnocchi dish that is no longer on the menu and it was ok We decided to finish out meal with the baked Alaska served with boca negra, meringue and gelato $10, this was a nice way to end the meal. Overall, I feel like the experience could have been better, and while the overall skills of the kitchen were here I think there were enough bumps along the way that ruined it for us. For some it might be a better experience so don't take my review as the gospel. Eatcrest Out read more

Food and service were good! I strongly recommend making a reservation as they don't open the upstairs right away. We came here last minute and were lucky enough to be seated at the counter. They have a small selection for the menu, but the variety they offer is good and the flavours combinations are interesting. We ordered the carrot fennel soup, pork belly, and hanger steak, and finished with the baked Alaskan. They change up their menu frequently, so you may not see some of the dishes posted on yelp. They also have menus catered to food preferences / allergies if needed (vegetarian/gluten/dairy). read more

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We had duck and pork terrine, steak, and seafood linguine here for lunch. Portion is not big, but just good for me! They are all very delicious! In particular, their dessert is the best that I have had in Ottawa so far read more

Play Food And Wine - Wine Bars Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

Amazing service and amazing small plates made from local good quality ingredients. Would definitely recommend!

We had an awesome and enjoyable time here. We were walking around in the market and decided to stop in here on a whim, surprisingly enough were were able to be seated at a table in the main follow portion without having to wait, despite not having a reservation. We had a board of cheeses and pate, the soft Quebec ash rind was my fave. It was creamy with a hint of nuttiness to it. We also had the beef Tartare. Lovely! Hanger steak and sea bass were the mains. Perfectly seasoned and cooked. An added bonus was getting the matching recommended wines to pair with. Spectacular and fun! read more

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