Winter is finally here and Ottawa is about to start it's Winterlude celebrations with Taste of Winterlude.
Starting today, January 19th,2007, and running until February 1,2007, restaurants across the National Capital Region are offering Prix fixe dinner menus of $20, $30 or $45 per person. The menus include appetizer or soup or salad, entrée and dessert, and reservations are advisable.
We've broken the list of participating restaurants into 4 categories:
Where possible we've include a link to the prix fixe menu, the restaurant's website and the restaurant's promotional blurb.
Most restaurants are offering 2 or 3 entrée options. We've taken the liberty of highlighting one to give you a feel for what they are offering on their Taste of Winterlude menu.
If you check out Taste of Winterlude, we'd love to hear what you think of this year's offering. Just post a comment here or do a trackback from your review on your own blog.
Almost CheapEats ($20 prix fixe or less)
Bay Street Bistro - 160 Bay Street, Ottawa 613-234-1111
$20 Prix Fixe Menu - Chicken Amaretto
D’arcy McGee’s Irish Pub - 44 Sparks Street, Ottawa 613-230-4433
$19.95 Prix Fixe Menu - Grilled Salmon with Maple Citrus Glaze
(Okay, they said $20, $30 or $45... what gives?)
[More details in CheapEats Ottawa on pg. 29]
Ottawa’s authentic Irish pub offers a wide array of Irish beer and whiskeys, real Irish fare and live music four nights a week.
La Dolce Vita - 180 Preston Street, Ottawa 613-233-6239
$20 or $35/couple Prix Fixe Menu - gourmet medium pizzas to share
Ristorante La Dolce Vita has earned a well-deserved reputation as one of Ottawa’s finest gourmet pizza restaurants.We offer casual fine dining showcasing a fresh, consistent, quality-driven, seasonal and unique fare including pastas, calzones and small and large plates but the pizzas are where the Chef's imagination shines.
Mamma Grazzi’s- 25 George Street, Ottawa 613-241-8656
$20 Prix Fixe Menu - Gemelli Pasta with Ground Beef and Brandy Tomato Cream Sauce
[More details in CheapEats Ottawa on pg. 49]
Mamma Grazzi’s Kitchen is located in the heart of the Byward Market. Old world Italian cuisine is featured, with a wide variety of fresh pastas made daily. Our menu also offers hand-rolled thin-crust pizzas and chicken and veal dishes. Our cooking philosophy is ‘al momento’, meaning that each pasta sauce and pizza is prepared to order. Mamma Grazzi’s has been voted “Best Italian” numerous times by the Ottawa Xpress, and recently was listed as a “Great Date Spot” by Cheap Eats Ottawa. Come and join us for fantastic Italian food at reasonable prices.
Not So CheapEats ($30 prix fixe)
Bistro 115 - 110 Murray Street, Ottawa 613-562-7244
$30 Prix Fixe Menu - Crisp leaf of confit of duck, with a cranberry orange glaze
A wonderful French restaurant located in Ottawa’s historic ByWard Market. Bistro 115 is one of Ottawa’s top restaurants and among the best in Canada.
Elgin Café- 100 Elgin Street, Ottawa 613-569-2126
$30 Prix Fixe Menu - Char grilled breast of Duck on Summer Squash risotto with tart Cherry essence and herb winter vegetables
Situated right in the hub of the Capital, with a full view of Elgin Street, the Elgin Café is an elegant, understated venue, infused with warmth.
Hard Rock Café - 73 York Street, Ottawa 613-241-2442
$30 Prix Fixe Menu - Famous shrimp fajitas
Il Primo Ristorante - 371 Preston Street, Ottawa 613-234-6858
$30 Prix Fixe Menu - Cheese filled Tortellini with Prosciutto and Mushrooms in a Nutmeg Cream Sauce
Kinki's Restaurant - 41 York Street, Ottawa 613-789-7559
$30 Prix Fixe Menu - Kontiki Gnocchi Tossed with a roasted red pepper and coconut sauce, with blackened scallops, shrimp and mixed vegetables
This Asian fusion sushi restaurant in the ByWard Market offers a wide range of appetizers and entrees. Sip on a famous Kinki martini while checking out the chef’s artistic creations.
Milestone's - 700 Sussex Drive, Ottawa 613-789-5432
$30 Prix Fixe Menu - Slow-roasted 8oz. Prime Rib,cCrusted with our special blend of signature seasonings, served with au jus & our savoury bread pudding
At Milestone's, we are passionate about great food. Globally inspired cuisine, enticing signature entrees, as well as familiar creations prepared with a twist, adorn the menu.
Prime 360 - 407 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa 613-782-2422
$30 Prix Fixe Menu - Stuffed Roasted Pepper, roasted red pepper stuffed with spinach & creamy herbed ricotta cheese with sweet basil & lemon on a bed of rice, sprinkled with black olives & basil olive oil
Located in the Minto Suites Hotel, Prime 360 is one of Ottawa’s best choices for steak and seafood. Lunch and dinner are culinary adventures and the Sunday brunch buffet is not to be missed.
Savana Café - 431 Gilmour Street, Ottawa 613-233-915
The Southern Cross Restaurant - 404 Queen Street, Ottawa 613-230-0400
$30 Prix Fixe Menu - Baked Red Snapper Vera Cruz - topped with diced tomatoes, black olives and capers. Served with Mexican rice and fresh vegetables
[More details in CheapEats Ottawa on pg. 81]
Sizzling fajitas, mouth watering ribs, Mexican favourites, charbroiled steaks, fish dishes, Louisiana fare and deep-fried ice cream dominate the menu at Ottawa's downtown tex-mex headquarters.
Wasabi Japanese Restaurant - 41 Clarence Street, Ottawa 613-241-3636
$30 Prix Fixe Menu - Sushi Dinner (assorted sushi, shrimp tempura roll)
Sip on martinis, cocktails or hot sake. Relax in our charming split-level dining room, offering hot dishes from the kitchen or specialty dishes from the sushi bar, made right before your eyes.
Splurging ($45 prix fixe)
Capital Dining Room - 361 Queen Street, Ottawa 613-238-2582
$45 Prix Fixe Menu - Black olive roasted veal tenderloin with chorizo and figs, tawny port and veal stock reduction
The Capital Dining Room offers a wide selection of sophisticated fare enhanced by classic vintage wines. Your dining experience is carefully orchestrated by our knowledgeable Maitre d’ Robert Hughes and celebrated Executive Chef Kenton Leier. Impress your associates, clients, or loved ones with our discreet ambiance and the elegant atmosphere of the Capital Dining Room; a perfect venue to accommodate business lunches and dinners, weddings, receptions and corporate affairs. Whether it is a special anniversary for two or a larger event, let the Capital Dining Room provide you with attentive, sophisticated service and the ultimate dining experience.
Château Laurier - Wilfrid's - 1 Rideau Street, Ottawa 613-241-1414
$45++ Prix Fixe Menu - Citrus Marmalade Glazed Striped Bass, Sundried Cranberry and Almond Basmati Rice, Champagne Chervil Essence
(I don't know why they included the "++" but I'm sure it's not because you'll walk out the door with extra change from a $50.)
Daly's (The Westin Ottawa) - 1 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa 613-560-7000 $45++ Prix Fixe Menu - Slow braised duck leg and beef short rib duo, cracked new potato fondante, cider spiked pan juices
(Another "++", I'm sensing a trend away from Prix Fixe)
Empire Grill - 47 Clarence Street, Ottawa 613-241-1343
$45 Prix Fixe Menu - Atlantic Salmon pan seared & topped with a sweet onion, orange chipotle salsa served with basmati rice pilaf
Empire Grill has become the city’s most dynamic meeting and eating place. Superb service and a lively atmosphere. Specializing in steaks, wines and great martinis.
Merlot Rooftop Grill (Ottawa Marriot) - 100 Kent Street, Ottawa 613-783-4212
$45 Prix Fixe Menu - Maple ginger glazed Atlantic salmon, Pan flashed greens, Asian pear and baby cress slaw, Organic carrot and shado beni infused jus
(though I have to add their Bananas 3-styles with rum butter sound pretty good too!)
Métropolitain Brasserie - 700 Sussex Drive, Ottawa 613-562-1160
$45 Prix Fixe Menu - Grain Fed Chicken Coq au Vin with pearl onions smoked bacon and a red wine reduction
We invite you to share in the Parisian brasserie experience with us at Metropolitain.
Perspectives Restaurant at Brookstreet - 525 Leget Drive, Ottawa 613-271-3555
$45 Prix Fixe - Create your own prix fixe menu with selections from our weekly Table d'hôte offerings — or get a $45 credit towards our six-course blind tasting menu.
At Brookstreet’s Perspectives Restaurant, gourmets enjoy world-class fine dining. Let internationally-renowned Executive Chef Michael Blackie surprise your senses with his innovative, award-winning culinary creations where exciting flavours of the Orient meet top-quality ingredients from the Ottawa region. Dine amidst birch tree branches and original artwork by Canterbury High School students overlooking The Marshes Golf Club. The style is upscale, the dress code casual and the atmosphere relaxed. Since opening in 2003 and for four consecutive years, Perspectives Restaurant is the proud recipient of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence as well as the Four-Diamond Award from CAA/AAA.
The Courtyard Restaurant - 21 George Street, Ottawa 613-241-1516
$45 Prix Fixe Menu - Butter Poached Lobster Tail, Grilled Gulf Shrimp, Espelette Pepper Crusted Scallop, Black Rice Galette, Jicama Slaw, Avocado Salsa, Fried Parsnip
The Courtyard Restaurant, which celebrated it’s 25th Anniversary in 2005, is renowned for it’s superb contemporary cuisine and charming atmosphere. Executive Chef Marc Lepine who was named Regional Chef of the Year by the Canadian Culinary Federation in 2006 keeps things fresh and innovative in the kitchen. The contemporary menu draws raves from the loyal clientele who enjoy his creative tasting menus. Reservations recommended.
Indecisive
(aka the restaurants who didn't have their Taste of Winterlude menu pulled together in time to promote it.)
Al's Steak House - 327 Elgin Street, Ottawa 613-233-7111
ARC Lounge - 140 Slater Street, Ottawa 613-233-2888
ARC Lounge & Restaurant in keeping with the hotel is a unique dining experience. The ARC's Executive Chef's food philosophy is to use only the freshest regional and Canadian ingredients, combined with international cooking methods.The ARC Lounge and Restaurant is a combination of intimate and soothing interiors that marry the rich hues of burgundy red on the walls with luxurious fabrics and warm dark woods to create the same sensual aesthetics and sublime comfort as the rest of the hotel.
Arôme - Seafood and Grill (Hilton Lac-Leamy) - 3 Casino Boulevard, Gatineau 819-790-6410
Opt for an evening of gourmet delights in a jazzy, casual ambiance. On the menu: rib roast, seafood, undercut, selection of delicious grilled dishes and all-you-can-eat sweets! In addition, enjoy a wide array of wines by the glass and the Port & Cigar room.
Big Daddy’s Crab Shack and Oyster Bar - 339 Elgin Street, Ottawa 613-569-5200
Enjoy the lively New Orleans atmosphere and sample some of the best Cajun seafood in the city — fresh oysters, live lobsters, king crab, blackened gator and catfish.
Canal Ritz - 375 Queen Elizabeth Drive, Ottawa 613-238-8998
Frescocielo Bistro Italiano - 354 Elgin Street, Ottawa 613-235-7541
Green Papaya (all 3 locations)
[More details in CheapEats Ottawa on pg. 36]
246 Queen Street, Ottawa 613-238-8424
256 Preston Street, Ottawa 613-231-8424,
Papaye Verte - 69 Laurier Street, Gatineau 819-777-0404 (in the old Cafe Henry Burger location)
Haveli Indian Restaurant -
39 Clarence Street, Ottawa 613-241-1700
Highlander Pub - 115 Rideau Street, Ottawa 613-562-5678
[More details in CheapEats Ottawa on pg. 38]
Le Bifthèque (hôtel Ramada Plaza - Gatineau) - 75 Edmonton Street, Gatineau 819-777-3727
Le Café (National Arts Centre) - 53 Elgin Street, Ottawa 613-594-5127
Exquisite food. Impeccable service. Intriguing Venue. These are the hallmarks of the National Arts Centre's popular restaurant Le Café situated along the historic Rideau Canal. Come savour the award winning cuisine of our Executive Chef Kurt Waldele. Enjoy the best in Canadian contemporary cuisine as well as internationally inspired dishes.
Lone Star Texas Grill - 128 George Street, Ottawa 613-562-9865
Mangia Restaurant - 121 Clarence Street, Ottawa 613-562-4725
Maxwell's Bistro & Club - 340 Elgin Street, Ottawa 613-232-5771
Santé Restaurant - 45 Rideau Street, Ottawa 613-241-7113
Cosmopolitan yet casual, Santé offers exotic Asian fusion and Thai cuisine in a comfortably elegant setting. The extensive wine menu features over 100 wines. Curated art exhibits provide a whole new look every visit.
The Fish Market Restaurant - 54 York Street, Ottawa 613-241-3474
Located in the ByWard Market, Ottawa’s original fresh fish restaurant imports fish and shellfish from all over the world. Still one of Ottawa’s most popular and successful restaurants.
TJ Pagoda's - 355 Dalhousie Street, Ottawa 613-562-2228
Tuscan Grill - 1-130 Riocan Avenue, Nepean 613-825-4091
tonight that today is A Taste For Life (note the new link). 
Ottawa's 9th annual celebration of Italian food & wine is coming to Preston Street September 14-18th. 
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