Have you ever been to a farm-to-table restaurant? These restaurants are in contact with the local ranches, farms, and fishermen to provide their customers with the freshest local meat and produce they can obtain. When you plan your trip to Ottawa, Ontario, plan to visit one of these establishments for a meal you won’t soon forget. Here are four farm-to-table restaurants to try for each meal.
Wilf & Ada’s – A Scratch Diner
Calling themselves a “scratch diner,” Wilf & Ada’s makes most of their meals from scratch using local ingredients. They are the perfect stop first thing in the morning for breakfast or brunch. If you’re not against a drink in the morning, they have a full bar with local beers and mixed drinks available with your Eggs in Purgatory or Dagwood. With meals in the mid-price range, you are sure to find something delicious and fresh for a decent price. They are very popular and don’t take reservations, so make sure to show up early to get a table.
Clover Food|Drink
For lunch or dinner with inventive and unique flavors, Clover is a great place to visit. Their menu includes the usual beef and chicken yet also includes duck, salmon, and rabbit. Try the Pastured Chicken Panini or the Sockeye Salmon with a local brew or wine. Though this restaurant is a bit more upscale, its atmosphere is a local favorite, and the unique taste is more than worth it. Clover is located downtown within reach of several hotels, so booking one will make a car unnecessary and allow you to enjoy the view of the city.
Albion Rooms
If you’re looking for a high-end farm-to-table with a wide selection of dishes for you to enjoy, then make sure to go to Albion Rooms. With entrées like Elk Tartare and Mariposa Duck Confit, there are many tastes to enjoy with a wide selection of beers and wines. Because it’s located inside Novotel Ottawa Hotel, it can be difficult to find. They don’t offer to take out, so making a reservation is key to getting a table in this popular spot. Don’t be discouraged, however, and stop by for a bold, flavorful meal.
The Whalesbone Bank Street
(c) Flickr by Richard Akerman
The Whalesbone is a seafood paradise with fresh local seafood every day. They serve a variety of fish and shellfish along with brisket, lobster, and squid. The restaurant also offers a full bar so you can add your favorite beverage with your meal. It wouldn’t be a seafood place without oysters, and this place shucks them right at your table! The crowd favorites of clam chowder and fish and chips are available as well. There are four locations in Ottawa, so you can easily find one close to where you are and partake in some fresh, delicious bounty of the sea.
With so many farm-to-table restaurants to go to, you could easily visit them for a whole day’s worth of meals, maybe even two or three. Pencil in a few during your stay to taste the hard work of locals in the area. You won’t be disappointed!
