Metropolitain Brasserie Restaurant

We were hungry when explored downtown and decided to try this restaurant. Turned out very nice. We sat in patio, Good meals, decent size, good service. Coffee is good too. Just a minor inconvenient, the young server who served our meals didnt know our meals’ name and randomly put on our table. A lil bit confusion and mixed up but everything sorted out after we asked our real server. Definitely will come again next time.

First time eating here, I came with my sister under her recommendation, and I am not disappointed! I ordered their steak sandwich and she ordered the vegetable sandwich, both are worth the money and both are delicious! You get a choice of either fries or salad with your choice of sandwich. Their vegetable sandwich is very light and herbaceous while their steak sandwich is very savoury and filling! Service was fast, the both of us were treated very well! We didn’t wait long to get food and drink, didn’t wait to get seated and orders taken. Definitely recommend for lunch, their lunch menu has a range of options!

Excellent Lobster and shrimp rolls. Stopped in for lunch, their Aircon was wonderful as was the service and food. The kettle chips were huge and crunchy, I liked the picked green beans too. Espresso coffee was good and punchy. Would definitely recommend for a light lunch.

Great spot!! Where to begin- I made reservations for this restaurant as I went during rush hour, however the venue wasn’t busy, which hopefully won’t be the case for much longer because this place is super underrated. The atmosphere is quiet and warm with soft mumblings of other tables, the perfect restaurant feel. I got the Parisian Honey cocktail (two, if we’re counting) and it was delicious and paired very nicely with the lobster ravioli- it took every ounce of willpower to not lick my plate, but I wouldn’t judge anyone that did. We also shared the burrata which was also incredibly delicious. I got the creme brûlée and a dessert wine (which wasn’t my thing but to each their own) and my partner had the bread pudding, both good, but the meals definitely had more love. Will definitely be back!

Best Breakfast in Ottawa! We had breakfast at The Metropolitain in Ottawa, and it was absolutely amazing. Truly the best breakfast we've had! The food was not only delicious but also beautifully presented — every detail was perfect. The atmosphere felt elegant, and the service was excellent. A luxurious and memorable way to start the day. Highly recommend!

Fantastic experience! The food was delicious, with fresh, flavorful appetizers that set the tone for a great meal. The service was exceptional—our waiter went above and beyond to accommodate our dietary needs and allergies, ensuring we had the best options available. The ambiance was warm and inviting, making the entire evening even more enjoyable. Highly recommend!

Please note, This review is just for the French onion soup. I have tried French onion soup on multiple occasions from different French restaurants in Quebec and in Ontario. This came to my surprise being claimed as a French restaurant, they should do better on the soup. We tried, Grilled Chicken salad and some other dishes, those were superb.

Fantastic French restaurant nestled right in downtown. The fish and chips were prepared extremely well. There are plenty of vegetarian options as well such as the penne. Service is very friendly and quick.

Went there yesterday for dinner and got me the Croque monsieur with a Creme Brulé and OMG that was so delicious . Also our waiter was very nice and professional service was excellent and fast . A bit pricy as a place but definitely worth the couples extra bucks if in the area . Definitely would recommend

Stopped by for dinner with some friends! Very easy to make a reservation on the website. For my meal, I got 6 oysters ($1.50 during hill hour 4-7pm everyday) and the braised veal ($37). Overall great meal and I was stuffed! Service was not bad as well.

Nice lunch spot with old school vibes. Dark wood, tile floor, blah blah blah. Was decent but not decadent? All the things on the menu are very much in line with the brasserie experience Salads were ok Sandwiches were totally fine Ordered veggie sandwich which was messy, sloppy, and a bit unorganized. Service was very good and responsive but hard to overcome the average food. Some co workers also had salad with grilled chicken and looked totally blasé. Overall a positive experience but it was convenient at the time. Your call!!

Booked here for Father's Day brunch, we always pass by and love the atmosphere with the outdoor seating and fairy lights.. it was a gloomy day so lights were on :) our server was a 10! Seriously super kind and helpful , my kids smiled every time she came to the table because of her kindness. We we're happy they had kids meals and even the regular dishes they were so flexible to add things or omit others! Over all we had a very pleasant brunch here and would love to come back for another meal where they have live entertainment outdoor!

A few friends and I made reservations for some birthdays at Metropolitan Brasserie. The restaurant offers traditional French fare, with a focus on meat and seafood. There are some vegetarian items on the menu, but I wouldn't bring a vegan. The restaurant offers half price oysters from 4-7pm, which was lovely. The oysters were fresh, tasty and beautifully plated. I had the beef tartare and it was delicious! It's an appetizer, but I ate it as a meal. My spouse had a steak frites and said it was excellent. This is a wonderful restaurant for some casual, fine dining.

Enjoyed our visit to the Metropolitan while visiting Ottawa. The late hour opening was the deciding choice for this restaurant. It definitely had the ambiance of a Parisian Brasserie. Our waiter was excellent and the food perfect. I had the lobster raviolis with scallops. The scallops were perfectly prepared. So often the scallops are not cooked properly. We definitely would return on our next trip to Ottawa.

A good location for a celebration. We ordered oysters and fish and chips. The service was very good and the restaurant has a good vibe!

It has a perfect location: In the heart of Bayward Market and close to Rideau Canal and Parliament. It has both nice indoor sittings and patio. Well, of course patio won't be suitable for winter time in Ottawa. The staff are very nice and pleasant; we had a really good time because of that. We ordered "Martini" for drinks, "Steak Frites" for entrée and "Flourless Chocolate Cake". The steak was perfectly cooked to medium and the fries were fresh. I enjoyed every bite of my meal.

Desperation makes you hungry. It also makes you grateful. We attended an event on July 19 on Wellington Street that we assumed would include food, but didn't. The event started at 6:00 and we left before it ended, around 8:30 because our stomachs were starting to implode. We were starving and most of Sparks St. was quiet, so we headed to one of my favourite places, The Metropolitan Brasserie. We found a lovely table on the terrace and I had the Lobster Ravioli (you can't cut calories when you're famished) and a glass of prosecco. Amazing! When we arrived we told the server our tale and he was very considerate and brought us some bread and our meals quickly. It was gorgeous to feel the evening sun recede and a nice breeze after a fun evening. Hubby and I have decided to make it a regular date night.

Food was decent, service was good, however the hostess was very unprofessional and lacked any care for customers. She was rude and inattentive, which would've been enough to drive away most aspiring customers. The ambiance inside was lacking but the windows did provide views outside.

Went here during the warmer weather and sat outside. I had the lobster ravioli while the others had Moules & frites, Steak sandwich and the Butternut Squash Agnolotti. Everyone was completely satisfied with their order. Why I am writing this review is because it was one of those experiences, for me, when you go to an establishment and regardless of your contentment you can't help think how you would like to try a lot more of the menu's offerings. It goes without saying I would have to return to accomplish this as the days of eating til I can't move are over (did anyone see the restaurant scene from the Monty Python film 'The meaning of Life'? I think the scene I'm referring to starts off with the line "would you like an after dinner mint Sir..."). The Steak sandwich alone was enticing me from across the table. I will definitely be returning to sample more of their ware. Inside has a very classic interior design and would serve a very nice backdrop to a meal this time of year. The Cod and a couple of other traditional seafood dishes sound exceedingly delicious. Most definitely will sample a couple of the Hors d'oeuvres to share and of course on at least one visit the Steak sandwich.

Very good food with adequate good service. Apparently this is where our PM, Justin Trudeau comes for lunch sometimes. The only complaint that I have is that maybe the servers look down on some of their patrons. When I ordered the seafood bouillabaisse, it came in a kinda claypot with a lid. Nice. I asked for a side bowl to place the empty mussel shells and cracked shells. She looks at me funny with a quizzical look, saying that was an unusual request and tells me to invert the lid and use that as a bowl. When she saw the look of displeasure on my face, she just reached over to the next table and handed me a small bread plate. Like I said, the food was reasonably good but the service leaves much to be desired.

I visited Metropolitain Brasserie with 2 friends just before the pandemic and had a wonderful evening out. I indulged in some delicious and fresh seafood, including shrimp, oysters and mussels. I paired my meal with a fresh Mint Julep Champagne cocktail. It was an excellent experience to indulge in French Cuisine and will definitely be back once indoor dining is allowed again! Thank you to the bartenders, chefs, sous chefs, kitchen staff and servers for all your hard work, especially now!

My husband were in town for a march and wanted to find a place for lunch. This place did not disappoint! The patio is beautiful and reminds you of a French bistro. We got the seafood tower and it was delicious. The snow crab didn't taste fresh, but the rest of the seafood was delicious. We liked the mix of seafood and different items. We split the ribeye Cobb salad. It was rich and delicious! I especially liked the poach egg, which made a delicious sauce for the salad. The steak was cooked perfectly. This is an awesome place for lunch and an even better patio. I could have done without the wasps, but we really enjoyed our lunch!

High-end food. Tried the snails, moules et frites, and the bouillabaisse, they were great! nice setting inside and the patio is spacious. The staff are very friendly.

The outdoor patio is big but no view. Their menu is full of options and the service is good. My salmon was a bit overcooked but not too bad. The martini was Ok but not great. It seems like a good restaurant although I didn't have a remarkable experience. I might try again and I will update my review accordingly in the future.

This place was fantastic! Great food, great service and great that their patio allows dogs. We had the oysters and jumbo shrimps to start, they were 1.50 each so very reasonable. Mains were steak frites and duck confit. Steak was cooked perfectly medium rare and the duck confit was soft and the skin was crispy. Had the creme bruleé to end the night. Jonathan our server was great as well! Checked on us the perfect amount of time and was very personable. When we're in Ottawa we'll be coming back for sure!

Came to the Metropolitain on a Monday evening. We were walk-ins and I wasn't sure if there would be space... Luckily there was. Greeted by a friendly host we were immediately led to a table. Our server was by shortly and he had asked about drinks and regaled us with the specials for the evening. He was friendly and efficient (a good combo). The ambiance in the Metropolitain is decidedly French (think Paris cafe) and the menu is definitely reflective of this as well. We had placed our orders and we had decided to have a bottle of wine with dinner. At no point during our entire meal was my wine glass every empty nor was my water glass. I decided to go with the Steak Frites (Steak & Fries). Yup, it's a winner ! The server had suggested Medium-rare and that is exactly what I got. The steak was prepared exactly right, and was flavourful. The fries were just the right amount of crispy. We decided to go with dessert as well. and those were out in a timely fashion as well. Overall, I like the Metropolitain. The service was attentive and fast. The food was good, although not outstanding. It's a great place, however the price seems a bit high for what you get. And the overall value is why it missed on getting 5 stars. I will definitely be back to try some of the other menu items.

Exquisitely delectable food! The restaurant is elegantly decorated in an old French fashion but the general wear and tear on the tables and booths was a bit of an eye sore. The food was nothing short of excellent! The dishes are mainly seafood related and more on the more expensive side. My compliments to the chef, Couldn't be more impressed! Perfect for a fancy date!

This is not a good review, but it easily could have been. For my daughter's graduation dinner we reserved and ate at Metropolitan last night. The service was poor and the food was adequate but not worth the money. To keep the occasion festive I kept my thoughts to myself but would be remiss if I didn't let someone know. Our server was incompetent or simply didn't care. My wife asked about the cheese tray and he did not know what types of cheese were on it. She asked about the beef tips and he said you don't want that. I asked what the soup du jour was and he replied you don't want that. He forgot our drink order for over 30 minutes and then blamed the bar. The food was just ok, my Arctic char was not fresh. My wife ate half of her steak frites and my daughter ate less than half of her veg pasta. We skipped desert and tipped 15%. Very unlikely I will return.

[Vegetarians: DO NOT read] I always come to this place if I had a hard day at work, away from home. I find comfort, good service and a feeling of being welcome, in a North American interpretation of Art Deco. It's my go-to place for Steak Frites and the occasional Tartar. I don't think there are many places I would go, in the world, for raw steak, topped with a (raw) quails egg, and not worry about my health. In a Nutshell: great ambiance and staff, amazing food and a go-to place for political staffers (def not me) as it is located next to "The Hill" aka the Houses of Parliament, on the other side of Chateau Laurier. Photos show empty bar, as everyone is on the patio (I like it cool)

I have come here for lunch, as well as for Hill Hour. The oysters used to be a dollar each, they are now $1.50 each, and they are not good quality; I would stick with Supply and Demand on Sunday for oysters. Food is decent but not outstanding. Service is very professional. Eating outside is a good experience as it is right below Milestones, and close to Rideau centre so there's good people watching to be had!

I loved the food but I loved the staff the most! Amazing place! The patio was huge and allowed dogs. The staff made sure we were comfortable and well attained. Croquettes were crispy and yet juicy from inside. And oysters were delicious. I expected them to be bigger but these weren't bad.

During our stay in Ottawa we went to Metropolitan 3 nights in a row for a night cap. Although we didn't not order food off the menu we did have some cocktails and wine. The ambiance of the outdoor patio is stunning and inviting. Our waitress Kelly was also amazing and served us all 3 nights!

We only had a beer - so consider that as you read my review. (I'm not reviewing the food!) The location is fabulous in the summer - especially if you can get a spot out on the patio. Beautiful! Our server was great and so was the beer. Would I return: Yes. I have to go back to try the food! :-) Would I recommend: Just for the pleasure of soaking up the nice weather on a beautiful patio yes.

Didn't try any of the mains, but out of the 5 apps we ordered the only one worth eating was the oysters which took 30 min. Will never eat here again. Just not worth my time.

I have been a regular at Metropolitan for over 10 years for one simple reason - it is outstanding. The food is consistently excellent (the beef tartare is always perfect) and the service is the best in Ottawa. I made sure we went there for my mother in laws birthday and they went out of their way to impress all of us, and they did not disappoint. Metropolitain will remain my go-to bistro for great food and cocktails in Ottawa. Probably my favourite place in town.

A great france brasserie. We ate the mushroom dishes (soup and bruscetta) and the mussels & frittes and Bouillabaisse. It was the best meal we ate for the hole trip trough canada. The wine and the Waiter were perfekt we absolutly Recommend this brasserie

Awful Service My friend and I came here for a quick bite to eat on Friday around 10pm. We were seated on the lovely patio promptly, but waited quite a while for a server to come by. The restaurant wasn't very busy. When the server came by, I asked what was in one of the salads listed on their minimal late night menu. The server's response was, "I've never seen it" and just stood there waiting for my order. The correct response should have been, "I've never seen it, but I can ask and let you know". Unfortunately he did not care to check. When our food was quickly placed on the table, we were not offered pepper and the server did not come to check how the food was. Eventually he came by to ask if we wanted anything else. At this time we decided to ask why he said "I have not seen it" rather than offering to find out for us and why he did not come by to check on our meals. He responded, "I do not recommend food that I have not seen" and just stood there awkwardly waiting for payment. I'm unsure why this restaurant has such a disinterested server, but maybe they need to reassess their waitstaff if they want return customers. The food was okay, nothing memorable.

Had lunch with two work colleagues. The service was good, the food was better. I had a salade nicoise with a grilled tuna steak on top. Extra anchovies? You bet. It was outstanding. The atmophere is French Bistro. The prices seemed high by US standards, average for Ottawa.

Wonderful service, good food, creative menu and an outstanding wine list. What more could you want in a romantic dinner? If the weather is nice, dine al fresco on the patio. It's worth it.

Super friendly staff (at least in the patio). Food was delicious and came relatively quickly once ordered. The patio seating was easy to get on a Saturday afternoon. Very attentive service and great location in downtown Ottawa.

Great new outdoor lounge area! In the Downtown Core but you almost feel like you're in a courtyard. Great wine list and their Old Fashion's are some of the best in the city. BEST service in the city so far. I always feel so welcome when there. My drink is never empty and my food was always well prepared and on time. They are known for their poutine quite well. I enjoyed the escargot.

Possibly the worst brunch in Ottawa. Burnt toast greasy tasteless burnt potatoes, eggs were cooked wrong and weak coffee in dirty mugs. For two plates of this crap and two coffee it came to $42 before tip. You get cafeteria style jam and peanut butter packets. There are great places in Ottawa to have a good brunch instead of eating at restaurant stuck in 1990s. 1st and last time!

We were staying in Ottawa on a family trip, and the guy from the hotel front desk recommended this restaurant. Coming from Vancouver, I am sure this place offers AUTHENTIC French food. Unfortunately, I didn't do much research before coming here, so the things we ordered were not what we expected. For example, tuna tartare is just a plate of raw fish with a few cucumber slices, oh well! Again, given the price, Metropolitan Brasserie is a good restaurant with top quality service and upscale ambience. I just don't recommended this place for those who just want to casually try French food (like me).

I've come here for brunch a lot, with a lot of people. Everyone loves it, and I have only nice things to say. - delicious brunch (we've tried every item, always fantastic). I particularly like the blueberry pancakes and raspberry French toast - friendly and professional service, every time - amazing atmosphere (a very Paris /France feel) - if you arrive around 10 am on weekends, you'll tend to beat the rush

My wife and I were looking for a quality, upscale seafood restaurant. Whalesbone would have been our first choice but we're on a budget at the moment. Based on Yelp's reviews, it seemed like Metropolitan was a safe pick. I ordered the lamb shank, and my wife ordered the scallops. We had a plate of oysters for an entree and creme brûlée for dessert. First, the positives. The oysters (fresh) and the creme brûlée met our expectations. The mains, while good, were not what we would consider anything outstanding. Both plates were tasty, however, we didn't think we would have any trouble producing the same results at home; especially, the scallops. Also, I didn't think that there was enough meat on the lamb shank - for $28, I was expecting a bit more. Lastly, the ambience was not what we were expecting. The host made a bit of a big deal about giving us a good table but the truth of the matter is that, at 8pm on a Saturday night, the place was dead - we had our choice of just about any table in the place and it didn't get any busier while we were there. Given all the positive reviews, I was wondering where everybody was. In addition, the decor needs a complete update. Globe lights, red leather benches and stools (think barber shop chairs), sponge painted yellow walls, overhead wooden fans and globe lighting ....VERY 80's. 700 Sussex is a relatively new complex so not sure what's up with the decor? Overall, an enjoyable meal but not great. Probably won't be back.

This is my go to business lunch place, always has a good number of people there for energy, but waitstaff not being run off their feet either. Patio is great as well, Can be a bit hot in summer, but its mostly covered by umbrellas. As far as food goes its definitely better than anything you will find on or near Sparks St. and is worth the walk. If you go a little further into the market there are some good choices but when its 30C and humid out and you are in a suit every step counts ! Hill hour is also a must do. 4-7pm Mon-Thurs ( I think ) $1 oysters and shrimp, cities best mussels and frites and other well priced items.

When I think of the Metropolitan, the first thing that comes to mind are wonderful events! I've attended several PR events here as well as fundraisers, and they are always lovely. The service is great, the drinks are AWESOME, and the food is decent, and familiar. This is a great spot for drinks, and the patio is awesome for people watching in the summer. If you're looking for a spot to host a Christmas party, or other gathering, I'd pop by and check it out!

I can't rave enough about Metropolitain! I have yet to come here for dinner, but the brunch was spectacular and enough to put my faith in how delicious the dinner would be. Same owners as The Grand and Empire Grill - a little expensive, but not overpriced, and the food was definitely worth it. They serve brunch on the weekends between 9am and 2pm. It was about the middle of December so there was no line and we didn't require the reservations we made, though the restaurant began getting packed the closer to lunch it got. I typically order my favorite thing for brunch - eggs benny. Since we were celebrating my both my birthday and engagement, I figured why not splurge and get a bit greedy with all of the things I wanted on the menu. With that mindset, I ordered the steak frites & eggs, which, to my surprise, included two soft poached eggs with hollandaise. With the standard eggs benny in mind, I figured I could do without the English muffins and would gladly replace my boring ham with some steak, so I thought it to be a perfect choice, and it was! The eggs were indeed soft poached with plenty of hollandaise sauce that had just the right amount of flavor and wasn't too heavy. My steak was just the right portion and cooked perfectly - nice grill marks on the outside and on the (much) rarer side of medium rare, just as I had asked (an issue I have at most places who overcook). It also came with a side of a light but creamy horseradish-flavored sauce on the side, which I also used to dip my thin and crispy fries. There wasn't really a need for the multigrain slice of bread that also came on the side, but it was good, and the few pieces of fresh fruit were a nice addition. I also asked for six fresh oysters, three different types, at the recommendation of the server - I can't remember which ones exactly, but they were just what I was craving, and about $3-5 per oyster. Incredibly knowledgeable staff who were happy to help me choose. We topped off the brunch with some mimosas and I was stuffed but did not feel heavy, and incredibly pleased with both the quality of the food and the service. I would absolutely come back!

Metropolitan's service is unfailingly good. I like the restro/Euro/bistro (oh oh oh) interior. I end up here for a lot of client events. Chairs are not very comfortable and tables are close together so don't discuss your secrets. Lots of Hill and lobbyist types. Food - everything is pretty good, some things are excellent but I have never had anything swoon-worthy. Good place for grilled fish or steak and salad. And yes, it is spendy. For this much dough, you might consider one of the Beckta restaurants instead.

Casual restaurant at the border of Byward Market, next to the Rideau Canal. Affordable French fare is featured on the menu, and even though there is "brasserie" in the name (which mean "brewery" in French), the wine card is much more extensive than the beer one. Wines range from affordable ($7 a glass) to pricey, and Canadian wines, especially those from the Niagara regions, constitute a great tasting experience despite their friendly price tag--you won't be deceived! During summer time, there is a makeshift patio made of a numerous tables and sofas placed on the outdoor space in front of the restaurant, at the corner of Sussex St and Rideau St, one of the busiest walkable corners of the city. Although I was seated outside, the service was pleasantly quick and affable, the waiter even going the extra mile to offer dessert after the kitchen's closing time. Portions are copious--with a fellow Yelper, I ordered three appetizers (oysters, moules et frites, and beef tartare) and it was enough to make us full. Perfect to grab a bite and a few drinks, especially when the weather is on my side!

LOVE the atmosphere. Like I stepped into a French bistro, but I'm cool and French too and can speak the language. I can't wait for the summertime so I can eat outdoors on the gorgeous patio. I went with my family, four of us, so two people ordered the Winterlude table-de-hote, each of the two things offered per course so we could all share and try everything. Starters: Really atypical green salad with fennel, green beans, red onion and a Dijon-vinegrette dressing. Hit the spot and big enough for all four of us to get good sized tasting. The roasted red pepper soup was disappointing. It had the look, feel and taste of tomato soup. Mains: I think the kitchen had a bit of trouble with overcooking that night. I had the bouillabaisse and while I loved the broth and clams, and shrimp, the salmon and scallops were overdone. The salmon didn't flake without a concerted effort. Everyone liked their meals enough. The coquille St. Jacques was tasty, but yet again the scallops could have been cooked less. The trout was really nice but the lentils it came with came too buttered. My sister, the vegetarian, had the butternut squash ravioli. Again, I liked it, but they could have been fluffier and the butternut squash seemed to be missing. Too many buttery issues. Dessert: Sick, in a good way. Each plate was artfully presented, with a blackberry and half a strawberry and the decorative swipes of chocolate and caramel across the plates. The lemon tart was velvety and had an amazing shortbread crust, thin. The chocolate cake was like eating a large, expensive truffle, yet it was a gorgeous slice of cake. I hope they make these in-house but if they don't, I am tracking down the bakery.

Typical Market restaurant. A little pricey, good, but nothing great. Nothing really stood out in this meal. I had the onion soup to start. It was okay, but a little on the bland side. Duck confit for main. The duck itself was delicious! The potatoes and mushrooms very bland. The frisée salad was like sawing through grass and there was too much of it. Creme brûlée for dessert. Good. The consensus at the table was that the portions were large. Unfortunately the large portions applied to the cheap bland stuff and not the rich expensive ingredients. Service was okay. Bench seating was uncomfortable. I would return if someone suggested it, but I wouldn't be excited.

We visit this place when we're in Ottawa for Winterlude; it's near most central hotels, Parliament, the Rideau Canal, and Byward Market. They have great oyster specials before 7 and nice local beers on tap. Has a nice French brasserie atmosphere, very cozy on a cold winter's eve. Unfortunately the service has been very spotty. Sometimes they seem dreadfully understaffed and we're on the verge of walking out... but it's so COLD outside, so we wait. Other times, we have a doting server. Last time we were there, the server simply forgot my entree. When I finally realized it wasn't coming, I asked her and she was like, "Oops!" No real apology, no compensation, no guilty face. Relax, lower your expectations... come for the drinks, the atmosphere, the Hill Hour specials.

I enjoyed a late Sunday dinner at Metropolitain. The staff was cheerful and slightly amusing too. The food was fantastic! I had oysters and calamari as appetizers, and the Saddle of Rabbit. I will definitely visit again, and eat on the patio during the spring/summer. I highly recommend Metropolitain!

Good Service with Great location. Great for after work drinks or oysters. Very good French bistro food. Will definitely go back.

Good: The ambiance is lively. Service is attentive. Better: The food is bang-on. Definitely the best place in Ottawa for bistro staples like moules & frites, steak & frites, oysters..... & frites. Have I mentioned the fries are excellent? Don't expect cutting-edge from this place - they won't be fusing Food A with Food B anytime soon. But they do a fantastic job with the classics. Best: The cocktails! I overlooked these in favour of the wine list the first few times. My mistake, as they mix a spectacular negroni and a mean Manhattan. My boyfriend labelled the latter "husky and sophisticated". I then slapped him across the face. It's a tad expensive for regular dinners, but cocktails and fries (or happy-hour oysters) at the bar after work are highly recommended. Dollars: $100 for two cocktails, two dinner meals, tax & tip. The place is large enough to accommodate groups and couples alike.

Brasseries really aren't my thing. Eating French food in France is already tiring enough for me and the last thing I ever want to to do in North America is eat "Authentic French Food." This pricey restaurant is typical of all the brasseries you'll find in Paris: Expensive, heavy, and tasty. However, the menu is more colourful then what you would typically find in a Parisien Brasserie. Duck confit poutine and Duck Shepherd's Pie isn't what you would consider traditionally France-French (Maybe Canadian French?). A good thing too, because the Brasseries in France can be very boring. They serve an incredible amount of seafood in this restaurant, including a large selections of fresh oysters. Unintentionally, I also ordered all seafood too. To start, I had a lobster and oyster chowder (good) and for my entree I had the Crepe of the day, which was a mixture of fish and shellfish, with a sundried tomato sauce to top it off (very good). Our server was extremely well trained and professional and very attentive. The food, nevertheless, came very slowly. Maybe they're cooking it from scratch in the back? I don't know. Apparently the bar in the back is made of a giant sink, but decor wise, I found it to be fairly average, though the spinning fans on the top I actually found to be an annoyance. Was $40 worth what I ordered? Not really. But it's in the heart of Ottawa, next to the Rideau Centre and Westin, and down the street from Byward Market, so I guess you're paying for their location.