Ottawa-Gatineau Restaurant News

[rocketphish]

Canada's famed British Hotel calls last call in hard economic times

Gary Dimmock, Ottawa Citizen
Published Nov 06, 2023 • Last updated 5 hours ago • 2 minute read



The famed British Hotel, a watering hole since 1834, has called its last call.

They poured their last pint the other day after a storied past of hosting everyone from Canada’s first prime minister to royals, country music stars and killers on the run.

Just across the Ottawa River in old Aylmer, the stunning original stone building was built as a luxury inn for tired travellers.

It was everything to everyone, only in different decades.

It was so broad it went from a place for Ottawa politicians who drank in the afternoon to live music at night by country stars like Ian Tyson and Charley Pride, and then drugs and brawls in the 1980s. Eventually, it fell into disrepair.

Then, in a remarkable restoration under the direction of owner Mike Clemann, the old hotel and its fresh enterprise inside was said to give new life to old Aylmer.

“It was a real dive when we bought it,” Clemann told the Citizen in 2016.

At the time, he said the landmark smelled like a sewer and he poured millions into restoring the building to its original splendour.

The British, while no longer a pub and restaurant, will still be running its boutique hotel rooms and café under new operators Belmont Entertainment. They will use the former pub as an event space for everything from weddings to comedy nights.

In an email to staff, dated Oct. 29, Clemann said the history-steeped pub was forced to close due to hard economic times, noting “with higher inflation and rising interest rates, which results in higher cost of goods and general expenses for the British Public House and Restaurant, we are compelled to close these operations as we know it.”

The new version of the British Hotel lasted eight years, and Clemann apologized to staff for “any stress and inconvenience this sudden announcement may bring.”

He then asked employees to turn in their keys and grab any belongings in staff lockers.

In the email to staff, the owner also thanked them for their loyalty and said he understood the “shock” some may be experiencing. He also said it was an honour to know “you all and have the British play some part in your journey.”

When Clemann and several private investors bought the building, they were met with jeers when they closed the doors for a top-shelf restoration. They didn’t cut corners, and, at times, he said it felt like a labour of love. It paid off when they found original wood beams under grimy carpets and old stonework behind drywall.

“When we closed the doors, about 300 people came out to protest,” Clemann told the Citizen’s Janet Wilson at the time.

“Everyone was freaking out. They were worried that this was an end of an era and about the legacy of the place.”

Years later, the end of the British Hotel has finally come, with the former operator citing today’s hard economic times.

[email protected]

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-new...l-calls-last-call-in-hard-economic-times

[phil235]

Originally Posted by acottawa

It would be interesting if people provided examples of the restaurants they have a high opinion of.

Personally I love the Rowan, Three's Company, Paper Tiger, Prohibition, Town, Oz, Thali, Chez Lucien, and the old standard the Courtyard. Am waiting for a really special occasion to try Harmon's.

[OTSkyline]

Some of my favourites include Johnny Farina, Fratelli's, El Camino, Feleena's, Evoo, etc.

[J.OT13]

Tango Nuevo... in Kingston is excellent!

There are some decent restaurants in Ottawa, but I've yet to find a place that's fall off my seat good.

[Richard Eade]

Years ago, we found a small restaurant that had just opened at 474 Hazeldean, in Kanata. It was named after the owner’s son, and was so new that they were still waiting for their liquor licence. ISSACS very quickly became our favorite, and we tried to go as often as we could. The blending of various flavours really set it apart. (And, of course, we loved the ‘Duo-Soup”; which swirled two thick, creamy soups of contrasting colours into one bowl. MMMmm.)

Alas, the original ISSACS closed down, but opened a few years later in another location. We didn’t get out to its re-boot, at 650 Kanata Ave., but I hear that even that location is now permanently closed. Maybe third time lucky?

But that is in the past; currently, we have been supporting Mr. Phở, at 1861 Robertson Rd. Run by one older fellow, it is not a large restaurant, but the flavours of his stir-frys are enticing, and the portions are big enough to have leftovers for a lunch the next day.

For chains, I found one that was pretty good this past summer, Panago Pizza. We spent the better part of a week at the VNL, held at TD Place, but found nothing appealing, food-wise, at Lansdowne. This gave us the opportunity to try out various places up and down Bank St. – including Bank Shawarma & Poutine, Mad Radish, Subway (not recommended as they heavily put salt instead of the asked-for pepper, and they didn’t even notice), Panago Pizza, etc. The one that we returned to a couple of times was the Panago Pizza. The crust seemed fresh, and the food was fast and hot. It was within easy walking distance; over the canal, and just a bit south of the Sunnyside Library.

[Marshsparrow]

Sorry if my original post came across as harsh - it wasn't directed at a particular restaurant - I tried to write it in the vein as "sometimes" and from some of my generalized experiences. I'm enjoying the posts about restaurant finds and there are some that I 100% agree with and some others I have not tried that I will make a point to do.

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by OTSkyline

Some of my favourites include Johnny Farina, Fratelli's, El Camino, Feleena's, Evoo, etc.

This is an excellent upper mid list. I'd add Khao Thai in the same vein.

Lower end options are harder to find and I'd add say La La Noodles, Sansotei Ramen, YKO Chicken.

[Spoonsy]

oooh i like where this thread is going

a non-comprehensive list of spots we like, alphabetical order, mostly walkable from either mine or friends' places so many neighbourhoods aren't well represented. variety of price ranges, cuisine types, and some are just takeout counters. prices are climbing for sure but life is short

• Annabella's Kitchen & Lounge - Preston
• Art-Is-In - City Centre
• Astoria Bistro - Gat
• Beyond The Pale/Smoquehouse - City Centre
• Bibi's - Wellington W
• Cameline - Gat
• Cheshire Cat - Carp
• Cocotte Bistro - Centretown
• Daldongnae - Somerset W
• Datsun - Elgin
• Dreamland Cafe - Preston
• El Camino - Elgin
• Farinella - Rochester
• Heartbreakers - Parkdale
• Kal's Place - Hazeldean
• Katha - Preston
• K, Let's Eat - Preston
• Kochu - Preston
• Koichi - Somerset W
• Kuidaore - Preston
• The Manx - Elgin
• Mekong - Somerset W
• No Forks Given - Somerset E
• North and Navy - Nepean
• Parlour - Wellington W
• Pesto's - Hazeldean
• Raphael Peruvian - Elgin
• Retro Gusto - Preston
• Sidedoor - Byward
• Soif - Gat
• St. Elsewhere - Somerset W
• Subito - Gladstone
• Thali - O'Connor
• Umbrella Burger - Preston
• Vietnam Palace - Somerset W
• VIV Vain in Versailles - Preston
• Yangtze - Somerset W

i'm not a high-end foodie/wine pairing type so i'm not saying these will all blow your mind with their flavour complexities but they're just good spots

[harls]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Never tried L'Aubergiste.

The place looked cozy, and I will admit I never tried it either. It seemed like one of those 'hole in the wall' places you'd never find unless a buddy told you about it.

[DTcrawler]

Glad you asked because I've been meaning to make a semi-comprehensive list. Off the top of my head, in no particular order:

Byward Market:

Gyubee, Fairouz Cafe, Play Food & Wine, Sidedoor, Restaurant E18hteen (you may run into an MP here), RamaKrishna, Bistro Ristoro, Wang's Noodle House, The Courtyard, NeXT, Bite Burger House, Luxe Bistro, Chez Lucien, Alirang, The Shore Club.

The CBD + Centretown:

Thali, Beckta, 1 Elgin, Riviera*, Aiana, Tosca, OCCO, Madison's, North & Navy*, Citizen, Pancho Villa, The Greek Souvlaki Shack, Mamma Teresa Ristorante, Al's Steakhouse, Gitanes*, Harmons Steakhouse, Giulia, J:unique Kitchen, Datsun, Sansotei Ramen, Genji, Pizzeria da Romolo, Arlo*, Wilf & Ada's, The Whalesbone, Fauna, Hanabi, Aroma Meze, Trofi, Social Thai, Kinton Ramen (chain restaurant, but a very good one).

The Glebe + Old Ottawa South:

La Strada, Cantina Gia, Flipper's Seafood, Thr33's Co., Erling's Variety, Jericho, Last Train to Delhi, The Rowan, Wei's Noodle House, Table SODAM, The Belmont, Paper Tiger.

Chinatown + Little Italy:

Pho Thu Do, Rangoon, Kochu, Daldongnae Korean BBQ, Jadeland, Saigon Boy, Mekong, Yangtze, Korean House, Lola's Kitchen, Cafe Orient, Koichi Ramen, Ha's Dim Sum, Le Poisson Bleu, Green Papaya, La Fiesta Latina, Rosebowl, Atelier*, Ciao Italia, Wandee Thai, Trattoria, Ayla's Social Kitchen, Giovanni's, Perch*, EVOO Greek Kitchen, Dreamland Cafe, Mati, La Roma, Alice*, Umbrella Bar.

Westboro + Wellington Village + Hintonburg:

Cadena, Lexington Smokehouse, Gezellig, Brassica, Fratelli, Trio Bistro, MHK Sushi, Napoli's, Chesterfield's, Stofa, Wellington Diner (owner is a nutcase), Stofa, Supply and Demand*, Pubblico Eatery, Joe's Italian Kitchen, Caffe Mio, Wellington Gastropub, Parlour, Siam Bistro, Bar Lupulus, Anthony's, Tennessy Willems, La Bonita, Absinthe, Hintonburg Public House, The Third, Newport Restaurant.

Everywhere else:

Cabotto's, Pocopazzo, ViaMarzo, Aperitivo, Vittoria Trattoria, Biagio's Kitchen, Cyranos, Sona the Indian Kitchen, Habesha, FRASER, Dhruvees, Chilaquiles, Pelican Seafood Market & Grill, Bonus: L'Oree du Bois (located in Chelsea, but was voted fourth best restaurant in Canada in 2021).

*Denotes ranking in Canada's top 100 restaurants for 2023.

[Spoonsy]

Originally Posted by DTcrawler

Glad you asked because I've been meaning to make a semi-comprehensive list. Off the top of my head, in no particular order:

Byward Market:

Gyubee, Fairouz Cafe, Play Food & Wine, Sidedoor, Restaurant E18hteen (you may run into an MP here), RamaKrishna, Bistro Ristoro, Wang's Noodle House, The Courtyard, NeXT, Bite Burger House, Luxe Bistro, Chez Lucien, Alirang, The Shore Club.

The CBD + Centretown:

Thali, Beckta, 1 Elgin, Riviera*, Aiana, Tosca, OCCO, Madison's, North & Navy*, Citizen, Pancho Villa, The Greek Souvlaki Shack, Mamma Teresa Ristorante, Al's Steakhouse, Gitanes*, Harmons Steakhouse, Giulia, J:unique Kitchen, Datsun, Sansotei Ramen, Genji, Pizzeria da Romolo, Arlo*, Wilf & Ada's, The Whalesbone, Fauna, Hanabi, Aroma Meze, Trofi, Social Thai, Kinton Ramen (chain restaurant, but a very good one).

The Glebe + Old Ottawa South:

La Strada, Cantina Gia, Flipper's Seafood, Thr33's Co., Erling's Variety, Jericho, Last Train to Delhi, The Rowan, Wei's Noodle House, Table SODAM, The Belmont, Paper Tiger.

Chinatown + Little Italy:

Pho Thu Do, Rangoon, Kochu, Daldongnae Korean BBQ, Jadeland, Saigon Boy, Mekong, Yangtze, Korean House, Lola's Kitchen, Cafe Orient, Koichi Ramen, Ha's Dim Sum, Le Poisson Bleu, Green Papaya, La Fiesta Latina, Rosebowl, Atelier*, Ciao Italia, Wandee Thai, Trattoria, Ayla's Social Kitchen, Giovanni's, Perch*, EVOO Greek Kitchen, Dreamland Cafe, Mati, La Roma, Alice*, Umbrella Bar.

Westboro + Wellington Village + Hintonburg:

Cadena, Lexington Smokehouse, Gezellig, Brassica, Fratelli, Trio Bistro, MHK Sushi, Napoli's, Chesterfield's, Stofa, Wellington Diner (owner is a nutcase), Stofa, Supply and Demand*, Pubblico Eatery, Joe's Italian Kitchen, Caffe Mio, Wellington Gastropub, Parlour, Siam Bistro, Bar Lupulus, Anthony's, Tennessy Willems, La Bonita, Absinthe, Hintonburg Public House, The Third, Newport Restaurant.

Everywhere else:

Cabotto's, Pocopazzo, ViaMarzo, Aperitivo, Vittoria Trattoria, Biagio's Kitchen, Cyranos, Sona the Indian Kitchen, Habesha, FRASER, Dhruvees, Chilaquiles, Pelican Seafood Market & Grill, Bonus: L'Oree du Bois (located in Chelsea, but was voted fourth best restaurant in Canada in 2021).

*Denotes ranking in Canada's top 100 restaurants for 2023.

nice list homie!! got a few on here i've gotta try

[DTcrawler]

Originally Posted by Spoonsy

nice list homie!! got a few on here i've gotta try

Thanks! Will admit there’s a few on that list I haven’t tried yet but they’ve been highly recommended to me by people I trust.

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by DTcrawler

Glad you asked because I've been meaning to make a semi-comprehensive list. Off the top of my head, in no particular order:

Byward Market:

Gyubee, Fairouz Cafe, Play Food & Wine, Sidedoor, Restaurant E18hteen (you may run into an MP here), RamaKrishna, Bistro Ristoro, Wang's Noodle House, The Courtyard, NeXT, Bite Burger House, Luxe Bistro, Chez Lucien, Alirang, The Shore Club.

The CBD + Centretown:

Thali, Beckta, 1 Elgin, Riviera*, Aiana, Tosca, OCCO, Madison's, North & Navy*, Citizen, Pancho Villa, The Greek Souvlaki Shack, Mamma Teresa Ristorante, Al's Steakhouse, Gitanes*, Harmons Steakhouse, Giulia, J:unique Kitchen, Datsun, Sansotei Ramen, Genji, Pizzeria da Romolo, Arlo*, Wilf & Ada's, The Whalesbone, Fauna, Hanabi, Aroma Meze, Trofi, Social Thai, Kinton Ramen (chain restaurant, but a very good one).

The Glebe + Old Ottawa South:

La Strada, Cantina Gia, Flipper's Seafood, Thr33's Co., Erling's Variety, Jericho, Last Train to Delhi, The Rowan, Wei's Noodle House, Table SODAM, The Belmont, Paper Tiger.

Chinatown + Little Italy:

Pho Thu Do, Rangoon, Kochu, Daldongnae Korean BBQ, Jadeland, Saigon Boy, Mekong, Yangtze, Korean House, Lola's Kitchen, Cafe Orient, Koichi Ramen, Ha's Dim Sum, Le Poisson Bleu, Green Papaya, La Fiesta Latina, Rosebowl, Atelier*, Ciao Italia, Wandee Thai, Trattoria, Ayla's Social Kitchen, Giovanni's, Perch*, EVOO Greek Kitchen, Dreamland Cafe, Mati, La Roma, Alice*, Umbrella Bar.

Westboro + Wellington Village + Hintonburg:

Cadena, Lexington Smokehouse, Gezellig, Brassica, Fratelli, Trio Bistro, MHK Sushi, Napoli's, Chesterfield's, Stofa, Wellington Diner (owner is a nutcase), Stofa, Supply and Demand*, Pubblico Eatery, Joe's Italian Kitchen, Caffe Mio, Wellington Gastropub, Parlour, Siam Bistro, Bar Lupulus, Anthony's, Tennessy Willems, La Bonita, Absinthe, Hintonburg Public House, The Third, Newport Restaurant.

Everywhere else:

Cabotto's, Pocopazzo, ViaMarzo, Aperitivo, Vittoria Trattoria, Biagio's Kitchen, Cyranos, Sona the Indian Kitchen, Habesha, FRASER, Dhruvees, Chilaquiles, Pelican Seafood Market & Grill, Bonus: L'Oree du Bois (located in Chelsea, but was voted fourth best restaurant in Canada in 2021).

*Denotes ranking in Canada's top 100 restaurants for 2023.

I might quibble with a couple of those, but it's a good list. I would have added Soca Kitchen and Coconut Lagoon to the "everywhere else" list.

[Davis137]

Dreamland Cafe and El Dorado Taco are both fantastic...

[MountainView]

Chick Fil A going in at Tanger Outlet as a stand-alone building near the roundabout at Palladium and Huntmar

Site Plan docs --> *warning: opens a PDF document

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by MountainView

Chick Fil A going in at Tanger Outlet as a stand-alone building near the roundabout at Palladium and Huntmar

Site Plan docs --> *warning: opens a PDF document

Oh joy.

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by Davis137

Dreamland Cafe and El Dorado Taco are both fantastic...

I really do enjoy El Dorado Taco.

[SL123]

Mary Brown's is going to open at 400 Rideau street in the building where the old TD used to be

[btap]

Koichi Ramen is opening a location in Westboro, there's a sign in the window. Koichi's first location is in Chinatown.

It's going in the spot where the Newboro was (before the landlord evicted it for owing like 40K in rent, according to the notice on the door).

[Dengler Avenue]

Originally Posted by btap

Koichi Ramen is opening a location in Westboro, there's a sign in the window. Koichi's first location is in Chinatown.

It's going in the spot where the Newboro was (before the landlord evicted it for owing like 40K in rent, according to the notice on the door).

Sansotei’s better.