Restaurants in Ottawa - Totoya

This is an average Japanese restaurant in the market. They have some all you can eat offer on Friday's which is very little sushi or fish with a lot of deep fried food and a lot of rice. It is also noticeable that all the makis have different sizes and are rolled really badly.

The tempura tastes ok, although they tend to miss out the radish and ginger for the sauce which is an important part of the dish and balances the heavy deep fried shrimps.

297 Dalhousie Street
Ottawa, ON
(613) 241-2224

Restaurants in Ottawa - Ahora

Ahora is a simple Mexican self-service restaurant. I think this is one of the few Mexican restaurants in Ottawa and is pretty authentic.

It is not cheap for what it is. The main dishes cost 9-14 CAD. It is well situated on Dalhousie which is part of the Market area in Ottawa. I had Pollo Asado (chicken with corn tortillas) 13.90 CAD.

Restaurants in Ottawa - Soora

I think this place has changed the name. It is on 610 Sommerset in the middle of China town.

They have a good Bulgogi. My aunt, who is Korean found it quite tasty, so I believe they passed the test!

The prices are not cheap. Main dishes were around 15-20 CAD.

I would recommend it if you are in the area.

Restaurants in Ottawa - Pho Bo Ga LA

This is a very simple treat in China Town. It is a Vietnamese restaurant which serves big bowls of soup for around 7 CAD. There is hardly any decor apart, so not for a romantic dinner or long meal.

The most delicious one is the Pho (vermicelli, meat based soup with some meet on top). Somehow similar to the concept of Ramen. One main difference is that you can order the meat medium-rare or well done and serve a plate of bean sprouts, asian basil, scallions and some chili which one can add according to ones own taste.

I think it is a great option for comfort food.

Restaurants in Ottawa - Joy

This is a good Korean restaurants with some Japanese options. The main dishes are around 20 CAD per person. I liked the Bulgogi Dopbap. Not sounding too picky, I do not find it so appetizing receiving the spicy sauce in a Ketchup type bottle.

I personally prefer the Korean restaurants in 610 Sommerset (formally known as Soora).

Since this is much closer, I would however recommend this Korean restaurant.

Restaurant Joy

315 Somerset Street West
Ottawa, ON
(613) 231-6333

www.restaurantjoy.com

Restaurants in Ottawa - Navarra

This is a good restaurant in the market area.

Main dishes vary from 16-34 CAD. I had the smoked salmon with hazelnut oil 16 CAD. All the dishes are nicely presented and have good flavours.

www.navarrarestaurant.com

93 Murray Street
Ottawa, Ontario
613-241-5500

Restaurants in Ottawa - Le Cafe (in the National Arts Center)

We had brunch here. It is 25 CAD which I do not think is worth it, but there are not a lot of brunch places in Ottawa.

All the food did not look very fresh. For example the salmon lost its colour and looked as if it had been sitting their for hours.

I would not recommend it. Perhaps it is a nice place to go in the summer, since one can sit next to the canal.

Restaurants in Ottawa - Chez Lucien

This is a pub/bar near the market. It is good value for money. I think they have the best burgers in town. Generally the service is good, but sometimes you have to be prepared for a 20 minute wait.

The main dishes cost between 10-15 CAD. Their speciality is the burgers. The Chez Lucien Burger and Bourgeois Burger are both delicious. I like the mushroom, bacon and onion mix, as well as pear and onions.

Sometimes it is good to reserve on Friday or Saturday nights.

I recommend this place.

Restaurants in Ottawa - Black Tomato

The Black Tomato is a restaurant in the Market. It is pretty average, hearty food with good flavours but nothing special. In the evenings, the restaurants light is also very dark so that you cannot see what you are eating.

It is not such good value for money. The main dishes were all around 25 CAD.

I had the tomato salad 9 CAD and short ribs 25 CAD.

www.theblacktomato.com

11 George Street

Ottawa ON

Restaurants in Ottawa - Play

A lot of the restaurants in the market area are very touristy, however this is one that stands out and is good. They pay attention to detail regarding flavours and are able to cater really well to allergies since they make everything fresh. The dishes are all small dishes, so in the spirit of tapas.

We tried the:

-sweet mama squash soup / crispy leeks 8 CAD

-erie pickerel / cumin butter / succotash / jalapeno 14 CAD

-grilled zucchini / bocconcini / bacon / olive / walnut 12 CAD

The Erie pickerel had a great red tomato salsa. I noticed that the chef used lime zest which completed the flavour. Often restaurants use a lot of lime, but if one uses a little lime zest one gets the strong flavour without the sourness.

What was relatively good value for money was the Klosterneuburg white wine from Austria.

I would recommend this place. This is one of my favourite restaurants in Ottawa.

www.playfood.ca

Restaurants in Shanghai - Shintori

This is one of the best Japanese restaurants I have been to!

If you do not know that there is a restaurant, you would not notice because there is no sign at the entrance. The restaurant has a minimalist Japanese style. One can tell that the restaurant owner has been to Japan a lot and embraces those aesthetics.

For those who know me - yes I ate sushi and it was absolutely delicious! The fish melted on the tongue. The flounder was especially tasty!! Not only was the setting impressive (a huge wide-open space and high ceilings), but all the food was beautifully presented. A fun sushi that was innovative and I could imagine would work well in Mexico, was the sushi with Mango and a Shiso sauce (shiso is a herb that belongs to the mint family, but has a very unique flavour which is very different from mint). When you go there are two options: sushi at the sushi bar or warm dishes which you eat in the open space part of the restaurant.

What was noticeable was that the pottery (cups and plates) were all different and that in one meal we had been served on about 40 different dishes and cups.

I was invited to this fantastic dinner, so I never saw prices, but given the high quality of food, I believe that the average meal is between 70 and 100 USD per person.

Shintori

803 Julu Road, by Fumin Road

(in the Former French Concession area)

Tel. +86 (21) 5404 5252

Restaurants in Ottawa - L'Oree Du Bois

So my overall impression is fine. The place looks cosy and inviting.

The starter I tried was salmon and scallops with a chive and beet mayonnaise. Unfortunately the salmon was so old that it was brown (so must have been in the fridge too long and not freshly prepared), which was a little disappointing.

The main I had a chicken stuffed with shrimps that had a delicious port wine sauce. I would say this is a very classical french restaurant that uses a lot of butter and cream. They are able to adapt to a few changes if you have special dietary requirements.

The 3 sorbets (raspberry, mango and lemongrass) taste refreshing and are a nice finish to a heavy main dish.

15, chemin Kingsmere
Chelsea (Québec)

Tel 819.827.0332

www.oreeduboisrestaurant.com

Restaurants in Ottawa - Nokham Thai Restaurant (recommendable)

After trying many Thai restaurants - this is my favourite.

The starters: chicken satay, Nokham spring rolls were all very taste. An especially flavourful dish was the Pad Ped Nor Mai which is served in a pineapple. The Gaeng Caree Gai is one of my favourite dishes (yellow curry with coconut milk and potatoes), however, I believe that the Pad Ped Nor Mai has much more complexity. I also like the egg that they mix into the sauce.

The main dishes cost around $13 which is a reasonable price for what it is. The only thing is that the restaurant is not located close to the centre and therefore you need a car/taxi.

Nokham Thai Restaurant

747 Richmond Road

Ottawa, ON K2A0G6

Tel. 613-724-6620

Restaurants in Chicago - JAM (recommendable)

Jam is a restaurant in west Town (near Wicker Park), where the chef was originally a chef at Charlie Trotter's.

Main dishes are around $17. I tried seared fish with green beans and caramelized onions. They also know their ingredients and take a lot of care with the presentation of the dishes. The fennel soup may not be so exciting, but we thought it might have been a palette cleanser. A way of introducing the delicious dishes that follow.

The tasting menu was $37:

-Fennel soup

-Foie Gras Tortellini

-Ono (which is a fleshy fish)

-Roasted pork with finely chopped olives and figs

-Mini donuts which get dipped into a chocolate mousse

937 North Damen Avenue
Chicago, IL 60622-4949
(773) 489-0302

www.jamrestaurant.com

Restaurants in Chicago - Belly Shack (recommendable)

This will be one of my personal favourites! This great restaurant is conveniently located right underneath the train tracks of Western Station (Humboldt Park).

The restaurant's chef is Korean and has created amazing food combinations. I am not a big fan of pork, perhaps I eat pork 2 or 3 times a year. But if you can, go on a Wednesday. They have a special - Lola's Lechon which is marinated roast pork with an asian accent! Simply outstanding. The Korean BBQ Koki is also amazing!

Prices are very reasonable for the great flavours one gets. The BBQ Kogi costs $10 and the Lola's Lecon was $12. It is an informal place. One orders and pays the food at the counter, but they do bring your food to the table. It is casual-gourmet!

1912 N. Western Ave

Chicago, IL 60647

www.bellyshack.com

Bar Chicago - California Clipper (not recommendable)

The California Clipper in Chicago has a very strict policy regarding ID's. They did not even accept a Canadian driver's license. I would definitely not recommend it if you are going there in a large group. The likelihood that they will reject one person out of the group is very high. Even if the manager is around it does not help because he is completely inflexible.

I would recommend going to the Weegee Bar in Humboldt Park instead. They are more relaxed and have a great list of liquors. As well as lovely light jazz music (Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong).

Restaurants Austria - Pedro's

Pedro's is a family-run business in Lower Austria. Pedro's is a restaurant with delicious dishes that are presented in a classic style.

A speciality of Pedro's is his starter trolley with different fish dishes, a beef salad (from Tafelspitz), egg salad with asparagus and many other interesting starters.

The main dishes change according to season. All dishes are always presented very appetising and service is always very attentive.

With starters, a main and a desert one spends around 60 Euros per person.

Pedro's Restaurant

Dörfl 19

3072 Kasten

Tel. +43 2744 7387

www.pedros.at

Restaurants New York - Wallse

This is an Austrian Restaurant with very good service. Most waiters speak German and if you talk to them you find out that they are all trying some business venture in NYC.

I tried the Halibut ($34) which had a delicious parsley sauce around it. The flavours were not complex, but the dish looked aesthetically pleasing and was tasty.

It is a tiny bit on the expensive side for what it is, but worth it.

Restaurants New York - SEA

This is an extremely cheap Thai Restaurant in the middle of the Meatpacking district.

I had a pad thai which tasted ok.

Most main dishes were $10 which is very cheap for this area.

SEA

835 Washington

New York

NY 10014

Tel. 212 243 3339

www.seathainyc.com

Restaurants New York - Le Pain Quotidien

The good old Le Pain Quotidien in Grand Street. This is a great place for breakfast and small snacks. They even have one or two vegan options which is great if you are lactose intolerant. It is similar to the Le Pain Quotidien in London where people sit on big communal wooden tables.

I had a tartine with black beans which was good $8.55 and a bread roll $0.75. I think it is a good option if you want to have a picnic snack.

Restaurants New York - Cucina & Co

This is a self-service place in the Rockefeller Plaza. The food is not too bad if you want something quick and your in the area.

I tried some asian chicken with rice. I thought it was great that they offered the choice of brown rice. The price is ok value for money $10.62.

Restaurants New York - Quickly

This fast food place is in the heart of New York's Chinatown.

It is great, quick, comfort food. The idea is taken from the Japanese Shabu Shabu. You chose some meat, seafood and vegetables and cook them in a pot on the table (similar to meat fondu).

Dishes vary from $12.95 (2 choices of meat) to $16.95 for seafood.

237B Grand Street

New York, NY10002

www.quicklyny.com

Restaurants New York - Chai Home Kitchen

I have not been to Brooklyn for a long time. It is a great vibrant part of New York with lots of bars and restaurants.

We tried the crispy duck rolls $4, satay $5, yellow curry $8 and Massaman curry $8. Generally the food was good, except the yellow curry was completely different than the taste I expected, so I was not such a fan. We had a great waiter.

restaurants New York - Chipotle

Great fast food with fresh ingredients. Many locations, fast, delicious and rather cheap that is all I got to say!

Chicken salad with beans, rice and a tasty salad dressing costs $7.35.

Chipotle

304 W 34th Street

New York, NY 10001

Restaurants New York - Delicatessen

This is a good restaurant in the middle of SoHo with a variety of dishes. In the summer they open all the windows and they have seating outside. It does however feel very hot when it is 33 degrees celsius and you might prefer the good old air conditioned restaurants.

I had the Chinoise Salad and one of my favourites truffle fries. The truffle fries reminded me of the delicious ones I used to have in the Windy City Fox and Noble.

It is good value for money Chinoise salad $12, truffle fries $8. It is a popular place for weekend brunches cause they have a lot of breakfast dishes as well, so you might have to wait a little.

Delicatessen NYC

54 Prince Street

New York, NY

10012

Restaurants New York - Macelleria

This is a simple, but I would say a rather authentic italian Restaurant in the middle of the trendy Meatpacking District of New York.

We tried the chicken diavola and the linguine white clams (both $18). There was not too much of a wait which often happens in this area and the food came quickly. Most waiters were italian which added to the authentic flare.

Restaurants Montreal - Modavie

This is a restaurant in the heart of the old town of Montreal. Within the touristy places this is one of the better choices.

The food is average. I tried the grilled salmon with raspberry sauce (23 CAD).

1, rue St-Paul Ouest

Vieux-Montreal

Quebec H2Y 1Y6

Tel (514) 287 9582

Restaurants Quebec - Aux Anciens Canadiens

Two floor restaurant with different themes in each room that show the way traditional Quebec homes used to look like.

It is a bit of a tourist trap and not cheap, but the food was surprisingly good.

We tried the traditional poutine (homemade french fries with gravy sauce) 13.75 CAD and a salmon filet in a flaky pastry with vegetables. The mains cost between 32 and 59 CAD.

Restaurants Montreal - Tong Sing

This is a good average Chinese restaurant in the middle of China town. Even though this place was recommended by someone Chinese it did not blow me away tastewise.

I am still looking for a great Chinese restaurant in Montreal, if anyone has any great suggestions!

43 rue de la Gauchetiere Est

Montreal H2X 1P4

Tel 514 940 8811

www.tongsing.ca

Restaurants Quebec - Aspara

This is a restaurant in the old town part of Quebec that has cambodian, vietnamese and thai specialities. It is a nice change from the touristy places in the centre.

The place is decorated like a living room that has asian and french influence.

The food was tasty and good value for money. Main dishes cost around 24 CAD.

71 rue D'Aauteuil

Quebec G1R 4C3

418 694 0232

www.restaurantaspara.com