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By Kristina Sparkes
Get any group of people together in Vanier these days and talk often turns to the future of our neighbourhood. With all the exciting changes that are happening, many of us are hopeful that an exciting mix of restaurants and retailers will someday line all three of our main streets - adding to the walkability and village feel that we love so much about Vanier.
We are off to a great start with many fantastic options available right now! Let’s get out there and support our local establishments and small businesses – it is up to us to prove that Vanier is a great place to operate a business.
The Vanier ‘Must Taste’ list includes fourteen unique tastes from our neighbourhood. These are the dishes that get my taste buds excited, the delicacies that I bring home to serve my guests, the places where I meet my friends and some of the unique culinary experiences that one can only find in and around Vanier.
Some tastes on this list are from our neighbourhood staples that most of us are proudly aware of and continue to support; but if there are items that you haven’t yet experienced – I hope you are tempted to venture out and give them a try!
Here is the list (in geographical order).
- Sunday Night Family Dinner - Da Bombe (18 Beechwood): This bustling little café at the corner of Beechwood and Charlevoix is known for its amazing desserts but did you know it also serves a traditional Sunday night dinner? For $23.95 you are treated to a prime rib dinner complete with Yorkshire puddings and of course, a fabulous dessert. Seating is limited so Sunday’s dinner is by reservation only – call (613) 741-0044 to book.
- Week Night Dinner – Arturo’s Market (49 Beechwood): It is impossible to pick just one thing on Arturo’s menu. Their homemade pasta, thin crust pizzas and paninis are all consistently excellent. Fresh without too much fuss – it’s perfect local weeknight dining.
- Cheese Counter - Jacobson’s (141 Beechwood): The selection of cheeses at Jacobson’s is second to none. Just tell them what you are looking for (Pungent? Creamy? Nutty? Musky?) and they will let you sample until you find just the right flavor and texture for your salad or cheese platter.
- Poutine – Vanier Snack Shack (200 Deschamps Ave): And speaking of cheese… My 11 year old nephew (a self-designated poutine expert) ranks the poutine from the Vanier Snack Shack in his all-time top three. And he is not alone – people come from far and wide for the comfort food and friendly service that we are lucky to find right here in our backyard.
- Maple Syrup – Vanier Sugar Shack (300 des Pères-Blancs): Bottled maple syrup is made from sap harvested from trees in Richelieu Park and boiled down to our iconic syrup at the Sugar Shack. The Sugar Shack opens seasonally around December 1st but products are available year-round at the Vanier Museopark.
- Vegetable Soup - Maskali (23 Selkirk): There are many delicious East African options to try here at this small restaurant tucked away in Eastview Plaza but at $1.50 the soup with coarsely chopped root veggies and a lightly spiced broth is warm, filling and probably the best bargain on this list. The “heart” of this soup and all the recipes at Maskali is an aromatic concoction of green pepper, cumin, garlic, coriander and other traditional spices. **Get it while you can – I was very sad to learn that the restaurant has been sold and is scheduled to close November 15th. Stop in and let them know that you hope they will reopen in another location in Vanier.**
- Pupusas - El Tucan (85 Montreal Road): This colourful Salvadorian restaurant famously prepares these traditional corn tortillas filled with cheese, pork or beans served with curtido (fermented spicy cabbage slaw) and tomato salsa.
- Smoked Meat - Bobby’s Table (255 Montreal Road): Bobby’s Table has very quickly and firmly established its place as the neighbourhood hub of Vanier. The congenial hosts, welcoming environment, bargain breakfast specials and of course, their smoked meat, make it everyone in Vanier’s second kitchen table.
- Charcoal Barbequed Chicken - Pili Pili Grilled Chicken (355 Montreal Road) and YKO Charcoal & BBQ Chicken (375 McArthur): We are blessed with not one but two options in our neighbourhood for authentic West African spicy wood charcoal grilled chicken. The whole chicken is rubbed with spices (available in spicy and mild) and left to marinade before it is placed on the grill to create a juicy flavour that puts those grocery store birds to shame. (Call ahead to place your order YKO 613-747-8947 Pili Pili 613-695-7454)
- Double Chocolate French Toast – Todric’s (10 McArthur): Take your brunch up a notch at Todric’s. There are lots of great diner breakfasts to be had in Vanier (favorites include Fontenelle, Vanier Grill and Eddy’s on Montreal Road) but Todric’s offers slightly more elegant breakfast options such as four varieties of poached eggs (including smoked salmon, gluten free cheddar and Cajun chicken) and showstopping French toast made with double chocolate bread made especially for Todric’s by the French Baker in the Byward Market.
- Pizza – Louis’ Restaurant and Pizza (181 McArthur): This Vanier institution on McArthur Road needs no introduction. Their egg dough, thick crust pizza is cited as the best in the city by many - including Councillor Mathieu Fleury who challenged any of his colleagues to dispute this on CBC Ottawa Morning last week.
- Macarons - Hearty Bakery: Arguably the best macarons in the city are made right here in Vanier. Sisters Erin and Amanda Hearty do not have a storefront but make appearances at most local events and if you place an order though their website www.heartybakery.ca you can pick up from their production kitchen on Jeanne Mance.
- Pie - Agop’s Bakery (304 McArthur): These delicious pies are similar to a thin crust pizza that has been toasted and folded in half. It’s heaven you can hold in one hand! There is a great selection of pies at this Armenian & Lebanese Bakery including meat, cheese, feta and spinach and Soujouk (an Armenian sausage). They are great value ranging in price from $1.50 to $3.75.
- Lunch Buffet - Golden India (408 McArthur): This buffet allows you to try most of Golden India’s extensive menu for only $11.99 seven days a week. I am not brave enough to try it but, I have heard from local foodie Kirsten Duke that their Bangalore Pal is very authentic and so spicy that it requires a gallon of milk to eat all of it.
Photos: Kristina Sparkes and Hearty Bakery; Image Design: VanierNow;