Ottawa Foodies

Went here on a Sunday mid-day when it first opened. Although the restaurant wasn't busy and we were seated promptly, we left after not being served (not even drinks) after 20 minutes.

Would never go back.

Was here for the first time today for a layoff-lunch for a coworker. It seems they want to try to be an 'upscale' place, and I guess either I am decidedly not their intended audience, or they just aren't pulling it off very well. To me, it had a very 'faux' feeling to the entire atmosphere, and is not a place I would really want to go back to. TVs to gawk at while at the urinals may be someone's idea of 'hip', but honestly that's the last thing I need shoved in my face when I'm doing that. That's not "hip", it's rather gauche, and I would normally be the last person using that word.

On the upside, the waitresses sure were easy to look at. Going way back to the debate on the matter on this site some months ago, I don't think it's overdone at all, and I don't think they are 'slutty'.

The service was exceptionally good, I'll give them that much. We were want for nothing, and anything that was missing or otherwise requested was swiftly brought to the table. And while most of the prices on the menu seemed a bit high to me, the burger and fries I had were reasonably priced, and I came out the door with that and 2 beers for less than I would at a lot of places.

Absolutely superb! Could not possibly be improved! The only real complaint is that they coyly ask if you want herbed mayo instead of ketchup to be 'European', but they don't tell you they are going to charge you 70 cents extra for it whereas the ketchup is free.

Zym - I believe it's actually against food law guidelines to cook hamburgers anything less than well-done (unless you sign a waiver like at The Works). At the place I used to work people would sometimes request a rare or medium burger and we would always say flat-out no due to the laws. Anyways, my point is that probably your burger wasn't supposed to be undercooked and the grill person screwed up - next time send it back :)

It was a big burger at a decent price with lots of toppings and a great bun - normally I'd be pretty satisfied. I'm still trying to figure out, though, just what it was that didn't click with this. I think it was undercooked for my liking, and I recall that they did not ask me how I wanted it. I don't mind not being asked as long as they are going to cook it on the safe side of not asking, but cooking something medium or less without asking is just plain wrong and potentially dangerous. This could have been such a great burger if only it had been cooked more!