On my first full day in Ottawa, my aunt Jean took me to Ottawa Farmer’s Market. I think she was a little nervous about feeding a vegan for two weeks. (Even though they know I have been vegetarian/vegan for two decades.) I haven’t been in Ottawa for five years so I was excited to see this “new” market at Landsdowne. The changes to the area blew me away.
I was equally looking forward to cooking for my relatives and introducing new dishes. Hitting up some of the newest additions to the Ottawa dining scene were definitely on my “to do” list.
PURE KITCHEN
My old hockey buddy Nick and I hit up Pure Kitchen in Westboro after a run in Gatineau. Nick grew up vegetarian but still eats meat from time to time. By the end of my visit, Nick was determined to eat more vegan meals and put less dead animals on his place. We loved the cauliflower “wings.” Nick had a burger and I had a salad and lasagna. Pure Kitchen recently opened a second location on Elgin Street. That tells me the restaurant is doing very well.
RAWLICIOUS
Lucy and I ate at Rawlicious, which is a Victorian-style house turned raw cafe. The newly-opened eatery is on Cooper Street, just off Bank Street. I met Lucy in South Korea about 10 years ago. We have always stayed in touch and became good friends over the years. Usually we meet up at a Korean restaurant for our reunions but this time I wanted to try something different. It was a nice change. I had a zucchini dish and veg sushi while Lucy enjoyed a salad and beet burger.
THE TABLE
The Table has been around Ottawa for years. Jean and I went after a day of shopping. She often eats here with her vegetarian daughter-in-law and grandchildren. After all these years, the buffet-style eatery still serves up great veg food. Like most vegetarian restaurants, there’s a thorough listing of all the ingredients. The grub is also marked vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free.
BLOSSOM
Laurence and I ate at the Blossom Vegetarian Cafe on Gilmour (off Elgin). It has a similar menu to Peace Garden in the market. I think they are the same owners. We eat ate a peanut curry dish. I forgot to ask for “no onions” so I didn’t fully enjoy my meal. Still there were some great choices on the menu. The ginger drink is a must try!
KITCHEN TAKE OVER
One night we took over my cousin Katie’s kitchen. We made delicious Buddha Bowls with inspiration from Oh She Glows. We even toasted that no animals had to die for this meal. I was thrilled that everyone was receptive to curbing the meat when I visited.
I had a wonderful visit and I felt my vegan work was done after I heard Sarah and Jean both say they are seriously considering #meatlessmondays. Vegetarian/vegan options seem to have multiplied since I last visited/lived in the city. Yay! I didn’t get a chance to go to The Green Door (one of my old favorites). Maybe I will have time next year when I’m back in Ottawa for Canada’s 150th birthday.
I appreciate your willingness to talk about “dead animals.” It amazes me how often people who characterize themselves as “animal lovers” will rip into a chicken or the muscles of a cow without making the connection. A member of my walking group was once waxing poetic and longwindedly about her grandfather, ” an animal whisperer and healer.” I asked if he ate animals. She was confused and asked, “Do you mean does he eat meat?” Yeah. That’s exactly what I meant. He did and I don’t. If I’m feeling frisky and people ask me about my eating habits, I’ll say “I don’t eat animals.” We have to remind people that that’s the leg bone and flesh of a little lamb on their plate.