Food notes

By the time you read this, maybe spring will be in the air and luring you out to explore the streets of the neighbourhood. Or maybe the old-fashioned winter of 2024-25 will still be with us, and we’ll be burning thousands of calories keeping our driveways free of snow. No matter the weather, Sandy Hill’s restaurants and cafes are ready to offer meals, treats and community.

IMAGE invites you to share your favourite Sandy Hill food experiences with readers. Send your brief review to: editor@imagesandyhill.org

Paula Kelsall

Foodinator
322 Somerset St. E.

The new Asian fusion restaurant on Somerset Street seems to be getting quite a bit of business from students at University of Ottawa. With its lavish murals of animated characters (we especially appreciated the Studio Ghibli wall), it is certainly reaching out to a youthful audience. The menu, which has elements of Thai, Japanese, and various Chinese cuisines, offers generous portions and interesting flavours. On a recent visit, we tried a few of their signature dishes. Singapore Noodles were not the dry, curry-flavoured preparation we are used to, but rather a well-sauced dish of mixed seafood with a spectacular fountain of noodles rising from the bowl, supporting a pair of chopsticks. Flavourful Eggplant, my personal favourite, had been lightly battered and fried with a spicy, mildly mouth-numbing sauce. A “small” portion of the pork ribs was a mountain of meat, which was thoughtfully served with disposable plastic gloves. It looked a little gruesome, but we found the meat tender and pleasantly flavoured, with notes of star anise. Service was kind and helpful, and the kitchen accommodated our request to keep the spice level low.

NOX Eatery & Public House
801 King Edward Ave., 2nd level.  

The pub in the athletic complex at U of O is a little challenging to find. Make your way to the second floor and head toward the southwest corner of the building, above the ice rinks. There you’ll find a cozy space with a pool table, plenty of TV screens for keeping an eye on the sports events of the day, and a window that overlooks the rink so you can watch hockey practice, or just enjoy the sight of the Zamboni making the surface beautiful. On a recent visit I enjoyed the chef’s creation of the day: a bread bowl filled with beef chili and topped with melted cheese. Two of my companions took advantage of the Taco Tuesday special, tacos served in soft flour tortillas, filled with chicken and bacon and a vegetarian guacamole combination. A helping of fish and chips was also much appreciated. We went home satisfyingly full and ready to face a winter afternoon.

Onua Bakery & Cafe
165 Chapel St., unit 2, at Rideau Street

What a relief to see that Onua Bakery has finally managed to open, after so many months in a state of “Coming Soon!” It’s a pleasure to visit, too, with unfailingly friendly service and excellent window seats for enjoying a cup of coffee and a sandwich or a treat. The bakery’s croissants are very good, as tender and flaky as any to be found in the area these days, and we’ve enjoyed the pastries, such as custard-filled cronuts and fruit-topped Danishes. There is a variety of loaf cakes, such as banana bread, which are moist and homey, and the cookies are reliable too. If you’re looking for a really grainy bread, you’ll be disappointed; a 30% whole wheat sourdough is the closest thing they offer so far. But if you’re looking for a soft, white bread for sandwiches, Onua will have what you need for sure.

Portuguese Bakery
48 Nelson St.

The Syrian Kitchen has left the premises of the Portuguese Bakery. It’s a loss for falafel lovers in our neighbourhood, but here’s hoping that their homey Middle Eastern menu will find an appreciative audience at their new home in Gatineau. Meanwhile the bakery is carrying on. Drop in to pick up a bag of their pillowy buns or a couple of natas (Portuguese egg tarts) to enjoy with tea.

More changes happening in the restaurant strip on Somerset East