A great addition to Ottawa…
If you are a vegan/vegetarian, are adventurous and want to try something new, or have friends who vegetarian and want to treat them, you will be happy to hear that Zen Kitchen is open for business on Somerset Street West.
Zen Kitchen is a great addition to Ottawa boasting a calm, comforting, upscale décor – very… well, zen. The plates are made with local, whole food ingredients and can be accompanied with a choice from the respectable wine and drink menu. There is sure to be something to tempt all taste buds.
Our party of five went to celebrate a birthday and, as the only vegetarian in our group (and the birthday girl) it was nice to be able to order anything off the menu! We started with wine and sangria (the sangria was very good) and some starters. The amuse bouche of zucchini with fermented nut butter was a delightful starter! And our appetizers were delicious including a wonderful salad. The organic potato chips with the togarashi seven spice was melt in your mouth tasty.
For our main course we had two orders of the Thai-style lemongrass curry, two raviolis, and one seitan. Not surprisingly the only vegetarian at the table ordered the seitan! The table was quiet as we ate our first few bites. Then the raves and discussion and sharing began! Dave Loan, partner in the restaurant with the amazing Chef Christine Ishii, mentioned that the ravioli is the best seller but the Thai-style lemongrass curry steals the show. I personally found the lightly breaded seitan delicious especially accompanied with fresh, local, roasted baby potatoes and veggies. But I will definitely be trying the curry on the next visit.
After our main courses, we were all tempted with coffee and dessert, a choice of a chocolate mousse cake or strawberry-rhubarb cobbler. I have to say the cobbler was delightful!
I chuckled as one friend added an awful lot of the milk to her coffee pondering why it wasn’t turning white. Of course it wasn’t cream but almond milk – a vegan-friendly restaurant after all. I guess it is part of the education process. I am still smiling as I write this as it really was an awful lot of milk.
The chocolate truffle with the checks was delicious with its hint of mint. Another delightful surprise.
After all was said and done, the only downside mentioned by anyone in the group was that the service was a bit slow. But then we were there for a pleasant evening with friends so that didn’t bother us very much. And it has only been open for a few weeks so I am sure they will work things out.
Everyone in our party said they would go back and for four carnivores that’s saying something! For the next visit we are thinking tapas, organic beer and the patio!
If you are planning on trying it out I suggest you go online and make reservations as it was full up on a Wednesday evening! It’s very easy online at HYPERLINK “http://www.zenkitchen.ca” www.zenkitchen.ca. The full menu is available on the website.
Bon Appetite!
Glenda Myles
Twitter HYPERLINK “http://www.twitter.com/glendam” @GlendaM
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