All photos courtesy of fieldtripp on Flickr.
Better know a Neighborhood is Apartment613’s knockoff homage to Stephen Colbert’s famed Better Know a District. Our goal is simple: find and write about interesting parts of the city. For the first part of this not-so-innovative series, we headed to West Wellington Village (or Hintonburg, we’re never quite sure). For our encore we went to the oasis of hipness nestled on the border of deepest, darkest Vanier.
 Fraser Cafe – 7 Springfield Road
Katie - I think I’m in love… usually I balk at a two egg breakfast over $4, but this was worth the extra cash. It was nice to hear that the Cafe’s move to a larger space (they now seat 62) has paid off. Definitely on my must brunch list. Ryan - I really miss the grilled cheese sandwich they used to have on the brunch menu. It was freak’in good. Roasted tomatoes and mushrooms (I think). The brunch is amazing grilled cheese or not. The Huevos Rancheros wasn’t my favourite thing though. I’d go for the fish next time. François – To me, the Fraser Cafe remains the primary reason to return to Beechwood again and again. Every week, the brunch menu offers a different smoked fish with bagels. It’s always to die for. |
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 Dale Smith Gallery -137 Beechwood Avenue & Voix Visuelle – 81 Beechwood Ave
Katie - Dale Smith (pictured left) was a great gallery… I saw lots of stuff that I liked, and although the pieces were quite different from each other they had a similar feel. Plus the owner was super nice! It seems like the kind of place you can walk into and start up a conversation about arts. François – Every self-respecting neighborhood needs a good art gallery or two and these lead the way in New Edinburgh. Granted, Voix Visuelle is much different from Dale Smith in that it’s an artist centre more than an art gallery. Until recently, the gallery showcased the work of José Luis Torres, a piece showcasing the “precarious space configuration that traces the accidental outlines of a spontaneous landscape.” Now, that is art. Ryan – Dale Smith was a cool little spot and the chat with the owner was nice. The gallery will have Jonathan Hobin this fall – a show I am really looking forward to. |
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 ZaZaZa - 143 Putman Ave
Katie – Fried egg, pickle, humus… on a pizza? It’s either genius or just plain eccentric. As soon as I saw the menu I almost regretted having already filled up at the Cafe, until I remembered that I could come back. I think the aptly named Scarry Roomate pie (kraft dinner, hot dogs, cheddar, parmesan) needs to be tasted to be believe. François – Manager Caitlin (pictured left) was super friendly once she figured out that we weren’t spies bent on stealing her idea (boy was she wrong). She’s pretty confident she’s got the best pizza in town…only one way to find out! Ryan – It’s tough to talk about a restaurant where we didn’t eat, but this does seem like it would be worth a trip (and almost had us contemplating a dinner in Beechwood that evening). The price point of the place also seemed reasonable, which is refreshing. |
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 Studio Four30 - 30 Marier AvenueFrançois – A great discovery that just happened to have a wine and cheese event the afternoon we walked by. It’s a space for professional and amateur photographers alike. They rent their space so if you’re interested in booking check out their website. Katie – I think this picture captures the spirit of Beechwood… a working class neighborhood with a gentrified veneer slowly coming into focus. The picture was taken outside of Studio Four30, a new full service photography studio. Apparently they do a lot of work with modeling agencies… I had no idea there were any in town! Ryan – This place was a bit odd to me, but I guess it’s probably indicative of the type of businesses that can locate here. The rent is likely more reasonable allowing for some innovation. |
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 The Shrine House – Ask around for the house with the virgins
Katie: This place is crazy! The owners have gone all out to turn their front lawn into a shrine for… we’re not quite sure what. Lots of nativity scenes and baby Jesuses, but also mickey mouse figurines and other toys. I can’t even imagine what they do for xmas. Ryan - I love a good Virgin Mary. |
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 Neighborhood gossip – Some place on BeechwoodFrançois: Seems like the neighbourhood needs a bit of work in some areas. This is beyond gritty. Lazy business owners or what? Anyone know what’s happening with this row of empty businesses? Katie: Well, you didn’t hear it from me, but I heard that the owner was just letting them get run down and won’t rent them out for some reason. Some of the neighbors feel that its holding the development of the the neighborhood back. Ryan – It’s not that the entire street needs to be a shiny marvel of yuppie-dom, but landlords should have some responsibility to keep a standard of up-keep (in fact I assume they do). |
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 Arturo’s – 49 Beechwood Francois: We ended up at Arturo’s in the middle of the afternoon so the place wasn’t exactly bumpin’ and we did not get to try their food. Apparently they make dynamite paninis and sandwhiches. Their lemonade was the perfect boon for the summer heat. Ryan: if you’re looking for a recommendation the owner’s pick was the “Spicy Arturo.” They’ve got another renovation planned that should give the place less of a take-out-counter feel. Everything is made on-site. |
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 Epicuria – 419 Mackay StreetKatie - Nothing says gentrification like a fancy food store… I accidentally stole a cookie here. They shouldn’t put the sample bowl so near to the other stuff! Ryan – even better is when you can connect with the owner on twitter. Follow Tracey Blackat @epicuriadotca. She might even let you know the specials… |
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 Isobel’s Cupcake – 117 Beechwood Avenue
Francois - Possibly the best cupcake store in the city? I’ve heard that more than once about Isobel’s. After trying out one of their cupcakes, I’ve got to agree. They also sell delicious and original looking cookies and other candies. Katie - A best Cupcake post may be in order… oh wait we already did one. Still, I wonder how Isobel’s would face off against the Flour shoppe or Aunty Loo’s? Ryan: I think this was also one of the first cupcake shops in the city – so they should probably get some first-mover advantage. |
Oooh, if you do a cupcake post, please include The Best Cakeshop and Mangia Cookies (just cookies, no cupcakes… I know). Both are completely nut-free bakers and Mangia Cookies is totally peanut, nut, dairy and egg free (which is a really great option if a parent at your school decides to bring in cupcakes for the entire class to share and your allergic child can’t have one…. because this happens ALL.OF.THE.TIME and to date, I haven’t found a commercial allergy-safe cupcake in this city.) /rant.
Come to Little Italy next! I love the better know a neighbourhood posts.
One place we missed is the dive shop – anyone know much about it? Anything else we missed out on?
I recommend Jacobson’s for cheese and Art is In Bread, and Bread and Roses for fantastic scones!
Bridgehead! I love Bridgehead at the corner of Beechwood and Putnam.
And Jacobson’s. Such a lovely place too. Artisan. Gourmet. A must to check out for all things foodie and gifty and just yummy. It is on Beechwood at Acacia.
El Meson. Quiet and unassuming. A Portuguese/Spanish restaurant. But I was invited by friends to go there in January and quite enjoyed my meal. We had the upstairs private room for the 9 of us and it was just perfect for being loud and fun. El Meson is right on Beechwood as well by St. Joseph Street.
Loved how you did this post!!
We did see El Meson but it was unfortunately closed when we passed by. Happy to hear they have good food. Seems like there’s not a whole lot of Portuguese/Spanish restaurants in this city.
While I am at it, I have to say the one time we went to Farb’s for an impromptu dinner it did not disappoint. I would love them to get more attention with interested foodies. I hope other are enjoying good experiences there too. Farb’s is at Beechwood and McKay.
For your next visit:
- Bread & Roses Bakery (Beechwood)
- The General (MacKay)
- 42 Fine Foods (Crichton)
- Vert Design (Crichton)
- The Scone Witch (Beechwood)
And I second these!
- Farbs (Beechwood) – my personal fave
- Jacobsons (Beechwood)
- El Meson (Beechwood)
Great blog- gave us a few places to check out this early fall- great walking weather and good time to check out some of Ottawa’s hot local spots! Thanks again for another great read!
The Capital Junk Team
Cheers
You folks need to go back and eat at Farb’s. It’s awesome.
It might also be worth mentioning that folks can grab pints at the New Edinburgh Pub or at the Clocktower. The New Edinburgh Pub has large rooftop patio. The Clocktower has a smaller patio but the place is mint since it hasn’t been open very long.
The Crichton Street Cultural Community Centre, which is a 5-minute walk north of the intersection of Beechwood and Crichton (Vanier Parkway), organizes a variety of activities and events (held in the centre itself and in nearby parks) throughout the year.
You can bring a picnic to the Governor General’s residence (also a 5-minute walk from Beechwood) and watch a cricket match on many summer evenings and weekend days, or you can lace up your skates and use the GG’s rink during the winter.
Ottawa’s main bike path is accessible from the corner of Beechwood and Crichton (Vanier Parkway). Going south will bring you to Vanier and Overbrook along River Road. Going North will bring you through New Edinburgh Park. The park is great for dog-walkers, cyclists, joggers, kids who want to play on structures or in sprinklers, people who want to start up a baseball game or soccer match, couples who want a nice spot for a picnic by the river with a view of the Peace Tower, etc. The same path, going north, eventually leads past the former city hall and to the Rideau Falls on Sussex.
That row of sketchy businesses has been a row of sketchy business throughout my entire life. The empty lot next to them used to be a bike shop about 20 or so years ago but it’s been empty and vacant ever since.
What you call “the shrine house” has been that way my entire life, too. It just gets more elaborate each year. What you need to do is come back AT NIGHT to see everything lit up, including the gigantic aquarium (complete with large, live fish) they often have set up out there. What is really strange is that, despite growing up in the area and having a mom who grew up in the area and thus directly or indirectly knowing everyone in the neighbourhood through few degrees of separation, I’ve yet to find anyone who actually knows the people who live in that house or who know why they’ve been “decorating” it so elaborately for so many years.
Yes . . . don’t forget the Scone Witch. It’s a bit chaotic but it’s always worth it.
Love my “hood” i really believe it’s one of the best in Ottawa! It also has a fabulous pet groomer!
There is also:
-Da Bombe Dessert Factory (18 Beechwood Ave @ Charlevoix)
Great desserts, sandwiches, pizzas and pastas. Eat in or take home.
-Divisoria Market (80 Beechwood Avenue)
This is a relatively new Filipino grocery store that also sells hot food from Thursday to Sunday – rice and 1 side = $4, rice and 2 sides = $6
-Piccolo Grande (411 MacKay St)
Great place to get some Gelato and Sorbet
I second/third the Scone Witch! What was I thinking to not list it earlier?
Thanks guys! These are all great reasons to go back to Beechwood. I’m hoping we’ll do another get to know your neighborhood soon.
You must visit Da Bombe. The food is great, especially the large selection of single serving cakes. The owner and staff are always very happy to see return customers and the potato and pasta salads are worth dreaming about at 11am when you tummy is ready for lunch.
What about Books on Beechwood? http://booksonbeechwood.ca/books/whats-happening/ There’s readings, kids’ story hour, signings, and the staff can find and order almost any book on the planet! It’s a real indie book store
Highly recommend adding Chef Susan Jessup’s 42 Crichton Fine Foods, which is in New Edinburger’s list.
Here’s a walk-through we (foodiePrints) posted a while back: http://www.foodieprints.com/item/2679
Hey, I live here!