The problem with having a list of 100 restaurants that you want to try is that sometimes you don’t get to them in time. Case in point. Joy Restaurant… which is now closed and has been replaced by Union 613 (315 Somerset West), an amazing restaurant featuring a Canadian take on Southern cuisine. I’m not sure how I would have liked Joy, but I can tell you that I LOVED Union 613.
It’s funky and casual. With large communal tables and an ever changing menu that features some of the best local ingredients in the city. One of my particular favorites – their house made ‘prohibition’ drinks like Ginger Beer. I should also point out that the staff were awesome! So friendly and knowledgeable. Very cool people working there.
On to the food. Well while you’re waiting for your order, the table gets some boiled peanuts which are way different from any other peanut I’ve had before but warm and tasty all the same. It was at this point that I was told that a peanut is actually a bean. But because it grows with some mould on it (that white stuff on the peanut shell), some people are allergic. That was news to me!
Pea-bean just doesn’t sound the same.
I opted for the Mac and Cheese, but I was feeling a bit guilty because I really should have tried to get some veggies. Then BAM! I’m presented with the most amazing mac and cheese I’ve ever seen. FULL of veggies. Not just any veggies. Veg that has been cooked with the cheese sauce so they are just as amazing as the macaroni bits. And of course, the most amazing part of any casserole type dish, the crunchy topping. In this case a corn bread crumble that stays crunchy even if you mix up the dish with your fork.
It was stellar. Not the heavy thick cheese sauce that we are used to, but one that is flavourful and amazing all the same. And the best part? It was just as good warmed up the next day. Which is a great thing, because the portions were pretty large. I ate all I could and with some clever re-arranging it looked like I had hardly made a dent.
I have a feeling this one will be around for a while. But I still say check it out as soon as possible! 5 out of 5.
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July 30, 2012 at 11:02 am
Stacey
We ate there a couple of weeks ago and like you, we really enjoyed it. I had the fried green tomatoes, which were served with a salad. It was exceptional. Previously all the FGT I’d eaten had been served sliced, but these came in delicious chunks, lightly battered in corn meal and delicately fried. They were delicious, and the salad they rested on was outstanding. The vinagrette had everything I like in it, creamy, sweet and tart. I will be back.
July 30, 2012 at 11:02 am
Kelly Brisson (@thegoudalife)
Excellent review, Jodi! Going tonight and now I’m looking forward to it even more!
November 14, 2012 at 8:09 pm
Tamey
My first experience there was horrible….the list of wine selection was very few, the terrrine was alright and there was barely any trout in the romaine salad app. Nonetheless, we had to wait for 1h30 for our main course after consecutively “bugging” the waiting staff about it…and this guy comes to us and tell us he’s the manager/owner of the Union 613! Offering us the door if we do not like his service. As if he helped us through our waste of time there! What a shame!
This place’s ambiance is just a cheap copy of the restaurant Le Cafe on the Rideau Canal. The poor clothing of the waiters are no sign of fine dining and it’s a shame for its ideal name!
November 15, 2012 at 10:41 am
simplyfreshottawa
That’s too bad Tamey!! Not at all what I experienced at all. And I’m not sure I understand how their ambiance is a copy of Le Cafe. I don’t think they are necessarily going for ‘fine dining’.
Hopefully your next experience will be better!