This delightfully vibrant pizzeria is in the old Grand Hotel building, complete with authentic forno a legna (wood-burning) pizza oven. The pizzas are thin-crust and the crust is the perfect blend of crispy and chewy. In keeping with genuine Italian traditions, the pizzas aren't overwhelmed with toppings; rather, they're kept nice and simple; the tonno pizza is simply tomato sauce, red onion, mozzarella and tuna. Other great picks include the quatro formaggio and the robustly flavored marinara. There is also a selection of salads and pasta. The restaurant can also be rented out for private parties.
If you're 25 and over and you feel like avoiding Ottawa's very young nightclub crowd, then the Velvet Room is an excellent nightclub option. The decor is both opulent and understated - stone walls with lashings of dark red velvet, artfully lit antique lamps and chandeliers, gilded mirrors wherever you turn, and lots of little nooks to snuggle into with your friends, or partner. The music is a fun mix of the best of the 1980s and 1990s - a DJ spins all the favorites on Friday and Saturday nights. The drinks list is a little on the pricey side. The Velvet Room also has regular dinner theater events, by Ottawa's Scarlett dinner theater group.
Bare brick walls, creeping vines and a large wrought-iron staircase add to the eclectic charm of Johnny Farina, a lively open-concept Italian restaurant. Watch from the ground floor or loft area as chefs prepare your wood-oven pizza or pasta dish. You can mix and match from their selection of fresh pastas and sauces, or choose from over a dozen creative pizzas, such as the Canadian, the Bruschetta or the Gorgonzola and Leek; or order from a list of veal, chicken and seafood dishes.
The warmth of the Irish spirit (and spirits) flows through this roomy Irish pub. Have a nip of Bushmills whiskey or a pint of Guinness. It's hard to choose where to enjoy your beverage: at the glossy hardwood bar, in the Snug Pub near the big screen TV, in the cobblestone courtyard or on the outdoor patio. For Irish expats, many of the big Gaelic football and hurling matches are shown on weekends. When you do get comfortable, be sure to order some food - the menu incorporates most of the Irish pub favorites, including a mix of great fish and chips with a special recipe tartar sauce. There is live Celtic music every night, and a non-smoking room is also available.
Located inside the Hotel Novotel Ottawa, The Albion Rooms serves you dishes that leave a lasting impression on the palate. Neatly decorated and well-furnished, The Albion Rooms welcomes larger parties and also has intimate seating spaces for couples. Food as well as drinks served here are an amalgamation of gastronomy and art. Dishes come to your table plated with beauty while cocktails taste as dramatic as they look. Do not leave out the Charcuterie boards at Albion Rooms as these are a specialty.
This two-story watering hole above Murray Street is the first stop for live blues in this city. Live music is available seven nights a week, with many headline acts appearing throughout the year; consult the website for a complete schedule of upcoming events. The place can get pretty packed and the dance floor is rather small, but that all adds to the atmosphere. Call or see the website to know more.