Sweetgrass Aboriginal Bistro
108 Murray St.
613-562-3683
www.sweetgrassbistro.ca
Rating: **** 1/2
Signature Dish: Grilled Tatonka (Buffalo)
Dinner & drinks for 2: $90
Sweetgrass Aboriginal Bistro is a unique restaurant ahead of its time. Aboriginal cuisine is the next big thing in culinary circles. From bannock to buffalo, you’ll find an array of rustic delicious delights in its (very) warm surroundings.
The Sweet Potato and Mustard Seed soup ($8) sounded tantalizing so I started with that. It was a creamy purée that wasn’t too sweet due to the mustard seed that provided an overall savoury flavour. The Wabush (Rabbit) Dumplings ($10) with mustard dipping sauce were crunchy with a sweetness that was unexpectedly enjoyable.
I knew I needed to get my fork into the Grilled Tatonka (Buffalo) ($36) when I heard a neighbouring table raving about it. The Pommes Anna that came with it were just as wonderful as the seared bison. From the Fall part of the menu, we also tasted the Crispy Mariposa Duck ($25) with butternut squash and sage gnocchi. The meat was crispy and flavourful but the sauce was a touch too sweet.
For a sweet(grass) ending to our evening, we enjoyed Warren’s Jamaican Rum Bread Pudding ($9) with butterscotch ice cream and caramel sauce that was comforting, nicely spiced and a touch boozy.
Forget about hunting and gathering at your home and head down to Ottawa’s only aboriginal restaurant.
Dining out
Foundation
Eat, drink, and lounge at Foundation. On the last Wednesday of every month, guest sommeliers come in and work with Chef Shannon McNamee to create a mouth-watering menu. Thursday nights enjoy live music. 18-b York St. 613-562-9331
Second Avenue Sweets
A popular bakery in the Glebe offers Florentines, cupcakes, chewy pecan cookies, turtle brownies smothered in caramel, light angel food cake, lemon wafers with lemon glaze and more. 151B Second Ave. 613-233-7277
