Métropolitain Brasserie in Ottawa
Conveniently located next to the Byward Market at 700 Sussex, just steps away from Parliament Hill, Métropolitain Brasserie is home to Ottawa’s largest raw bar. Open seven days a week, serving lunch, dinner and brunch on weekends, we had a wonderful summer Saturday evening dinner on their spacious patio. The weather was threatening that afternoon, but it would not interfere with our reservation for the spot is completely covered by a tent-like structure.
We started off the evening with some drinks and then took a good hard look at all of the options available among the appetizers. Some breads, rolls and butter and an order of outstanding mushroom Flatbread, with spinach, ricotta, Gruyère and truffle oil, started things off. Then came one of our favorites: a seafood platter for two (which was more than enough for three): shrimp, oysters, mussels, snow crab, cod croquettes and scallop crudo. This could have been a meal itself and savored every morsel. There is a larger platter for four available.
There is a nice selection of main courses. The Duck Confit caught my eye, an item I do not see available at too many restaurants I frequent. It was superbly prepared, with crispy skin and served with warm fingerling salad, roasted peppers, grilled onions, black olives, fresh basil, apricot harissa toss, and lime crema. As for the others, they opted for the steak frites petit (five ounces), heart of Angus ribeye and mâitre d’ hotel butter and Coquille St. Jacques, with seared scallops, mashed potatoes, wilted spinach, Mornay sauce, melted Gruyère & toasted Panko breadcrumbs.
While we were quite full, it was pretty hard to resist the dessert menu. We agreed to share the flourless chocolate cake, with caramel sauce and raspberry preserves. It literally melted in my mouth.
Weekend brunch is available from 10 am to 2 pm Saturdays, Sundays and select holidays. It is indeed something I look forward to trying on another visit.
For more details log on to www.metropolitainbrasserie.com or call 613-562-1160.
