Best ice cream/gelato: Pure Gelato (350 Elgin)
Honourable Mentions: Piccolo Grande, Dairy Queen

Best bagel: Kettleman's Bagel
Honourable Mentions: Ottawa Bagelshop and Deli (1321 Wellington), Great Canadian Bagel (212 Elgin)

Best nachos: Mexicali Rosa's
Honourable Mentions: The Blue Cactus (2 Byward Market), Pancho Villa (361 Elgin)

Best patio: The Heart and Crown (67 Clarence)
Honourable Mentions: Mexacali Rosa's Dows Lake (1001 Promenade Queen Elizabeth), Empire Grill (47 Clarence)

Best wings: Local Heroes (all locations)
Honourable Mentions: Hooters (355 Dalhousie), The Clock Tower Brew Pub (575 Bank)

Best sandwich: DiRienzo's Grocery (111 Beech)
Honourable Mentions: Quiznos, La Bottega (64 George)

Best poutine: Elgin Street Diner (374 Elgin)
Honourable Mentions: New York Fries, The Works

Best pizza: Colonnade (280 Metcalfe)
Honourable Mentions: Gabriel's, Pizza Pizza

Best shawarma/donair/falafel: Shawarma King (two locations)
Honourable Mentions: Maroush (380 C Elgin), Shawarma Palace (464 Rideau)

Best dessert: Oh So Good (25 York)
Honourable Mentions: Memories (7 Clarence), Dairy Queen

Best burger: The Works
Honourable Mentions: Lick's, Harvey's

Best local beer: Heritage
Honourable Mentions: Steam Whistle (it's actually from Toronto), Creemore Springs (not really local either)

Best pub/bar: Heart and Crown (67 Clarence)
Honourable Mentions: Pub Italia (434-1/2 Preston ), Manx (370 Elgin)

Best chip wagon: Blooming Onion (York and Dalhousie)
Honourable Mentions: Sasha's, Tzan Wagon

Best Thai restaurant: Royal Thai (272 Dalhousie)
Honourable Mentions: Green Papaya (260 Nepean), Basil Leaf (718 Somerset West)

Best Japanese restaurant: Kinki (41York)
Honourable Mentions: Japanese Village (170 Laurier Ave. West), Suisha Gardens (208 Slater)

Best Vietnamese restaurant: Pho Bo Ga (12 Lebreton North)
Honourable Mentions: Vietnamese Kitchen (478 Bank), Saigon (85 Clarence)

Best Chinese restaurant: So Good (717 Somerset West)
Honourable Mentions: Shanghai (651 Somerset West), Mekong (637 Somerset West)

Best African restaurant: Horn of Africa (364 Rideau)
Honourable Mentions: Dar Tajine (256 Preston), African Palace (376 Rideau)

Best Italian restaurant: Mamma Grazzi's (25 George)
Honourable Mentions: Pub Italia (434-1/2 Preston), Fratelli (749 Bank)

Best Mexican restaurant: Mexicali Rosa's
Honourable Mentions: Pancho Villa (361 Elgin), Feleena's

Best Greek: Greek On Wheels (3 Hawthorne Ave.)
Honourable Mentions: Greek Souvlaki House (1200 Prince Of Wales Dr.), Papagus (281 Kent)

Best Caribbean: Caribbean Flavours (881 Somerset West)
Honourable Mentions: Groovy's Roti Hut (292 McArthur Ave.), Island Jerk (1800 Bank)

Best Indian: Light of India (730 Bank)
Honourable Mentions: Haveli's, East India Company (210 Somerset West)

Best steak house: The Keg
Honourable Mentions: Al's Steak and Seafood House, Hy's (170 Queen)

Best diner: Elgin Street Diner (374 Elgin)
Honourable Mentions: Zak's (14 Byward Market), Rockin Johnny's

Best brunch: Cora's (all locations)
Honourable Mentions: Manx Pub (370 Elgin), Stoneface Dolly's (479 Bronson Ave.)

Best bakery: Rideau Bakery (two locations)
Honourable Mentions: Boko Bakery, Harvest Loaf Bakery (1323 Wellington)

Best deli: Dunn's (two locations)
Honourable Mentions: La Bottega (64 George), Nate's (316 Rideau)

Best vegetarian: The Green Door (198 Main)
Honourable Mentions: The Table (1230 Wellington), Perfection Satisfaction Promise (167 Laurier Ave. East)

Best supermarket: Loblaws (all locations)
Honourable Mentions: LOEB (all locations), Hartman's (296 Bank)

Best produce: Market Fresh (1500 Bank)
Honourable Mentions: Farm Boy, Byward Market

Best candy store: Sugar Mountain (two locations)
Honourable Mentions: Bulk Barn (2210 Bank), Penny's Fudge Factory (6814 Harbour)

Best natural food store: Herb and Spice (two locations)
Honourable Mentions: Kardish Specialty Foods, Natural Food Pantry

Best ambience: Shanghai (651 Somerset West)
Honourable Mentions: Aloha Room (323 Bank), Social (537 Sussex Dr.)

Best expensive treat: Kinki (41York)
Honourable Mentions: Oh So Good (25 York), Godiva Chocolate (50 Rideau)

Best cheap eats: Govindas (212 Somerset East)
Honourable Mentions: McDonald's, Cam Kong (726 Somerset West)

Best all-you-can-eat: Du Barry (343-A Blvd Greber, Gatineau)
Honourable Mentions: Govinda's ((212 Somerset East), Tucker's Marketplace (61 York)

Best take-out: Greek on Wheels (3 Hawthorne Ave.)
Honourable Mentions: Shanghai (651 Somerset West), Swiss Chalet

ENTERTAINMENT

Best Saturday night: Zaphod Beeblebrox (27 York)
Honourable Mentions: Dominion Tavern (33 York), Barrymore's Music Hall (323 Bank)

Best coffee house: Bridgehead
Honourable Mentions: Second Cup, Starbuck's

Best bartender: Zaphod Beeblebrox staff
Honourable Mentions: Barrymore's Music Hall (Sheila, Joady), Collection (Anna)

Best live music venue: Barrymore's Music Hall (323 Bank)
Honourable Mentions: Capital City Music Hall (200 Rideau), Babylon Nightclub (317 Bank)

Best dance club: Zaphod Beeblebrox (27 York)
Honourable Mentions: Surface Nightclub (128 York), Mercury Lounge (56 Byward Market)

Best local live band: Keep Yourself Good Company
Honourable Mentions: Buried Inside, The Fully Down

Best local DJ: Trevor Walker (Mercury Lounge)
Honourable Mentions: Dave Aardvark (Aloha Room), DJ Billy (Aloha Room)

Best local music producer: Dave Draves
Honourable Mentions: Jason Fee, Dean Hagicristo

Best local singer-songwriter: Ana Muira
Honourable Mentions: Jim Bryson, Alanis Morissette

Best local hip-hop act: Applied Science
Honourable Mentions: Broken Bridge, Periodic Trends

Best recording group/studio: Sound of One Hand Studios (1570 Liverpool Ct.)
Honourable Mentions: Little Bullhorn Studios (137 Spruce), Pebbles Studios (900 Greenbank Road)

Best local album/ EP of 2004: Keep Yourself Good Company's Kingdom Shiny Sparkly
Honourable Mentions: The Fully Down's No Fate... But What We Make For Ourselves, Stone Melodies' Reel

Best Ottawa show from 2004: Metallica (October 7, Corel Centre)
Honourable Mentions: Keep Yourself Good Company (any show, Barrymore's Music Hall), Sonic Youth (August 6, Capital Music Hall)

Best movie theatre: Bytowne Cinema (325 Rideau)
Honourable Mentions: Silvercity (Gloucester), AMC 24 (Kanata)

Best local film of 2004: Harry Knuckles and the Pearl Necklace (Directed by Lee Demarbre)
Honourable Mentions: H2O (Directed by Charles Binamé), Decoys (Directed by Matt Hastings)

Best local filmmaker: Lee Demarbre
Honourable Mentions: Robbie Davidson, Brett Kelly

Best museum: Museum of Civilization
Honourable Mentions: Museum of Nature, National Art Gallery

Best local festival of 2004: Bluesfest
Honourable Mentions: Jazz Festival, Westfest

Best sports bar: Local Heroes (all locations)
Honourable Mentions: Maclaren's (301 Elgin), Cage au Sport (325 Greber Blvd)

Best local sport team: The Ottawa Senators
Honourable Mentions: The Ottawa 67's, The Ottawa Renegades

Best gay/lesbian bar: Icon (366 Lisgar)
Honourable Mentions: The Lookout (41 York), Swizzles (246-A Queen)

Best lounge: Mercury Lounge (56 Byward Market)
Honourable Mentions: Bar 56 (56 Byward Market), Helsinki (15 George)

Best karaoke: Dog & Pony Sound (491 Preston)
Honourable Mentions: Maverick's (221 Rideau), House of Cheung (273 Montreal Rd)

Best comedy club: Yuk Yuk's (88 Albert)
Honourable Mentions: The Institution (145 Besserer), Absolute Comedy (412 Preston)

Best pool hall: Le Scratch (1642 Merivale Rd.)
Honourable Mentions: Maclaren's (301 Elgin), Dooly's (2277 Gladwin Ct.)

Best theatre company: Great Canadian Theatre Company (910 Gladstone Ave.)
Honourable Mentions: Ottawa Little Theatre (400 King Edward), A Company of Fools

Best dance company: Le Groupe Dance Lab (2 Daly Ave.)
Honourable Mentions: National Arts Centre (53 Elgin), Ottawa Dance Zone (151 Chapel)

Best local writer/poet/emcee/spoken word: Oni "The Haitian Sensation"
Honourable Mentions: John Akpata, Suki Lee

Best art gallery: Saw Gallery (67 Nicholas)
Honourable Mentions: Wurm Gallery (319 Lisgar), Artguise (590 Bank)

Best local artist: Alain Bonder
Honourable Mentions: Amy Thompson, Juan Carlos Noria

Best local photographer: Shawn Scallen
Honourable Mentions: Brian Garson, Aaron McKenzie Fraser

Best golf course: Loch March (1755 Old Carp Rd.)
Honourable Mentions: Royal Ottawa Golf and Country Club (1405 Aylmer Rd., Alymer, QC), Eagle Creek Golf Club (109 Royal Troon Lane, Dunrobin)

Best place to jog: The Canal
Honourable Mentions: Ottawa River Parkway, Gatineau Park

Best place to bike/rollerblade: The Canal
Honourable Mentions: Gatineau Park, Ottawa River Parkway

Best skate park: McNabb Skate park (180 Percy)
Honourable Mentions: Centrepointe skate park (Ben Franklin Place,101 Centrepointe Dr.), Kanata skate park (100 Walter Baker Place)

Best hiking trail: Gatineau Park
Honourable Mentions: Lauriault Trail (Gatineau Park), Lac Phillipe (Gatineau Park)

Best beach: Mooney's Bay (Riverside Dr.)
Honourable Mentions: Britannia (Carling Ave.), Meech Lake (Gatineau Park)

Best place to swim: Meech Lake (Gatineau Park)
Honourable Mentions: Mooney's Bay (Riverside Dr), Carleton University

Best city park: Strathcona Park
Honourable Mentions: Major's Hill Park, Andrew Hayden Park

Best ski hill: Camp Fortune (300 Chemin Dunlop Chelsea, QC)
Honourable Mentions: Mont Ste-Marie (RR #1, 76 chemin de la Montagne, Lac Ste. Marie, QC), Edelweiss (350 rue Saint-Denis, Saint-Sauveur-des-Monts, QC)

Best community centre: Sandy Hill Community Centre (250 Somerset East)
Honourable Mentions: Dovercourt Recreation Complex (411 Dovercourt Ave.), Jack Purcell Community Centre (320 Jack Purcell Lane)

Best bowling alley: McArthur Lanes (175 McArthur Rd.)
Honourable Mentions: Kent Bowling Lanes (270 Catherine), Merivale Bowling Lanes (1916 Merivale)

Best go-karting: Karters' Korners (6336 Fallowfield Rd.)
Honourable Mentions: Top Karting (200 Edmonton, Gatineau), Thunderbird (3145 Conroy Rd., Gloucester)

Best yoga: Rama Lotus (340 Gladstone Ave.)
Honourable Mentions: Upward Dog (413 Mackay), Santosha (205 Catherine)

Best way to waste your time in Ottawa: Drinking
Honourable Mentions: Byward Market, Sex

BUYING THINGS

Best shopping mall: Rideau Centre
Honourable Mentions: Bayshore, St. Laurent

Best outdoor store: Mountain Equipment Co-op (366 Richmond Rd.)
Honourable Mentions: Bushtukah Great Outdoor Gear (203 Richmond Rd), Trailhead (1960 Scott)

Best place to buy furniture: Ikea (2685 Iris)
Honourable Mentions: Phillip Van Leeuwen (10 Byward Market), The Brick (565 West Hunt Club Rd.)

Best bookstore (new): Chapters (all locations)
Honourable Mentions: Octopus Books (116 Third Ave.), Nicholas Hoare (419 Sussex Dr.)

Best bookstore (used): The Book Market (all locations)
Honourable Mentions: All Books (327 Rideau), Second Thoughts (280 Sunnyside Ave.)

Best place to buy magazines: Mags 'n' Fags (254 Elgin)
Honourable Mentions: Chapters (all locations), Brittons (844 Bank)

Best comic book store: Silver Snail (391 Bank)
Honourable Mentions: Comic Books Shoppe (237 Bank), Wizard's Tower (85 Université)

Best CD store: Record Runner (212 Rideau)
Honourable Mentions: CD Warehouse, HMV/Compact Music

Best vinyl/record store: Vertigo Records (193 Rideau)
Honourable Mentions: Record Runner (212 Rideau), Birdman Sound (593-B Bank)

Best musical instrument store: Steve's Music Store (308 Rideau)
Honourable Mentions: Song Bird Music (388 Gladstone), Long & McQuade (2631 Alta Vista Dr.)

Best video store: Rogers Video (all locations)
Honourable Mentions: Invisible Cinema (319 Lisgar), Elgin Street Video (258 Elgin)

Best computer store: Future Shop (all locations)
Honourable Mentions: OEM Express (two locations), CompuSmart (3 Roydon Place)

Best audio/hi-fi store: Future Shop (all locations)
Honourable Mentions: Bleeker Stereo (997 St Laurent Blvd.), Dewar (1400 Clyde Ave.)

Best bike shop: Cycle Logik (358 Richmond Rd)
Honourable Mentions: Joe Mammas Inc (216 Pretoria Ave.), Pecco's (two locations)

Best women's clothing store: Allegro (55-1/2 William)
Honourable Mentions: Jacob, Holt Renfrew

Best men's clothing store: Value Village
Honourable Mentions: Schad (two locations), Top of the World (158 Rideau)

Best thrift store: Value Village (all locations)
Honourable Mentions: Phase 2 (two locations), Salvation Army (all locations)

Best shoe store: Aldo (all locations)
Honourable Mentions: Payless (all locations), Top of the World (158 Rideau)

Best eyewear retailer: Laurier Optical
Honourable Mentions: Hakim (all locations), Lenscrafters (all locations)

Best jewellery store: Magpie (two locations)
Honourable Mentions: Peoples (all locations), Bija Bijoux (1307 Wellington)

Best tattoos/piercing parlour: Universal Tattoo (156 Rideau)
Honourable Mentions: Living Colour (152 Rideau), Planet Ink (306 Rideau)

Best beauty salon/spa: York Street Spa (11 York)
Honourable Mentions: Saab (376 Bank), Salon Oxide (497 Somerset West)

Best toy store: Miss Tiggy Winkles (all locations)
Honourable Mentions: Toys R Us, Lost Marbles (315 Richmond Rd.)

Best stationary store: The Papery (850 Bank)
Honourable Mentions: Staples, Paper Papier (11-A William)

Best flower shop: Tivoli Flourist (282 Richmond Rd.)
Honourable Mentions: Scrims Flourist Ltd. (262 Elgin), Select Roses (all locations)/Flower Mania (two locations)

Best art supply store: Wallack's (all locations)
Honourable Mentions: Loomis and Toles (499 Bank), Art Guise (590 Bank)

Best camera shop: Ginn (433 Bank)
Honourable Mentions: Henry's (two locations), Black's (all locations)

Best gym: YMCA (all locations)
Honourable Mentions: Goodlife (all locations), Florida Fitness (all locations)

Best pet shop: Petsmart (all locations)
Honourable Mentions: Super Pet (all locations), Ottawa Humane Society (101 Champagne Ave. South)

Best massage: York Street Spa (11 York)
Honourable Mentions: Metcalfe Massage Therapy Clinic (180 Metcalfe), The Clinic Upstairs (Floor 3 340 Gladstone Ave.)

Best car dealership: Tony Graham Lexus Toyota (1855 Merivale Rd)
Honourable Mentions: Dow Honda (845 Carling Ave.), Mew's Chevrolet Oldsmobile Limited (1875 Joseph Blvd.), Otto's BMW (660 Hunt Club Rd.)

Best car rental service: Enterprise (all locations)
Honourable Mentions: Budget (all locations), Hertz (all locations)

Best place to buy rolling paper/drug paraphernalia: Crosstown Traffic (593-C Bank)
Honourable Mentions: Rock Junction (151 Rideau), Smoke Signals (all locations)

ROMANCE

Best place to shag: In bed
Honourable Mentions: At home, On the balcony

Best romantic restaurant: Shanghai (651 Somerset West)
Honourable Mentions: Bistro 1908 (70 Promenade Du Portage, Gatineau), Vineyards Wine and Bistro (54 York)

Best place to propose: The Canal
Honourable Mentions: Gatineau Park, Chateau Laurier (1 Rideau)

Best place to kiss: Anywhere
Honourable Mentions: On the lips, Parliament Hill

Best first date: Oh So Good (25 York)
Honourable Mentions: Skating on the canal, Empire Grill (47 Clarence)

Best cheap date: Walking
Honourable Mentions: Skating on the canal, A movie

Best Internet dating site: www.lavalife.com
Honourable Mentions: www.punkottawa.com, www.AdultFriendFinder.com

Best place for girl/boy watching: Rideau Center
Honourable Mentions: The Byward Market, University of Ottawa

Best sex store: Venus Envy (110 Parent Ave.)
Honourable Mentions: Classixxx, Adult Fun Superstore (1565 Laurent Blvd.)

Best place to meet a straight male: Zaphod Beeblebrox (27 York)
Honourable Mentions: Babylon Nightclub (317 Bank), Barrymore's Music Hall (323 Bank)

Best place to meet a straight female: Zaphod Beeblebrox (27 York)
Honourable Mentions: University of Ottawa, Barrymore's Music Hall (323 Bank)

Best strip joint: Pigale (99 Greber Blvd., Gatineau), Barefax (27 York)
Honourable Mentions: Barbarella's Diamond's Cabaret (340 Queen)

Best place to meet a gay male: Icon (366 Lisgar)
Honourable Mentions: Swizzles (246-A Queen), The Lookout (41 York)

Best place to meet a gay female: The Lookout (41 York)
Honourable Mentions: Icon (366 Lisgar), Zaphod Beeblebrox (27 York)

Best place to pick up older women: Maxwell's Bistro and Club (340 Elgin)
Honourable Mentions: Hartwells (Westin Hotel, 11 Colonel By Dr.), Big Daddy's Crab Shack (two locations)

Best place to pick up older men: Maxwell's Bistro and Club (340 Elgin)
Honourable Mentions: Legion, Hartwells (Westin Hotel, 11 Colonel By Dr.)

Best place to break up: Over the phone
Honourable Mentions: Over the Internet, In public

LOCAL LORE

Best local hero: Ed Broadbent
Honourable Mentions: Max Keeping, Shawn Scallen, Guillaume Soucy-Allaire

Best local scandal: The sponsorship scandal
Honourable Mentions: City budget process/anything involving the City, Homeless at City Hall (whether you loved them or hated them)

Best forgotten Ottawa celebrity: Tom Green
Honourable Mentions: Alanis Morissette, Paul Anka

Best local cause to fight for: Homelessness/affordable housing
Honourable Mentions: The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, More arts funding

Best thing in Ottawa this year: Capital Music Hall
Honourable Mentions: The Grey Cup, Ed Broadbent

Best reason to believe all is right with the world: Bush might not get re-elected
Honourable Mentions: Because I'm alive and still breathing, Love, or some kind of music

Best reason to despair all is wrong: Bush did get re-elected
Honourable Mentions: Some war or another (mostly American), No NHL

Best city councilor: Clive Doucet
Honourable Mentions: Diane Holmes, Jan Harder

Best reason to cheer City: The smoking ban
Honourable Mentions: None, can't think of any, they're sometimes quiet, or doing good things with transportation/O-Train expansion

Best reason to jeer City: Tax hikes
Honourable Mentions: Budget cuts, Arts/cultural funding stinks

Best architectural eyesore: The American embassy
Honourable Mentions: New War Museum, City Centre Building

Best suburban hell: Kanata
Honourable Mentions: Barrhaven, Orleans

Best neighbourhood: The Glebe
Honourable Mentions: Westboro, Centretown

Best grafitti: Tech Wall
Honourable Mentions: O-Train property, Carleton University's tunnel walls

Best place to smoke: Anywhere outside
Honourable Mentions: Nowhere, Hull

Best public washroom: Chateau Laurier (1 Rideau)
Honourable Mentions: The Westin Hotel (11 Colonel By Dr., Rideau Centre

Best bus route: #95
Honourable Mentions: #97, #2

Best place to catch a cab: Rideau Street
Honourable Mentions: Elgin street, York Street

Best medical clinic: Appletree Medical Centres (all locations)
Honourable Mentions: Elgin Family Medical Centre (270 Elgin), Kilborn Medical Centre (1385 Bank)

Best day care: Andrew Fleck Child Care Services (two locations)
Honourable Mentions: Children's Castle Daycare Ltd. (1187 Hunt Club Rd.), Churchill Carling Daycare (724 Churchill Ave. North)

Best animation studio: Funbag (78 George)
Honourable Mentions: Amberwood (987 Wellington), Spumco (6 Deakin), Bloomstone (1928 Merivale Rd.)

Best art school: Ottawa School of Art (35 George)
Honourable Mentions: Canterbury High School, École Secondaire de L'Ile salle d'escalade, Gatineau

Best radio station: CKCU 93.1 FM
Honourable Mentions: CBC Radio One 91.5 FM, The Bear 106.9 FM

Best local TV station: New RO
Honourable Mentions: CJOH, CBC

Best local website: www.punkottawa.com
Honourable Mentions: www.mtbkanata.com, www.ottawaxpress.ca

Best hotel/B&B for parents: Chateau Laurier (1 Rideau)
Honourable Mentions: Arc Hotel (140 Slater), Brookstreet Hotel (525 Legget Dr.)

Best imam/minister/priest/rabbi: Rev. Joseph H. Leclair (Blessed Sacrament Church, 194 Fourth Ave.)
Honourable Mentions: Rabbi Reuven Bulka's Sunday evening radio show (CFRA 580 AM), Father Paul Shepherd (Holy Redeemer Parish, 44 Rothesay Dr., Kanata)

Best reason to move here: Greenspace, nature/Gatineau
Honourable Mentions: Clean, Beautiful

Best reason to leave here: Too cold/weather
Honourable Mentions: Boring, All the politics
 
 

		Write your comment on this article!

Pho Bo Ga, perhaps the best....     I have been to this place many times, and enjoy coming back each time. It is open till 4am, and I love going late at night. Their menu mainly consists of a large variety of absolutely delicious soups ranging in sizes from small to XLarge. Don't let it surprise you, the preportions are very generous. A large is almost as big as a salad bowl, and an XLarge even bigger. When I'm hungry I go for a medium, sometimes a small if I've already eaten. Another great feature about this place besides how delicious the food is, is the price. $4.99 for a small soup, (A small being the size of 3+ soups from Subway) and usually about a dollar more as you go up in size. You get a lot of food, for a low price. Things you should know before eating here: You should learn how to use chop sticks, as these, and a small interesting little spoon are the only utensils you have. Spoon for the broth, and chopsticks to pick up the noodles, veggies and meat. You use both in each hand, you'll figure it out. Don't attempt to eat it with only the spoon, you will just fail miserably and be left with all the noddles, etc. left over. The tea that comes free with the meal is light and pretty tasty. It is cold in the summer, and hot in the winter. But I warn you, although the cups are only a tad larger than shot glasses, do not have more than 4 cups. Or else you'll really feel it the next morning in the form of some nasty diarrhea. Conclusion: Pho Bo Ga is a great place to just come with friends and enjoy, for a low price. I personally enjoy coming here in he middle of winter around 1 to 2am. The soup is the best way to warm up on a cold winter night night. It has been my favorite restaurant in Ottawa for almost 2 years now, and probably for many more. I wouldn't bring young children here, no younger than 13 years of age, but I recommend Pho Bo Ga to everyone looking for a lot of unique, delicious food for a low price.
John Meyers		August 11th, 2005
Do not trust this list     I don't know who made this list, but it has to be some tasteless person. Best Bakery : The French Baker Best Italian : Town Best Burger : Chez Lucien Best Thai / Take Out : Champa Tail Best Pizza : Pi'za'za (Hull)
Alexandre Laquerrre		July 19th, 2010
Best Raising DJ Duo     How can you leave the famous DJs of your list. Yes, I'm talking about Dj Itchy and Scratchy. These Djs have revolutionized Ottawa Mainstream of music and have brought "life" back to Ottawa entertainment district. Who's this Trevor Walker fella? And why is his name "Star Wars-ish" If you're into dancing to the theme music from Empire Strikes Back, check him out. But if you're looking for the latest in entertainment, where the best in Ottawa congregate, Check out a 'Itchy and Scratchy' Party. They've been known to make surprise appearances at 'Soul' on Slater Street Saturdays.
Chuck Willary		May 30th, 2007
Best of The Best     I've allways enjoyed it when the Xpress does its best of the year. The list is quite comprehensive and gives newcomers to the city a sampling of the better places to eat, shop , visit etc. I'll be looking forward to the 2005 list that should be out in about 6 weeks. Go Xpress.
Bryan Murray	{1 vote}	October 8th, 2005
Best of the rest.?     No offense to Keep Yourself Good Company, but I do believe The Fully Down should have gotten the nod on that one. Not only do they have an amazing C.D but their live show it quite spectacular. And as far as I know, it was TFD who was on the Vans Warped Tour along with a highly successfull cross canada tour. On other notes I thought it was kind of funny reading that Punkottawa.com got an honorable mention as an internet dating service. Of all the times I've gone to that site, I've never noticed a dating section, or used it for anything else other then finding when the shows are. So not only is this poll good for saying what's "Best" around Ottawa, but you learn a little something new all the time.
Jeremy King		June 4th, 2005
Split Up Categories     Ahem, Glad to see Oni the Haitian Sensation got the nod for "Best local writer/poet/emcee/spoken word". Oni rocks! However, don't you think this category is a little broad? It's like putting DJs, Bands, and Radio Stations in one category because they all have to do with music. Would like to see this category broken up. Ottawa has many fine fiction writers (eg. Wes Smiderle, Melanie Little, Peter Norman), poets (eg. rob mclennan, Stephen Brockwell, David O'Meara), spoken word poets (eg. Kris Northey, Matt Peake, Oni), and Emcees (people hosting these events). Each of these should be a category of its own since each has a separate following, although they share a few common customers (as do those of DJs, Bands, and Radio Stations).
Laurie Fuhr	{4 votes}	March 27th, 2005
Oh So Good (the dessert place)     I've heard alot of negative things about the staff there and I don't think it's really their fault. When I was there recently the staff all seemed to be under an unecessary amount of stress and the woman who was supervising them didn't seem to be helping the situation. She was snobby and haughty with me and she snapped at her staff although she didn't seem to be doing anything herself. Look further into it before blaming the underling. The Food was amazing and the atmosphere was terrific. It made for a nice night out with friends.
Dannik Agemann	{1 vote}	March 19th, 2005
Best well known of...     All in all, I agree with some of the choices: I'm a regular at Pho Bo Ga and Alain Bonder's art rocked even in high school. Still, other "bests" seem to only have made the cut because of a high profile (i.e., McDonald's!?....didn't anyone see Supersize Me?). As a best local band, I would have voted for Tim's Myth. For those who aren't familiar with them, Friday Jan. 28th at Barrymore's is a perfect chance to catch a glimpse.
J Lee	{1 vote}	January 20th, 2005
punkottawa.com     I know this is a popularity contest, and some take it seriously and some don't. I think there's some solid stuff here, and I know I always discover new things and look forward to the yearly poll. For anyone who doesn't know, punkottawa.com is an awesome site, that is worth checking out! As for a subway system - Ottawa will probably never have a subway system, because we are on a faultline that would make it far to risky.
Kelly Martel		December 11th, 2004
Oh So Good. Oh So BAD!     As a recently returned resident of Ottawa (after an absence of almost 15 years) I was excited to read your best of results. I decided to try out the "best" chinese which was the restaurant "Oh So Good" and I have to say it was the worst Chinese food I've had since eating in a suburb of Syracus New York or ten years ago. The duck was inedible-dry and served with PLUM SAUCE! Boiled and then cooked till leather-dry spare ribs in a bottled sweet sauce and the worst yet was the Oh So Good shrimp that was served in some bizaar white sauce that tasted like a jar of mayonnais watered down! As for service? I've seen better. Perhaps the beer advertisements that plaster the walls make the restaurant somehow "makes the restaurant a winner in the cool-crowd of Ottawa. But even I know that The Mekong just down the street offers much better food, service and decor.
Roshell Bissett		December 3rd, 2004
The best of Ottawa, compared to the rest of Ottawa     Valerie, I don't get what you're saying. The poll was called "The Best of Ottawa" because your supposed to compare everything within Ottawa. It wasn't a "choose from these following answers" quiz, you could write anything you wanted. That being said, it was a readers' poll, and we can't all be experts on food, music, and everything else. So you kinda have to take the poll for what it's worth. A good read, that's all. Just for fun I write the following: How could you compare yourself to nothing, then base any other arguments on that comparision. Compared to nothing... anything!
Steve Bragg	{2 votes}	December 2nd, 2004
The best, compare to what?!     Statistics versus reality: a complete different story! I think, when it comes to "what is the best of", it is a matter of "to each is own thing". In my opinion, and in order to be credible (to be a good critic!), we should be able to compare everything that there is in Ottawa! And that is not the case right here, in this article (Let's face it, compare to nothing, I am the greatest and most intelligent women in town!) It is not bad, though, to have a rough idea about where I could get the best bagel in town!
Valerie Augier	{4 votes}	November 22nd, 2004
emergenza?     Ger Madden, do you actually believe Emergenza to be a decent way of seeing who's better than who? Emergenza is a corporate money scheme that takes advantage of aspiring musicians and overcharges on tickets. its total bullshit.
Tom Sawyer	{1 vote}	November 22nd, 2004
Ottawa Needs a Subway like Montreal or Toronto     The most popular 95 and 97 bus routes that go from the west end to the east end of Ottawa could be replaced by a subway system which would greatly reduce travelling times. You could turn some express bus routes into green spaces and have much cleaner air as a result. I have sat on those buses and it takes a long time to reach Kanata at the other end. If Washington the capital of the United States has its own subway then Ottawa appears to be the capital of a backwater country when it cannot have its own subway system. Even Mexico City has one! When Montreal has crippling snowstorms its subway system is still running. It actually helped reinvigorate downtown Montreal making its underground city one of the most extensive in the world where the shopper, worker, student or tourist is protected from temperature extremes in both summer and winter. Even in the dead of winter some Montreal residents travel from home to work on the subway lines wearing just a pair of pants and a short-sleeved shirt. Who needs to be scared of winter?
Stephen Talko	{3 votes}	November 21st, 2004
Keep Yourself Good Company     Keep Yourself Good Company did play the Emergenza Music Festival once - but only for the experience. Knowing that this festival is essentially ripping off their fans and their friends, they decided to not promote the show or even ask anyone to come. This is the reason for the small number of votes they received the year they entered. The Emergenza Festival has no basis on musical ability, songwriting or the experience of a band's live show. This competition only demonstrates how many friends and family are willing to spend fifteen dollars on a twenty-five minute set. Keep Yourself Good Company's votes on a past Emergenza Festival has nothing to do with people's votes in the Xpress readers poll. On an ironic side note - while surfing for reviews of local band albums I found an interesting page. I did a "Google" search on a name and the seventh thread down I found a link about Ottawa bands and rating music albums. This person's favorite local album is "Procedures for Underground" (2002) by KYGC. Second favorite is "Kingdom Shiny Sparkly" (2004) by KYGC and third favorite is "Release" (2003) by The Scarecrows. There is a myriad of different styles of music out there and not everyone will like everything. I personally have a gag-reflex everytime I hear country music but yet I enjoy watching Shania Twain videos - go figure. But basing a view on a band from a corrupt, corporate music festival is ludicrous. Keep Yourself Good Company being voted best local band is much-deserved as would many other local bands I've seen in the last year. Ana Miura being voted best singer/songwriter is also another reason to cheer Ottawa's musical talent. Keep supporting local music and Ottawa's live music scene.
K I	{3 votes}	November 21st, 2004
Another year gone by...     I love that Value Village won Best Thrift Store and Best Men's Clothing Store...unfortunately, that explains alot. I wish people would stop picking McDonalds as a best Cheap Eats. Could we not atleast pick some real restaurants that are inexpensive instead of the obvious crap! If you are going to eat cheap and greasy you might as well eat the best and so if your out Kanata way pop by the Canadian Tire parking lot for the best Fries ever at Glen's Chip Truck! I had no idea Bridgehead was such a hit and I look forward to trying them out. Once again, my dear friend and best bartender ever, Liz from Alfie's (under the Marble Works on Waller), was not on the list...maybe next year! Thanks everyone at OttawaXpress for, once again, an awesome list of Restaurants, Pubs, Shopping, and Experiences, yet to be enjoyed!! Cheers to another year!!
Sloan Long	{3 votes}	November 20th, 2004
The Best of Ottawa     I always like to read the "Best Of" for a city, since it gives me a way to compare my opinions of the best places to go with others and see how they match up. Being new to Ottawa, the Best Of Listings are particularly useful, since I not only get to compare, I can obtain some suggestions for where to go. Although I have to say, Dairy Queen for gelato? I haven't been to an Ottawa Dairy Queen, but if they made gelato I would hope that Ottawans wouldn't judge it the best in the city (or at least allow it to get an honorable mention). My first job was at Dairy Queen, so I don't want to dis their product (they make good chocolate dipped ICE MILK cones). Maybe I'll have to check out the DQ gelato (if it exists) the next time I think of going there. Some places on the list I know, others I will be checking out soon. Hopefully I can get to learn more about Ottawa from a local perspective! The one thing I don't like about this best of listing is that there is no narrative to go along with it. Why do people consider these places the best? I think the Montreal Mirror has both the popular results and some editorial choices with some profiles of at least some of the places listed, so the reader can understand WHY they are good. Just a suggestion... And wait! Another suggestion might be to list the percentages that voted for each choice, just for comparison purposes. This is a good way to find which places are really considered to be standouts by the population.
Heather Jackson	{10 votes}	November 19th, 2004
Hard to argue with those results     I can't believe that Dunn's didn't get a nod for best sandwich. Ok it's a one trick pony but unless I want to drive to Montreal it's the only place to get my smoked meat fix!!. I'd also like to mention The Rose's Cafe for it's Indian food. I also love the fact that Zaphod's is the best bar to pick up a straight male, staright female or a gay female. Is that tolerance or what?!! I still think the best forgotten Ottawa celebrity catagory is a bit shallow. Let's hate them because they're rich and famous? I'm sorry but did Alanis set fire to the Shepard's of Good Hope the last time she was here? Hello sour grapes. I thought the list was a chance to celebrate all that's great with the city. How about you grow up and drop the nasty topics? C'mon Xpress... you're bigger and better than that.
James Harrison	{1 vote}	November 18th, 2004
where are the cafes??     I just moved here and I'm surprised by the lack of funky, ecclectic cafes with yummy baked goods. Yes, Bridgehead is the best I've seen - if only because it actually carries fair trade coffee - but in other cities I've lived in, I could always find cute little locally owned cafes with fair trade coffee AND a unique atmosphere. Are there any around? On a related note, where are all the cinnamon buns in this city? Will I have to start baking my own?
Emily Cove		August 23rd, 2005
Best city for entertainment is ..... Ottawa!! Yes!!     Best lebanese restaurant : of course where?..... In Ottawa : Sharwarma King I'm agreed with that Best musuem: Civilization.... Yes !! I'm a volunteer here and it's the best place to volunteer.... Go and register with the pdf document..........
Nayla Hatem		March 2nd, 2005
Polls     Polls are biased and often controversial but they are so much fun, why isn't there one for Montreal? we should make one for montreal right now! Who polls and who are the people being polled?
Zhou Fang	{1 vote}	December 6th, 2004
best list i've read so far this month     I just want to congratulate the express and all the readers on putting together such an awesomely comprehensive list of things to do, places to go, and things to see around little ole ottawa. The best thing about it is that it helps those of us from out of country and those of you from out of town, to get around and get a really good taste of the city!
Gina Guevara	{1 vote}	November 21st, 2004
Fun...     I think that the results of this survey are pretty amusing to read. However, it seems to me like most winners are more the "best known of" and not the very best of. This will not help me to discover new things but still, it is fun to see what people had to say about their favorite things in Ottawa !
Caroline Vigneault	{1 vote}	November 20th, 2004
votes     Please, Keep yourself in good company as best live band? they were one of the least voted bands this past year at Emergenza. I think these guys stocked the votes more than anyone else to win this title. Last year it was Stone Melodies (2003) who actually won the Emergenza contest AND the local vote. I saw it...there was proof. Maybe next year, but i certainly have not heard any buzz about KYGC. On the other hand i HAVE heard about the Fully Down live experience and hope to catch that show sometime. Maybe the title should be Ottawa's biggest BUZZ regarding music rather than votes cause these guys have none. Best local album/EP? again, Oh pleeeeeeeeeease.
Ger Madden	{2 votes}	November 18th, 2004

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