An Atomic omelette set against an erotic photo by Thauvette photo: Ben Welland

While the Atomic Rooster appears deceptively safe, with its contemporary beige motif and modern interior, the local art lining its walls is anything but. The pub is currently featuring erotically charged photography by Genevieve Thauvette. Sitting beneath an image of a nude with strategically placed doilies, I ordered up some coffee to kick-start my late Sunday brunch, and I thought about how refreshing it was to see a restaurant adorned with the kind of art that you wouldn't normally see outside of La Petite Mort Gallery. By coincidence, Gallery 101 just moved upstairs.

As I was peering at the menu, I became aware that none of the other patrons in the establishment were eating. In fact, the restaurant was startlingly empty save for the surly bunch of regulars who had firmly planted themselves at the bar. Unfortunately Atomic Rooster has had the misfortune of being on the same block as Somerset House, which recently nearly collapsed during construction.

My date and I ordered up a substantial breakfast from the simple offerings on the menu and heartily dug in. I had the breakfast bagel topped with fluffy scrambled eggs, cream cheese, diced tomato and a paprika laden hollandaise sauce. But being even richer than it sounds, this bagel needed more than just the green onions on the top to balance it out. The accompanying home fries were competent, but the fresh fruit cup I'd ordered had the standard assortment of fruits save for the canned pineapple, which I could have done without. On the other hand, the homemade oatmeal had a perfect, not-too-mushy texture, and was served up with a side of milk and brown sugar. But the omelette was the highlight of the brunch. It was cooked just right and generously filled with meaty mushrooms, ham and loads of gooey cheddar cheese.

Our server was genuinely sweet and was readily available with friendly refills of coffee. With the great service and the local art lining the walls, I really wanted this place to become my new Manx, but unless you're ordering the omelette, breakfast just doesn't cut it... yet.

Atomic Rooster
303 Bank Street
(613) 569-1000
Breakfast (Saturday and Sunday): $3.95-$7.95
 
 

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Amazing Eggs Benedict     Found the Atomic Rooster by accident in 2008 one Sunday afternoon, and was blown away (in a positive way!). The waitress was sincere and attentive, and the Eggs Benedict had the best homemade sauce I've ever tasted. Instantly addicted. Plus, very affordable. Have gone several times since, and loved it every time.
Nadim Kara		April 30th, 2010
Give me a break     I decided to try this "restaurant" because if these reviews. PLEASE... did they write these themselves!? Granted there was about 10 people at the bar, which made them look busy. I sat with my friend at a table to eat. We ordered chicken, it was dry and the salad somewhat soggy!! the bartender was old anbd had teeth missing, YUK. Lots of driking was happening we were the only ones eating... now I know why.
alyson Blackburn		April 12th, 2009
Great Food, Great Night!     I recently had to work in Ottawa and found myself on a friday night with a rumbling tummy and a thirst for beer. wandering down Bank street from my hotel, I found the Atomic Rooster bar and bistro. The place was very busy and I thought I would have a long wait to dine, but much to my surprise I was chowing down on a fantastic NY steak in minutes. My plan for the evening was to eat, have a few beers, then head back to the hotel and work on the lap top. After my meal I was dancing with complete strangers to a wonderful band called " the staggering punters" I have met some great people, ate great food, drank great beer and danced my feet off, 2:00am came all too quickly. I will be back in Ottawa, and I will be back at the Atomic Rooster.
Arthur Brown		June 20th, 2008
Excellent Breakfast     This last Sunday I had a great breakfast at the Rooster. The service was prompt and friendly and I really liked the group of seven type paintings. My breakfast was served piping hot and really fast. The eggs were perfect and so was the bacon. It was a basic breakfast but it was all done well. They had a TV with Sportsdesk and the waitress was super knowledgable about the SENS.
Randy Way		February 20th, 2008
Take a chance on the Rooster     I recently visited the AR and I had a completly different experience from Ms. Johnson's. The food was great, the beer was cold and the staff was exception. You want specialty eggs....go to Cora's....you want fresh, new and hospiable....stick with the Rooster! Bravo guys....great job, great experience and great success...I will do my best to help. Ottawa "NEEDS" more places like the Rooster.
John MacBeth		December 13th, 2007
It is nice to know that there is another place with some aesthetic pleasure I can turn to for brunch when the manx is lined up out the door and up the steps. Someplace that doesn't just serve crepes or cold eggs. I've never been for brunch, but did stop in for a beer and was relieved that it didn't resemble the other Irish pubs across the city. Thanks for the review.
Jenny Potter		November 1st, 2007

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