Hugo: "Everything is good. Know why" Because it's fresh. I buy every day." photo: Ben Welland

He's the kind of owner who visits every table personally to check in with his patrons, and his charm warms the casual, comfortable space. It's a far cry from the last occupant, a dank watering hole called Peanuts. Hugo tells KCDC and me about his plans for further renovations and about getting a liquor licence, which is still in the works.

Who needs a liquor licence when you've got Chilean comfort food? Hugo clearly knows his way around a grill, and the short menu favours grilled fare. One page could be considered the "lunch" side, with sandwiches and lighter options. The empanadas plate catches my eye right away - I'd been hooked on these savoury pastry pockets in Toronto. Other South American specialties are available too, such as churrascos - a steak sandwich, essentially - and sopaipillas pasadas, a kind of savoury doughnut made with pumpkin.

Instead, we scan the "dinner" menu, where options include grilled bass and carne a la parilla, grilled beef and pork skewers. I choose pastel de choclo, a wonderful Chilean shepherd's pie topped with creamed corn and filled with ground beef, chicken, black olives, boiled egg, onion and raisins. KCDC opts for the costillar de cerdo, a seriously meaty rack of pork ribs, with a side of amazing thick-cut fries. (Hugo believes no Canadian restaurant can succeed without fries.)

Everything's enjoyable, to the point that we get a take-out sandwich to try as well. Barros luco is Hugo's favourite, a Chilean-style cheese steak. I even went back a day later to get the empanadas, which don't disappoint. They're filled similarly to the pastel de choclo; the pastry isn't perfection, but that filling...!

I'll be keeping my eye on Viña del Mar. I have a feeling that ambitious management will steer it to even greater things to come. Shout out to Riva Soucie, former XPress food editor, for the tip.

Viña del Mar
1079 Wellington St. W
(613) 724-3000
Entrées: $6.75-$10.99
 
 

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Delicious! Recommended.     We had a really nice meal, empanadas (meat) and the "anticucho" of meat and pork, delicious taste! We will go back for more... :)
Alejandra Babkine		May 2nd, 2009
Viva Chile, Mierda!     If you go there (you must go!) try to taste chilean empanadas, a very good chilean wine and try also to chat with Hugo. Pedro Albuquerque (from Fortaleza, Brasil)
Pedro Albuquerque		April 10th, 2009
A Chilean Restaurant??? Finally!!     Omg! I may be Canadian born, but am a descendant of Chilean parents. I've always loved my native dishes, but my mom never really makes any. I've gotten recipes from aunts and cousins, but when I make them, they never taste the same as they do when made there. I know there's Chilean restaurants and bakeries in Toronto and Montreal, but I've never heard of any here in Ottawa. I'll definitely be checking Vina del Mar out!
Julie Silva		May 7th, 2008
Agreed!     It's true: Vina del Mar is one more fabulous restaurant in 'the burg' serving up homemade, street-level food. You have to try: The steak sandwich piled with creamy mayonnaise and avocado, salty hand-cut fries, homemade hot pepper chutney, that amazing sweet and savory Shepard's pie, and garlic-infused salad dressing with fresh cilantro. Last week, Hugo told me he sold over 400 empanadas in one day! And when the debit machine when down for a few minutes, he told us to just drop in to pay the next time we were in the neighborhood. Plus, the interior is cute and clean and the service is friendly and personal. It's as comfortable as being at home, only the food is better. I think I just talked myself into heading there for lunch.
Riva Soucie		April 18th, 2008
Viña's LIQUOR LICENCE and LIVE MUSIC     Of paramount importance: VIñA DEL MAR NOW HAS A LIQUOR LICENCE and a nice selection of Chilean wines, artisan beers and hard-boiled tears (rum, whiskey, etc.). Live Latin American music has also begun to adorn Friday and/or Saturday evenings. Check local listings or give Viña del Mar a call (613-724-3000).
Leonard Constant		May 14th, 2009
Have a great time!!!     They provide a very nice food and I love the steak and fish they prepare there. There is a cozy and nice place to go and enjoying a good food and chatting with friends! Well recommended!
Antonio Misaka		May 7th, 2009

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