In the last two years, Westboro village has become one of the trendiest spots in Ottawa to whet your appetite. We’ve seen restaurants like the Wellington Gastropub make a name for itself through innovative molecular gastronomy, Siam Bistro has run away with the title of best Thai food in Ottawa and places like Alium, Absinthe and Juniper continue to win gold and silver medals for superior cooking in the nation’s capital. The Village Cafe is just another hot spot to add to the list, that I happily discovered on Tuesday afternoon.
The Village Cafe, I’m a little embarrassed to admit, has been open since 1996 and certainly is a hidden gem of the Westboro wing. Executive Chef Craig Beaudry and his soon-to-be-wife (and sous chef) Monique Haugen are intent upon local, fresh produce which made my heart skip a beat from the minute we walked in. Upon entry you will find a black board of daily specials with an emphasis on handcrafted, artisan comfort food using a variety of fresh and local ingredients. Everything is reasonably priced and the food is delicious, home-made style nourishment.
I decided upon the prosciutto,tomato and mushroom pasta and my companion went for the pulled pork sandwich which sits a few notches above any other pulled pork I’ve had in Ottawa (. . . Sorry Smoque Shack).
. After our main courses, the waitress habitually offered us the dessert menu which usually, I politely decline. But on this crisp, autumn day I thought a slice of something nice would be just what the doctor ordered. The Village Cafe desserts are made fresh, in-house by chef Haugen and her efforts and culinary care are reflected in the presentation as well as the taste. With October being a pumpkin crazy month (pumpkin spice latte, pumpkin bisque, pumpkin pie, you name it and Mr. Pumpkin is all over it), I decided to try the pumpkin pie cheesecake. Let’s just say that the slice was nice…very nice. Heaven on a sugar dusted plate nice. Okay, fine. I loved it. It was the highlight of the meal and I urge anyone who likes good things to go and try the pumpkin cheesecake. Now.
Inanutshell, the cheesecake is a mousse-like consistency with crushed hazelnuts and walnuts atop of the whipped cream cheese icing with a dainty silhouette of a fork made out of icing sugar. Along with the cozy meal, an intimate setting, friendly service and reasonable prices, the pumpkin pie cheese cake is worthy of a visit to Westboro’s The Village Cafe to satiate your October pumpkin-anything cravings.
**Have you had a delicious pumpkin treat this October?? Leave us a comment so we can fill our gluttonous tummies with more pumpkin-deliciousness!**
Great review, Kate! I have been going to the Village Cafe for about 20 years and it is always busy around lunchtime, so I am not sure how ‘hidden’ this gem is! BTW I make a mean pumpkin cheesecake, with a ginger cookie crust. Ask me to make it for you, my family doesn’t like cheesecake
You make that cheesecake sound VERY tempting! I wanted to let you know that a lot of the restaurants you mentioned (Wellington Gastropub, Siam Bistro, Absinthe) are in Wellington West, not Westboro. Here’s a tip: if you’re on Richmond Rd, you’re in Westboro; if you’re on Wellington St West, you’re in Wellington West!
Thanks for the advice Annie!
Thanks for that. Great information.
I’ve had the pulled pork sandwich at the Village cafe many times, it is in fact the best I’ve had in this city! The space is very cozy and the staff friendly and all knowledgeable of what ingredients are inside each and every dish. I recommend Village cafe to all the foodies out there!
Odd how we take just take good things for granted. You know the “Cafe” is better know than you think. I was in greece and Crete, last year and met 3 people, who regularly, patronize the place. Try the suppers too.