15 Chemin Kingsmere,Old Chelsea, Quebec

Ph 819-827-0332

Reviewed by Sylvia

It was the first time since we moved to Ottawa that I was going to a restaurant outside the city centre, and I was pleasantly surprised on how nice the Old Chelsea area looks.

It was in the evening and the main dining room and the smaller group dining rooms were all packed but after only a 10 minute wait we got a table.

 

We were very impressed by the Table d'hotes that was impressive for its variety and abundance, but we finally opted for an a la carte selection. Here too, the choices looked rich and various and all the ingredients appeared very close to the "Terroir", one of our favourite words in Italy, where I am newly from.

 

For the entree I chose, Rillettes de sanglier aux echalotes confites au vin de bleuet, and my husband selected, De notre fumoir: Saumon et petoncles fumes, julienne de celeri rave, mayonnaise a la ciboulette et la betterave. We chose also a bottle of fresh, fruity New Zealand wine to go with the meal.

 

My entree was small in size, as an entree should be, and looked like the Quebecois cretons but it was a lot better: a smooth substance with a tangy flavour and the perfume of fresh rosemary. It took ages to get some bread to go with it but it was worth the wait. My husband enjoyed his plate where the salmon was rolled around the scallops, both smoked with maple wood, on a bed of fresh and crunchy veggies with a light vinaigrette. For the main I had, Lapin braise aux bleuets sauvages et poivre noir, at $17.50 and Andre chose Pot-au-feu de la mer a l'etragon at $18.75.

My rabbit was soft and rosy and had good black pepper spiciness but the sauce was thick and dark, the blueberries looked like little rocks in a sea of sauce, but the veggies were fine. My husband's Pot-au-feu was absolutely delicious with the correct equilibrium between tarragon, fish broth, cream and, I think, a hint of curry.

 

We finished our dishes enjoying every bite and the nice ambiance. We didn't try any of the desserts, as it is not our habit to have one. I thought that the prices were extremely convenient and the check undisturbing.