White Cross Dispensary -	October 5, 2006
	5 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Friendly and knowledgeable staff, with a more interesting mix of products than most. Lots of 'natural' remedies, organic bath products, &c. It may not have all the run-of-the-mill stuff a Shoppers does, but it invariably has something better. I recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam

	Michaels Arts and Crafts -	October 5, 2006
	3 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Prices are not what they should be for a semi-sloppy big box store. The selection isn't bad, but hovers around the lower (not bottom) end -- this is not the place for top-quality anything, nor the place for a bargain. Serious, specialised artsy types will want to look elsewhere, and check the Wal-Mart next door, which was selling what I last went there for for less than half the price. I do not recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam

	Wine Rack -	October 5, 2006
	5 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Friendly service, good hours, low prices, and a dubious selection. A few good wines show up, but it's mostly geared towards "sherry bums" (the clerk's term, not mine) (cheapest sherry: $6), and fans of alcopop. Fine for a cold bottle of plonk to go with whatever you bought at Boushey's, though. I recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam

	Norberry Residences -	October 5, 2006
	4 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Recommended, with reservations. These are decent cheap apartments for students; spacious, and the property management did not, some years back, lack too much, but it's just too great a housing density for what's essentially a suburb -- do not, for example, ever expect a quiet swim in the pool. (The proximity to Mooney's Bay is a plus, though.) The design is standard-issue highrise: ugly parquet floors in white box rooms. Large windows are the only design feature, but they can be a trial in bad weather. I do not recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam

	Goldstein Food Market -	September 22, 2006
	2 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Conveniently located, and open reasonably late (11pm most nights), friendly staff, but... A number of items are quite overpriced, and the produce section is getting pretty awful. A friend once called it "Eastern Ontario's largest convenience store," and that's pretty spot-on. As a market, it is decidedly not super. I do not recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam

	Rinaldo Hair Designers & Spa -	September 22, 2006
	5 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Good results, but. It can be extremely busy -- full of people, noisy, distracting. It's also expensive. I've paid more, but received more. Still useful for people-watching, though, given politico patrons... I recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam

	Colonnade Pizza & Restaurant -	September 21, 2006
	3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Regularly appears as "the best" pizza in Ottawa in various competitions and so forth. It is extremely tasty -- something about their formula is working, and quite well; can get busy at times. The other dishes are less exciting, somewhat understandably; I don't know that many people come here for anything but the pizza. Service is reliably good, and prices reasonable. I recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam

	Mayflower Restaurant & Pub -	September 21, 2006
	1 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Cozy, classic. Good brunch in front, good pub in rear, good patio on the side. Some food a bit on the bland side, but overall quite tasty -- brunch and pub food are usually excellent. Great service, friendly patrons, decent prices. Its age (dates to 1978 or thereabouts) has led to a slightly tired-looking restaurant section, and a charmingly well-loved pub section. I recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam

	Herb & Spice Shop -	September 21, 2006
	1 out of 3 people found this review helpful. A bit of a landmark as these things go; it's been around at least as long as me. Bears little resemblance to contemporary supermarket health food stores -- it's on the small side for a grocery store. Large enough for the purpose, though, and _reasonably_ low on the nonsense "diet pills" &c that seem to clutter up a lot of natural foods places. Nice lefty vibe, though sometimes, darn it all, you just want double-bagged plastic with no questions asked. OK bulk selection -- best in town, though, for (see name...) bulk herbs and spices. I recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam

	Hallmark Cards (Davis Agency) -	September 21, 2006
	1 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Absolutely massive for a card store; stuffed with cards, some of which are surprisingly tasteful and witty, for every conceivable occasion. Interestingly, they have one of those now-ubiquitous frequent-buyers'-discount-etc cards; that and the size of the place make one a bit nervous about just how card-addicted some people might be. Cons: no 'independent'-type cards. The selection (which includes a fair amount of "giftware," along with related items like stationery) leans towards the conservative and classic. I recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam

	Hartman's Your Independent Grocer -	September 21, 2006
	10 out of 25 people found this review helpful. Kudos to Hartman's, sort of, for pushing me towards car ownership! Their combination of lousy brands with middling-to-high prices is a winner. Nuts to gourmets and bargain-seekers; this place puts the "super" in supermarket, what with its miles of nationally advertised brands, which are...nationally advertised, priced as such, and which would be unlikely to sell at all if they weren't so heavily advertised. For a real taste treat, try the 'ethnic' food sections here! Plenty of "Chinese" sugar sauce, and "Mexican" tomato sauce... Sure to be a winner when combined with the mediocre produce, too. I do not recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam

	Parliament Pub -	September 21, 2006
	1 out of 2 people found this review helpful. This, partially on Sussex and partially on Wellington directly across from Parliament Hill, can be a bit touristy -- which is reflected, I think, in sometimes less than spectacular service, not quite as many beers on tap as you'd like in a "pub," and weird hours -- they close very early for reasons I can't understand. That last part is a pity, because apart from those somewhat niggardly complaints, it's a good place. The food I've had there has always been thoughtfully prepared from fresh ingredients, and the drinks well-mixed. The patio is really a stand-out, too. It would be _the_ place to take an out-of-town (or simply suburban) guest, and its charm is not lost on locals, either. I recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam

	Howard Roger F Dr -	September 21, 2006
	1 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Have to love a site where you can plug that great rarity, a dentist you actually enjoy seeing... Nary a problem with him, his staff, or my teeth, going on a few decades now. Patience and charitable comments afforded when, like me, you sometimes wait a while between appointments. His office is clean, up-to-date, and pleasant, but free of hustling for the latest tooth whitening what-not -- much more than can be said for a lot of dentists downtown. I recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam

	Royal Oak Restaurant -	September 21, 2006
	1 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Once a good neighbourhood dive; now, frightening. Lousy food. Creative accounting on tabs. Less than clean. Creepy patrons. It's sunk even below most reasonable standards of 'low' -- there's nothing fun about it. For a variety of reasons, it's such a source of and magnet for bad that you can almost gauge how much a part of the immediate neighbourhood will be in decline based on its proximity to the place; it's now a bit of a sad neighbourhood joke. The other Royal Oaks in the city do not share these problems, though. I'm not sure if it's the fault of this bar, or the lousy part of Bank St around it, or (likely) they're just in decline together. I do not recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam

	Perfect Books -	September 21, 2006
	2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Small but packed -- an independent bookstore that reminds you of why those are such good things. Excellent selection; I go here for both basic how-to classics, and new fiction and non-. Whoever's picking the books does a good job; I usually walk out with at least one new title. Their 'sale' sections are not the usual remaindered dross, either; they usually yield a few finds. New books, both sale and regular, show up often enough to warrant frequent browsing. Pleasant service, sometimes amusing window displays; ask about frequent-customer discounts. I recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam

	Globe MAGS & Cigars -	September 21, 2006
	1 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Not quite as good as Mags & Fags on Elgin -- smaller selection, and more cramped quarters means less browsing fun -- but perhaps second best, which stands out in a city with few genuinely good newsstands. Some more obscure periodicals, and few lousy ones, with a good tobacco selection, too. And, thankfully, open later than the usual nine-to-five. I recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam

	Sassy Bead Company -	September 21, 2006
	2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. A fun place -- beads galore -- but with some problems. Given the Market location, it's usually packed, and that's a big irritation in a store so slanted towards leisurely browsing. And 'leisurely browsing' it is -- most beads and accessories are sold individually, so just a small pile of supplies will take some time to pick up. As might be expected, the beads, not being sold in quantity, do lean towards the overpriced. That said, still a fairly fun place; a relatively productive time-waster. I recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam

	Silver Snail Comics -	September 21, 2006
	1 out of 2 people found this review helpful. The only place in the city with a decent selection of those smarty-pants 'alternative' comics. You know, the literate, witty, well-drawn things. This could be even larger; stores in other cities manage to do it, but, for Ottawa, it's pretty good. Other stuff, too, including an awful lot of those little figurines people are so fond of placing on top of computer monitors. A toystore for semi-adults. I recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam

	Fresh Fruit Company -	September 21, 2006
	4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. A somewhat above-the-herd greengrocer's. Seen on a recent visit: fresh local spinach (as I write this, US spinach has been taken off the shelves thanks to an e. coli problem), and collard greens (also fresh) -- not the easiest to find here. A little deli, some good cheese, dairy and general grocery, but mostly just a good selection of quality fresh fruit and veg at good prices -- beating the local supermarkets at that by quite a bit. I recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam

	Barley Mow -	September 21, 2006
	3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. A genuinely nice place; tastefully decorated, comfortable, with a good menu and very good beer (&c) selection. There are some inconsistencies. Food is usually fresh and flavourful, though some brown lettuce turned up recently (which was taken back, politely). Service is usually good, though there are some bad nights. All in all, though, worth returning to. I recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam

	Ahora Mexican Cuisine -	September 21, 2006
	2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Six out of five. The atmosphere can be a bit off-putting -- a sometimes loud little place in a basement; food's ordered at the counter (brought to you, though, and it is fully licensed) -- thoroughly casual. The food, though, is excellent. This is slightly analogous to what you find in the authentic Mexican places in Southern California -- including things like 'Jarritos' brand pop -- but probably even better. It's fresh and perfectly seasoned; the menu has a good selection (vegetarians will enjoy it, too) without trying to offer everything and doing a mediocre job of everything. Nary a bad dish so far. Prices are outstanding; one leaves full of excellent food for frequently under $10. Service is friendly, too. Recommended not only by me, but most of Ottawa -- including a number of professional chefs. I recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam

	Maclaren's On Elgin -	September 21, 2006
	4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. A pool hall, and reasonably nice as those things go. Large, licensed, clean, well-located. Amusingly, the crowd seems to almost entirely be out on dates, or looking to be out on a date. If you're looking to meet somebody on Elgin without the noise of the clubs, this might be your place. Also fine for simply shooting pool, though. I recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam

	Mayfair Theatre -	September 21, 2006
	1 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Perhaps the nicest-looking theatre remaining in Ottawa; top-notch for dates (the food is, as movie theatres go, not bad). Fares are discounted, notably so, for owners of (year-long) memberships. This is a great idea if you live nearby, and are of the sort of student-y bent that enjoys their selections, but an irritating one if you're only an occasional visitor. I recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam

	Food Basics -	September 21, 2006
	2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Almost undoubtedly the cheapest place in the city for groceries, and, unintentionally, quite entertaining -- it's a bit of a disorganised experience as retail goes, and has some interesting people-watching. The selection is good, especially for fans of Mr. Goudas. Gourmets might want to look elsewhere for anything beyond staples, though. I recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam

	Darrell Thomas Textiles -	September 21, 2006
	0 out of 1 people found this review helpful. An odd location for a fine store; this part of Bank Street is pretty seedy these days, and this is a very nice place. Needed, too, after an earlier (and less impressive) Bank St purveyor of buttons went out of business. If there are other places in the city to buy ones, and fabrics you'd actually want to spend time doing something with, I don't know it. http://www.darrellthomas.com/ gives a good overview. I recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam

	Comerford's Cigar Store -	September 21, 2006
	3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. A small but friendly smoke shop and newsstand; notable because there just aren't that many left. There's a good selection of periodicals (though nothing terribly unique), and some good things to smoke if still bent that way. Sadly, like a lot of downtown Ottawa, it closes up shop a bit too early for my liking. I recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam

	Club Monaco -	September 21, 2006
	1 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Perhaps I could give Club Monaco a higher rating, but they've become too trendy for my tastes in recent years. That said, it's not a bad 'trendy,' avoiding a lot of the trashier styles seen in many of the Rideau Centre chain stores; it's reliably fashionable. The clothes are still reasonably well-made for the price (a little less artificial fibre, and it'd just be 'well-made'). Watch for sales. I recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam

	Canada's Four Corners -	September 21, 2006
	1 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Probably the premier souvenir shop in town, though it seems insulting to dismiss it as a 'souvenir shop.' Fine -- some, very fine -- Canadian wares; many tasteful arts and crafts. Like so much of Sussex, not cheap, but a top-notch destination even for locals; it's an excellent source of presents. I recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam

	Boushey's Fruit Market -	September 21, 2006
	8 out of 9 people found this review helpful. A great place to live near, and worth a drive if you don't... There's a good deli counter; the dairy case has some less popular top-notch brands, the produce is almost always about as good as you can get, good bakery section, and a browse-worthy selection of groceries (some staples, some truffle oil). The real stand-out for me is the take-away section; if you can't decide on a restaurant on Elgin, go here, and eat in the park. A wide selection, from deli staples to Indian foods. All excellent. The fruit salad should appeal to even those who dislike fruit. Not bargain shopping, but reasonable -- well worth it for the quality. The staff is friendly and helpful, too. I recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam

	Mexicali Rosa's-Dow's Lake -	September 21, 2006
	3 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Definitely one of the nicest of all the Mexicali's locations; the view of Dow's Lake is great -- making the patio exceptionally lovely in the summer. Food, as with all 'Mexi's,' is uninspired and tasty -- American Mex; fried and cheesy and good. They'd benefit from more vegetarian selections, and smaller portions with better ingredients, but this sort of stuff-yourself comfort food still goes down well. Caveat: this location, depending on time of day, can be either eerily empty, or very busy, with service what you'd expect for both situations. I recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam

	Feleena's -	September 21, 2006
	3 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Friendly service, nice patio, swell Glebe location, good drinks, lousy food. Not quite so many years back, eating at Feleena's was a treat. Some more recent visits have been nothing but a let-down, though. The food is bland; N Americanized to a bizarre degree, and often has serious problems -- thoroughly wilted vegetables, inedibly tough bits in entreés. Not at all recommended until the entire kitchen staff is sacked... I do not recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam

	East India Company -	September 21, 2006
	4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Most people I've brought here have said "Oooh, this is a little nicer than I expected," and I can't quite figure out if that's the food, or the decor. Both are quite good. It has a buffet, which is very clean, fresh, and well-kept one as those things go; it's also well-stocked with side tidbits -- chutneys and the like. 'A la carte' is also available. NB that the naan bread is a separate charge if ordered with the buffet, a somewhat unique quality that draws the very few complaints I've heard. The food is flavourful, moreso than many other downtown Indian restaurants. Vegetarian options abound, even in the buffet. Prices are not the cheapest, but still thoroughly reasonable; service has always been pleasant. Well recommended. I recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam

	D'Arcy Mcgee's Irish Pub -	September 21, 2006
	2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. A fine place for a drink -- great location at Sussex & Elgin, with large and pleasant patio. While the address can make it a little touristy, it's still great for politician-spotting. Less enthusiastically recommended is the food, which, while not overpriced, has been lackluster on several occasions: uninspired stuff made from unimpressive ingredients. Perfectly edible for a pub meal, but only when carrying low expectations. I recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam

	Bell Pastry & Delicatessen -	September 21, 2006
	2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Just (mostly) a lunch place for office workers in Place Bell, but worth a detour for others. Great selection of deli items, hot and cold take-away, sweets, coffees, pastries, etc. The food is exceptionally well-prepared; always fresh and tasty -- actually worth taking home for dinner if you're not up to cooking. Note (unadvertised) policy of half-off salads, and some other take-away, after about 3pm... I recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam

	Marcello's Market & Deli -	September 21, 2006
	3 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Quite good for a little chain catering to a relatively captive office lunch audience. Deli counter, sizable selection of hot and cold take-away; also, ready-made sandwiches and a pizza counter. Unexciting, but little need to look elsewhere for lunch fare -- though the similar place a few blocks down in Place Bell does a better job for me. I recommend this place. Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report as Spam