Owned by the same culinary genius behind Beckta, this upscale small-plates spot on ByWard Market’s border serves up incredible dishes, with the gnocchi, pork belly and octopus standing out as favourites. Diners love the small-plates concept, which is wonderfully conducive to sharing, allowing for delicious sampling opportunities with your fellow diners! The engaging servers will set you up with great wine pairings to go with your food selections too. Casual yet classy, gourmet yet reasonably priced, this is a must-try for anyone visiting Ottawa.
Expect high-quality food at this snug spot that offers small plates made with seasonal ingredients and a wine list to match. Their charcuterie selection includes calabrese, prosciutto, pork rillette and saucisson sec, all served with beautiful condiments like caraway mustard or zucchini relish. Once you've enjoyed your mixed charcuterie, there are plenty of small plates to try. The ingredients are thoughtful and dishes are well-crafted, including a roasted beet salad with granola, blackberry and star anise.
Play Food and Wine was started by Stephen Beckta, and can be thought of as the more affordable cousin of Beckta Dining & Wine. From the delicious charcuterie selection – the pork creton with pickled fennel is a must – to the wonderful cheese plates, the focus here is on small portions and big flavours. There is a $15 corkage fee per 750 ml bottle.