WHERE TO EAT NOW

The best new restaurants for 2013.

Letter from the Editor

A strong sense of civic pride is brewing in our city. More often than not, it’s led by multitasking entrepreneurs who connect with people in the spirit of creating something special. Most recently we’re seeing chefs and restaurateurs throw their metaphorical toques in the ring — and literally asking their customers to pull up a seat at the bar. The result is a blurring of the traditional lines between customer and server, not to mention a new notion of what dining out can be. It’s a time for calculated risks, colourful personalities, and experiences that evolve through the night. In short, it’s the era of the cocktail.

Maybe it’s because we’re drinking earlier and dining later. Why not enjoy happy hour with artisanal munchies? Heck, some of these cocktails eat like a meal. Or maybe it’s because while we’re chatting up the tattooed barkeep, conversation naturally leads to our next order. Who wants a rum and Coke if you can have a carefully crafted signature cocktail? When chefs and bartenders are putting so much thought into the balancing of flavours and the infusing of herbs and alcohol, it seems a shame to choose a standard highball.

In the end, even if you choose not to imbibe, the theme of this year’s best restaurants feature shines a light on the rising stars of our dining scene. Cocktails are but a symbol of the attention to detail and the commitment to local products that make these places stand out. 

In the spirit of the season, we sourced the city’s top shops to create a stunning gift guide. Our expanded Shop Talk series brings together the talents of our expert shoppers, Sarah Fischer and Erica Wark, with art director Jane Corbett’s impeccable festive styling and photographer Marc Fowler’s precise technical skills. If you’re looking for gift ideas or holiday decor inspiration, it’s a great place to start.

Alas, the holidays can also be a bittersweet time. For Vaheeda Visram, whose brother Shafiq disappeared nearly 20 years ago, it can be a reminder of those not present at the family table. Ron Corbett talks to Vaheeda and members of the missing persons department in the compelling story “The Lost.”

Coming Up: Our 2014 Interiors issue will be better than ever. We’re working closely with Great Space guru Sarah Brown to bring you stories and photography featuring the city’s best interior design, architecture, home decor, and public spaces.

Dayanti Karunaratne , Editor
feedbackottawa@stjosephmedia.com

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