Underwhelming. Service was nice but I've had better. Spaghetti & meatballs were okay, the pasta a little too al-dente and meatballs were good but a little too dry. Their pannacotta was delicious though. read more

Cantina Gia - Wine Bars Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

Classy Italian restaurant with some chic vibes. Low lights and hip music is the feel of this place. Service was very good with the waitress coming often to refill water and following up on the food. Focaccia with Buratta, pistachio and arugula pesto - Large portions and delicious bread. Fluffy inside and crispy outside. Buratta, pistachio and pesto was good, but a bit too steep on the wallet. Calamari - light batter with fresh calamari. Some bites were crispy and some were soggy. Overall the calamari was well seasoned. Some lemon pasta with broccolini and cheese - An item that I can no longer find on the menu. Even more intriguing now that I cannot find on the menu. Interesting dish that was light and well balanced. It was interesting to try, but not sure I would go for this again. read more

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I love the atmosphere of this place! It's super cute for a date night or brunch with the girls. Unfortunately the food was just okay, the menu was not the same over the weekend so I was a-bit disappointed with the options. We came around 2pm on a sunday, so I was expecting a different menu. The best dish was the porchetta sandwich with side salad. Unfortunately the carbonara was not special. I had a lovely server and found the staff approachable and friendly. read more

Cantina Gia - Wine Bars Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

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The a/c was broken in the dining room but they sat us by the window and it was very picturesque. I didn't care how hot it was bcuz the food was worth it. They give you a big ol' piece of fresh bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar and the pasta was fresh and delicious. I just wish they had more wine to choose from and the server was super young who recommended a fruity wine that was "so yummy it tastes like juice!" haha but obviously I disregarded her recommendation and ordered a decent Tuscan wine. Definitely recommend. read more

Cantina Gia - Ottawa - Wine Bars Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

Beautiful little spot, I like the ambiance mismatched plates and glass. We started with gluten free calamari and focaccia bread with pesto. I can't comment on the bread but did enjoy the calamari. It was a very light batter, not oily. I ordered gluten free ravioli. It was ok take what I say with a pinch of salt as I surprisingly do not like pasta. Good flavours! I took my pasta home because I wanted dessert. I finished it all with a expresso pudding. Leaving extra full. read more

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First time at Cantina Gia in the Glebe. Be sure to make a reservation ahead of time! Drinks - delicious. Got the negroni on tap and the house red. The negroni was a little smaller than expected but tasted great. House red had great flavor. Starters - 9/10 amazing. Started with the focaccia with balsamic and olive oil. Liked it so much we ordered the focaccia with burrata. The burrata was great and I loved the pesto sauce. The beef carpaccio was excellent but the grilled bread was too charred and burnt. Mains - 10/10 we all ordered a different pasta and we loved the texture of the noodles. I really enjoyed the spaghetti and meatballs. Well portioned and filling. Dessert - we each ordered a dessert. I got the panna cotta and it was heavier than I expected. It wasn't as bouncy as I am used to - it was heavy like Greek yoghurt. Still tasted fine. Service - service was fine throughout until the end of our meal. We got the bills and I was charged $14 for the panna cotta. On the printed menu and online menu, it's priced at $12. When we pointed out the mistake on our bill, the server stated they changed the prices in the system but not the menu. She did not apologize and said it's only $2 and whether it's ok. We said it's not okay. It's the principle of things! A restaurant should honour the printed menu price, otherwise we could be up charged for everything. We did not appreciate the attitude and felt like we were being scammed even if it's $2. The server ended changing our bills but this experience left a bad taste in our mouths after a delightful culinary experience. I advise you to review your bills when paying. read more

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I always pass by this place and live the vibes through the window, finally made it last week. Let me start that I'm a Muslim so can't have alcohol nor pork and it was tough coming here! Let's start with the drink, any high end restaurant is always happy to make me a mocktail. Here at first I ordered an Italian soda, she said sorry we don't have but we can make you a mocktail. Server went and came back apologizing that they can't! I couldn't understand her reason , she said we don't have juice, I said ok make me a vergin mojito she said sorry bartender said he can't! So I ended up with water :/ . My husband was interested in the tuna pasta , it had pork.. we asked her if they can take that out, sorry they can't! He ordered seafood risotto instead and wanted to substitute the clams with shrimps (he doesn't like clams) against sorry we can't! That's to begin with our dietary restrictions! Now most high end Italian restaurants offer bread with balsamic and olive oil for free, not here.. it's ok we ordered but the focaccia wasn't fresh! We ordered Tuna Crudo.. that was a very good dish. I ordered the Mafaldine Funghi. But I felt there was too much mushroom! Dessert is only 3 options and we ended up skipping that. Honestly I know they always change their menu but I guess this time we weren't lucky and our server we felt was lots and not very helpful! Place was busy for a Wednesday night and I still believe it has cute vibes! read more

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My favourite place so far for pasta! I've been here twice already and love the fact that they take reservations after 9pm (and making reservations is so easy online). The service is friendly and the ambiance of the restaurant is nice. I got the shrimp vodka rose both times because it was THAT good. My husband got the lamb ragu and loved it as well. I had tried the burrata pesto focaccia as an app the first time and did not really enjoy it unfortunately. It had a bitter taste to it - it likely just wasn't my thing. We tried the calamari our second visit and it was just okay. It was saltier than I'm used to and the batter wasn't as crispy as I'd like. I'd like to try their other apps but the star is the pasta for sure. Highly recommend their pasta dishes. read more

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This Italian spot had amazing vibes! Felt lively and intimate at the same time. We were a group of three and split two appetizers and all got our own pasta entrees - all of which were delish! The Creste Rigate and Sausage was really uniquely delicious with the tomatoes, mint and sausage. Corn Arancini was also a standout on the appetizer menu. read more

4.5 star out of 5 for: - my brunch date had hoped that our servers were masked - the rest was : -- servers were very pleasant -- we both had the the eggs benedict & it was delicious-ness; the (crunchy) arugula salad was yummy - with just a touch of colour with those almost paper thin slices of beets & what was in that dressing? it was just right; the potatoes were nicely done, too - crisp on the outside & soft on the inside + the aioli dip (good thing I asked) -- I also appreciated that my tea came in a nice tea set. Actually, my plates were such pretty china. Note: If you are like us who don't like crowds, book your brunch early. read more

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Great food and service every time I've gone! Having been for both brunch and dinner, they hit it out of the park each time. Be sure to ask about any specials or any recommendations the servers have. The focaccia is not to be missed. The restaurant can be loud at times. If you are looking for quieter seating, I would recommend asking for the private seating area or asking to sit up at the front near the window. read more

Cantina Gia has been on my radar since it opened and for some reason I never got myself there until yesterday evening! I had dinner with a friend and we got the calamari, focaccia, Caesar salad and two pasta dishes. All of which were delicious and very generous portions which makes it really good value for price. I swear I have never seen a mountain of Caesar salad like that! The brown butter, butternut squash ravioli was my favourite even though I thought it was a little too buttery but when is that ever really a bad thing?? The only reason I am giving three stars is because the servers were not super friendly and gave off a pretty cold vibe like the last thing they wanted to be doing was serving us that evening. Otherwise everything was fantastic and I would definitely go again and hopefully the servers will be in a better mood :D read more

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The burrata salad is amazing, and explosion of flavours in your palate. The porchetta sandwich was excellent, tender meat and the salad with balsamic vinegar an excellent combination The caesar salad was the best I've had in a very looong time read more

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The atmosphere is perfect, located centrally in the Glebe. It is a really popular spot so often hard to get a reservation , even on a weeknight. Consider booking in advance on Open Table or on their website. There are plenty of seats at the bar, which is spacious and honestly pretty good compared to the tables (rare for bar seating). Also gives you the benefit of being beside the bar with quick service when needed. The service was impeccable, with really friendly staff. Large cocktail and liquor menu. Notably they have negronis on tap, which I think is excellent pairing to the Italian food. It is $12, which I think is a really fair price. It tends to be a bit sweeter than the usual negroni, so perfect for someone starting out with this drink. Perfect sipping drink to pair with food. The food is simple with high quality ingredients. The pasta is housemade, which is what I would expect for dishes priced between $20-$30. They also have homemade sausage or meatballs to pair with dishes. The serving size is pretty fair and can easily be shared. Almost feels like 2 servings in some cases. They also have gluten free option pastas that are quite tasty, and you can barely tell the difference from non gluten free pasta for those with dietary restrictions. One of the best Italian places in the city. The menu is a bit basic, with nothing with huge wow factor, but it is a reliable spot to come eat read more

ambiance was really nice. its a bit dimly lit but I love how all the plates are different. they have really nice plates. the creste rigate was a bit underwhelming. the pasta itself was a bit bland with a touch too much oil. the sausage though was really great. my friend who got the rigatoni said they found it too cheesy. friend who got the spaghetti and meatballs really enjoyed that though! read more

Cantina Gia - spaghetti and meatballs creste rigate (right side dish) rigatoni - Wine Bars Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

One of my favourite restaurants in Ottawa, been a few times. The inside is super cute, pretty big menu and good service. I've tried the carbonara and the rigatoni but my favourite is by far the caccio el pepe, sooo good. Love the arancini as well. It is difficult the get into last minute especially on a weekend so I suggest making a reservation before hand. But definitely worth trying! read more

Cantina Gia - Wine Bars Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

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I was so excited to finally try this restaurant! Spaghetti and meatballs - I enjoyed the meatballs and the noodles were cooked perfectly. On the other hand, I found the sauce to be too acidic and tasted similar to canned tomato sauce. Cacio e pepe - it was okay but the noodles were a bit overcooked. Ravioli - very good! Appetizer - focaccia (not pictured). Simple and delicious The ambiance was stunning and this place is worth checking out! read more

Cantina Gia - Wine Bars Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

I've been following Cantina Gia for a little while on Instagram and was waiting for an opportunity to try it out. It just opened in the Glebe, on Bank Street between First and Second Avenue. I wanted to get some takeout for my birthday lunch today, but there were only a few people inside, so we thought why not try to eat in. It's the first time we've done it during the whole pandemic and we felt comfortable here. Glad we came when we did before a larger rush of people came on our way out. I had my heart set on the cacio e pepe and wasn't sure if would be available for lunch, but I was so glad it was. It was fantastic, with just spaghetti that's made in-house, pecorino cheese, and freshly cracked black pepper. The spaghetti was thin, almost like rice noodles, which was unexpected but welcomed and made it feel lighter. Simple and perfect, just what I was craving and what I was hoping for. My husband was blown away with the one bite I gave him :) I asked for a virgin cocktail as well, nothing too sweet, and our server made me something with City Citrus seltzer, angostura bitters, house rosemary syrup, and fresh lemon juice. Really refreshing, not very sweet at all, and pretty cranberry and rosemary garnishes. They also have Negroni on tap! Since it was Schnitzel Saturday, my husband got the veal Milanese sandwich special and it was gigantic! It came with two pieces of veal, He found the ends of the pieces a little oily from the batter without the bun, but thought was delicious, even though it had cucumber slices that he's not usually a fan of. He chose the side Caesar salad over the arugula salad and really loved it, too. It had plenty of grated cheese, pancetta, capers, and fried garlic. I had a bite of both and I also thought they were great. Made me second guess not order a full Caesar salad myself, but I was perfectly satisfied with the cacio e pepe I came for. They also have the coolest selection of wines, so we bought a bottle of the ORNG from Trail Estate Winery (PEI), a funky, unfiltered orange wine that's a Riesling and Gewürztraminer blend. On the pricier side, but something different as a nice Christmas gift. I was tempted to buy some of their sauces, house pickled veggies, dry pasta, and snacks, but I cut myself off for the holidays and promised I'd be back. Our server was super sweet, attentive, and really informative and helpful in picking out a good wine. The food was soooo good, the space is beautiful and comforting, and we will absolutely eat here again (sooner than later, I hope), and for dinner next time! Can't wait to see this place blow up! read more

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Very nice space with a small but well curated menu. Staff was friendly. We had a salad, and steak and both were outstanding. Would definitely go back to try more items on the menu! read more

I have taken my girlfriend to Cantina Gia 3-4 times now. Both the food and service have been progressively worse each time. 'Angie', our waitress tonight, provided horrible service. We were unable to locate her, and spent half the night with empty water glasses. After waiting 10 minutes for glass of wine (which we had to ask another server for, because Angie could not be located), we were curtly told that "the bartender is busy". While the food here may be alright (for Ottawa), when combined with the service, it is not worth the price, nor the hassle. read more

I've been here for several brunches and for lunch and have mostly enjoyed the food and atmosphere. First of all, the restaurant is beautifully designed with a large window into the kitchen. The ambiance is both chic and relaxed. Even the bathrooms are well designed. I especially liked coming here with a larger group (we were 6 people) because we got to sit at the super comfy back booth. Now in terms of food, I've tried: -burrata and zucchini sandwich: (4/5) Super fresh, tasty and delicious bread -arancini (4/5) -creste rigate with sausage and rapini (3.5/5) -Blueberry pancakes (4/5) -Carbonara (2/5): Too creamy for me Service has always been friendly and welcoming. read more

During my visit to Ottawa, I was recommended to come here by a hostess at another restaurant. It turned out to be my favorite meal of the two-week trip I was on. Cantina Gia is a lovely neighborhood Italian eatery, but small and busy, so it might be good to get a reservation. I like sitting at bars however, since I often travel alone, and that was enjoyable in itself because the staff here is friendly. I started with the Insalata mista salad. It is light and flavorful - perfect for a warm day. Then I ordered the Creste rigate & sausage dish. When I tasted it I knew I had come to the right place! The flavor was outstanding and the sauce was incredible. It didn't lose anything as I took my time eating it, so I slowed down even more and ordered a second glass of Montepulciano to enjoy with it. This pasta dish was so good I asked the server to compliment the chef for me. I left me wishing I lived in Ottawa and could eat here more often. read more

Excellent spot for lunch or especially for brunch! There blueberry pancakes with the pistachio whipped topping is to die for! Not too sweet but just right. They also serve a generous portion of egg's Benedict with one plate just for the poached eggs and another with the home fries and salad portion! All for a very good and generous price! Our group also loved the decor inside, great place to treat yourself to or bring friends in town visiting to try out. read more

Cantina Gia - Wine Bars Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

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I tried this restaurant on two occasions. I thought I'd give it a second chance after my first experience in the event that this was an "off" day. I left with the same impression on both occasions. Decor: nice Food: good Ambiance: very loud music. The noise is further compounded by that of customers chatting loudly so that they can hear one another over the loud music. Servers: most appear unkept, disingenuous, impatient, crusty. I would certainly not bring any guests here. Suggestions: 1. Keep the volume down. Our party ranged in age from 16, 23, 45, and 60 years, and we all found it loud. 2. Remember that the 3 important qualities of customer service center around three "p"s: professionalism, patience, and a "people-first" attitude. 3. It may seem cliche, but an all-black outfit or black pants and a white shirt would certainly elevate the overall experience things. A hoodie or an old sweater just doesn't cut it. Think Joey's or The Keg. With all of the options out there, I have no reason to return to Cantina Gia. read more

We dropped in without a lunch reservation and were cheerfully accommodated. We had porchetta sandwiches and panna cotta and coffee. Everything was delicious and our server (petite lady with dark hair) was terrific. She noticed I had put my coat over my legs as we were near the door and it was cold whenever it opened. She offered to close the second door. Bill for 2 came to $44. read more

Having had an all over superior dinner for two there in June we went back with friends this week and our main courses were terrible. Two had the shrimp pasta. The shrimp were overly salted and the vodka rose sauce tasted like a Heinz canned sauce. My carbonara was way over-salted and the sauce was a weirdly tasting glop around the pasta that was a poor imitation of what carbonara should be like. The fourth wisely kept to two average appetizers. Not sure if we'll try it a third time. read more

Excellent food, fantastic service and the ambiance is very cozy and beautiful. Love this place and will go often!

Fantastic restaurant! Visited for date night, when the bottle of wine we ordered wasn't properly chilled they offered us two glasses of wine on the house while we waited. The food was also fantastic, I would recommend the burrata salad and squid ink pasta! read more

Way too loud, asked for the volume to be turned down a little tiny bit and she said no.... Asked to have 2 menus - since there were two of us - and this seemed to be a problem for some reason.... Food was so-so First time in my life I didn't leave a tip, and I usually leave 20% read more

I have heard good things about this restaurant from family and read Peter Hum's review in the Citizen today. We decided to come for lunch today. We were quite disappointed. The waitress was nice and prompt. We waited for 45 min for simple Egg Benedict and Porchetta Sandwich. The explanation was that there was new kitchen staff. We left after almost one hour for our order. I would not recommend to any friends. In fact, I was thinking of bringing 3 couples there for dinner next week. I guess that would not happen with that slow service. By the way, the background music was so loud, competing with the noise and conversation of the dinners. It is hard to converse in that noise. read more

This is an unpretentious restaurant for local people, away from downtown in a residential neighbourhood. Food is fresh with new fresh sheet every week. I had the Pan Seared Trout on local fresh arugula leaves, which is done just right and delicious for every bite. Their ingredients are fresh, definitely farm to table with French Bistro flair, even each plate is those you find in antique store with hand-drawn pattern. The interior decor is simple yet friendly with a rustic touch. Servers are friendly. There is store next door that sells olive oil, balsamic vinegar and other local or imported items with good quality and reasonable pricing. If you have time, take a stroll in this neighbourhood as there are many unique local boutiques along the block. read more

What a disappointing experience. We've been happy to support Cantina Gia since they opened but our latest experience will be our last. We ordered the Squid Ink Radiatore with Shrimp as part of a birthday meal but what we ended up getting was not what we expected at all and it missed the mark by a mile. Missing were the squid ink noodles (kind of a shocker) and the shrimp was unseasoned and undercooked (basically like a supermarket shrimp cocktail). We called right away to address the mix up (there must've been a mistake, we thought) but the person who answered was completely unapologetic. We ran out, she said. OK, fair enough, and we would've been happy to substitute for another dish but they didn't even bother to let us know (never have we ordered something and err.. not gotten it, they had our email AND our number). We had to make the unpleasant discovery at home and they barely apologized for it, what terrible customer service. We consider ourselves foodies and there are so many great restaurants in Ottawa, do yourself a favour and support another business who cares about what they do and need your business. Not these guys. They're jerks. read more

Cantina Gia - SQUID INK RADIATORE WITH SHRIMP (without the squid ink, lol) - Wine Bars Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

A genuine & authentic 5 star review. Service was outstanding, drinks were the best, food was world class. The overall ambience was an excellent experience in and of itself. The staff are now family. The absolute best. Easiest of 5 stars. read more