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    Petit Bill's Bistro

    3.9 (51 reviews)
    Closed • Closed

    Petit Bill's Bistro Photos

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    PETIT BILL'S BISTRO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    Inside the restaurant.
    Jennifer P.

    I've been to Petit Bill's three times now and it's consistently good. My most recent visit was this past weekend with my husband and some friends (another couple) and we all had a great time. The restaurant is a bit unique in that it's French bistro meets Newfoundland eatery. The decor is a mishmash of stuff from nautical themed items to old family photos of the owner to abstract art. It's charming. I didn't have a starter, but my husband had the chowder ($7), as did one of our friends. Our other friend had the escargot (snails freak me out, so I tried not to look, lol). The chowder looked good. It was full of mussels, potatoes and fish. I had the tiniest taste and it was really rich and creamy. For my main, I had the pecan burger ($18) which came with a side salad. I am pleased to report that the pecan burger was not soy-based (no textured vegetable protein or that "round ground" stuff). It was really tasty and held together well. The bun was really fresh and was brioche-like. The burger was dressed with pickled onions, pickled red peppers and pickles - aka pickled cucumbers ;) I'm usually not a huge fan of pickled items, and usually pick them out, but I actually enjoyed the pickled items in the burger. The burger came with a side of yogurt sauce. The tanginess of the yogurt went well with the burger (I didn't even miss the ketchup and mustard that weren't there, my regularly prefered burger condiments). The side salad was real mixed greens (none of that iceberg or romaine nonsense, haha). It also had spiraled strings of carrots and beets. I did ask for the dressing on the side, but unfortunately the salad came dressed. There was a little too much dressing on the salad for my liking, but it wasn't that bad. Salad ingredients were all fresh. The hubster had the Scallops ($22) which came with a spinach and almond salad. Hubby was a bit disappointed to receive only 4 scallops, but at least they were medium-sized and not those tiny Bay Scallops that look like miniature marshmallows, haha. He felt the maple syrup sauce on the scallops was a bit too sweet, but he still enjoyed his dish. One of our friends had the Steak Frites ($38) and it looked fantastic. The fries were matchstick fries. In my books, the only fries better than shoestring fries are matchstick fries, oh yeah! I think I'm going to have to get the Steak Frites on my next visit. It looked like there were battered and deep fried red peppers on his plate too. Our other friend had the daily special, which was the meatloaf ($20). I'm not a huge meatloaf fan, but she seemed to enjoy it and my husband (who is a meatloaf fan) said it looked really good and he'd want to try it on a future visit. Now I skipped having an appetizer so I could have dessert, but none of the desserts really called out to me, so I passed. They sounded interesting like a "peanut butter and jam creme brulee" and a "Nutella cheesecake" and "chili chocolate brownie" but I wasn't feeling it that night, maybe next time. The owner came over and asked us if we were enjoying ourselves and he was quite friendly. It's a cute little place. We'll be back.

    outside of restaurant
    Michael U.

    Full review blogged - Dishes and Verdict as below. The Food: Complimentary bread and butter, 3 appetizers, 3 mains, 2 desserts. Little Bill's Crab Cakes: Ordered by my aunt these were described on the menu as "Two Crab Cakes lightly breaded & seared accompanied by a roasted garlic aoli & fresh tomato salsa" but with far too much filler and February 'fresh' tomatoes used to compose the salsa the flavor of this dish was really quite meager aside from the garlic and old bay used to season the crab-tinged dumplings. Cod Tongue Croquettes: Fairing much better than the crab cakes my appetizer selection of 3 muscular and tender cod tongue croquettes served with spicy almond & roasted red pepper romesco would turn out to be a rather well crafted dish with a light salad serving to balance the acid and heat of the romenso while the batter on the croquettes was flavorful, though a touch oily. Lobster Poutine: Without a doubt the best savory of the meal the only thing Petit Bill's really had to nail in order to make this dish shine was the frites and that is precisely what they did - the crispy spuds holding up admirably to a rich mixture of chunked and shredded lobster, shellfish butter, and mascarpone. Crispy and creamy, sweet yet savory - it wasn't traditional poutine, but it was delicious. Sea Scallops: My mother's main course arrived on a lengthy plate and featuring three pan seared scallops in a slick of Chelsea Quebec maple syrup & house smoked bacon I'd be lying if I said it did not taste delicious - it was sweet and savory with a touch of the sea - but with that said, with the scallops overcooked and essentially lost in the other potent ingredients I really did not get the 'point' of this dish at all. Adding a touch of levity with an almond spinach salad dressed in citrus vinaigrette I will say that the acid helped somewhat, but honestly this was just a bunch of disjointed ingredients on that plate that appealed to me the same way bacon and maple syrup would if it was served with something as simple as bread or scrambled eggs. Lobster Pot Pie: My Aunt's selection was a dish that SHOULD have been an easy success given its constituents of fresh lobster, winter vegetables, and fingerling potatoes...and yet it wasn't. Marred by a combination of far too much potato and carrot, watery flavorless gravy, and an undercooked and doughy pastry top the only thing that really shined about this dish was the lobster - perhaps a single small carapace or a couple of small claws' worth perhaps 1/3 of the pot pie's actual pricetag. Lobster & Pickerel Raclette: A $28 dish for which I had high expectations this was without doubt the best of the main courses yet even at that it still fell far short of its potential. Described on the menu as "Pickerel & Lobster quenelle topped with a white wine & clam buerre blanc served atop an Arctic surf clam potato rosti & topped with Pied de Vent Cheese" the highlight of this dish was actually the rosti - a savory concoction with notes of sweetness and the sea perfectly cooked like a hash...it would have gone great with breakfast but worked equally well at dinner. Moving on to the featured quenelles - they were dense, overcooked, and almost 'chewy' - nothing like the life altering version at Michel Rostang and despite the supposed use of lobster the flavor was pure pike plus the slight tang of the Quebecoise bleu. Traditional Newfoundland Pound Cake soaked in authentic Newfoundland Screech: Where the mains failed the desserts certainly did not and although the portion was small, this dense buttercake soaked in rum with a small ball of rich cream at its side was the picture of balance. Boozy and buttery, dense but crumbly, and toothsome but mellowed by the cream I've no doubt one could make this at home without too much trouble but that didn't detract from it one bit - I'd have gladly eaten a loaf (and likely ended up quite drunk.) Bread Pudding with cranberry-raisins, white chocolate & crème anglais: If the Pound Cake was good, this was superlative. Measuring perhaps 1.5" x 4.0" x 7.0" but rich, dense, warm, and drenched in thick vanilla crème it was as simple as the previous dessert but an entirely different flavor profile, texture, and temperature - the pair together slight in portion but enormous in flavor. The Verdict: While I'm not sure it is possible to go into a place you know little about with expectations that are "too high," we all walked out of Petit Bill's disappointed. From the lousy seats to the perfunctory service there was really nothing harkening the "down-home hospitality" proposed in their mission statement and while I guess the food was decent enough 'homestyle' food, the prices suggested the majority of the dishes should have been executed much better than they were - particularly as some were overcooked, some undercooked, and others simply poorly conceptualized or balanced. I'd go back for dessert, maybe, on someone else's dime.

    Kevin G.

    First off I'm not a huge fan of seafood, but my wife is, we decided to try this little spot near our home. I'll just get to my details here. 1. Small tight spaces, so you can easily hear the people next to you. 2. Fantastic Service, had a small issue with out appetizer, waitress came up and gave us the dish for free. 3. Menu is has a great menu for all, lots of different items to chose from. (Check menu) 4. Reservations for supper are a must on weekends. 5. Wine list is Huge 6. Place is fantastic for a social night out, looking for a quite night, this wont be the best place.

    outside of restaurant
    Nicole B.

    I went to Petit Bills with a friend for a glass of wine on a Monday night. We sat at the bar and there were just one or two tables still eating in the restaurant, though they were clearly finishing up. Even so, we were not made to feel rushed at all during the course of our few (not one) glasses of wine that evening. In fact, it turns out that we had picked a good place, since one of the owners teaches sommelier courses at Algonquin College and appreciated us appreciating the wine slowly. Our server (one of the owners) made small talk with us as the last dishes were cleaned and let us taste a couple of his other wines off the restaurants extensive wine list. Our seat at the bar gave us more of an "insiders" view of the restaurant, which was neat. Generally the tables are fairly close together to maximize seating space in the small dining area, but in this case it doesn't make the restaurant feel crowded, but rather gives it a cozy feel.

    Duck duck duck duck
    Kathy L.

    What a cozy place petit bills is! From the moment we walked in we were greeted by the owner and the warmth of the restaurant. We opted to try the table d'hôte for 2 to get a sense of variety of their specialities. Price point was slightly on the mid-high end for a bistro setting, but the price for two also came with a bottle of white/red wine. For starters we had a crab/seafood bisque, a house salad, followed by mains of duck new fit and seared tuna. We don't know why we do this to ourselves, but we forced down some very delicious creme brûlée and pound cake at the very end. Definitely heartier portions than the typical French portions of food, but great for sharing and or entertaining larger crowds. Food overall wasn't particularly remarkable and somewhat pricey, but the ambiance and the attentativeness of the staff made the night highly enjoyable!

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    9 years ago

    Nice, homey place with excellent service. Steak frites satisfied. Competent wine list.

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    Pelican Seafood Market & Grill - Crab au gratin

    Pelican Seafood Market & Grill

    4.3(176 reviews)
    5.5 km•Billings Bridge
    •$$

    Food delicious! Service awesome!(Thank you so much Crista)…read moreAmbiance perfect for wedding anniversary party of 5!

    Updating my review after all these years because Pelican has officially become one of our favourite…read morerestaurants in Ottawa! Funny enough, my original review was from when we randomly discovered their seafood market while going to Farm Boy next door. Since then, we've dined here countless times and even spent our first anniversary here. It became our tradition and we've been coming back to celebrate our anniversary every year since. Their Chi Chi Seafood Tower is hands down our favourite and basically a must-order every time. Everything is always so fresh and it's perfect if you're a seafood lover. We tried the snow crab linguini for the first time on our most recent visit and it was sooo buttery and delicious. Their lobster poutine is another favourite we've had before and is honestly to die for! Over the years we've tried quite a few things here and the quality has always kept us coming back. I also love that there's still a seafood market attached, so you can pick up fresh seafood to bring home as well. From randomly walking into the market years ago to now celebrating our anniversary here every year, Pelican has definitely become a special spot for us. If you're a seafood lover in Ottawa, this is THE spot I always recommend.

    Photos
    Pelican Seafood Market & Grill - Oyster menu

    Oyster menu

    Pelican Seafood Market & Grill
    Pelican Seafood Market & Grill - Lobster roll and fries

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    Lobster roll and fries

    Le Poisson Bleu

    Le Poisson Bleu

    4.5(15 reviews)
    2.9 km•Chinatown, Centretown

    Wow...wow...wow...WOW! You know how you think you found your…read morefavourite restaurant and you think of that meal with complete fondness and think you'll never find anything better. This was the better. Literally, this is the best meal out I've ever had. There was only one tiny disappointment, which was that I'd looked at an old menu online and didn't realize and picked out this amazing sounding drink beforehand. If you see the Major Payne online, don't pick it in advance! LOL I did get a super nice Prosecco at happy hour for a fabulous price. My server was Jamie, and I ordered every suggestion she made, and was not disappointed. Started with a salad, perfect mix of sweet with charred peanuts for a touch of bitter. The cheese that was on that salad was phenomenal. One of the best salads I've ever eaten. Dinner was the lobster risotto. Hands down, best risotto I've ever eaten...and I thought Vessel in NOLA would never be beaten. So creamy. The butter poached lobster was perfect, so tender. There were macadamia nuts, which broke up the creaminess of the risotto and crispy sage, which was also a perfect break from that rich, perfectly cooked rice. Never had a better dish out. I'll be dreaming about it for months after I go home. I wasn't even thinking about dessert, but Jamie brought over a menu with so many gluten-free options. I got a mini pavlova that had coconut cream inside and raspberries and blueberries. I don't usually enjoy desserts with berries, but the tang was such a perfect compliment to the vanilla/coconut. Nice crispy shell too. It was so light that after the risotto, it didn't make me feel overstuffed. Such a cute, homey vibe, and I had a seat by the window and could watch the busy street. Wonderful that they had a parking lot too (free). Service was perfect. Jamie had a real sense for when she should stop by and kept my water glass filled at all times (and it was small). She was amazing. I left my glasses in the window sill and had pulled the curtain, so I missed them when I left. I went right back and she had held onto them for me. This place is perfection. I know it will be one of the top highlights of this birthday trip! Please, visit and have that lobster risotto. Your tummy will do a happy dance!

    Everything top to bottom was incredible. Cocktails (I had the Cherry lane which is similar to a…read moreManhattan) were delicious and well balanced. Apps we got the special scallop in a crusty focaccia (perfectly crispy and creamy) and the tuna tartare (super fresh and flavoured). Mains we had the lobster risotto which was decadent but also well balanced with crispy sage and macadamia nuts garnish. I had the salmon which was amazing and perfectly cooked with a crispy skin and med rare. Dessert was the chocolate crème brûlée with cherries. 5 stars all day. We sat at the chef bar which was interesting and all staff were very friendly and attentive.

    Photos
    Le Poisson Bleu - To the left

    To the left

    Le Poisson Bleu
    Le Poisson Bleu - To the left

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    To the left

    Supply and Demand - Eton Mess with meringue, whipped cream and stewed rhubarb

    Supply and Demand

    4.5(108 reviews)
    0.1 km•Hintonburg, Kitchissippi
    •$$$

    This place came highly recommended. Now I were to rate them…read morejust on apps they would be a 4 star. The main fish was just OK and the pasta being overly oily. The scallop crudo being on best app IMO. The tuna was OK and so was the welk which surprised me as being a menu item. Service is decent but being priced at this level I think 3.5 stars as the mains didn't do it for moi.

    We had to book our reservation 3 weeks in advance because of the time slot, and the day. Saturday…read moreat 530. I guess itsya popular time to eat! 3 weeks was worth the wait, as the anticipation of what we were about to enjoy grew stronger. Bread to start, with whipped butter. Hot from the oven. Soft, pillows of carb goodness, with a touch of salt. We started with the TOMATOES WITH FIOR DI LATTE AND RICOTTA STUFFED ZUCCHINI BLOSSOMS which was devine. My main was the ROASTED RAINBOW TROUT WITH BOILED POTATOES, PASTIS HOLLANDAISE AND SEA ASPARAGUS and hers was SWEET CORN AGNOLOTTI WITH BUTTER, PECORINO AND JALAPEÑO. Both dishes were faultless. We finished with Eton Mess with meringue, whipped cream and stewed rhubarb for dessert. It looks like a LOT, but the meringue is mostly air, so we tackled it with ease. And, it wasn't as sweet as expected. Americano to cleanse the palate. Fortunately, we found a parking spot right around the corner, so our full bellies didn't have to go too far.

    Photos
    Supply and Demand - Parking spot

    Parking spot

    Supply and Demand - Tuna crudo and Gin&Tonic

    Tuna crudo and Gin&Tonic

    Supply and Demand - Bread and butter

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    Bread and butter

    Merivale Fish Market - Paella

    Merivale Fish Market

    4.1(41 reviews)
    4.3 km
    •$$

    The best fish and chips in town. And you know it's fresh because they also have a little fish…read moremarket on the side where you can buy fresh seafood. Everything from the calamari, to the clam chowder, to the sweet potato fries (which I think are the most amazing sweet potato fries I have ever eaten in my life). It's seafood heaven here!

    I really hate leaving low reviews but this was 4.5 stars so my expectations were high. Granted…read morethere has been no reviews in awhile, we thought we'd try this place out for seafood since they are a "fish market" so we figured the seafood would be fresh. Ordered the haddock dish & chips cuz that seemed like a food standard to act as a base. Also ordered the paella cuz who can resist a good paella? The fish and chips were super greasy. Ugh. There was a pool of grease and I had to use several napkins to soak up all the grease. The fish and chips were nothing special which would have been a 3 star but the grease factor dropped it to 2.5. The paella was good. The seafood fresh and hot. and the rice had an excellent flavor. The portion was a bit small so I'd give it a 3/5. Wait staff took our order, brought it, and then the check. Never came back to check on us. They were nice tho. If I lived in the area, I wouldn't come back. Will stick to my favorite fish & chips shop in Pacifica, CA!

    Photos
    Merivale Fish Market - Calamari

    Calamari

    Merivale Fish Market - Nice bar

    Nice bar

    Merivale Fish Market - Fish burger with sweet potato fries. Across is the fish and chips.

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    Fish burger with sweet potato fries. Across is the fish and chips.

    Rosebowl Steak & Seafood

    Rosebowl Steak & Seafood

    4.3(6 reviews)
    1.9 km•Centretown West

    An Epic Father's Day Meal - Rose Bowl Steakhouse Sets the Bar High…read more Wow... just wow. After a full day of surprises and celebration, our dinner at Rose Bowl Steakhouse in Ottawa was the perfect grand finale. From the moment we walked in, we knew we were in for something special--and the experience exceeded every expectation. Let's talk service first. The waiting staff were absolutely incredible--attentive, professional, and perfectly timed. You know that sweet spot where they're there when you need them, but never intrusive? They nailed it. Our server was on point, making us feel welcomed and looked after the entire evening. The bartender deserves a shoutout of their own--he crafted what I can only describe as the greatest Old Fashioned of all time. Seriously, I've had many, and this one takes the crown. Even the busser went out of their way to make us feel at home, offering kind words and a smile that instantly elevated the vibe. It felt like every member of the team genuinely cared about the guest experience. And then came the food... We started with the calamari and escargots, and they were nothing short of outstanding. The calamari was perfectly crispy with just the right amount of seasoning, and the escargots were rich, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. They set the tone for what was to come. For the mains: I had the sirloin steak, cooked to absolute perfection--juicy, tender, and bursting with flavour. My wife ordered the grilled salmon, which was beautifully presented and tasted as fresh as it gets. Our oldest went for the lobster ravioli, and let's just say they're still talking about it. Rich, creamy, and loaded with lobster--an unforgettable dish. Portions were generous (to say the least), and we definitely didn't leave hungry. We were tempted by dessert but had plans to grab gelato elsewhere, so we'll save that for the next visit--which is already a guarantee. Rose Bowl Steakhouse gave us more than just a meal--it gave us a moment. It was the perfect way to wrap up Father's Day: with full hearts, fuller stomachs, and a shared memory we'll be talking about for a long time. If you're in Ottawa and want a place that delivers exceptional food, world-class cocktails, and top-tier hospitality, do yourself a favour and book a table here. You won't regret it.

    This was my first time at Rosebowl. We had a reservation for 4 at 7:30PM. We started with 3…read moreappetizers the beef tartare $23, scallops and Arancini. The beef tartare was really good had some pickles, and spicy mustard to compliments it. Scallops and bacon came with a peanut sauce with nice crunchy texture. I didn't try the Arancini (not gluten free). The ambiance is very dark but the little lamp on the table gave really good lighting. Easy to read the menu. For the main I went with prime steak $75 for 18oz medium rare. it comes with broccolini and carrots. For the side we ordered onions, mushrooms, mashed potatoes and bien sur my favourite fries. Most sides are around $7. Wish I would have tried the stuffed baked potato. It will have to be next time. Steak came cooked perfectly. I really enjoyed the mashed potato and my side of fries. My friend ordered the salmon and shared a piece. I thought it was missing flavour for having all the citrus on top. It was also on the dry side. I do have to say that the service was a bit off. Drink ordered all at the same time. Beer came fast, but martinis and drinks were forgotten a few times. We had to ask twice for the same drink that didn't come until much later. Maybe, it's a good thing limited us to 2 drinks. But if you want to enjoy your wine with meal... I was a little too full to look at the dessert menu, next time. Overall, good experience at this steakhouse. I will have to come back over the summer for a date night. lol

    Photos
    Rosebowl Steak & Seafood
    Rosebowl Steak & Seafood - Prime steak, mushrooms, onions, mashed potatoes and fries

    Prime steak, mushrooms, onions, mashed potatoes and fries

    Rosebowl Steak & Seafood

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    Elmdale Oyster House & Tavern

    Elmdale Oyster House & Tavern

    3.1(37 reviews)
    0.9 km•Hintonburg
    •$$$

    A large group of us met for dinner recently at The Elmdale…read more Dinner was great, a little overpriced. Our server was amazing. We were happy -- it was a celebration. Then came the part that defies common sense. After dinner they were clearing space for a DJ. We had settled our bill. I went to order a drink at the bar and was told I had to walk to the front door to pay a $5 cover before I could buy a $10, one-ounce drink .... after I had already spent nearly $100 on dinner. When I politely asked how this possibly made sense, the manager stepped in and argued that we had to pay. I have decided that I will not mention his name despite how insulting I found this to be. I'm choosing to give someone the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he was having a bad day. So let's do Math 101. An empty bar. Paying guests. Good-tippers. A lively group ready to keep spending. And you stop the sale over $5 and talk down to your customers. This felt like a perfect example of what I personally feel is going wrong in society today -- people blindly enforcing "rules" without applying any human judgment, common sense, or situational awareness, and mistaking a small bit of authority for good decision-making. In fairness, perhaps he doesn't have the power to override silly little penny-pinching rules by owners/mgmt. We walked out immediately -- on principle. It wasn't even about the five dollars. That single interaction left a worse taste than anything we ate. It takes real talent to turn happy dinner customers into walking warnings. I have to say, everyone else, including the doormen outside, were really super nice (hence the 2 stars).

    A nice spot in Hintonburg, with lots ofindoor and outdoor seating as well in the summer. Lots of…read moreseafood options, and a few options for those who don't eat seafood like steak. The staff is very friendly and kind , very attentive. If you come early in the evening on weekend, you won't have any issues getting a table It has the same owner as whalebone , so if you enjoy their restaurant downtown, you will enjoy the spot as well It is a spot that is a casual dining experience without being pretentious, while also being a nice date like spot for a more casual person

    Photos
    Elmdale Oyster House & Tavern - Lobster roll

    Lobster roll

    Elmdale Oyster House & Tavern - Delicious ceviche

    Delicious ceviche

    Elmdale Oyster House & Tavern - Fries

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    Fries

    Petit Bill's Bistro - french - Updated October 2026

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