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    Petit Bill's Bistro

    3.9 (51 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 9:00 pm

    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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    The Butchery

    The Butchery

    4.6(23 reviews)
    10.2 km

    I just discovered The Butchery. What a revelation!…read more The shop is clean and attractive, with a very long display of many dozens of cuts of meat, many marinated. I bought a marinated flank steak that was amazing on the BBQ tonight. They also carry some great sauces, including my favourite Rufus and Teague Blazing Hot sauce. You can buy frozen pies from The Big Apple, which are the best pies around. They have a burger shack inside....sadly I was too early. Some other time. The staff is very friendly and helpful, the boss a really good man. This was a great discovery and I will happily drive the 25 km to get there. Very highly recommended.

    Don't come here hungry! Wow!…read moreThis popped up when I plugged in 'butcher' near me. 15 min away. My first visit was a Sat. So busy! And for good reason. I was blown away by all the meat, the prepared goods. Burger counter. Some seating. Freezer choices. Some dried goods, bread. I got away with Chorizo, some lean ground beef and some beautiful olive oil. Is this place cheap? No! But, I pay for quality without batting an eye. Especially foodie stuff. Next round was a Tuesday aft. Ahhh. Better. I could see everything, not so packed. It was just after a long weekend so some things were sold out but I grabbed more lean beef, a chicken parm portion, a beef Jamaican patty and a stuffed potato. All were good! The chicken portion from the fresh cabinet was $11.50! More than my lb of ground beef! But it was a filling piece and fed me x 2. I love this place.

    Photos
    The Butchery - This place is beyond amazing!

    This place is beyond amazing!

    The Butchery
    The Butchery

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    Muckleston & Brockwell

    Muckleston & Brockwell

    4.9(7 reviews)
    6.9 km
    $$

    High quality meats and conversation from an experienced and passionate butcher makes this my…read morefavourite place for meat in the Ottawa area. Burgers are great in summer. A full range of steaks and cuts. Chicken tender and freshly prepared. Pork loin and a revolving range of sausages. Easily put in a special order and your wish is served. The recent aging cabinet makes for extra flavour for those special occasions. If you are at a loss then ask and you'll hear great ideas for the range of meats available. Plus pure stocks (without sugar) and other local seasonal goodies. Have the pleasure of supporting a local business without paying over the odds to get locally sourced meats farmed for health of beast and man.

    I came to get a rib steak and to try out their quality of meat. The service was really helpful and…read morefriendly; they really know their meat! I wanted a smaller piece, so the person working cut me a smaller piece from the big piece of beef. The beef itself was aged well, but could have been more tender. I'm not in a hurry to try it again (I felt Saslove's meat quality was much more tender), but as for the beef's flavour, it was more pronounced. They also have a bone broth station, which I tried. I got the beef broth (more expensive to make than chicken), and added seaweed, scallions, and salt/pepper (to taste; I like that the broth doesn't have salt already)! It was a perfect cup of goodness on a cold day.

    Photos
    Muckleston & Brockwell - Making #Beechwood more delicious.

    Making #Beechwood more delicious.

    Muckleston & Brockwell
    Muckleston & Brockwell

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    Riviera - Delicious oysters

    Riviera

    4.4(153 reviews)
    4.1 km
    $$$

    Drumroll please... Riviera -- Wow…read more This is what I'm talking about. Sexy. Sophisticated. Huge ceilings. Gorgeous bar. And a Negroni list with ten different versions. Don't miss Riviera when you're in Ottawa. We arrived an hour early before our third dinner guest joined us, so we started with a drink and a small appetizer. After several of my jokes fell flat, I told the waitress to just pick a Negroni for me based on what she'd heard from me so far. She nailed it. It was a slightly sweeter Negroni than the traditional one, with a hint of rosemary. We shared a dynamite tartare to start. Our buddy arrives and, without even looking at the menu, says: "You have to try a Negroni here -- they clearly know what they're doing." So I went for a second one -- this time a classic. Perfect. Next up: the seafood tower. Honestly, it felt like it had just come out of the sea. Razor clams, tuna belly tartare/ceviche on a mini salad leaf that was outstanding, plus lobster and crab claws that were spot on. A fabulous start. There were three of us, so we shared a steak with fries and a beautiful au jus, perfect gnocchi, and a salad with chicory, little nuts of some kind, and tons of shaved cheese -- Parmesan-ish. I can't remember exactly what it was because I'm writing this the morning after... and there may have been a few more wines involved. We finished by sharing a pavlova with passion fruit -- three spoons. I almost hate to admit this... but it was better than anything I've had in Toronto in years. Everything felt fresh, almost farm-to-table. Light, lively, and just a great vibe. In my opinion, Riviera is the perfect restaurant. Oh, and I added our waitress to my newsletter list because she wanted to try an excellent Polish water called Perlage that I think the restaurant should carry. Riviera -- if I could give you a 10 out of 10, I would. Actually... you know what? You're a 10.

    I'll be brief, as much has already been said about this gem:…read more Ambiance is gorgeous. Such a refined but relaxed setting. Service, door-to-door, was impeccable. Kind and attentive. Most definitely part of the wonderful experience. Food was top notch. We had the sea bass, lobster spaghetti, Riv Burger, and Chicken Milanese. Everyone was happy. Dessert was astounding, I have to say. We had the pavlova with a peach filling and a vanilla cream. So delicate in substance and flavor. Heaven!

    Photos
    Riviera - Interior

    Interior

    Riviera - Steak Frites

    Steak Frites

    Riviera - Beautiful location; wonderfully lit; with bar and kitchen right there for your viewing pleasure.

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    Beautiful location; wonderfully lit; with bar and kitchen right there for your viewing pleasure.

    Al's Steakhouse - Inside the sliders.

    Al's Steakhouse

    3.5(58 reviews)
    4.1 km
    $$$

    The Short Version: Their claim to have the best Happy Hour…read morein Ottawa is true! Great drinks and tasty small bites in a posh environment that won't break the bank. The Long Version: My husband and I stopped by Al's Steakhouse for Happy Hour. Their Happy Hour is Monday to Friday 3pm-6pm and only available on their front patio or lounge, not their main dining room. We sat in the lounge. I got the feature cocktail ($8) which happened to be a Peach Bellini that day. My husband got the Al's Lager ($6.50). We shared the Calamari ($10) and Sliders ($13). My Peach Bellini was delicious and was served with a slice of dehydrated orange and a paper straw. The hubster thought the lager was ok. The sliders were excellent. There were 3 sliders and they were a good size. The bun was a plain brioche bun and was lightly toasted. The beef patty was flavourful. It came with cheese, pickles and burger sauce. I would get these again. The Calamari were good, although not particularly unique in taste. They were battered and tender, not chewy. They came with seafood sauce. Service was courteous, although the server came back twice to verify our order, lol. Our order was correct in the end, so no big deal. The restaurant ambiance is poshy but not pretentious. Their regular-priced menu is on the expensive side, but their Happy Hour deals are awesome. I will definitely be returning for more Happy Hour adventures here. Street parking only. Review #195 (2025)

    Had a reservation mid week 5pm. Nice servers. Nice place…read more Been to happy hour in their lounge before and thought it was great. First time to dining room. Sticky goo on 1/2 of table, but when asked they cleaned it. Ordered 1/2 carafe house red wine, good. Table bread, butter & salt, good. Ordered appetizers crab stuffed mushrooms were good. Warm mushroom toast....I sent it back, the tiny crustini bread coukdnt hold the toppings, and bread was stale, break a tooth tough.... Dinner: mushroom ravioli...not good at all, I wanted to send it back too, but since I had already sent back my appetizer, I was too embarrassed! But it truly was awful. Very little ravioli and you actually could not find the pasta squares under the slippery shitake mushrooms, the tremendous amount of oil and butter, the cream sauce was so overly done and sickenly rich. Why add so much to a what should be a simple pasta? I had a couple of bites and then boxed and brought home.....picture of all the toppings, too much, and look at that oil and butter! Still couldn't eat it. I should have known better; I went to a steakhouse and ordered pasta. You should always go with the specialty.... lesson learned. My companion had steak and baked potato, and enjoyed it.

    Photos
    Al's Steakhouse
    Al's Steakhouse - Calamari $10 during Happy Hour. Mon-Fri 3pm-6pm

    Calamari $10 during Happy Hour. Mon-Fri 3pm-6pm

    Al's Steakhouse - Side/front of the restaurant

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    Side/front of the restaurant

    Petit Bill's Bistro - french - Updated May 2026

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