Went as a celebration dinner with family and absolutely loved it. Very intricate takes on classic dishes while sacrificing none of the flavours... our server (I believe his name was Jamil) was incredible - he was quick to answer questions, provide recommendations, and tell a good story or two. He also made the most amazing iced tea drink I've ever had, I'll have to return to get another one sometime soon!! The restaurant was lit with low, warm lighting (which I always appreciate) and not too densely packed. It wasn't busy when we visited despite being a Friday evening, so it wasn't too loud at all. Great decor, with wacky paintings that Jamil was able to tell us about. Amazing service and yummy food, though absolutely a bit pricey. Also, the bathroom is located downstairs and there are a couple other steps within the restaurant so I'm not sure that it would be fully accessible, though perhaps sitting on the patio would be possible for anyone with mobility issues. Overall, would recommend for anyone looking for a fun meal and slightly eccentric vibes. read more

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Spectacular Food was just fantastic, I can't wait to come back here again. Its pricey, its not a value option, but I felt confident that their stuff was all quality. I would totally recommend this place Service was just great, lovely space read more

This was a planned dinner so I would recommend booking ahead over the weekend as the place was just packed. They have got the southern look and ambiance down pat imo (sans the weather in winter). There are plenty of signature BBQ items with certain not so common dishes. We ordered the corn bread and fried green tomatoes for the table. I had the beef ribs as main. The other folks ordered shrimp and grits, fried chicken that were well liked. I only tried the corn bread which came piping hot in a pan. Decent imo Beef ribs were ok though not very meaty. I suggest one forget the fork and knife and go stone age and grab the beef ribs and gnaw away. Sauce had a sweet finish with onion on my taste buds. Good but I wouldn't suggest pairing it with red wine. The cocktails were strong from what I was told. Decent alternative to the same old same old places in Ottawa. Give it a try if it sounds enticing. Service is decent here. 3.5 stars read more

Union Local 613 - Beef short ribs - Southern Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

Just stopped for the bar, but a great place. Bartender was awesome and the ambiance of the 'old house' was great. Will definitely be back! read more

Union Local 613 - Bar area - Southern Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

Visited for Pride on Saturday while Somerset was closed and sat with a few friends at one of the picnic tables. Fun atmosphere and friendly service. I got a non alch Collective Arts Pale Ale and veggie frito pie (which I think is just a feature of the Pride menu). The frito pie wasn't my personal favourite but was objectively tasty and a big portion served in a fun way. read more

Union Local 613 - Vegetarian frito pie - Southern Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

Great service, the BEST cocktails I've ever tried, and fun vegan options. Love that they change the menu to showcase what is in season and to try new things. Always a treat coming here! read more

Good ... freakin awesome. The staff great. Ivan the owner is amazing, he get the party going and always has time for the regulars!!! 10stars for customer service and Ivan Great for groups or two people having romantic d read more

So close to genuine 4 star review. Fried escargo, curry fries were a hit. Fried chicken was good and crispy but needed more flavour. Drinks service and atmosphere were great. read more

An Ottawa gem. Expect mason jars and thick beards EVERYWHERE. I had to celebrate (and pay) for dinner for both my hard-to-impress brothers and my sisters' in law for their birthdays....and wanted them to enjoy something unique and special and fun...a place none of them had been yet in Ottawa. I hadn't been to UL613 in more than 5 years... Not sure why - I enjoyed it the few times I had been. The place was slammed this Saturday night. The booze was flowing - Old Fashioned was nice. Boiled peanuts to tide us over (I love this slimy salty shit)... We ordered all the appetizers (broccoli, duck hearts, deviled eggs). Each were different and excellent. Mains were very filling and wonderful. Southern DownHome Cookin'. Fried Chicken...Brisket...all perfectly cooked. Cornbread and grits sides were scrumptious. We had a nice doggy bag to take home - everything tasted great the next day, too!!! The service was quite slow and the servers knew it - but they took excellent care of us. Restaurant 101 - this is why they reached ahead and got that extra star from me. 100% will return. read more

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Location: Downtown. We scored a parking spot just around the corner, but I think that might be a rare occurence! The place: We stopped by here for lunch on a Sunday (yesterday) and didn't have to wait for a table. I think their interior dining area is closed so I didn't see inside - we stat out on the patio, which is relatively small. Tables facing the street have a trellis so you don't see people walking by, which I quite liked. The goods: I tried the fried chicken and asked if I could swap the waffle for fries and it wasn't a problem. The chicken was great - the maple glaze was so good - it had the perfect combination of sweetness and spiciness (which I didn't expect!). The home fries were also great though I would have liked a bit more seasoning. I tried their ginger beer but felt that the ginger was lacking. You couldn't really Tate the ginger. My friend ordered the burger and was happy with it. Service: OK Price point: With taxes and tip, both orders came out to $54 in total. read more

Wasn't sure what to expect, but we weren't disappointed. The place is very nice inside, vintage lighting, very hipster feel. The servers were really nice and helpful. I ordered the chicken and grits, and man was it ever good. The chicken is one piece of white meat and one dark, and it was so crispy and tasty! The grits were amazing, never had anything like them before. We had a really good time here and would go back for sure! read more

Union Local 613 - Chicken and grits - Southern Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

Came by for dinner the other night and it was surprisingly mediocre. I was amazed that the main course took ~ 2 hours to arrive. As a result, our entire visit took ~3 hours! Started off with boiled peanuts which were pretty moist and wet?!? The house made cola tasted off... Moved on to the dry cured ham which was probably the highlight of the meal. It was moist and flavorful. The 12 hour flank steak was decent as it was pretty moist and medium rare as requested. Portion size was on the small size. Their side of vegetables was also odd.. The fried cherry and lavender pie for dessert was also mediocre. The lavender was definitely a unique and odd twist to a pie. Restaurant seemed to have been a converted house in the downtown area. Service was friendly by the staff. read more

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Really enjoyed our dinner here. We were intrigued by the idea of experiencing southern-style home cooking in the speakeasy atmosphere, and we weren't disappointed. It wasn't particularly busy, but we had an early dinner reservation on a Friday. For starters, we had the tasty fried green tomatoes and a dish of boiled peanuts, which were a nice accompaniment to our local craft beer. They're served warm and are soft, with more of a pea-like taste rather than peanut flavoured - similar to eating edameme in their shells. My partner enjoyed the tomatoes so much that she ordered the vegetarian Crispy Seitan Sandwich, which was very tasty, and included fried green tomatoes in it. On staff recommendations, I ordered the special brisket in root beer served with mashed and Swiss chard. The first bites were tasty, though not as tender as other slow cooked brisket that I've tasted - this one definitely needed a knife. Unfortunately, the cut I was served was also 3/4 fat, and the chef confirmed this when the waiter returned it to the kitchen. No problem, though, as they were very gracious to offer me a replacement. As I had been torn between ordering the special or their popular pork belly, I asked if I could try that instead, and again, they generously agreed. This popular menu item was very flavourful and tender, with the perfect balance of lean meat and fat. Served with a mango slaw, it was apparent why this was a regular favourite. There is plenty of variety on the menu, and the service is excellent. The decor is eclectic with the walls adorned with interesting art pieces from local artists displayed for sale. I'd certainly recommend trying Union Local 613. read more

What seems like someone's house is actually a cozy casual restaurant that offers southern food. The round midnight cocktail was fantastic! If you are in during the fall, Make sure to order this. Warm, cozy, yet never too boozy in profile. The brown butter leaves me licking my lips, while the apple and orange give a lovely high tone of fruit. Broccoli is solid, but there's nothing special about it. The true flavor comes from the cashew cheese. Possibly the best cashew cream I had. Not only did it taste cheesy, but there was still a distinct nuttiness. The sesame seeds on top only further enhance the oily nuttiness. The kimchi offered such a unique flavor. Although it sounds strange, it tasted like it was fermented in grapefruit juice. There was this delightfully funky taste to it, although it took me off guard at first bite. The chicken is good, but it's not amazing. The moment I saw the skin, I knew it wasn't going to be amazing. It definitely looks like homemade breading, which isn't a bad thing, but it's also a lot easier for the crunch to get soggy. The white meat was surprisingly moist ,but it's still gonna taste like white meat breast, which is quite conservative. The dark meat had a nice gamey flavor, without feeling offal. The homemade hot sauces feel like they were thrown together at the last minute without much care. Each sauce was quite accurate in its description, minus the scotch bonnet peach. It was way more peppery than fruity. The garlic jalapeño was quite Garlicy, and the ancho lime was super muddy and bitter in the low tones. The birds eye chili vinaigrette wasn't anything to call home about. Overall, I had a good time, but compared to what else is available, I don't see myself visiting here again. If you live in the area, then you'll end up here mostly because there are no other viable options for southern food. read more

Atmosphere - 5 Food - 4 Price - 4 Service - 4 The chicken is so juicy and good. Id like a little more flavor beyond the skin but its really good. The cornbread is savory. As in not sweet. Personally I like my cornbread sweet. Get the grits or lemon spatzele if you can. I love the ambience here. Upstairs is buzzing with laughter & great conversation. Its cozy but not to small. The speakeasy downstairs has a more intimite feel and is freaking awesome. Yo! The boiled peanuts seemed weird at first but they are damn good. Next time we are in Ottawa we will try something else. read more

Union Local 613 - Cool. - Southern Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

I always have a great experience here, this is one of my top recommendations for drinks anytime I'm asked. The cocktails are amazing, the bartender in the staff room always gives great service and makes delicious, original cocktails depending on your preferences! Great ambience, good food, friendly service read more

Came here for dinner once and was really quite impressed by it all. Fantastic fried chicken. Get the grits, get the cornbread. Friendly service and nice bourbon drinks. read more

A solid establishment. From the outside its an inconspicuous place that looks like a rundown house. However, once you enter you will realize it's a transformed exposed brick trendy bar and restaurant. I really enjoyed the vibe, which is dark and romantic. It can get a bit loud but never to a level where you can't carry a conversation. We were having dinner on a Tuesday evening and decided to try this place. 1. Drinks: delicious, both alcoholic and no -alcoholic. The sweet rooibos tea was pleasant and only mildly sweetened which I appreciated. 2. Salad: I forgot the full name for this salad, but it's the one with tomatoes and avocados. It's well-portioned and has a variety of very fresh produce. We got this to share (very shareable) 3. Shrimp and grits: I loved this dish. Beware that it's quite spicy. It's also not your traditional shrimp and grit. There is a lot of juice and the grits is hidden under an assortment of shrimp and delicious veggies. I definitely recommend this dish. 4. Fried chicken: a southern classic, it's nonetheless pretty standard here. You get two decently sized pieces and a side of pate-flavored potatoes and mushrooms. I loved this unique flavor combination. 5. Chickpea curry dish: I really liked this dish too. It's vegetarian an quite spicy but very flavorful. I think the thing that clinched it for me were the toasted almonds on top that provided that perfect crunch. 6. White cake with strawberries. Not very sweet. I kind of wished it were sweeter but overall a very light and pleasant way to finish off the meal. Service was great. Again, great place for a date. Apparently in the basement there is a secret gateway to an underground bar area. read more

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I think this funky new place on Somerset is gonna be a new favourite. Friendly, accommodating staff, fantastic house cocktails, unique decor and atmosphere (check out the graffiti wall and clipboard menus!), a delicious appetizer (deviled eggs, done just a bit differently) and a very ecclectic mix of restauranteurs to jazz the place up made it a fun experience. A bit on the pricy side for eats (as mentioned in the review before me, all sides are separate from mains), but I'll definitely go back to try a full meal soon. The bartender serving us was really great and made a point of introducing herself and asking our names and thoughts on the cocktails she made -- the kind of treatment you can't help but remember and appreciate. One minor thing: a patio would be a great addition, but I understand they weren't able to get a license for this summer. Can't fault the owners on that one. Highly recommend trying this place out. read more

Union Local 613 - Southern Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

Definitely one of my favourite hangout spots in Ottawa. I stumbled upon this place while walking away from Chinatown, and upon seeing the front sign "Union Local", I wasn't really sure of what to expect. After all, it was 10pm already and very few places were still serving dinner at this time. I was pleasantly surprised by the cosy, low-key decor that reeks of retro inspiration. Memorabilia and various pieces of art by local artists were hung on the wall, and the wooden furniture made the small restaurant/bar feel even more welcoming. Low-lit and featuring indie music on the sound system, it definitely struck a chord! The crowd is mainly composed from young twentysomethings sipping on craft beers and eating reinvented finger foods. There are a dinner and a late night menus in order to accommodate all types of diners, but since portions are huge, a tapas was more than enough for me. Food menu consists of comfort food with a twist: I got blue cheese chicken wings, and I shared a fritos pie (think about a burrito's contents served in a bag of Ringolos, OVER Ringolos!). Prices are as expected for his type of place that bases its menu on "reinvented" foods. Beer selection is also awesome, and featured crafts also include Canadian beers--I ordered the Gypsy Tears Ruby Ale and the Red Racer IPA, both from Vancouver. Last but not least, the secret (and not so secret, now...) lounge/speakeasy downstairs, hidden behind a fake bookshelf mounted onto the wall in front of the washrooms entrance. Tucked under the staircase, this very intimate hangout space consists of a few wooden tables and some spots at the bar. Come here for the beers on tap (seasonals, served from a tap that looks like a tree stump) and the creative cocktails! Warning: they're doubles, but who will complain? read more

Union Local 613 - The bookshelf that leads to the secret lounge downstairs...! - Southern Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

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This was my favourite find on a recent work trip to Ottawa. I love pretty much everything about this restaurant - the layout (in a building that looks like a house), the ambiance (dimly lit, kind of hipster with mason jars for decor), the food, the drinks (all ingredients made in-house), and the prices. I got the hibiscus rum punch to drink and it was delicious - sweet enough that it went down really easily and tasted delicious, with a nice spice/cinnamon-y flavour. Our waitress for the night was so nice and took time to explain all of the drinks to us and recommending some based on what kind of flavours we liked - she really knew her stuff. Obviously, coming to a "southern/comfort food" place, I had to try the fried chicken here. It's two pieces (a leg and a breast), pepper vinegar, and cabbage slaw, plus you get to pick one side. The dish is only $23, which is a STEAL for the amount of food you get. I didn't use much of the pepper vinegar because it had a bit too much of a kick for me, but I still enjoyed the chicken and slaw for the most part. The chicken was decent, but not the best I've ever had, plus I found the white meat to be just a tad dry. I tried some of the cheddar and roasted garlic grits my co-worker got as his side, and thought the flavours were pretty good, although I didn't really enjoy the texture of the grits that much (I found them too hard.) Let me just talk about the cornbread I got as my side though. It comes in a cast-iron pan with a slab of bourbon brown butter on top... and let me just say, THIS IS AMAZING. I split half of it with my coworker and then regretted it because I wanted more after I was done. I love cornbread, but often times I do find it to be too heavy and dense... this was definitely not the case here. It was the fluffiest cornbread I have ever had, plus the buttery flavour that came up in every bite was heavenly. It didn't feel oily or greasy or soggy at all, it was just some kind of sorcery that made the whole thing feel so light, but also so fragrant and so delicious. I'd come back here just for the bread, honestly. I am definitely going to keep this place in mind for the next time I visit Ottawa. I heard that have a cool speakeasy area, so I would love to return for drinks and food again in the future! read more

Union Local 613 - Dat cornbread doe - Southern Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

Hipster atmosphere, pretty deco, huge portions, great food and friendly staff. We got seated right away after arriving around 11am on a Sunday. We ordered the chicken waffles and the maple sausage patty. It came with so much food! The maple sausage was amazing. It came topped with a gravy sauce that had more meat in it, 2 sausage patties over buttermilk biscuits, 2 eggs and more home fries than you can ask for. The chicken waffles wasn't your normal fried chicken, but it was a boneless chicken patty (something like that). I actually prefer this - it makes eating it so much easier - no need to pick out bones! The paintings on the wall at this place were all for sale - I thought that was a cute touch. read more

Union Local 613 - Chicken waffles and maple sausage patty over buttermilk biscuits - Southern Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

Superb!! Very cozy, stylish, delicious place to go in Ottawa. The experience starts with very well thought through decor and ends with show stoping desert. read more

Union Local 613 - the dining area of the restaurant - Southern Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

The drinks and boiled peanuts are killer. Service is conversational and attentive. The decor is really hip and they have great art on the walls. I just felt like they should have more lighting. The meals were quite delicious. The cornbread was very moist, but more salty than I anticipated. My friend had their chicken drumsticks, which I would like to try next time, they looked pretty killer. read more

Gotta say- BRAVO! 4.5 if you consider the great service. Leaving the 613 soon so thought I'd stop by Union and see what people have been raving about. I started out with a sucker punch and it was a fab cocktail, especially along side the boiled peanuts. The hibiscus punch(called Bissap in my home country) was not so great, with a subtle cinnamon trail but not enough sugar quite frankly (I've had these with sugar cane straws and it was another experience altogether). I also tasted the raspberry lemonade and found it to be uneventful. The meals were quite delicious. The cornbread was very moist, but more salty than I anticipated. The southern fried chicken was the best I've had in Ottawa and the catfish was very well seasoned. I wish I had tried the cauliflower macaroni and cheese but the cornbread was filling (even shared). We ended on a dessert- had the red velvet. Gotta say this was my least favourite red velvet anything EVER. tsk tsk. See pictures. I RECOMMEND: The fried chicken. It wasn't my order and I wish it had been. EXTRA TIP: This place, unlike many others, is open on Mondays. read more

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Had a great breakfast here, a brisket eggs Benedict concoction. Was delicious and nicely complimented by a breakfast beer. Also very much appreciated both the service and atmosphere. Prices weren't cheap though. read more

Union Local 613 - Southern Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

The service was really good. Server was super nice and helpful with everything. The food was great and really tasteful. It was pretty busy and lively which is always a plus. Even though this is a small restaurant, we did not feel cramped at all. It was quite cosy. Loved the atmosphere. read more

Union Local 613 - Southern Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

It's a hipster's paradise. They have lots of fancy and delicious drinks, an extensive beer and wine list and lots of interesting food (deviled eggs!) but the joint is expensive. They pay their staff a living wage (a fact they love to advertise) and give them benefits, which is beyond awesome and also reflected in the price - a price I am happy to pay. What grinds my gears is the fact that I'm also expected to tip?! If I am paying more in base price to support this awesome initiative then why am I still expected to tip? If you're really paying your staff as well as you obviously like to advertise then tipping to supplement their income should not be required and that fact should also be advertised. The outdoor patio is great, the inside is decorated in a fun manner and they have a hidden bar behind a false bookshelf that literally made my jaw drop. When I go back, I won't let tipping culture compel me to tip. If you're paying your staff as well as you like to advertise then it shouldn't be necessary. read more

LOVE this place! The downstairs seating is very dim, loud, but cozy and it is behind a hidden bookshelf. Cocktails are innovative and strong, and service is very friendly and laid-back. Late night food is great! I really enjoyed the chicken wings; the sauce was unique and they were crispy on the outside. Their food in general is tasty and does not disappoint. read more

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Verdict: a really great atmosphere/ambiance with very well prepared food. So after a recent binge at a few "good food fast" typed establishments, we decided to try something a little more higher end, so we decided on Union 613. When we walked in, we could tell, without really even paying attention, that we were going to be in for a good time. As one of the specialties of the place is their vast array uniquely prepared cocktails, we decided to sit at the bar in order to watch the magic happen, as so it did. We tried a few different cocktails, and all were tasty and unique. The food that we ordered, as per the photos, was all very well prepared, and the service that we received was excellent. This is not a budget friendly restaurant (cost including tip was about $140 for two), however they advertise that they charge a little more than most to ensure a good working environment for their employees, inclusive of a liberal "wear what you want" dress code, and benefits for everyone! If you're looking for great food, and don't mind spending a little extra, give this place a try. read more

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Had the chicken and waffles with the housemade ketchup and clover honey. Fantastic. Great atmosphere - late 80's and early 90's music playing in the background pulling at my nostalgic heartstrings! Staff were friendly and attentive - would love to comeback sometime for a drink! read more

Union Local 613 - Chicken and waffles! - Southern Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

One of my favourite places in town in Union613 The atmosphere food and staff , are all excellent in my books In The area for brunch, whether lunch or dinner I had the chicken and waffles and really good coffee I honestly would say it's a place worth Checking out. read more

Union Local 613 came highly recommended but we were disappointed. The drink menu looked interesting with many innovative choices but the dinner menu left almost nothing for a vegetarian to eat. Even the shrimp and grits had pork in it. We would have stayed for happy hour and tried the fried green tomatoes (one of my very favorite dishes) and interesting drinks.... but the waiter left us unattended and ignored for a very looong time. When we decided to leave and try another place to eat with more fish and/or veggies on the menu, we couldn't find anyone around to tell and nobody even noticed our departure. read more

Great ambiance, but underwhelming food and cocktails, especially for the relatively high prices. Average service. In terms of ambiance/decor and the selection of food and drinks, this place seems promising -- along the lines of the Drake Hotel or Drake 150 in Toronto, just physically smaller. The basement speakeasy in particular would be great for a date. However, my guest and I found the cocktails and food somewhat disappointing. The cocktails have interesting ingredients as listed on the menu (chanterelle oil for example is inspired), but the ones we tried were all on the sweet to very sweet end of the spectrum, even the one that the waitress recommended as not being sweet. Flavours were mixed together and confused and the overall impression tended towards the bubble gum-like. Prices for cocktails are higher than the Drake Hotel/150 in Toronto as well as similar places in Ottawa (Common Eatery, Citizen/Town, Datsun), so there's really nothing to justify the experience here. Food prices are on the expensive to very expensive side for Ottawa (excepting fine dining establishments). Some of the items were very good (catfish and cornbread; bison tartare), while others were average (the fried chicken was promising but had a burnt quality and was not particularly good without the sauce; the grits were a total failure, a kind of macaroni-and-cheese crossover with undercooked pasta that was hard to finish). Service was mixed. At first the waitress did not seem interested in explaining the beer choices, but another server behind the bar came by and explained them better. The waitress seemed to warm up to our table as the night went on. Final bill was higher than most times I've eaten at the Drake 150 in Toronto's financial district, which puts this place into territory that is too expensive for most people in Ottawa that it's probably targeting. IMHO there are much better options in Ottawa at more reasonable prices with more consistently better food and drinks. read more

Amazing service, great food, and great atmosphere especially if you can get out on the patio. Love the quality, the service, the location. read more

Union Local 613 - Breakfast poutine! - Southern Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

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Sooooo we will say this is a 2.5 review which i rarely give. We were sitted promptly, and all very hipster'esque with brown paper towel napkins and alike. My bf and our visiting friend from Montreal...who prefer french can get by in english. Me....playing host to Ottawa to our friend was sadly dissapointed there was no french menu. There is one online, but our friend had forgotten his glasses. When i asked i was told "no one is comfortable translating the menu" then when i pointed out there was one online i got a response of "well it changes daily" Its brunching hour so i asked for a caesar right off the bat. Only to find out they do all their own syrups and tinctures....and would mix me a "not caesar" which i was intrigued with. What i recieved for 15$ was a tiny champagne glass of their magic tonic.....that was not very good. BF ordered a coke, but they made their own that showed up in a mason jar sized cup....that was not very good and $4. Okay so i get what they are going for.....i order the fried chicken and waffles. The chicken was shredded chicken formed into a patty and deep fried.....not much flavour, the waffle was nothing to write about (except here), and the promising flavours of the toppings were lacking. Ive worked in the industry for 10 years so try not to be a bother whilst it being busy. There were 4 tables so i asked our server if we could see the speakeasy, and was informed its only open in the evenings (i chose this place for its uniqueness....felt like i was shut down at every turn.) Granted their homemade ketchup and pineapple hot sauce went great with the meal (that was very under seasoned). So - this is not a terrible experience, i do feel this place is missing its mark. A versatile drink menu for a brunch menu (i get the night cocktail hour drinks), but offering the premium homemade experience solely does exclude a lot of people from the surrounding area that are looking for a brunch experience perhaps a little more elevated, but still go seeking some comforts. The french menu from the website not being publshed as the english one, and given an excuse vice a valid reason i found dissapointing, and whilst the place was next to empty and not being able to even see the speak easy, added to custom made everything without a alternate to a few choice brunch options made this experience...an experience, but not one we will attempt again. Service was prompt, but not personable (could be i was the only anglo at the table.....not sure), and worst of it all we went to McDonalds after as we did not leave full. read more

just came home the union; local 613 - this is the 3rd day they have been open for business. so with my new Elite Status...lol...i am upping the depth of my review. atmosphere; super fun and casual - they offer family seating so you may be 2 people at a table of 8 with guests beside you. great decor the lighting is really slick. front of house; outstanding, borderlining on hovering...lol...but super helpful, always refilling water glasses etc. - it was funny, because for the first time ever you could feel the nervousness of the owners and staff, and they were trying so hard to make sure everything was perfect. back of house; we had the pork leg and catfish for mains; cornbread, cornbeef hash, green and smoked turkey, and slaw with keylime cheesecake parfait. so oddly, as soon as i cut into the pork leg (alittle tough) it was alittle under...lol...and i like my pork on the under side - we talked amongst ourselves and decided to grab the waitress - she quickly brought it to the kitchen (open to the diners) and it was descended upon by the kitchen staff and owners. They cooked it a tad more and put my cornbread in the salamander to stay warm. The sauce on both the pork and fish were outstanding...seriously, amazing. Catfish was cooked perfect, the cornbeef hash was super tasty and very creative, my girlfriend loved the greens and smoked turkey, i was so, so but i'm not into softer greens like that - the keylime parfait had granola with tons of crunch. so the cons.....each entree was around $18.00 and you order and pay for your sides on their own, we both felt that for the size of portions we received $18 was alittle high, easiest thing is just add alittle more. my pork was alittle tough - that sauce with a pork tenderloin would be to die for. i wish these folks the best of luck, they are really trying and i was so impressed to see how much they care, dealing with my pork they way they did really, really made me feel that they truly cared about the quality that they put out. read more

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I am amazed by how few reviews have commented on the communal tables. I was looking for a nice spot with vegetarian options for a Friday night date. I'd heard good things and thought I would give it a try. We arrived for 7pm and were seated at a table with 3 other couples. It was incredibly awkward, and almost enough to make me want to leave. The entire dinner was fairly quiet, as our conversation felt inhibited because we were sitting inches from two couples on either side of us. If I went back here again, I would most definitely would request a private table, though having been my first time here, I had no idea that a communal table should have been expected. Otherwise, the barn board ceiling is beautiful and decor is rustic and charming. Moving on to the food...We started with a salad--I can't recall what was in it, but it was not bad--nothing to rave about. As a vegetarian, I had the charred mirliton w/quinoa, sunflower seeds, grilled veggies, roasted pepper pureé, smoked tofu 'mayo. It was more than enough food for me and quiet delicious, though nothing extraordinary. My date had the ritz crusted louisianna catfish, pecan puree, wilted frisee & lemon and loved it, though was not enthusiastic about the pecan puree. The cornbread, while delicious and fluffy was extremely greasy. To drink, I had the humberto canale malbec which was fairly nice- somewhat rich, dark and a bit dry. Overall, our bill--including a some odd 20% gratuity was $100. Would I revisit? Maybe, but it's unlikely. Would I recommend it? Only if you can get more private seating. read more

Fun atmosphere when you walk in. The decor was playful and I enjoyed the paintings that have been altered. The boiled peanuts while you wait for your meal are a real treat. Our server was fast and friendly. The orders took some time but we had a large group and it is a sit in restaurant. I ordered the burger special which wasn't my favourite since I didn't realise it had pesto on it, but other than that, it was good. I tried a bit of someone's curry and wish I'd gotten that instead. The fried chicken looked like the best meal there and the fries were fantastic. The food was hot and edible which is always a bonus. read more

For a restaurant with very few vegan options (one main is vegan and they were kind enough to modify a side to make it vegan) this vegan was pretty damn happy with his meal. I'd go as far to say this was the best "guilty pleasure" food I've had in Ottawa. I went with the charred mirliton for the main and the warm fingerling & le coprin mushroom salad (sans chicken liver vinaigrette). The mirliton was a really smart combination of flavors and textures. They offset the mild taste of the mirliton with a peppery faux ground beef concoction (made of quinoa, sunflower seeds and grilled veggies) and a rich tofu mayo. It looks like a small serving but it's quite filling. The fingering and coprin mushroom salad is very satisfying and they added some fresh cilantro to liven it up. While the beer selection isn't incredibly impressive the cocktails, whiskey, bourbon and wine selection more than make up for it. If you want a totally unique, very boozy cocktail you will not be disappointed. Highly recommend the Union Sazerac. Union 613 has been the talk of the hipster/foodie community since it opened and I have to say it is with good reason. If the vegan options are this good I can't even begin to imagine how incredible the omnivore stuff is. read more