However, dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant has always been on my foodie bucket list. So, when I recently found myself in London, I jumped at the chance. Known as one of the world's culinary capitals, it seemed like the perfect place to finally see what the hype was all about.
Club Gascon, a one-star Michelin restaurant just minutes from where I was staying in the neighbourhood of Clerkenwell Green, is where I ended up. It was reasonably priced (by Michelin standards) and had a few open reservations — a rare combo. I quickly locked in a time slot, excited to experience my very first taste of Michelin-approved luxury.
When I finally sat down I was like a kid in a candy store. Club Gascon felt like a page ripped out of a classic upscale dining book. It was maybe a bit stuffy for my taste, but that's not what this was about.
My guest and I opted for the shortened three-course tasting menu and some wine, basically shaking in our seats with excitement. And the verdict?
It was good. Not unforgettable, not game-changing — just good.
The celeriac parcels really stood out, and the savoury blue cheese cheesecake was also a winner, however I couldn't help but think to myself that I'd had better food back home at more than one restaurant in Ottawa.
It got me thinking, just because we don't have the Michelin Guide in Ottawa (yet), that doesn't mean that the food isn't already Michelin quality!
These are two Ottawa restaurants that I preferred to my Michelin experience in London.
Perch
The Gitanyow sockeye salmon from Perch.
Jordan Pizzuti | Narcity
Price: 💸💸💸💸
Cuisine: Sustainable, Canadian
Address: 300 Preston St., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Perch is the epitome of what the Michelin Guide would be looking for if it came to Ottawa, in my opinion. It's unique, the execution is flawless, they are consistent when it comes to food, beverages and service, and I think it's truly a masterpiece.
Chef Justin Champagne-Lagarde is a pioneer in sustainability in the Ottawa hospitality scene. From the in-house ferments, right down to the hand soap that is made from repurposed cooking oil and spent espresso grounds, Champagne-Lagarde and his team are dedicated to being as sustainable as the Ontario government legally allows a business to be.
Perch offers a 9-course tasting menu that never fails to impress and is constantly changing with the seasons. My first visit was one I will remember for the rest of my life (with no exaggeration).
One of the first-course highlights was a scallop mousse macaron, part of a trio of small bites that kicked off the meal. Each one was tasty, but the macaron truly stood out. The mousse had the silky texture of a perfectly cooked scallop, and the flavour delivered that unmistakable hit of the ocean. As someone with a "needs salt" tattoo on my neck, I was fully on board with a savoury twist on a traditionally sweet treat.
Another standout was the Gitanyow sockeye salmon. Cured with birch and hot smoked, it was layered over a caramelized cauliflower pudding and sake velouté, then topped with roe, a crisp nori tuile, and edible flowers. It was as beautiful as it was delicious.
I'd also be remiss if I didn't mention the beverage stylings of Perch's bar manager and sommelier, Shannon Marshall.
Marshall's ability to create unique, innovative cocktails that pair beautifully with each and every course on the Perch menu is nothing short of astonishing. The balance of flavour, texture, aesthetic, and, of course, sustainability fits right into why Perch holds such a special place in my heart.
Perch, I will always love you.
Ek Bar
Raj Kachori Tart and Mint Tamarind Pani Puri at Ek Bar.
Jordan Pizzuti | Narcity
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Modern Indian fusion
Address: 225 Preston St. Unit 3, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Ek Bar is a new addition to the Ottawa hospitality scene, but a welcome one. It replaces what was one of my favourite spots in the city, Katha (which admittedly would have also been on this list if it was still open).
But when one (restaurant) door closes, another opens!
Ek has been opened by Michelin-backed chef and restaurateur Hemant Bhagwani, who describes the space as a "modern Indian fusion kitchen and cocktail lounge."
The space is beautifully designed, and the food menu matches this sentiment. Former chef/owner of Katha, Sarath Teegavarapu, is also a part of the project and is still in the kitchen bringing the concept to life.
This menu is designed for sharing — and honestly, that's the only way to experience it properly. Each fusion-style small plate draws from global influences, but Bhagwani and Teegavarapu have also packed the Indian flavour profile into every bite.
Take the duck bao buns. This traditionally Chinese street food gets a spicy Indian twist, layered with hoisin sauce, a creamy hit of sriracha, and paired with a crisp lager for balance.
Then there's the yellowtail crudo, inspired by the famous Nobu Malibu dish. Here, it's elevated with a punchy lemonade-style dressing — a nostalgic nod to Bhagwani’s childhood in India — and finished with a dusting of chaat masala that ties it all together.
Of course there are still some classic-but-elevated Indian bites as well, with the standout for me being the Raj Kachori tart. It came stuffed with potatoes and lentils, alongside a pani puri meant to be filled with a mint and tamarind water. The play of textures and flavours — sweet vs. spicy, creamy vs. crunchy — was masterfully done and easily one of the meal's highlights.
Finally, the ode to Katha was an upgraded version of the restaurant's original tasting menu dessert. A tiramisu-like dish where cardamom, pistachio, and rose-soaked lady fingers are flooded with cardamom mascarpone, pistachio cream, white chocolate, and a pistachio crumble. The table-side presentation was a welcome touch that helps the end of the meal feel elevated and inviting.
And this is just scratching the surface of what Ek is doing — don't even get me started on the chicken and caviar.
This spot is redefining Indian dining in Ottawa, and I'm here for it.
Ottawa's hospitality scene gets better and better with each passing year and despite the absence of the Michelin Guide in our city, we are not lacking in big flavours and amazing spaces.
Ek Bar and Perch are just two examples of how Ottawa is squaring up to some of Michelin's best — which means it hopefully won't be too long before the Guide comes knocking.
The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Narcity Media.
