Supply and Demand

Last night Jeff and I decided to try out a new restaurant that has been on our must-try for quite a while now (embarrassing as it has been open since 2013). Supply + Demand Foods & Raw Bar, owned by Steve and Jennifer Wall, was incredible and is now fighting for top spot as my favourite restaurant in Ottawa. Located on Wellington St and about a 4 minute drive from my house (handy!), I am going to go out on a limb and say that this is the best decorated restaurant in this entire city (I found out it's by Shannon Gay of One80 Design - which figures because she's decorated all the decent looking restaurants in the city). I am SO freaking tired of everyone doing the reclaimed wood/industrial vibe. This place is French bistro chic - seahorse wallpaper, white subway tile with black grout (always works), tiny white hex tile floor with black border and random black flowers (ALWAYS WORKS!), black Thonet chairs, a wall of gold mirrors and shelves, dark green tufted leather banquette....I seriously wanted to pass out when I walked in. This is everything I have been wishing each new restaurant I have tried would look like. (Pardon my crap iPhone pics - had I known I would love this place so much I would have lugged by Nikon DSLR there and been THAT NERD who spends half the evening trying to take decent pics of everything).

OK - WILL YOU LOOK AT THESE FLOORS! I am seriously reconsidering doing this in my vestibule/foyer/kitchen instead of the tumbling block tile I was finally set on. AGH! I thought there would be a durability/cleanliness factor against this but if a restaurant can do it why can't I?! (UPDATE: Was talking to Shannon on FB and I think I'm going with hex tile - WOOT!!!! I swear this will be the last time I change my mind LOL)

I could not get a decent shot to show the colour of this banquette but I have been into very dark green lately and this is AWESOME instead of black. 

I always need to start out with a cocktail. This is The Rum One = Sailor Jerry's Spiced Rum ~ Sortilege Maple Whisky ~ pumpkin purée ~ cinnamon ~ nutmeg ~ pickled raisins. SO GOOD (and strong!)

I even took a photo of the bread because BACON FAT BUTTER! Oh YEESSSSSS!

Ottawa foodie Anne Waters raves about the kale salad (caper vinaigrette, crotonese cheese and bacon) all the time on IG so we had to try - and they kindly separated it into 2 portions for us. We were both blown away. Who knew kale could taste so good?! 

We also shared Albacore tuna crudo with lemon, truffle oil, puffed rice and cilantro. Raw fish like I have never had before.

My main was pasta because I am Italian and that's what's up, and from what I have seen on IG these guys do pasta SO WELL. Pumpkin scarpinocc with fried brussel sprout leaves, walnuts and brown butter. This was ridiculous. 

Jeff of course had a meat main because he is a guy and that's what they do. Roasted half chicken with fried potatoes, pickled fennel and preserved lemon. He devoured it and offered me none so I take it this was a winner. 

I keep seeing photos of this on IG and had to try. Eton mess. Basically chunks of meringue smothered is creamy goodness and bit of fruit buried near the bottom. Awesome and soon to leave the menu for the season. I should have just tried some of Jeff's and gotten the deep fried pumpkin pie to round out my pumpkin meal DAMMIT but we will just have to go back soon!

(I wore something kinda cute - I'll get some pics up on The Mourning Cloak shortly)