Tucked away in a small cottage style building in lower town, Das Lokal is sure to impress you and your dining companions for lunch or dinner. The atmosphere is small and cozy, emulating more of a welcoming dinner party feel. The weather obviously isn't warming up any time soon here in Ottawa, but the warm colours and friendly service allowed us to escape the blistering cold outside, even for just a few hours.
This German inspired restaurant only opened its doors in late September 2013, but they seem well seasoned with little or no kinks to iron out. Their staff are knowledgeable and friendly, without any air of arrogance that you may typically find in other upscale restaurants. Their food choices are very unique, bursting with vibrant and decadent flavours (some typical of German cuisine, adding in local fare). We shared the House Charcuterie to start (which we normally do), but the selection was favourably different than what we were used to. The board came with a selection of chicken liver mousse, rabbit rillettes, sliced wild boar belly, terragon mustard, house pickles with condiments and crostini. The portion size was also a bit larger than the typical charcuterie plates we have seen in the past. I would recommend this starter to anyone yearning for a bit of adventure with bold and delicious flavour combinations.
For my main dish, I decided to go with the flat iron steak with horseradish mashed potatoes, greens, mushrooms and mushroom jus, and I am definitely glad I did. Grilled medium rare by recommendation and the flavours were intense and paired fabulously with my glass of Prosecco. Riley decided to try the Sweet Potato Pavé with lentils, roasted salsify (a root vegetable), braised cabbage, crème fraiche and cipollini onions. As the carnivore in the group, I wouldn't traditionally be drawn towards a vegetarian dish, but after one bite, I was sold. The crème fraiche paired with the cabbage and lentils were the definite hit of the evening.
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| Sweet Potato Pavé |
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| Charcuterie |
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| Flat Iron Steak |
Even though we were too full to enjoy some dessert, we still decided to sit on the warmed patio to finish off our evening. The heated fire pit took our mind off the cold breeze and it was definitely something unique that Ottawa doesn't offer too often. We would recommend Das Lokal to any diners looking for some interesting and unique food with bold flavours, great service, and an overall comforting environment.
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| Outdoor patio to enjoy drinks |
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 11:30am to 2:00pm, 5:00pm to 10:00pm. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
Price: Appetizers $8-$20; Mains $18-$26
Das Lokal Kitchen and Bar. 190 Dalhousie St. 613-695-1688
