So, when it came to him and his wife, Dr. Susan Daftary, to open another dental practice in the city, he knew exactly which neighbourhood they wanted to go to – Westboro Village.

Westboro Village is one of Ottawa's most diverse neighbourhoods. Its tree-lined showcase one-of-a-kind boutiques, businesses and trendy restaurants. The area is also known for its natural beauty and welcoming outdoor spaces, particularly Westboro Beach.

"We just always just gravitated to the area, its walkable, it's close to the beach, just the lifestyle," says Dr. Al Khalili. "And we're trying to be a compliment to the neighborhood."

An Ottawa Dentist Office with a "Spa-like" Feel

W Dental Studio brings a spa-like experience to going to the dentist. Spread over 4 levels, W Dental Studio combines cutting-edge dental care with all the amenities you need to make your appointment as relaxing as possible.

The office features a "comfort menu" complementary to patients both before and during their appointments. Before their appointment, patients can take advantage of a hot or cold beverages and lip balm to moisturize their lips before their appointment. There's also an iPad available for kids to use to keep themselves busy before they head to the dentist's chair.

During their appointment, W Dental Studio offers heated/massage dental chairs, neck pillows, weighted blankets and wireless noise-cancelling earphones so patients can enjoy Netflix, Disney+ and Spotify during procedures.

W-Dental Studio is also paperless and aims to be as environmentally friendly as possible in their operations, even down to the bamboo toothbrushes they give patients after their appointment.

The best part? None of these costs extra to patients.

"We've been received well by residents. Anybody who's come in has been wowed by how it has a calming, calming spa-like atmosphere. Why not have that along with your dental work?" says Dr. Al Khalili.

"There's no extra cost. The fees in Ontario are pretty much standardized, but we're offering all these amenities with your dental treatment. There's no upcharge because we gave you a bamboo toothbrush. There's not an upcharge because we have a massage chair for you while you get your dental work, it's just part of the whole experience."

Westboro Village Offers an Active Urban Lifestyle

Dr. Al Khalili says Westboro is a unique neighbourhood in Ottawa because of its closeness to local amenities. Residents can walk down the street and experience different local shops, restaurants, and other businesses.

"There's a lot of these unique 'mom and pop' restaurants or unique yoga studios and spas," he says. "Every little business is somewhat unique. It's not your traditional box stores. There's no Home Depot or Michaels or stores like that."

Westboro Village provides a lifestyle that's hard to find elsewhere in the city.

"Where we live there's not much walkability, just your normal suburb, like Mississauga or something." says Dr. Al Khalili. "In this neighbourhood everybody's walking, there are little cafes and little ice cream shops, it's close to the river, so that's how Westboro Village presents itself.

Discover Local at Westboro Connection

W Dental Studio is one of Westboro Connection’sDiscover local partners. Discover Local is an exclusive program to familiarize Westboro Connection residents, with the neighbourhood and the many local businesses and services. It's all about revealing what makes Westboro Village so vibrant, inspiring and livable. From cafes and restaurants to retailers, gyms and beyond, we invite you to discover local. There's a whole neighbourhood waiting to be discovered!

Looking to make Westboro your new home? Westboro Connection offers you a home in the heart of the community. It’s a mixed-use community that includes modern rental apartments, quality office space, a great mix of service-oriented retailers like Bridgehead coffee, and Farm Boy grocery. Westboro Connection apartments are smartly designed to enrich your life, free up your time, and help you connect with the people and places that matter most to you.

Ready to move in?

The post Why W Dental Studio Makes Westboro Village Its Home appeared first on Westboro 2 (Scott Street) Blog.

Let's take a closer look at the top five reasons residents say that Westboro Connection is such a wonderful place to live.

Modern, brand-new apartments in Westboro

Westboro Connection properties are located at 1960 Scott Street and 315 McRae Avenue.

Westboro Connection’s high-rise building offers a variety of sizes of brand-new and well-appointed apartments. Each unit is equipped with everything residents need to make their lives complete: stainless steel appliances, in-suite laundry, custom blinds, and air conditioning.

The bright, spacious living room is a perfect spot for residents to hang out with friends or unwind after a long day at work. There’s no need to walk to Westboro Beach to experience the sunset – beautiful views are right are right outside your window. Just one of the many reasons to fall in love with Westboro Connection!

Amazing building amenities

Westboro Connection was thoughtfully planned to meet the needs and wants of today's urban dwellers by Ottawa’s award-winning Hobin Architecture. This brand-new complex features spacious shared spaces for work and relaxation, a party room, a well-equipped fitness centre, bike storage, bike maintenance facilities, and ground-floor retail.

Access to fantastic amenities such as a fitness centre and lounge room is what our residents love the most about the building. The Westboro Connection fitness centre is equipped with state-of-the-art machines suitable for a complete workout. Working from home has also become more convenient due to the availability of common work and relaxation areas throughout the building.

Farm Boy and our Discover Local partner, Bridgehead Coffee, can be found on the ground floor, ensure that our residents have access to fresh produce and are well-caffeinated.

We should also mention that furry friends are welcome. We're proud to be a pet-friendly building!

Top building features include

• Lobby Lounge
• Bicycle Storage Area
• Pet Wash Facility
• Furnished guest suites
• Private Courtyard
• Fitness Centre
• Party Room
• Co-Working Lounge
• Flex Lounge
• Terrace with BBQs
• Secure Parcel Delivery System
• Onsite Management
• Onsite Car Sharing
• Waste Valet

Our building is designed to support biodiversity in urban environments

We partnered up with Alveole, a Canadian beekeeping company, to install a rooftop beehive to help restore declining bee populations (which are critical to the ecosystem's health) and reconnect residents with nature. The beehive was successfully installed in June of 2020, and the hive is now home to more than 37,500 bees.

Our Queen bee, Buzzlightyear, and her colony are working hard to produce honey for the Fall harvest!

Wondering how the Westboro Connection bees are doing right now? Visit MyHive at Scott Street and McRae Avenue to see what the bees are up to.

The best restaurants in Ottawa are steps away!

Westboro offers a diverse range of culinary experiences, from international cuisine to local favourites and Canadian classics. Westboro Village is where you'll find all the best culinary hotspots – whatever you're craving. Read about a few of our favourite restaurants with patio dining.

To help residents explore Westboro’s fine eateries, we offer our exclusive Discover Local program. Residents receive coupons from more than 25+ Discover Local partners when they move in! There's a whole neighbourhood waiting to be discovered!

All of the “must do” activities are within walking distance

Westboro Connection is located in the heart of Ottawa, close to a wide range of activities. Westboro Connection is just minutes away from unique boutiques, parks and is just steps away from the Ottawa River path.

We love Westboro because it has the perfect mix of urban excitement and small-town charm. Shopping for some of Ottawa's best local products at Parkdale Night Market or visiting Orange Art Gallery to see the work of contemporary local artists are just a few ways to brighten up your weekday or weekend evenings.

Are you new to the neighbourhood? Read our recent blog post for the top 5 places to visit in Westboro this summer.

There are so many reasons why Westboro is a fantastic place to live, and we've only touched on a few today! (Insert shameless self-promotion here) Speak to one of our agents to learn more about the neighbourhood and the Westboro Connection lifestyle.

Current residents can contact the Tenant Services team to learn more about our referral program!

The post 5 reasons why living at Westboro Connection is awesome appeared first on Westboro 2 (Scott Street) Blog.

One advantage to travelling is that it can provide the freedom to think, create, and be inspired. If you’re a foodie, what better way to bring that feeling home than by starting your own restaurant based on your travels? Imagination, tenacity, hard work, and a passion for food, inspired restauranteur Rod Castro to open up two of Hintonburg's hottest eateries, 10Fourteen and Pubblico based on this very experience.

Rod has lived in the bustling community of Hintonburg for more than a decade and has strived to bring his travel-inspired cuisine to his fellow residents.

A taste of New York right here in Hintonburg

Reminiscent of the neighbourhood haunts found in Montreal, 10Fourteen offers a selection of expertly crafted cocktails, carefully curated beer and wine, and a fantastic small-plate menu. Many guests return again and again just to experience the latest charcuterie offering. Says Rod: "This is a cozy little spot and we love that everyone feels welcome to stop by, make new friends, hang out and spend some time together.".

According to Rod, 10Fourteen has received invaluable community support during a period when many restaurants have struggled to stay open. 

Inspired by the “If I can make it here, I can make it anywhere” attitude of New York, Pubblico offers all of the “must eat” menu items found across the big city. From Brooklyn to the Bronx, “we took all the best casual food from New York – pizzas, hot dogs, hamburgers, pasta from the Bronx and we brought it to Pubblico”.

Rod was inspired by the profound sense of community in their local businesses after visiting the Big Apple – the same sense of community he experiences in Hintonburg – and hence Pubblico was born. It first opened its doors in 2019 as Hintonburg's New York-style sports pub serving travel-inspired fare.

Buy local, serve local

Borrowing from the sense of community Rod witnessed in his travels, both 10Fourteen and Pubblico support local business by shopping local – buying fresh bread at local bakeries, fish from Wellington Fish Market and produce from local vendors.

Rod says he'll help whenever he can. "We try to invest in our neighbourhood as much as possible”.

Love for Hintonburg

Rod has lived in Hintonburg for more than a decade and enjoys the people, views, and other amenities the neighbourhood offers. In fact, he lives right here in Hintonburg Connection! "Hintonburg Connection might have the best view of the city I have ever seen!" says Rod.

Rod can be found meeting the neighbours on the Hintonburg Connection's exclusive rooftop patio. So, if you are a Hintonburg Connection resident, stop by and say hello. “We're starting to see familiar faces and we're starting to recognize one another and have these interesting conversations."

About Discover Local

Discover Local is an exclusive program to familiarize Hintonburg Connection residents, with the neighbourhood and the many local businesses and services. It's all about revealing what makes Hintonburg so vibrant, inspiring and livable. From cafes and restaurants to retailers, gyms and beyond, we invite you to discover local. There's a whole neighbourhood waiting to be discovered!

The post 10Fourteen and Pubblico bring the flavours of Montreal and New York to Hintonburg appeared first on Westboro 2 (Scott Street) Blog.

Visit the Westboro Gateway Mural

Work on this prominent Westboro landmark began in the middle of the pandemic and it was ready for viewing in late fall. However, public health restrictions meant that mural afficionados were not able to attend an unveiling of the piece. Now, though, you can walk to the corner of Churchill and Byron to admire the creative work of Style Over Stylus, who have beautified walls between Ottawa and Montreal. Long-time Westboro residents will recognize lots of images from our community, like the heron at Westboro Beach, old Nepean City Hall and the trolley that used to run along Byron Avenue. Go with friends and take a group selfie at this new historical landmark!

Westboro Beach

The chances are that if you’ve lived in Westboro for any amount of time, you’ve spent an hour or two at Westboro Beach, but visiting the beach seems a little different this summer. Maybe the water is bluer, the sand is sandier and the bike paths are bikier. Make sure you don’t miss out on this Westboro classic.

Whether you prefer to explore the 40 kilometres of bike trails, kayak off Kitchissippi Lookout or simply relax with a cool beverage at the Westboro Beach Café, Westboro Beach offers activities for the entire family.

History buffs can check out the Nile Voyageurs memorial plaque, commemorating the volunteer rivermen who joined a military expedition to relieve besieged British forces in Khartoum, while entomologists can bask in the Kitchissippi Pollinator Garden.

There really is something for everyone at the beautiful Westboro Beach.

Bate Island

With well-known waterfronts like Mooney’s Bay, Westboro Beach or even the Rideau Canal available to Ottawa residents, it’s easy to forget some of the lesser-known gems. One place close to home is Bate Island.

Bate Island is a stone’s throw away from the Champlain Bridge off Island Park Drive and is surrounded by the rushing waters of the Ottawa River. The picturesque surroundings, manicured property and bubbling rapids make Bate Island an ideal spot to try your hand at fishing, kayak through the rapids or read a book under a canopy of mature trees. For larger groups, there are picnic tables and a gazebo; and there is plenty of free parking.

Wall Space Gallery

If you enjoy art, you will love the variety of pieces on display by emerging and established Canadian artists at Wall Space Gallery.

The gallery opened its doors in 2004 and is dedicated to making contemporary art accessible to everyone and building community by supporting local artists. At the writing of this article, Wall Space Gallery will be exhibiting “Celebrations of Summer”, featuring work from Peter Colbert, Elizabeth D’Agostino, Erica Hawkes, Tanya Kirouac, Lori Richards, Ava Roth, Dan Ryan, and Amy Shackleton.

If you’d like to beautify your own home or office, Wall Space Gallery offers art consultation – helping enthusiasts curate a collection that reflects their personal aesthetic.

We hope that a trip to one or two of these nearby places helps you celebrate summer and reminds you of the creative, historic and simply gorgeous spaces that make living in Westboro such a rewarding experience. When the day is done and you’re heading home, stop off for a drink or a meal at one of the neighbourhoods’ best patios.

The post Four fun activities to help you reconnect with Westboro as Ontario re-opens appeared first on Westboro 2 (Scott Street) Blog.

There is no question that as soon as the weather in Ottawa begins to warm up, we want to be out on a patio, enjoying delicious meals and refreshing drinks. As patio season approaches and the province begins reopening, we decided to compile a list of our favourite neighbourhood restaurants that currently have patios open to the community.

We hope that you will fall back in love with local favourites and savour the flavours of summer with our Westboro culinary hotspots’ new seasonal food and drink menus.

Gezellig

Sustainably focused & globally inspired cuisine in the heart of Westboro

If you are a true gourmand seeking aesthetic pleasure for your eyes and mouth, Gezellig is a must-visit for you. Located in a 1950s bank building, Gezellig is a fine dining restaurant that offers a wide selection of world-renowned wines and a plethora of upscale, sustainably sourced dishes. Our favourite pick is farmed Greek oysters with pickled green strawberry mignonette, which can be perfectly paired with a glass of sparkling rosé.

Address: 337 Richmond Rd, Ottawa, ON K2A 0E7

Brassica

Fine dining with vibrant flavours and exciting combinations of sustainable local food

Brassica is the place to be if you plan to celebrate the end of the week or simply enjoy bright, vibrant flavours. On Brassica’s patio menu, you’ll find a variety of wonderful dishes, from Patagonian cavatelli with giant shrimps and cherry tomatoes to chocolate budino with salted caramel and candied walnuts. Believe us, it tastes even better than it sounds!

Address: 309 Richmond Rd, Ottawa, ON K1Z 6X6

Clocktower Brew Pub

Legendary craft brew pub serving Ottawa since 1996

Relax on Westboro's largest patio and enjoy a glass of great craft beer and some fresh, original food. The summer patio menu at Clocktower Brew Pub will surely surprise you with amazing finger-licking pub-style food like wings, fish n' chips, grilled chicken, and more. Last but not least, if you think you've tried every possible variation of chicken wings in the world, try Clocktower’s blue cheese and medium Thai peanut sauce chicken wings for a really special treat! Address: 418 Richmond Rd.

Trio Bistro & Lounge

Ottawa's favourite lounge, serving craft cocktails & New Canadian tapas

Located in the heart of Westboro, Trio Bistro & Lounge offers a great assortment of exclusive wines and craft cocktails, as well as a delicious food menu that you can enjoy on a patio with your friends or family. Chorizo sausage pizza, Korean fried chicken, coconut breaded tiger shrimp – trust us when we say you'll find everything you crave. Dive into a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere and forget about your work routine. Also, if you prefer to eat gluten-free, you'll be glad to know that Trio Bistro & Lounge has great gluten-free options for you.

Address: 307D Richmond Rd, Ottawa, ON K1Z 6X3

One of the greatest advantages of living at Westboro Connection is having all these fantastic outdoor dining options just minutes away. We hope that our Westboro outdoor dining guide will help you in finding your next go-to spot for delicious meals on the patio. Bon appétit!

The post Your guide to Westboro Village restaurants with outdoor seating appeared first on Westboro 2 (Scott Street) Blog.

Two Beets Farm makes healthy eating easy for residents in Westboro and Hintonburg Connection. Two Beets Farm is an online vegetable farm-stand initiative, founded by Diana Beirnes and Nic Gosselin. They offer completely customizable fresh vegetable baskets, which can be ordered online and picked up at your convenience. Diana and Nic understand the struggle of being health-conscious and occupied with busy jobs. They aim to make the association people have with food special through their work.

The genesis of Two Beets Farm is a story of adventure. One day, Diana and Nic decided to take a few months off from their corporate jobs to explore the outdoors. As enthusiastic nature lovers, they wanted to take time to bike, hike and travel, camping in their trailer along the way. Little did they know that the trip would lead them to a career switch, relocation and opening their own business.

They’d considered visiting various farms while travelling to make the trip more affordable and to gain more of a local experience. While doing so, they became interested in learning the fundamentals of farming and the origin of food. Finally, they chose to stop at a farm in Quebec for a whole season to try their hand at farming. “The lifestyle, food, the opportunity to share the experience with other people inspired us to start our endeavour,” added Diana. “What helped was that Quebec provides resources to burgeoning farmers – renting land to those starting their own business.”

The challenges faced by Two Beats Farm on the road to success

There were many small roadblocks along the way. They realized that there would be various unknowns to unravel and many hats to wear as entrepreneurs. Yet their passion for food and strong partnership triumphed over it all. Their love for farming and serving people organic and fresh vegetables fueled their pursuit. It made them confident to follow their calling and take the risk. The name Two Beets Farm is inspired by the idea that they both are two beats to a tune – music being another hobby that brings them together.

Two Beets Farm’s mission is to not only serve people fresh variety but also educate them about their food, the nutritional value and how it’s grown. Nic and Diana want to meet people and build relationships with them while impacting their lives in a positive way. That is also the reason why they joined the Discover Local program. Nic and Diana feel it is a great way to support and contribute to the community in Westboro and further support other local ventures.
 

About Discover Local

Discover Local is an exclusive program for our residents, created to better acquaint them with their neighbourhood and the many local businesses and services therein. It’s all about discovering what makes their local community so vibrant, inspiring, and livable. From cafes and restaurants to retailers, gyms and beyond, we invite you to discover local – there’s a whole neighbourhood waiting to be discovered!

The post Fresh from the farm to Westboro Connection appeared first on Westboro 2 (Scott Street) Blog.

What is World Bee Day?

World Bee Day is a special occasion for residents, staff, and beekeepers at Westboro Connection. The mixed-use property is home to three urban beehives, installed on the rooftop of the Westboro and Hintonburg Connection buildings. UN designates May 20 as World Bee Day to raise awareness about the importance of bees and other pollinators. The day also acknowledges the bees’ contribution to sustainable development and highlights the increasing threat to their existence.

Beekeeping – it's all the buzz

Our beekeeping partner Alveole, The Urban Beekeeping Company, helps us to keep the buzz alive by actively monitoring and managing the hive’s health. The installation of the urban beehives at Westboro Connection reflects the values of our residents. The hives connect our residents with nature, support biodiversity and allow us to give back to the community. Supporting biodiversity is an integral component of the sustainability program at our properties.

Our bees support biodiversity, breakfast, and community

Last year, our rooftop beehives produced about 450 jars of honey – nearly 150 from each hive – all sold to residents with the proceeds donated to Pollinator Partnership, a registered charity committed to the cause of protecting and promoting pollinators and their ecosystems. The enthusiastic participation of the residents in the Honey Sale event demonstrated their support for the cause and excitement on having live beehives on the roof of their buildings.

The urban beehives are not only a great way for Westboro Connection residents to enjoy this local treat, but they are also an effective educational tool and promotes positive attitudes toward conserving biodiversity and respecting the ecosystem. The team at Westboro Connection believes that it is a special way to bring together residents and highlight the issues related to the environment, industrial agriculture, pollination and greening while producing premium local, artisanal honey.

Who keeps the bees buzzing?

In our conversation with Jean-Simon Daigle, a beekeeper from Alveole, he shared the numerous benefits of keeping urban beehives. “Bees pollinate from a five-kilometre radius meaning they will support food and flower growth in the vicinity, plus they will help maintain natural habitats and have a favorable impact on the surrounding ecosystem.”

Pollinators are responsible for keeping more than 130 fruits and vegetables producing so that we have a steady stream of fresh produce on our tables. Almonds, apples, blueberries, broccoli, cauliflower, and avocados are a few examples of the crops that are completely dependent on pollinating insects. Yet they face enormous threats from pesticides used in industrial agriculture as well as the impact of climate change. Our community can ensure their survival by protecting and preserving pollinator habitats.

Alveole and Westboro Connection work together to create a safe environment for the bees. And we help residents make a difference by providing free-bee workshops focused on bee education and by wrapping up the season with the much-anticipated honey harvest.

World Bee Day is a significant day for Westboro Connection residents and our management team. It is one way that we strengthen sustainability initiatives, show our commitment to biodiversity, and give back to our community.

Here are a few ways to contribute to the celebration:

• Plant a diverse set of plants that flower at different times of the year;
• Buy raw honey from local farmers and markets;
• Buy products from farmers using sustainable agricultural practices;
• Avoid using pesticides, fungicides or herbicides in your garden or planter;
• Sponsor a hive;
• Make a bee water fountain by leaving a water bowl outside;
• Raise awareness about the importance of bees.

The post Celebrating World Bee Day at Westboro Connection appeared first on Westboro 2 (Scott Street) Blog.

Outdoor murals can be a funny thing. We absentmindedly stroll by them until they become familiar fixtures in our days. We look at them, perhaps we may even snap a picture for Instagram, but more often than not, these large and inspiring works of public art remain anonymous.

However, for Ottawa-based mural artist Ryan Smeeton, creating a connection with passersby is a big part of his process when he’s painting outdoors.

“Interacting with people, and bringing light and colour to public spaces, is one of the best parts of what I do,” explains Ryan. “As you start a project, there won’t be too much interaction, but as the days go by, you can start to see the image emerging. People start to get more excited and you can feed off of that energy.”

Whether or not locals have seen Ryan at work, they may very well have seen his murals around Ottawa. Ryan’s work is characterized by vibrancy, flamboyancy, and movement. They focus on hyper-realistic larger-than-life hands, bright flowers or faces captured in a moment of contemplation or action. Ryan often balances the realism of his work with abstract flourishes –a background spattering of colour here, an evolving cluster of shapes there. Some of his noteworthy works can be seen at the Canada Science and Technology Museum on St. Laurent Blvd and the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada in Eastway Gardens.

Ryan has been painting murals professionally since 2015, after leaving his job for an artist’s residency in Spain’s countryside, where nearby abandoned buildings provided the oversized blank canvases that inspired his interest in large-format work. He sees his style as ever-changing and evolving.

“It goes out in different directions,” Ryan explains. “I have a lot of different influences, and I come from a background of academic painting, how to paint realistically. I’m also interested in abstract painting and colour relationship.”

After collaborating with graffiti artists on some recent projects in Toronto, Ryan also developed a keen interest in the frenetic and highly technical street-level style – seeing what he can accomplish with a can of spray paint. “I see it as an advantage to dabble in many different things and styles,” explains Ryan.

As for his relationship to Ottawa, and how it also influences his art, Ryan (who grew up in Ajax, but has called Ottawa home since 2007) embraces the supportive nature of the city – and the community of like-minded mural artists he’s come to be a part of.

“As an emerging mural artist at a time when they’re becoming more and more prevalent, it’s a great city,” explains Ryan. “Because Ottawa is a smaller city, there seems to be a tight-knit community of different artists and peers. There’s a really supportive energy.

“All the mural artists in town, we all know each other. When a call goes out for a wall, it’s almost like a friendly competition. Whoever actually gets the gig, we’re all stoked that one of our friends got a good project. It’s really supportive and unique in that way.”

Ryan’s story demonstrates the spirit of Ottawa as well as an appreciation for spectacular art. The artist’s mesmerizing murals are true delights for the eye. You can catch a glimpse of his impressive art in the lobby of our Hintonburg Connection building.

The post Ottawa-based Muralist Transforms Public Spaces with Light and Colour appeared first on Westboro 2 (Scott Street) Blog.

Not every Ottawan knows the difference between gelato and ice cream, but our residents can get some clarity on the matter thanks to premium Stella Luna gelato. Made with fresh, high-quality ingredients and no artificial colours and available just a 20-minute walk away from Westboro Connection.

The Master Gelato Chef and owner of Stella Luna Gelato Café, Tammy Giuliani, explains, “Gelato is milk-based and compared to ice cream, it has a quarter of the fat. When you take a spoonful of gelato, there is less fat coating your tastebuds. Since fat inhibits flavour, you are able to perceive that flavour more with gelato.”

High-quality and authentic gelato is about much more than the sum of its ingredients at Stella Luna Gelato Café – it is also about a commitment to the craft, learning from the best, and taking creative chances.

“Making gelato from scratch and by hand is an old traditional art,” says Tammy. “Not many people around the world, and even in Italy, are willing to do it. The gelato we make is what you would have eaten if you were a child growing up in Italy. We don’t use any pre-packaged mixes; we create from scratch.”

Since the first location of Stella Luna Gelato Café opened on 1103 Bank Street in 2011, it has been a popular spot in the local community. Locations in Hintonburg and Merrickville followed. Word soon spread, and gelato aficionados from near and far began to seek out Tammy’s sweet creations.

Understandably so – Tammy is a Master Gelato Chef, having trained extensively under the masters at Italy’s Carpigiani Gelato University to learn the traditional craft. Today, her frozen creations run the gamut from the traditional such as hazelnut, pistachio and madagascar vanilla, to the award-winning chocolate bourbon-pecan, which took bronze at the 2017 Gelato World Tour, to the tantalizingly unexpected such as chocolate cinnamon chillies and fuzzy peach schnapps.

The attention to detail is as impressive as the flavour selection. Tammy imports a great many of her gelato products from Italy, and nothing is done halfway – not even the cones. “My husband was adamant that the cones come from Italy,” she says. “So we went back to where his mother grew up in Northern Italy, where he spent his childhood summers.” They ended up finding the perfect gelato cone in the unlikeliest of places – at a business that makes communion wafers. Today, that business produces cones especially for Stella Luna. “When you open the box, the aroma is so delicious,” says Tammy.

Tammy’s gelato and sorbet menu changes just about every day and in the busy summer months, she will offer 24 varieties (six of which are always vegan). However, these sweet and icy treats are only a small part of what draws locals to Stella Luna Café, which recently also landed on Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in Canada list.

For those who want to get something more than just an artisan hand-crafted gelato, Stella Luna Gelato Café also offers a wide selection of different treats such as cakes, scones, squares and muffins. When pandemic restrictions were put in place, and in-store dining became impossible for the community, Tammy and her team pivoted to make Stella Luna Café an Italian specialty store featuring olive oils, aged balsamic vinegars, pastas and much more. “We brought in some of our favourite products from Italy,” says Tammy. Now you can find grab-and-go meals including lasagna, arancini, and steak and mushroom pie in the café.

The last year has been beyond challenging for the business, but when you hear Tammy speak about her gelato and how passionate she is about making a mouth-wateringly good product, you can’t help but get caught up in the simple magic of a dessert made with love and care.

With summer only a few months away, we couldn't be more excited to go for walks in the neighbourhood while eating delicious gelato. “In the summer, when you get a lemon sorbet with freshly squeezed lemon juice, the taste is just so refreshing,” says Tammy. “Or during strawberry season – there’s nothing like the aroma of local berries in season. Add a little prosecco, and it’s like strawberries and champagne.”

About Westboro Discover Local

Discover Local is an exclusive program for our residents, created to better acquaint them with their neighbourhood and the many local businesses and services therein. It’s all about discovering what makes their local community so vibrant, inspiring, and livable. From cafes and restaurants to retailers, gyms and beyond, we invite you to discover local – there’s a whole neighbourhood waiting to be discovered!

The post Ottawa’s award-winning gelato and sorbet appeared first on Westboro 2 (Scott Street) Blog.

Last year has been a challenging time for restaurants in Ottawa. Instead of folding under the uncertainty of everything, Westboro’s Savoy Brasserie decided to use this time as an opportunity to refine and revitalize their take on comforting and palette-pleasing French cuisine.

For the restaurant’s manager Chris Ibey, it meant getting back to the basics and focus on the two main goals the Savoy Brasserie has: French cuisine and local beer. (“We combine two things in the name Savoy Brasserie,” he explains, “‘Savoy,’ from the region in France, and ‘Brasserie,’ representing beer.”)

The Savoy went about revamping their menu by drawing inspiration from its namesake, the southeastern region of France. “The Savoy is all about hearty meals,” says Ibey, who added classic dishes such as coq au vin, Provençal stuffed squid, and a fall-off-the-bone lamb shank alongside customer favourites like beef bourguignon and escargots à la bourguignonne. 
The Savoy’s revamped beer selection and switched their 34 taps from suds brewed in Toronto and Niagara to locally produced varieties from Ashton Brewing, Big Rig, Beyond the Pale, Overflow Brewing, and Calabogie Brewing amongst others – with more new choices on the way. Between the lengthy beer menu, French cuisine faves, and an atmosphere that’s equally welcoming and classically designed with subway tiling, high ceilings, cozy booths and a bar nearly running the length of the room, the only thing currently missing is the hubbub, thanks to COVID-19 restrictions.

The Savoy Brasserie introduced signature days including Buck-a-Shuck Tuesdays, Discover Wine Wednesdays, Mimosa Fridays, and Caesar Sundays that will help the brasserie continue to be a go-to place for the Westboro community to enjoy time with friends. Ibey is also planning events such as a brewer’s dinner. Chris Ibey explains, “A lot of what we want to with the Savoy is to bring back the social aspect,” “I know it’s tough right now with COVID, but I’m looking long-term.”

Even though life may feel a little slow right now, with things slowly getting back to normal this summer and beyond, there will be plenty of reasons for Westboro locals to spend time to the Savoy – although they may want to bring a healthy appetite for great food and beer with them.

About Discover Local

Discover Local is an exclusive program for our residents, created to better acquaint them with their neighbourhood and the many local businesses and services therein. It’s all about discovering what makes their local community so vibrant, inspiring, and livable. From cafes and restaurants to retailers, gyms and beyond, we invite you to discover local – there’s a whole neighbourhood waiting to be discovered!

The post French Brasserie in the heart of Westboro appeared first on Westboro 2 (Scott Street) Blog.