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Address: 370 Elgin St. Ottawa ON K2P 1N1
Tel: 1 613 231-2070
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| "Most authentic warmth and charm in Ottawa" |
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by Jessica (from Ottawa)
November 2007 - This place does it like no other in Ottawa. Unlike most sterile food courts serving the government officials during their office hours and after-work shopping, The Manx manages to feel European, homey, alive and sophisticated all at the same time. An underground pub, the Manx is an unassuming spot where there's always a lineup at peak hours. The pub is full of nooks and crannies to nestle in from an Ottawa winter's bone-chilling cold. Wooden pews line the walls and high, tiny bar tables fill what little space there is away from the wall, where those waiting for better tables can munch on appetizers, or, in our case, eat their whole meal.
We arrived right after dinner time, when the pub beings to pick up the evening drinking crowd. Waiting at the bar, we stood, as there were no seats available. This is the only problem with the Manx - it is often crowded, and you have to get to know when to get there if you want a seat. When finally seated, the friendly and dignified wait staff, who feel more like they live at the Manx or co-own it rather than simply working there, courteously took our order for a shared ceasar salad (somewhat pricey at 12$) and large portion of the house pasta special: meditteranean vegetables with sundried tomatoes, kale, and mushrooms in a cream sauce over penne (15$). Our ceasar was delicious - more of a meal on its own, while the penne was very spicy (not mentioned in the description) and we decided to return it in favor of a milder version. Our waiter complied with our request and the milder replacement penne came soon after - to our taste satisfaction. The Manx has good food but, more importantly, it's really the most alive-feeling place I've experienced since visiting Ottawa. When at The Manx I felt like there was a pulse to Ottawa I had yet to discover - something unseen and unheard in the day to day appearance of things - that the people here are more artisitc, cultural, and vibrant than on first appearance. The place is a godsent for managing to draw in such a lovely atmosphere.
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| Note about The Manx Reviews: Please note that the above reviews about The Manx reflect the subjective opinion of individual readers and not the opinion of ReviewBlue.com or its affiliates. If you represent the The Manx and wish to comment on any of these reviews, we encourage you to use the management response feature. |
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