The Bistro

I had a work course at the Ottawa Conference and Event Center yesterday. The course facilitator recommended that we go to the Bistro because the food is great. I was decided to go down and check the place out on my first break. I was thoroughly impressed. Great staff, great environment, we did not get pressured and so on and so forth. They told me to pre-​order my food so that it would be ready for me when I arrive with my co-​workers for lunch. Top notch timing, I got into the restaurant, and the bacon burger I ordered was really nice and fresh, still hot, and super juicy. I was so impressed that I asked if I had to be staying at the hotel or have some business to do at the Ottawa Conference and Event Center. They told me that wasn’t the case. Great job to the chef, great service by the staff and waiters. This restaurant truly belongs in a 5 star hotel. Also, as a bonus, they serve Starbucks beverages also. Most of my co-​workers were happy with that.

Shrimp potstickers and Asian Salad are not worth ordering. If your staying at the Marriott go out somewhere else for dinner.

Had the Vietnamese pulled pork sandwich for dinner and had the turkey BLT for lunch today.
The sandwiches were delicious and juicy. The turkey was a little dry compared to the rest of the sandwich. The Vietnamese pulled pork was really juicy and slightly spicy but it wasn’t a bad spicy. I believe they make their own bread and it tastes delicious.
For dessert I had the apple tart with vanilla ice cream to go in my room. The apple tart was very good.

The Bistro is the restaurant in the Courtyard Marriot in East Ottowa.
I wouldn’t say it was a fantastic restaurant. It wasn’t super fancy or swank; it wasn’t gorgeous, and it didn’t have a top-​tier chef in the kitchen or anything. But for a hotel restaurant, it filled its role really well. Especially for a Courtyard.
– Vibe: up-​to-​date furnishings and décor; attractive, with low lighting. Small bar area where you could catch sports or news on the TV, if you wanted
– Staff: friendly and courteous
– Breakfast: An extensive buffet was offered. Plus a standard menu for those of us who just want oatmeal and a banana.
– Dinner — a large selection of entrees and sandwiches, plus a full bar with a decent mix of local beers
As for the food: their burger checked the box, the NY strip was respectable, and the french dip sandwich hit the spot nicely. (All carnivorous choices, I’m suddenly realizing). Prices were very reasonable.
And while I was are staying in this hotel, working odd hours (partially on California time), having easy access to this kind of restaurant made the trip a little easier, especially with the extended hours.
Four stars on the «hotel restaurant scale». Three stars if it were out on its own.

Give the Bistro a try if you are staying at the hotel or nearby. There’s nothing too fancy on the menu (ok. Salmon and Filet are available) but a few staples like salads, soups, burgers, etc.
I chose the Asian chicken salad and was pleasantly surprised.
I’ve also taken advantage of the Starbucks coffee bar — lattes are pretty good.

The Bistro is located right in the Countryard Marriott in Ottawa East. During a Business Trip I was booked to this hotel and with no car with me, I came to The Bistro for a quick meal a few times.
At first I thought this is one of those hotel restaurants where they are either not good, or good but super expensive. I was pretty happy when I saw very reasonable prices on their menu and to top it off, they served me some decent food!
I came here three times during my visit, once for breakfast and twice for dinner and all my experience was very good. You can pick any seats you want and a server would come serve you. I guess I went during a non-​busy time, so I waited a bit before a server greeted me.
For my three visits, I ordered:
Daybreak Fried Eggs — Breakfast
Bistro Burger — Dinner
Rigatoni Sausage — Dinner
Out of all three dishes, I really enjoyed the Rigatoni Sausage, great portion, nice presentation and great taste! The Burger and Breakfast portions were good, but taste wise, nothing too outstanding.
To top off the decent meals, if you are a coffee person, you will be happy to know they serve Starbucks at this location, both hot and iced drinks!
If you ever stay in this nice hotel and do not want to go far for a meal, The Bistro is a great option!