El Meson

Went for Valentine’s Day, it was quite busy, but the food was very good. I would have liked to have known it was a set menu for that day, as it was more than we had expected– food and money-​wise $ 68 each. We did have a nice time, but when I opened my leftovers the next day, it was someone else’s leftover food… :S

Excellent food and service. Wine selection is fine. Highly recommend for business and pleasure. The servers are most attentive. The food has been consistently excellent for over 15 years. Large parking lot beside and plenty of parking nearby.

Wow! First of many visits to come, Im sure. Made reservations for six for Easter dins. We had a private room upstairs which in retrospect with our loud chatter and laughter was a stupendous idea. We decided on Tapas to start with everyone ordering something and sharing. My compliments to the chefs, as this food, every bit of it was perfectly cooked and beautifully arranged, which Im sure, was no easy task. There was charred octopus with paprika that absolutely melts in the mouth. If you have never had octopus or were never sure if you would like it, this is the place to try it. Calamari lightly breaded served with a citrus mayo was, again, so perfectly cooked and fresh that it literally falls apart in your mouth. There were escargot atop mushroom in tomato sauce with melted cheese that is do good you want to shovel them in. Also spicy garlic shrimp mixed with tomato that are inside of what look like toasted breaded ravioli, soo good. Gazpacho was also a circus of full flavours that left you wanting more and more.
The mains were epic! Paella Valenciana, braised Lamb Shank, Paella Marisco, Bacalhau El Meson (salt cod was delicious), Roasted Tomato Crusted Rack of Lamb and Pollo Al Ajillo. We all tasted the dishes and it was a unanimous decision that the food was impeccably presented and absolutely delicious. Our server was there in the background with complete knowledge if his menu and wine list as well as a smile and some light hearted banter. Absolutely will be back and could not be a higher recommendation from me.

We were a party of 4 on Wednesday night. The service was smooth and helpful, no rush. The food was excellent! Between the 4 of us we had the catch of the day (baked cod), paella, a rack of lamb and I had baked salmon. The salmon was wrapped in smoked salmon and the taste was fantastic! Best I have ever eaten! Everybody raved about the food and compliments were sent to the cook. A good selection of wine was enjoyed as well. Highly recommended.

I had dinner at El Meson for the first time with my father during my last visit to Ottawa. The food is absolutely delicious! But it was the fantastic service that will keep me coming back. The staff are wonderful! We had such a great time… in fact we ended up closing the restaurant down!
El Meson is easy to find. It’s is in a charming old house on Beechwood in Vanier. There is parking at the side of the building as well as on the street.

Well, I went back to this restaurant over a year later, and let me tell you, things have changed (or my first experience was an anomaly). The service was MUCH better, and the food was fantastic! I again enjoyed the Gaspaccio, and then had the beef tenderloin. The tasters prior to the meal were also very good. Had I not experienced the poor quality from 2010, I would rate this restaurant ⁴⁄₅. Since I did, I’m raising my rating from 2 stars to 3 stars. If the next visit is as good, it will go up again!