Girl About O-Town

Last week, results of the ever popular Ottawa X-Press Best of Ottawa 2008 Readers Poll were published. 

Apparently, almost 90, 000 online votes in four areas including Food & Drink, Arts & Culture, Around Town and Local Lore were cast. In addition to the declared winners, several honourable mentions for each category were also determined.  You can check out the results here.

This annual list of Ottawa favourites offers truly interesting (albeit unscientific) perspective on how we in this town see ourselves… 

A perennial winner, The Manx Pub is always at the top of this list.  This year, this hidden gem (literally) – with its worn benches, bookish atmosphere and gallery of revolving art – took honours in 5 categories, including Best Appetizers/Tapas, Best Brunch, Best Cozy Nook, Best Pub and Best Bar Staff .  (1)

The Best Neighbourhood category went to Centretown, instead of the more predictable choices of  the Glebe or Westboro, each of which earned only honourable mentions from Ottawa voters in 2008.  

Adding to Centretown’s growing appeal is the Somerset footbridge, the Best Architectural Addition to the city this year, and Barrymore’s which ironically takes the title for Best Architectural Eyesore while also winning of the Best Night Out and Best Place to Hear Live Music.  (2)

As for furniture, would you believe Ottawa’s favourite source is IKEA?  This mass marketer of inexpensive basics topped the list for Best Furniture Store, with Phillip Van Leeuwen, EQ3 and second hand modern design curators Found Design rounding out the roster of runners up.  (3)

While we love our independent booksellers, with Octopus Books taking the top spot, along with honourable mentions for Collected Works, Nicholas Hoare Bookstore and The Book Bazaar, we definitely prefer our steak mainstream. 

The Keg won Best Steakhouse, and left local competitors Al’s Steakhouse, Hy’s Steakhouse, Empire Grill and Prime 360 to continue developing their niche markets.  (4)

In the category for Best Splurge, Beckta came out ahead, with runners up The Whalesbone Oyster House, Sweetgrass and Restaurant Ei8hteen also making the cut.  These destination restaurants have managed to successfully combine fine cuisine with just the right atmosphere and attract a steady stream of locals looking to indulge.  (5)

So what does all of this suggest?  Perhaps you know someone who fits the following description…if so, I would love to know!

1. Smart, but casual
2. Urban, with a slight edge
3. Practical, with a contemporary sensibility
4. Culturally open minded, but gastronomically risk adverse
5. Quietly extravagant, with a preference for substance over style