The only thing I'm upset about is that I didn't go here sooner. I had the Steak Frites and a delicious cocktail. Our server was amazing. I believe his name was Rich. Can't wait to try more.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
OY CN
This was our 1st visit last night, with a group of 8. Nice spot, easy to find street parking. Lovely open space, with the bar to the back. Our table was too dark for our old eyes, but other than that, the atmosphere was stylish but welcoming. Our waiter was excellent, noticing most things and fixing things quickly. The bread with oil and vinegar had a tasty salty crust and soft melty centre. My wife had the trio with salmon and salad and I had the burger special. Her salad was fresh and flavourful with salt and parmesan. Her salmon was unfortunately overdone, but the accoutrements- peas,carrots and greens were delicious. The burger was ridiculously tall, making it impossible to accommodate in any human bite. Two patties, 3 buns and so much toppings it was a tasty, sloppy, soggy mess, accompanied by delicious crispy fries. The chocolate mousse for dessert was sweet and flavourful with too much whipped cream. tldr: nice space, good service, mostly good food.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Eric DC
Awesome food, great service and attention to detail, good vibe!
Love the food here and the changing menu keeps me coming back. The owner/chef even knows where Texada is which is a bonus.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Éric Pilotte
Absolutely a must-visit! If you’re looking for the best steak frites in the region, this is the place. Perfectly cooked, flavorful, and served with care. The service is fantastic !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
J C
Amazing service, amazing food, amazing atmosphere. My fiancé and I went to celebrate my 30th bday there and no regrets! The food was so delicious (that bread is the best bread I’ve ever had!), the service from our waitress Katherine or Catherine was exceptional (she was super friendly, fast, and communicative). We will definitely be going back there again!
Nelson C
Excellent place, I’ve been here twice now and both times the food and service have been fantastic!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
John Weigelt
If I worked in the kitchen here, I’d be very angry.
Good food, atrocious service.
We had been looking forward to visiting Absinthe for some time and today would prove to be the day of our visit. We reserved for an earlier dinner, remembering that it’s Mother’s Day weekend. We were excited to learn about the Prix Fix, 3 course dinner with cheese fondue, beef Wellington and a dessert. We selected it as part of the reservation process.
The restaurant wasn’t busy when we arrived, and we were shown our table. Our male server, let’s just refer to him by his initial “R.” Appeared and explained the menus, when we mentioned that we were getting the prix fix, he remarked “Oh yeah, I saw that on your reservation.” We ordered cocktails and my fiancé asked to include the wine pairing with her meal. 15-20 min later our cocktails arrived, and we were asked if we wanted the wine pairing with each course of the meal. We had to ask to repeat the question because it was just so unusual. Of course we want the wine pairing with each course. A few minutes after the fondue burner arrived, a different server came with the fondue with R and the other server jockeying to light the burner. The cheese fondue was tasty, with a nice crisp on the bread to stand up to the molten cheese. We leisurely enjoyed our fondue. When we finished it, R came by and plunked a glass of white wine on the table and sped off. Umm, what was this? After a few moments R came back, and my fiancé had to ask what the wine was that was dropped off. R said it was a sauvignon blanc from Niagara that “tastes good with cheese.”
The dishes were cleared and, well as is the case with crispy bread, many crumbs littered the table. Steak knives were brought, and we were again asked if we wanted the wine with the next course (again, it’s the pairing). Yes, we would like the next wine. R brought a red wine and again plunked it on the table and ran off. Our beef wellington arrived, and we had to ask what the wine was that was delivered. R didn’t know and went to the hostess station to read from the menu. He returned and said “an Italian wine from . Good with Beef.”
The Wellington was tasty but, by now, we were getting frustrated with the ambivalent service and someone that didn’t seem able to multitask. The table near us was experiencing challenges with their meals sending R back a third time for a faulty service. We sat with empty plates for 15 minutes before R came back after passing our table at least 10 times without even a glance in our direction. I half expected Gordon Ramsay or Robert Irvine to pop out from the kitchen to shut things down.
R mentioned we have our choice of desserts and asked if we wanted coffee or tea. We again stated that we have a pairing (turns out it’s a $90 pairing) which includes a third pairing with dessert. After 10 min a new smaller glass was plopped on the table and R quickly disappeared. Well, we could tell it was port, and we guessed it came from Portugal, but again, not explanation. 5 minutes later, dessert spoons were plunked on the table. Finally after 15 additional minutes the chocolate mousse and crème brulé came to the table. We had had enough after a slow 2 hours for the meal so far. We asked for our bill, left our uneaten desserts and left.
There are plenty of options in Ottawa, where for less than the $350, a couple can get a lovely meal along with great service. You don’t even need to travel more than a kilometer from Absinthe to find those wonderful spots.
We’ll visit those other restaurants the next time we are in the neighbourhood.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 1
Leo Berliant
Absinthe Cafe Resto Bar is a cozy place with a warm and inviting atmosphere. The service is exceptionally friendly and professional, making every visit a delightful experience. The charming background music adds to the ambiance, creating a perfect setting for a relaxing evening.
The cocktails are expertly mixed, offering a tasty and professional selection that will impress any connoisseur. The food is Michelin-style level, with standout main courses like the Beef Wellington and duck breast. The Beef Wellington is cooked to perfection with a pink center and tender texture, complemented by a flavorful red wine reduction sauce. The duck breast is also exceptional, showcasing the chef's skill and attention to detail.
Not to be overlooked are the accompanying dishes like the fondue, which rivals that of a Swiss restaurant. The mushroom soup has an aroma that suggests the mushrooms were freshly harvested from the forest, and the accompanying vegetables are super tasty.
I strongly recommend Absinthe Cafe Resto Bar for special occasions or simply to enjoy excellent food and hospitality.
Had an amazing time here for my birthday. Service was exceptional (thanks, Bonnie!), only surpassed by the food (I had the three course option). Literally the best bread I've ever had. Everything was cooked to perfection, and the flavours were amazing. They even gave me free cookies for my birthday (which, yes, I had for breakfast the following day)! Can't recommend enough.
Love every dish! Especially the scallops appetizer and the steak frites for main course. The bread they serve you is also soo delicious. Best salad I’ve ever had too! Can’t wait to go again!
1st visit was great. Their salad, butternut soup and Steak and frites were amazing!
2nd visit was horrible. We ordered the beef welly course with additional scallops. Took 45 mins before they served their salty cheese fondue and scallops.Then another 30mins for the beef welly. The welly was disappointing. The pastry was burnt while the beef was so undercooked it may as well be alive. We didn’t want another 30mins wait for the dessert so we just got them to go.
On both visits, i have the same opinion on their desserts. They only have 2 options that weren’t even amazing (creme brulee and chocolate mousse).
The only thing I'm upset about is that I didn't go here sooner. I had the Steak Frites and a delicious cocktail. Our server was amazing. I believe his name was Rich. Can't wait to try more.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was our 1st visit last night, with a group of 8. Nice spot, easy to find street parking. Lovely open space, with the bar to the back. Our table was too dark for our old eyes, but other than that, the atmosphere was stylish but welcoming. Our waiter was excellent, noticing most things and fixing things quickly. The bread with oil and vinegar had a tasty salty crust and soft melty centre. My wife had the trio with salmon and salad and I had the burger special. Her salad was fresh and flavourful with salt and parmesan. Her salmon was unfortunately overdone, but the accoutrements- peas,carrots and greens were delicious. The burger was ridiculously tall, making it impossible to accommodate in any human bite. Two patties, 3 buns and so much toppings it was a tasty, sloppy, soggy mess, accompanied by delicious crispy fries. The chocolate mousse for dessert was sweet and flavourful with too much whipped cream.
tldr: nice space, good service, mostly good food.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Awesome food, great service and attention to detail, good vibe!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fantastic staff, amazing food, delightful cocktails
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Love the food here and the changing menu keeps me coming back. The owner/chef even knows where Texada is which is a bonus.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Absolutely a must-visit! If you’re looking for the best steak frites in the region, this is the place. Perfectly cooked, flavorful, and served with care. The service is fantastic !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing service, amazing food, amazing atmosphere. My fiancé and I went to celebrate my 30th bday there and no regrets! The food was so delicious (that bread is the best bread I’ve ever had!), the service from our waitress Katherine or Catherine was exceptional (she was super friendly, fast, and communicative). We will definitely be going back there again!
Excellent place, I’ve been here twice now and both times the food and service have been fantastic!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If I worked in the kitchen here, I’d be very angry.
. Good with Beef.”
Good food, atrocious service.
We had been looking forward to visiting Absinthe for some time and today would prove to be the day of our visit. We reserved for an earlier dinner, remembering that it’s Mother’s Day weekend. We were excited to learn about the Prix Fix, 3 course dinner with cheese fondue, beef Wellington and a dessert. We selected it as part of the reservation process.
The restaurant wasn’t busy when we arrived, and we were shown our table. Our male server, let’s just refer to him by his initial “R.” Appeared and explained the menus, when we mentioned that we were getting the prix fix, he remarked “Oh yeah, I saw that on your reservation.” We ordered cocktails and my fiancé asked to include the wine pairing with her meal. 15-20 min later our cocktails arrived, and we were asked if we wanted the wine pairing with each course of the meal. We had to ask to repeat the question because it was just so unusual. Of course we want the wine pairing with each course. A few minutes after the fondue burner arrived, a different server came with the fondue with R and the other server jockeying to light the burner. The cheese fondue was tasty, with a nice crisp on the bread to stand up to the molten cheese. We leisurely enjoyed our fondue. When we finished it, R came by and plunked a glass of white wine on the table and sped off. Umm, what was this? After a few moments R came back, and my fiancé had to ask what the wine was that was dropped off. R said it was a sauvignon blanc from Niagara that “tastes good with cheese.”
The dishes were cleared and, well as is the case with crispy bread, many crumbs littered the table. Steak knives were brought, and we were again asked if we wanted the wine with the next course (again, it’s the pairing). Yes, we would like the next wine. R brought a red wine and again plunked it on the table and ran off. Our beef wellington arrived, and we had to ask what the wine was that was delivered. R didn’t know and went to the hostess station to read from the menu. He returned and said “an Italian wine from
The Wellington was tasty but, by now, we were getting frustrated with the ambivalent service and someone that didn’t seem able to multitask. The table near us was experiencing challenges with their meals sending R back a third time for a faulty service. We sat with empty plates for 15 minutes before R came back after passing our table at least 10 times without even a glance in our direction. I half expected Gordon Ramsay or Robert Irvine to pop out from the kitchen to shut things down.
R mentioned we have our choice of desserts and asked if we wanted coffee or tea. We again stated that we have a pairing (turns out it’s a $90 pairing) which includes a third pairing with dessert. After 10 min a new smaller glass was plopped on the table and R quickly disappeared. Well, we could tell it was port, and we guessed it came from Portugal, but again, not explanation. 5 minutes later, dessert spoons were plunked on the table. Finally after 15 additional minutes the chocolate mousse and crème brulé came to the table. We had had enough after a slow 2 hours for the meal so far. We asked for our bill, left our uneaten desserts and left.
There are plenty of options in Ottawa, where for less than the $350, a couple can get a lovely meal along with great service. You don’t even need to travel more than a kilometer from Absinthe to find those wonderful spots.
We’ll visit those other restaurants the next time we are in the neighbourhood.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 1
Absinthe Cafe Resto Bar is a cozy place with a warm and inviting atmosphere. The service is exceptionally friendly and professional, making every visit a delightful experience. The charming background music adds to the ambiance, creating a perfect setting for a relaxing evening.
The cocktails are expertly mixed, offering a tasty and professional selection that will impress any connoisseur. The food is Michelin-style level, with standout main courses like the Beef Wellington and duck breast. The Beef Wellington is cooked to perfection with a pink center and tender texture, complemented by a flavorful red wine reduction sauce. The duck breast is also exceptional, showcasing the chef's skill and attention to detail.
Not to be overlooked are the accompanying dishes like the fondue, which rivals that of a Swiss restaurant. The mushroom soup has an aroma that suggests the mushrooms were freshly harvested from the forest, and the accompanying vegetables are super tasty.
I strongly recommend Absinthe Cafe Resto Bar for special occasions or simply to enjoy excellent food and hospitality.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beef Wellington, Duck Breast, Chocolate Mousse
Restaurantji Recommends
It was simply wonderful.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had an amazing time here for my birthday. Service was exceptional (thanks, Bonnie!), only surpassed by the food (I had the three course option). Literally the best bread I've ever had. Everything was cooked to perfection, and the flavours were amazing. They even gave me free cookies for my birthday (which, yes, I had for breakfast the following day)! Can't recommend enough.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salmon Entree, Three Course
Highly recommended.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beef Wellington, Olive Oil Bread Dip, Salmon Entree
Love every dish! Especially the scallops appetizer and the steak frites for main course. The bread they serve you is also soo delicious. Best salad I’ve ever had too! Can’t wait to go again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Absinthe Steak Frites, Olive Oil Bread Dip, Salmon Entree, House Salad
1st visit was great. Their salad, butternut soup and Steak and frites were amazing!
2nd visit was horrible. We ordered the beef welly course with additional scallops. Took 45 mins before they served their salty cheese fondue and scallops.Then another 30mins for the beef welly. The welly was disappointing. The pastry was burnt while the beef was so undercooked it may as well be alive. We didn’t want another 30mins wait for the dessert so we just got them to go.
On both visits, i have the same opinion on their desserts. They only have 2 options that weren’t even amazing (creme brulee and chocolate mousse).
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
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