Perch Restaurant

Thank you to Perch Restaurant for an amazing 9 course blind tasting experience. It’s an intimate, friendly relaxed setting with an open kitchen. They make you feel like a valued guest in their “home” and went beyond customizing the plates to accommodate for a dietary restriction. Every plate boasted unique flavours and artful expression. At the end of the night, we left feeling fully satiated. This one makes our top restaurants list ❤️

Two of my favourite dining experiences have been here at Perch.

The moment you step into Perch, you can feel how much care and effort goes into everything. From the wall of ferments, the counter at the bar, and the understated elegance of the decor. The team working together in quiet unison, steaming, blanching, searing, grilling, mixing. They have put together an awesome team of passionate folks who care a lot. And it really shows.

Each dish from their tasting menu is carefully thought out and executed to the highest degree. Leading up to my dinner here, I told a chef friend where I was going and from the other side of the country, he knew of Perch and it’s reputation for creating exciting, low waste, beautiful AND tasty food.

Whether you go for the beverage paring, featuring plenty of house made fermentations, or you order each drink as you go, the bar team is well equipped to take care of you and whatever libations you may have.

This place rocks, we are lucky to have a place like this in Ottawa. The standouts for me was the tartare, and the chawanmushi, but honestly it’s not an easy choice picking a favourite dish. You’ll just have to try them for yourself.

One of the finest tasting menus I’ve experienced in quite some time.
The hybrid pairing elevates the experience, adding a distinctive and thoughtful dimension throughout.
Congratulations to the team for an exceptional evening.(the venison tartare deserves special recognition)

Food was good not great, it wasn’t my favourite tasting menu. Probably top 3 tasting menus in Ottawa but that’s not saying much. The portion sizes were a bit small and some of the dishes were not hot enough. The focus is on smoke, savoury, umami, and salt. The fried duck balls were a highlight but the dessert was probably the most disappointing. The plating was fantastic and the open kitchen makes it a unique experience. Drinks were good and staff were amazing. They focus a lot on sustainability and local ingredients which is a nice touch. I’d recommend it for a special occasion or if you’ve never done a tasting menu.

Hands down the best dining experience I have had in Ottawa. The food is deep, flavourful, and interesting and always presented in a thoughtful whimsical way! The staff goes out of their way to make you comfortable and share a joyful experience.

I booked the experience as a last hurrah before moving and on the table was a bon voyage note signed by all of the staff!! Not to mention a bonus course of desert as a treat, consider me charmed 🥰