Black Tomato (The), Ottawa

The good: the food was plated nicely The bad: everything else. But let me be more specifc: 1]no air conditioning makes summer evening inside the restaurant unbearable. 2] water was served warm with no ice…we actually had to request ice. 3] although we intended on ordering pre-dinner drinks, the waitress didn’t stick around to take drink order for 15 minutes, so we skipped it. Potential profit forfeited. 4] waitress had no idea what the house wine was or how much it cost (wasn’t on menu so was had to ask). She wasn’t very knowledgable about the menu either. Clearly she was new, and the restaurant failed to train her properly….which also indicates restaurant doesn’t care. 5] The beer selection is not as extensive we are made to believe. Most of their draft are from the same brewery. 6] despite this being classified (and priced) as an upscale restaurant, staff were dressed very casually, with one waiter wearing cargo shorts, t-shirt, and dirty tennis shoes. If this is supposed to be a bohemian café….then sorry, that should be a different price range 7] the chicken in my soup tasted like it was freezer burnt. And my salmon was tasteless. I got sick during dinner, which I suspect was bad chicken……I should note that I did not report it to the restaurant, so they were not given a chance to investigate, but frankly I just wanted to go home and didn’t feel like dealing with chef’s egos. 8] my companion’s spanakopita was essentially a reheated pre-made freezer appetizer that you can get in Loblaws…for $12 that’s unforgiveable. 9] Summary: Uncomfortable venue, uninspiring food (if not dangerous), unknowledgeable staff, lazy chefs, apathetic management …and unjustified prices.

OK it is quaint but no service and BAD food. Their famous onion soup is so so. 2 glasses of wine each, a pathetic quesedilla and average soup, a not hot thai noodle dish that was too spicey to eat all added up to $105. The only way we would return would be with a gun to our heads.

An amazing example of fine dining in a casual atmosphere. I have yet to have something I didn't like!! The appetizers are delicious - especially the spanakopita and the chicken curry filo pastry with the mango chutney sauce, not to mention the most amazing HOT Jambalaya I've ever tasted!!

i LOVED it!!!! The food was excellent, the music was my favorite part though. and for me the service was excellent. But that was because i was respectful unlike some.