Ottawa's Best Italian Restaurant? | Mr. B's Osteria Review

📍 2446 Bank St, Ottawa Discovered this hidden gem after asking local Italians for authentic recommendations! Tucked away in a South Keys plaza (near Middle Eastern favorites like Semsem & Shawarma Palace), Mr. B’s Osteria surprises with its cozy, upscale vibe despite the unassuming location. 🍽️ What We Tried: 1️⃣ Warm Bread Basket Freshly baked, crusty outside + pillowy inside—perfect with butter. No complaints here! 2️⃣ Fried Calamari & Smelt Fish A rare smelt fish + calamari combo. Crispy and tasty, but portion was a bit small. 3️⃣ Pork Belly (Today’s Special) Unexpected fusion hit! Deep-fried, lean-yet-tender pork with a sweet-chili glaze (almost Thai-inspired?). Zero gaminess—highly recommend. 4️⃣ Veal Scallopini Thin, tender veal in lemon-white wine sauce. Decent but forgettable—needed more punch. 5️⃣ Seafood Pasta (Handmade Pappardelle) ✅ Star of the meal! Loaded with shrimp, scallops, mussels, clams. ✅ Sauce options: Tomato, cream, or rosé (we went rosé—chef’s kiss). ✅ Handmade pasta = perfectly al dente. Will return just for this! 💡 Insider Notes: Italian friend’s verdict on Vittoria Trattoria: "Good but overpriced." 😅 Skip dessert here—head next door to La Bocca Juice for Arabic-style ashta ice cream & Dubai chocolate! 🌟 Final Rating: 8.5/10 Pros: Authentic pasta, creative specials, intimate vibe. Cons: Small appetizer portions, veal dish underwhelmed. #OttawaEats #ItalianFood #HiddenGems #FoodieFinds #OttawaRestaurants