Ottawa's Ultimate Steak Experience: The Whalesbone Elgin Street 🥩✨
📍 The Whalesbone Elgin Street 231 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON After seeing rave reviews online—some claiming it's worth traveling to Ottawa just for this meal—I had to try it myself. And let me tell you: This place lives up to the hype. The Star: Dry-Aged Rib Eye (14oz) 🌟 One bite and I understood why people make pilgrimages here. The deep, nutty aroma of dry-aging permeated every juicy slice. Perfectly marbled without being fatty, each piece delivered an explosion of rich, beefy flavor that lingered beautifully. 14oz felt too small—I could've devoured double! Comparison Note: The dry-aged strip loin (8oz) was good but paled in comparison. Cut thinner, it arrived closer to medium than medium-rare, losing some of that magical depth. Still excellent—just not transcendent. Starters That Stole the Show 1. Oyster Flight (12 pieces) 🦪 Three varieties served with an unexpected twist: alongside classic mignonette and horseradish, they included a tiny whiskey shooter. The ritual? Slurp the oyster, then pour whiskey into the shell and knock it back like a true connoisseur. Hilarious and delicious. 2. Hot Seafood Platter 🦞🔥 A generous tower of oceanic delights: Lobster Roll: Buttery, lightly dressed chunks on toasted brioche Mussels: Steamed in a genius kelp-infused broth (Asian-Canadian fusion at its best) Bacon-Wrapped Scallops: Smoky, sweet, and perfectly seared Crab Cake: The only meh item—decent but forgettable Sweet Finale 🍰 Yes, we somehow had room for dessert: Cheesecake: Dense yet creamy, with a tangy berry compote Chocolate Mousse Cake: Decadent but not cloying—ideal for sharing Why It's Ottawa's Best-Kept Secret 🔥 Steak Mastery: That rib eye rivals any high-end NYC steakhouse 🌊 Seafood Prowess: Fresh, inventive, and generously portioned 🍸 Vibe: Cozy yet lively—bartenders love engaging with guests (great for extroverts!) Pro Tip: Book early via their website—tables fill fast! Bar seats offer the best experience if you enjoy chatting with staff Final Verdict Previously, Ottawa felt like a culinary question mark for me. Now? The Whalesbone is the exclamation point. Whether you're here for the dry-aged beef, whisky-kissed oysters, or just the stellar service, this spot delivers. #OttawaEats #SteakLovers #SeafoodFeast #DryAgedPerfection #OttawaFoodie #Whalesbone #CanadianCuisine #MustTryOttawa #DateNightSpot #FoodieHeaven