Hunter's Public House — Restaurant in Ottawa

What a fantastic spot in South Ottawa!! I've been here previously (a couple of times, but it's been a while), so we stopped in for dinner this weekend and loved it! It was after 8 pm, so we missed the busy dinner rush and got a table right away (the last time we made the mistake of showing up at 6 pm on a Friday and, of course, it was insanely packed!).

They've got a nice selection of local craft beers, as well as wines and fun cocktails. My friend had an Old-fashioned, which he really enjoyed it, while I opted for a glass of Chardonnay.

The food here is phenomenal. I would put it up there with two of my other favourite pubs: the Cheshire Cat in Carp and the Swan in Greely/Manotick area. I enjoyed my meals on my previous visits at Hunter's Public House (the Meatloaf especially is outstanding), so I was eager to try something different. I love that there is such a nice variety on the menu: fish and chips, Boxy's, burgers, curries, tacos, and also lighter fare such as homemade soups and salads. Since I wasn't that hungry (I had a late lunch), I got the veggie and goat cheese (veggie) burger, which was great and tasted homemade (as opposed to a regular frozen garden patty). I especially love the layer of goat cheese on it. My friend enjoyed his meatloaf and said the gravy was amazing. Their 'smashed' potatoes (which are similar to roasted potatoes) are good, but I think I'd prefer mashed potatoes (just my personal preference), especially with the meatloaf and other hearty meals that come with gravy. I wish that was an option, but they do have a nice variety of sides (fries, daily soup, salad, smashed potatoes etc). You can also upgrade to a soup (ale and mushroom), Caesar salad, etc. Everything tastes fresh and homemade, and much better than regular pub fare.

Service was also excellent! Our server, Chris (who told us he was also the manager) was extremely welcoming, friendly, and he patiently answered our many questions (as we were trying to decide what to order--it was hard as everything sounded great). He took the time to chat with us, and you can tell that he really enjoys his job. We were very impressed, and he made us want to come back!

For those with kids or wanting to have a lot of conversation with their meals, I would recommend not coming after 8-9pm on a Friday or Saturday night. The band (well, it was a guy with a guitar) was awesome, and he had a wonderful voice, but it was fairly loud (of course, live music tends to be louder). So, if you're hoping to have more of a conversation with your partner or family for dinner, you may have a bit of trouble if there's live music. So I'd just recommend coming earlier, however, then you might want to make a reservation because this place is pretty busy at dinner hour most days.

All in all, we loved our visit, and I'm already looking forward to...

I have never reviewed a restaurant to be bad, nor have ever refused to pay for food - I understand sometimes things may be off - a little

Our experience at Hunters was so unbelievably terrible. (besides the beer) traveled 20 min from Barrhaven, excited to try somewhere new entered, looked like an awesome place (decor is great), hostess was wonderful sit on uncomfortable stools, wait 15 min ask a waitress if we can be served, she says she will get our waiter, wait another 5 min waiter comes for drink orders, we tell him we are ready to order too because we have already been there 15 min no mention of the specials that day or any of the games they apparently have? wait 10 min for drinks to come, another 25 for food Food was so terrible - it looked actually undesirable right from the start fish and chips - handful of fries, way overcooked gross breadcrumb fish in what seemed like year old oil, even the fries weren't great. I had to pick the fish out of the batter is was so gross. I didn't feel great when I got home either. chicken curry - looked like it was out of a can. hardly any chicken, which was shaved, terrible sauce, 3 potatoes (not mashed) no yogurt, and the smallest portion you could imagine daughters kids pasta - she decided to go with the plain butter - which was suppose to be seasoned butter - there was hardly any butter even, and no seasoning! not even pepper! Portion was extremely small. Veggies on the side was just a couple cold veggies - and no dip in the end we only paid for our drinks - because we refused to pay for any of the meals (which we barely at because they were so gross)

they kept saying it was an off night - but how off could it be? I feel like the good reviews are either friends, or people from the area that are happy to have somewhere to walk to and have a beer.

I would never go back - or...

If there's one place that defies the norms of typical dining experiences, it's definitely "Hunters." The moment you step in, you're not just greeted; you're warmly welcomed into what can only be described as a symphony of flavors orchestrated by the maestro of the moment, Hailey.

Let me begin by applauding the stellar performance of the star server, Hailey – the comedic genius with a side of sass and a dollop of charm. Her mastery of the menu was only overshadowed by her delightful bossiness. She managed to boss us around in such a comical way that we willingly surrendered to her whimsical dictatorship of food choices.

The ambiance? Imagine a fusion of eclectic artwork, mismatched furniture, and a soundtrack that fluctuates between jazz and '80s pop. It's like dining inside a retro kaleidoscope, which only adds to the adventure.

As for the menu, it's a rollercoaster ride of culinary experimentation. From the "Surprise Me" dish that arrives hidden under a cloche to the "Mystery Dessert" where you have to guess the ingredients, every moment is a delightful surprise.

Hailey's comedic timing deserves an encore. Her witty remarks kept us chuckling throughout the meal. At one point, she even playfully scolded us for not finishing our appetizers fast enough – a first for any dining experience!

In short, "Hailey's Hub" isn't just a restaurant; it's a theater of taste, a comedy show, and a gastronomic journey all rolled into one. If you're ready to have your taste buds tickled and your funny bone thoroughly entertained, this is the place to be. Hailey, take a bow – you've turned dining out into an unforgettable comedic escapade.

Rating: 5/5 Stars (for the food, the laughter, and the bossy charm!)

I hope that brings a smile...