Wilf & Ada's (No reservations) — Restaurant in Ottawa

Location: Again, not being familiar with Ottawa, I had no idea which neighborhood I was in half the time. I can tell you that it's street parking though, and that you should check the signage to make sure there's no time limitation or fee.

The place: It's very small and what they call a 'scratch diner'. What's a scratch diner, you ask? It's a place that makes almost everything from scratch - and whatever they don't make, they source from producers who make their stuff from scratch. Anyway, the place is small and boasts a super relaxed vibe. You could easily be in someone's living room (unless you've got those bar-type chairs and high tables). Side note - these guys will take your name and number and text you when your table is ready. You have 10 minutes to get there once they've texted you.

The goods: AMAZING. After my disappointing dinner the previous night, I was really, really hoping to have a different experience with brunch and.... I did. I ordered the classic - eggs, potatoes, beans and smoked bacon. First of all, the bacon. The BACON almost had me in tears, it was SO good. I usually go for sausage but the waitress told me I should try the bacon because they smoke it themselves and well, because it's awesome. Take my word for it. The eggs were perfectly scrambled for me, and the potatoes were crispy on the outside and the perfect firmness on the inside. The only thing I would have added is seasoning or salt. I also had the citrus punch which is made from scratch and a beautiful, vibrant orange color. It was absolutely delicious. My friend ordered Eggs Benedict (the breakfast sandwich) and loved it. You really cannot go wrong here.

Service: Great! The staff was super friendly, from the person who greeted us, to the two waitresses who came over to see us. They make you feel very welcome.

If you're in Ottawa, you have to check this place out. Just keep in mind that they're really busy on weekends,...

After finally giving up on our usual breakfast due to shrinkflation, we made the trek to the Centretown-Glebe line for what is reportedly among the best breakfasts in Ottawa. Street parking for 1 hour was ample for us and free on Sundays.

After being seated, we had some delicious albeit expensive coffee ($3.75/cup but refills are free) and perused the menu. As first timers and neither big fans of Benny, we both went with classic. My wife, being gluten free, was told she was at the right place which is always so nice to hear.

She got scrambled with bacon, beans, potatoes and a slice of GF bread. I got over medium, sausage, potatoes and rye. $18 is pretty typical for that now so value was on point. The eggs were perfectly done for both of us - well seasoned and fresh. The beans were pretty much to die for cooked for God knows how long with fall apart meat inside. The bacon was just how I like it but - it looked very underdone but it was perfectly cooked through. The sausage was amazing too - so many great herbs and you could taste them all. The potatoes were okay - well cooked but nothing to write home about.

It was a very cozy and friendly atmosphere. Regulars were recognized and noobs like us were welcomed. We forgot our to-go container and they knew we'd be back so they just set it aside. The tip machine is preset to a presumptuous 20, 25, or 99% but it was one of those few meals where it was worth 20% gratuity.

Will definitely be back to see if we can change our respective minds about eggs benny and how they do them gluten free is a mystery we want to solve.

See you...

The restaurant is small, but cozy—think "intimate dining" without the awkward silence. We did have a 45-minute wait, but trust me, it’s 100% worth it.

What really set this place apart… The staff's allergy awareness. They didn’t just hand us a menu and hope for the best.. They knew their stuff and could rattle off everything we could eat. And get this: pretty much everything can be made gluten-free! This kind of attention to detail is rare, but so appreciated.

Now, onto the food. I had the duck egg Benedict, and my husband had the poutine. Both dishes were literally what food dreams are made of—if dreams were incredibly delicious and slightly decadent. Even the potatoes were the best I’ve ever had? The best part… All the ingredients are locally sourced, which made me feel almost guilty but in the end, it’s a good reminder that supporting local farmers never tasted so good.

And let’s talk about our waitress… Steph (Stef?) was a rockstar. Not only was she hilarious and super knowledgeable, but she also had great recommendations for other local spots. Plus, she kept the refills coming faster than we could ask for them.

Speaking of drinks, we both had a coffee and a Caesar - and yes, they were just as delicious as everything else. Our total came to $80, which might seem steep for breakfast, but when you consider the locally sourced ingredients, allergy-friendly options, and the fact that you're basically being fed by culinary wizards, it’s a bargain.

It’s a real tragedy I live 6 hours away, or I'd be back weekly. Until then, I’ll be dreaming of you, Wilf...