das lokal

returned todaslokal and loved it loved it loved it. spätzle noodles with veal. a delight. perfection on a plate as we're the desserts. and the mood and the super cuban pianist. excellent. austrian chef here has done amazing things!!!

today my my spouse and i had the best brunch experience to date atdaslokal. we ended up their by sheer luck and were so happy we did.

there is a steady flow of people going in and out of the restaurant. it's warm and welcoming and there were people of all ages. the staff is very friendly and knowledgeable of the dishes. the ash was excellent and the bacon, simply divine. i must also mention the coffee that ranks hight up there: rich and smooth.

all the flavors on the plate complement eachother beautifully giving the meal great taste and depth. every ingredient on the plate is there to serve a purpose: it's fun to mix them in different ways and play with our taste buds. outstanding!

das lokal seems to be the top dining destination among locals in ottawa, this statement may be true in the first few months of 2014, but it isn't the case anymore.

my roommate was raving how good the food was atdaslokal. but for no apparent reason, the quality of the food and service has simply gone downhill. our evening did not start when the waiter asked us if we had reservation, then going to check in their system if they can squeeze us in a half-filled restaurant at 7:30pm. no new guest showed up after 8pm.

food was really good except dessert, service horrible. maybe 12 for dinner is to much, they had 2 people sitting at the end of the table locking elbows! let me just say that apologizes are not big..... perhaps small wine glasses, $10. glass of wine that looked like 4 oz, waitress agreed and said she would top it off and came back saying we were wrong..... "the glass is big,so it looks like less". not that we didn't consider this, but the bottom part is not as fat as the middle - we weren't going to argue after she agreed with us. next was dessert, they ran out of brownie, only one person got that, the others had to pick something else, the shortcake which was dry. the creme brûlée was the worse, we assumed it was traditional only because we were not told any different, had we been told it was chamomile flavour we would have past. i told the server the creme brûlée had a terrible taste, she said it was chamomile and would talk to the manager about taking it off our bill. manager came over and asked about our meal, then got defensive and said they offer 3 different creme brûlée flavours was the reason i guess that the menu only says creme brûlée, she talked over us maybe because the piano player was back! finally the shortcakes and creme brûlée were taken off our bills. my husband and i have been several times, not sure well be back which is a shame as we live 2 blocks away. i was embarrassed as i has suggested this restaurant for our friends and therefore felt compelled to voice my disappointment.


-----25 jan, 2015-----

somewhat disappointed in service. let's just say the food was great and the portions were generous. we live in the neighbourhood and suggested our group of 12 go todaslokal for dinner last night. firstly, the restaurant is too small for a piano player, when he finished playing were people clapping for relief........... we were not happy with the service, yes were were 12 (2 people sharing the end of the table..hardly comfortable, their elbows kept knocking). also, they should perhaps use small wine glasses, at $10. it barely looked like 5oz, we brought it to the servers attention and she agreed "yes, it doesn't look like 5oz, let me just take that and top it off", returning with the glass "sorry it is 5 oz the glasses are measured with water at the beginning of the evening"....... then the desserts another sign of poor management....... 2 had ordered the brownie but they ran out and only one person got brownie, so 2 other guests chose what looked like a shortcake.....bad choice, it was so dry, they left some on their plate. next the menu had "creme brûlée", 2 people ordered it thinking it must be traditional type as nothing was mentioned.......that was horrible, we all had a taste and left it. i asked the waitress what was in it because it was inedible, she said it was chamomile creme brûlée, she would talk to the manager. someone came over, didn't introduce herself and started asking about our meal and the dessert, she talked over me, i don't think she heard a word, but then the piano player was back!! she was defensive about the menu and said the board only says creme brûlée because they have 3 kinds!! we were never given a choice and while i was at it mentioned the dry shortcake! they removed the shortcake and creme brûlée from our bill. not sure i will be back, too bad since we've been a few times and liked it except for the piano and we live 3 blocks away

delicious - i'll be back!.daslokal was a real surprise - their attention to flavour combinations was impeccable, and each of their mains were excellent (our group tried the lamb shank, pork shoulder, and arctic char entrees). the charcuterie was a nice addition as an appetizer, and generous in portion size. there was a piano player (on saturday night) which was a bonus. altogether, a good experience and worth multiple visits...

great atmosphere and delicious food. it was my first time here atdaslokal and i was not dissapointed. in fact, i was completely blown away. i came for lunch with a friend and the first thing that hit was the rustic charm. the server greeted us at the door and seated us in a comfy booth. i ordered the spaetzle (german gnocchi) in a pesto sauce with wild mushrooms, bell peppers, pine nuts, and some other seasonings. it was delicious. if you love gnocchi you;ve got to try this. it was the same consistency pillowness delight as gnocchi but better. so stop by todaslokal and have some delicious food!

a favourite in the neighbourhood. we have been todaslokal on a number of occasions and always really enjoy the meal and atmosphere. and while i am a parent of two young boys and all for taking a night away from the kids for a fine dining experience, the set up ofdaslokal accommodates the little ones in the lovely bankers (our favourite spot) with comfy pillows, and the staff go above and beyond to cater to adults and the kids alike. our 3 and 6 year old love the live music; chalk boards and wooden toys. our dishes have always been very tasty and this is where we often bring out of town guests as well. thanks for bridging chic atmosphere, gourmet delights and family-friendly for a great dining experience, even with 3 and 6 year old boys in tow!

what happened?!?!. i've eaten atdaslokal a few times since it opened just over a year ago. it was one of my favourite spots in the neighbourhood for the first six months or so (despite a few easily forgiven eccentricities). the decor and warm feeling of the place at night is wonderful and cozy, and the live piano fridays and saturdays makes for an extremely inviting atmosphere. the staff are usually quite friendly, and the patio was a nice touch this summer (as well as the mysteriously short-lived sunday brunch, featuring live music).

however, their once outstanding menu has taken a dive over the last few months. the changes they've made all seem to be for the worse - the selection and variety aren't especially inspiring, the dishes i've tried left a lot to be desired (small portions and relatively bland flavour combinations), and shockingly, the prices have all gone up (way up!). i never expect or want giant portions, but hope for at least two points on the food-portion-price triangle, and they aren't really delivering on any of those, let alone two. this used to be in my top 2 or 3 recommendations whenever someone asked me what to try in the market, and i'm pretty disappointed that i can't recommend it any more.

they do change their menu seasonally though, and i hope they're receptive to the feedback they're getting - it's such a wonderful place and an absolute gem in the neighbourhood, if they can just figure out how to get back on track. i'm looking forward to trying again in a month or two!

rehearsal dinner. we had our rehearsal dinner withdaslokal and can only come up with great things to say about the beauty and aesthetic appeal of the space, incredible food and extremely personable staff. we've eaten there a couple times before and will continue to do so.daslokal is our favorite ottawa restaurant. eat there!

very good experience atdaslokal. went there for a girls dinner a few weeks ago and we had a really tasty dinner! the atmosphere was great and although it was thursday and there was a dj, it was not at all loud or disruptive. we shared the braised rabbit appetizer and the pork schnitzel. both very good but the schnitzel really stood out! very crispy but not at all greasy, with delicious brussel sprouts and caper berries. our server was friendly, attentive and made excellent wine suggestions. i would definitely go back and look forward to checking out the patio for brunch someday!

awful food. recently ate atdaslokale, the mackerel on wild rice was bland and soggy, the tofu was flavourless other than the sour taste. although the waiter was attentive, he lacked skill at reading his customers. don't repeatedly call an elderly woman of 87 "miss" , she does not appreciate it.
i will not return or suggest this restaurant.

simply great.daslokal uses great ingredients, perfectly cooked, in a way that emphasizes but harmonizes each individual flavour. the charcuterie plate & duck dish were the best examples of each dish i've had in ottawa.

and the bartender was great.

the only problem? a little loud, but not a big deal when the food is this good.

cool place but food not excellent. i went there with my husband to check it out, we love to try out new restaurants on both sides of the river and that week we set our eyes ondaslokal. the deco is cool, our waitress, who was also the barmaid (weird?) was very nice an helpful even though she was covering the floor and the bar. the food was just not that great, too many weird flavours together, just not quite right. i had the vegetarian meal (not that great) and my husband had the duck (ok but not amazing)... this place was not a big hit for us, only because of the food experience. the rest was fine.

has potential. i visiteddaslokal with a group of about 12 on a friday for a reserved lunch. the place was packed; it has a nice rustic feel but modern with a clean colour scheme. wooden tables with chrome and copper accents, chrome and black framed mirrors help enlarge the space. i have been to other restaurants at this location before anddaslokal has the best design concept for the small space.
i loved the little girl sitting at the bar colouring! whether she was a customer or a family friend, it was welcoming to see her scribbling away with a smile on her face when i entered.
the place has a good, modern vibe. guests were crammed in quite tightly but everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. service was efficient, although a little difficult to hear due to the noise in the restaurant.
the majority of our table ordered the german burger. pork patty, mustard, onions, side salad, side wedges. very 'homemade' feel, not greasy, well plated and the portions were generous. one guest had asked for no mustard but her request was forgotten (probably would have helped if our waitress had written the orders down instead of tried to memorize a group of 12 people.)
i was eagerly awaiting the arrival of my fish dish with anticipation.
i was disappointed. the flavours were good (trout, i think... it was so mediocre that i've forgotten the protein!) but placing seared fish on top of what is supposed to be a cold potato salad only makes for bites of cold and warm potatoes nearing the end of the meal. mushy and unappealing. there was a little herb sauce on top of the fish skin, nicely crisp skin, however the portion size of the fish dish compared to that of the burger was grossly underwhelming. it looked closer to an amuse with a side of potato salad than a full main dish. the fish fillet was small, the potatoes were poorly presented on the plate and lost their temperature, and i was still hungry after finishing.
there was one other fish order at our table and he and i were both finished our meals before the burgers on the other plates were half gone. we were salivating longingly over the side salads of our companions. luckily, there was good conversation and we were able to bide the time to the dessert course.
everyone ordered the vanilla spice panna cotta. it was wonderful. it was the best panna cotta, from a textural viewpoint, that i have ever had. it was the second best panna cotta from a flavour perspective.
slightly citric caramel floated on perfect spiced vanilla bean and ground cherry. it was delicious. i could have lived without the shortbread on the side, it was unnecessary, but i will go back again even if only to try the other desserts.
all in all, i was disappointed with my meal, as was my other "fish course" companion, however the burgers looked good and i am intrigued by their evening menu.
go for supper. make a reservation. try their wines and selection of german beers!

lunch review. saw this place being built over the past few months and had to try it. went for lunch with co-workers and it was delicious. had the flat iron steak with fries, aioli and corn relish.daslokal is definitely a good option in the area; nice atmosphere, decently priced menu and great tasting food. i would highly suggest it for those who favour quality tasting food. however, if you are the type who eats a lot, this place isn't for you as the portion size is not that big. overall, good choice and i would go back to try their dinner menu.