Last Wednesday marked a historic day in the Glebe community.
The beloved Taste in the Glebe (formerly Taste of the Glebe) held its marquee 25th anniversary on Jan. 29 at the Glebe Community Centre. The event, which was hosted by the Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group (GNAG), is an opportunity for community members to enjoy delicious food from the Glebe and beyond and hosts some of Ottawa’s best restaurants and beverage producers.
This event, while tasty, is also an opportunity for local businesses to connect with new customers, all while raising funds for community programs. The funds raised from this year’s event will be used to help families in need, support a program for children with exceptionalities, and help fund a youth room renovation project being spearheaded by Magnolia Design & Build.
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While the event supports a number of incredible endeavours by the GNAG, I was there with the sole purpose of my favourite thing in the world – EATING!
The wonderful team at the Ottawa Business Journal tasked me with finding the 10 best bites of the event and, as usual, I was more than happy to oblige. So let’s get to it, shall we? These are my top 10 bites from the 25th anniversary of Taste in the Glebe.
1. Northern Pearl Oyster – Pelican Seafood Market & Grill
As per usual, these lists come in no particular order. It’s difficult enough to choose only 10 bites, don’t ask me to rank them, too!
First on the docket comes from an Ottawa classic: the Pelican Seafood Market & Grill. It was neatly tucked into a booth by the entrance, shucking up enough oysters to make someone with arthritis shutter. We thank the workers for their service, however, because these P.E.I. beauties were delicious.
Admittedly, I know oysters aren’t for everyone, but if they are for you then these babies will hit the spot every time. The perfect balance between briny and sweet, the usual accoutrements, and the perfect shucking technique to ensure no shell or debris meant that I was going to visit this stand on more than one occasion. You could’ve sat me there with a bottle of lambrusco and a stool and I would’ve been happy all night long.
2. Baby Shrimp Toast – Thr33’s co
What’s better than a piece of toasted bread topped with delicious and fresh ingredients bundled into a bite-size package?
Well, some things I’m sure, but not much. Thr33’s co snack bar plays within its niche and it’s done well. The rotating toasts always seem to impress and the toast of choice for Taste in the Glebe is no different.
The evening’s selection was a sourdough piled high with baby shrimp, cilantro, scallion and the secret yet appropriately named “tasty bomb sauce.” Finishing the dish with shaved cured egg yolk rounded out this umami bomb and left each station-goer satisfied and curious for more.
3. Rum Ball – Stella Luna Gelato Cafe
For those of you who haven’t been made aware, Stella Luna is under new ownership! The delicious treats it is serving up are a representation of the quality and care the new owners aim to deliver every time someone steps through their doors.
Now I know that Stella Luna is known for gelato, but the star of the show for me at Taste in the Glebe was the decadent rum balls. The chocolatey outside encapsulates a creamy, gooey inside. The rum infusion is present but not overpowering and this bite-sized ball will satisfy even the strongest of chocolate cravings for even the pickiest of chocolate lovers.
Of course, pairing chocolate and rum is going to result in a winning dessert, but what really impressed me was the textural balance of this bite. The chocolate sprinkles provided a delicate crunch that paired well with the creamy centre and I’m not ashamed to say I had more than one of these little guys.
4. Rigatoni Alla Vodka with Venison Bolognese – Aiana Restaurant Collective
I know I said I wouldn’t be ranking these bites in order, but Aiana is certainly in contention for best bite of the night.
I had never eaten at Aiana before this bite, but I can confidently say it has shot right up toward the top of my list for restaurants to try in 2025. This dish was impressive, the assembly line method they used at their station was outstanding, and the flavours that danced on my tongue were in perfect harmony from start to finish.
So what was the dish exactly?
A perfectly cooked portion of rigatoni tossed in a venison bolognese and topped with burrata, fennel, chili, sourdough crumbs, a parmesan foam, and basil oil.
Are you freakin’ kidding me? Aiana, hats off to you. The ability to execute a dish like this in an environment like Taste in the Glebe is one of the more impressive things I’ve witnessed in the Ottawa hospitality world. I loved this dish and I will be visiting Aiana to see what else is cooking very soon.
5. Parm Wheel Cacio E Pepe – Cantina Gia
Speaking of impressively executed pastas, it ain’t a pasta party if Cantina Gia isn’t involved. The beloved Italian restaurant spared no expense for this stunning event. In true Gia fashion, the chefs pulled out a full parm wheel and tossed their pasta in the cacio e pepe sauce that was being made fresh right in the centre of the wheel. Such a traditionally simple dish was elevated and executed to perfection through the professional touch of the Gia team. That giant wheel of gold is any pasta lover’s best friend.
6. Potato & Leek Soup with Baby Shrimp – Le Poisson Bleu
One of my favourite restaurants in Ottawa was happily provided an invite to Taste in the Glebe and, as per usual, the chefs did their thing. Chef/owner of Le Poisson Bleu Alex Bimm expressed his desire to keep his dish simple but delicious for the event and, oh boy, did he nail it. Potato and leek soup sounds like a fairly simple comfort dish, right? Well, in most cases you’d be correct, but in Chef Bimm’s case it was the most outstanding potato and leek soup I’ve maybe ever eaten. While Chef is known as the “Fish Wizard,” he is also a master of seasoning to perfection, which is what makes this soup special. The addition of perfectly cooked baby shrimp provided the textural juxtaposition needed in every soup and had me wishing there was a bring-your-own thermos program. Hats off to you, LPB.
7. Brisket and Ribs – Lexington Smokehouse & Bar
If you live in Westboro and the surrounding area then you know all about Lexington. This North Carolina-style BBQ spot is a favourite in the community, but might be a little lesser-known hidden gem to the rest of Ottawa.
Having it at Taste in the Glebe made my heart feel happy, because everyone deserves to know about this outstanding Ottawa BBQ joint. From perfectly smoked proteins to expertly crafted cocktails and a surprisingly impressive wine list, Smokehouse knows how to provide a full experience to diners.
So what was all the hype about for their Taste in the Glebe station? The BBQ royalty that is smoked ribs and smoked brisket. These mouthwatering, fall-off-the-bone bites were one of my first items of the night and still managed to be one of the most memorable. Lexington brings that coveted southern hospitality to the north and should be added to your foodie list asap.
8. Coconut Strawberry Pistachio Tart – Tartelette Pastry & Cafe
One of the most elite pastry shops in the city is Tartelette. Its attention to detail and dedication to the craft result in a masterclass in pastry-making. Although the owners showed up to Taste in the Glebe with a multitude of tasty sweet treats, their coconut strawberry pistachio tart is what stood out to me the most. The flaky pastry was stuffed with a filling that was sweetened just the right amount and was then encased in a paper-thin, glass-like candy coating that cracked to reveal its tasty insides. This was more than dessert, it was art. You’d almost feel bad eating something so beautiful, but you do it anyway because the dividends are more than worth it.
9. California Bowl – Paradise Poke
Just because we are in land-locked Ontario doesn’t mean we don’t deserve fresh and clean seafood dishes! Paradise Poke shows that, with a little effort, even us Ottawans can enjoy a taste of the coast.
The California Bowl from Taste in the Glebe brings all the flavour of a California sushi roll to new life. The seasoned-to-perfection rice, fresh veggies and sweet crab came together for a light yet filling bowl of food that was welcomed among the decadence spread throughout the rest of the event.
If I had not been spending the rest of my night eating, you can bet I would’ve found myself back in line for a second bowl.
10. Whipped Ricotta Dip – Joey Lansdowne
Sound the alarms – I’m about to talk about a chain restaurant.
Okay, I’ve admittedly expressed my lack of appreciation for most chain restaurants and their practices, but I have to give credit where credit is due. Joey knows how to throw down in the kitchen sometimes. Its Taste in the Glebe bite is absolutely one of those times.
A toasted sourdough was topped with a whipped ricotta, slightly sweetened with honey and topped with truffle olive oil and chili. This dish was nothing short of well-executed and delicious. The ricotta was whipped to the perfect consistency and the flavour profiles harmonized just how you’d hope they would be. It was really darn tasty and I’ll leave it at that.
Twenty-five years is a long time to deliver an event at such a high level and the organizers should be proud of what Taste in the Glebe has become. I am already looking forward to the next 25! See you next year, Ottawa.
Jordan Pizzuti has been a local Ottawa food writer, content creator, and hospitality professional for over 10 years. Through his “best of” series, Jordan has cemented himself as an expert in Ottawa hospitality and nightlife. He continues to promote the Ottawa hospitality scene through his “Are We Having Fun Yet?” brand and his work with the Ottawa Business Journal.
