Prohibition Public House
337 Somerset St. W., 613-565-2704, prohibitionhouse.com
Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., Thursday to Saturday 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., Sunday 5 p.m. to midnight, closed Monday
Prices: mains $19 to $34
Access: stairs to front door, washrooms upstairs
If you are looking for a New York style Gastropub with a European inspired farm to table menu, excellent wine list, a superb selection of local craft beers, and unique cocktails and loads of cool, then Prohibition Public House should be at the top of your “to do” list. Matt Loudon, Steve Halucha, and Gregg McCabe are the trio behind this popular Ottawa hot spot who share a passion for exceptional food, great wines and beer. Their restaurant has become an Ottawa favorite as it delights customers with its tasty offerings from local farmers, wineries, and craft breweries.
Upon arrival you’ll notice a blend of antiques and rustic fixtures within a cool casual setting. The décor design and craftsmanship are a subtle salute to the 1930’s and 1940’s,while the extensive menu, spirits, beer, wines and music offerings are modern day and contemporary. These, combined with friendly and hospitable service staff makes for a cool relaxed vibe. One of the house specialties is cocktails and they sell lots of them. The bartenders relish serving up drinks that have made Prohibition Public House Ottawa’s destination cocktail bar. You can get them shaken and stirred…or not, and they have clever names like the Gringo, the Dark Knight, Blind Pig, Hooch or the J. Edgar Hoover. The Thursday night half price bottles of wine feature is proving very popular with female patrons.
Prohibition Public House Chef Jason Nordsletten has seen it all, from the smallest dining room kitchens to the largest restaurants internationally. He has worked with all types of menus, settings, and events. Nordsletten is a Culinary Olympics veteran and spent time in Europe studying the art of cuisine. His menu covers all tastes and preferences and the jazzy offerings include sharing plates featuring elk tartare, poutine tacos, beef sliders, balsamic flatbread. The delightful salads include cara cara orange and shrimp salad and kale and arugula Caesar salad. For the entrees selections include steak frite, rack of lamb, cured duck breast, chicken run, catch of the day (fish option), roasted squash (veggie option). The restaurant’s charcuterie is exceptional. If you have room for desert you’ll face a dilemma as to whether you select the chocolate mousse, deconstructed cheesecake, crème brûlée or s'mores bark.
Upstairs there is a dining area and event space called the Parlour that hosts private gatherings and groups and sits up to 66 for dinner, and more for a cocktail style party. Outside the fun continues with a 40 seat patio and a charming covered porch.
Amazing décor, delicious food, a fun relaxed atmosphere, an exceptional charcuterie with great prices, superbly served cocktails, all in a great centre town location. Prohibition Public House is an outstanding restaurant/gastropub, a gem in the Ottawa food scene.