Ottawa’s NAC recently opened 1 Elgin (formerly Le Café). Showcasing fresh flavours and seasonal ingredients, this restaurant aims to bring chefs from across Canada to the Nation’s Capital. Together with Executive Chef Kenton Leier, these chefs bring Ottawans a taste of their corner of the country!
I had the opportunity to attend their first media event last night. Chef Rich Francis, a Canada’s Top Chef finalist and owner of Seventh Fire Hospitality Group in Saskatoon, absolutely wowed guests with his dishes. Using techniques from Nunavut and Northern Ontario, he bridged together traditional indigenous cuisine and modern gastronomy. It was phenomenal!
The sous-vide caribou was incredible. Served with cranberry aioli on bannock, we couldn’t get enough of it! In fact, Chef kindly surprised my table with our own platter of these tasty morsels.
Perfectly seared scallops were served with gremolata and a delicious sauce. Arctic char topped wild rice arancini. Pulled elk was paired with polenta. Wild rice and corn salad cleansed our palettes. Smoked duck was drizzled with honey from the NAC’s own rooftop beehives. Every bite was truly a delight!
I was also impressed to see that 1 Elgin carried British Columbian wine — notably from Nk’Mip Cellars, Canada’s only Indigenous owned winery. I highly recommend their Dreamcatcher white and Talon red (although I did like all of their selection!).
Overall, 1 Elgin is a fantastic new addition to Ottawa’s dining scene. Its fresh take on traditional fine dining, unique offerings, and ode to Canadian culture make me excited to visit again!
