Reviews Absinthe

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Rhona Smith
+5
Food excellent! Hogan our server was the best đź‘Ť His knowledge of the food & wine was outstanding and he was very professional and personable :). Our new fav restaurant in Ottawa
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Melanie Chapman
+5
Dinner for 8 at Absinthe last night was so wonderfully memorable. Our server / sommelier, Patrick, was attentive, friendly, and caring. Food was delicious, without exception. I had a three-course meal (tartare, soup, and mushroom cannelloni) and added a wine pairing for 33$. What a deal. Pairings were spot on and really complimented the meal. I knocked over three (count em': three) drinks during our evening, all by accident and all water, but still! Never in my life have I ever been such a klutz. I was mortified (and no, not drunk!!). The staff were swift to help clean up and were so understanding and kind. I would have thrown myself out of the restaurant after the second one. God. Can't take me anywhere. Dessert was sweet and satisfying. Lemon tart was perfectly pucker-inducing and the churro plate was just plain ridiculous. We ended the evening with an absinthe flight, which was such a neat experience and a great way to end the night. Thanks to the kitchen and serving staff for their warm hospitality and enviable cooking skills!
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Meaghan Piccolo
+5
Great establishment. The atmosphere was nice, if a bit bland, but the music was nice. The staff was great, very attentive, pleasant and helpful. And the food was delicious with a simple, well focused menu. Only complaint was that it may have been slightly overpriced, but still an all around good experience and I would go back again.
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Sherry Stairs MacLeod
+5
Excellent food, superior service, our server’s knowledge of food and drink A+.
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Michael Champagne
+5
Steak Frites & Beet Salad were awesome!! Out of 6 visits to Ottawa in 2016, this place was the best place!
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Jan Schmidt
+5
The service was attentive and friendly, the menu offered wonderful choices, the cocktails perfect, the charcuterie appetizer excellent in presentation and tastes, my duck was superb, and the pear dessert tart was the perfect ending. Really, go there!
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Lynn Brennan
+5
We had a fantastic dinner here tonight to celebrate my husbands birthday. Food was wonderful and the staff were great! Thanks for a lovely evening ďż˝
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Geneviève Pineault
+5
Une découverte ce soir et j’ai adoré mon expérience! Bouffe incroyable (le magret de canard était délicieux et le fondant au chocolat...un nuage de chocolat chaud qui fond dans la bouche!), de vraiment bon cocktails et un super service!! Merci!
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Ryan Germundson
+5
Valentines dinner was amazing. The bread is to die for!
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Seunghee Lee
+5
Nice interior, good staff and excellent food. 3 course lunch meal was great
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Regan Van Dusen
+5
My husband and I went for dinner last night, no reservation. Beef tartare was awesome, Beef Stroganoff the best, salad with the goat cheese was amazing, and salmon was cooked to perfection. I can't remember the last time we had salmon cooked that perfectly. Just, so good. We'll be back......
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Angie Lamirande
+5
Seriously my favourite meal since Paris!! Come hungry, leave happy! Thanks to Pat and your team for the incredible meal and wonderful customer service!!
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Joanie Dumais
+5
Excellent de A à Z! J’ai adoré l’ambiance, la bouffe, les cocktails! Go!!
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Laura Pichette
+5
SPECTACULAR food and amazing value for $$ the table d'hĂ´te option is unique and super well thought out. Service impeccable. Shout out to Hogan! Unassuming and extremely well executed. Bravo!!xxx
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Cheryl Coull
+5
Patrick continues to work his kitchen magic and produces the same great flavours on his takeout menu that we have come to rely on in these strange COVID times. We enjoy at least one amazing dinner each week. Always a treat!
4 months ago
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Olena Stevenson
+5
Great restaurant! Food was above all expectations, service was excellent and atmosphere itself was very lively. I just want to emphasis again that food (taste, presentation, freshness) was exceeding any expectations that we had. Thank you for beautiful evening at your restaurant!
10 months ago
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Chris Martella
+5
Friday night, my girlfriend and I went to Absinthe for dinner. We were not able to celebrate Valentines Day on the Thursday because of work but I wanted to do something special. She had mentioned Absinthe before and I checked out their website and read reviews. They did not disappoint! Unbelievable food. Phenomenal service and absolutely amazing atmosphere. Our server was fantastic. They were quite busy, but he never forgot about us and always took a second to check in to see how we were doing. The food was incredible. We both had the Absinthe steak frites and arugula salad. Both items were excellent. The chef at Absinthe actually knows how to properly cook a steak medium rare, which is rare, no pun intended. The arugula salad was one of the best salads I've ever had! Then there was the desert. Absolutely amazing. We had the desert sampler and wow. If you're thinking of checking out Absinthe, don't hesitate. By far one of, if not the best dinning experiences I've ever had.

Thanks Absinthe for making our Valentines Day great!
Feb 16, 2019
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Andrew May
+5
One of our favourite restaurants.  The menu isn't extensive but covers all the key areas (vegetarian, beef, fish, pork, pasta...) and seems to change regularly. The food is always amazing - the flavours, presentation, combinations.  We usually get the 3 course meal combo with wine pairing ($45 - $55 for 3 courses plus $40 for 3 wine selections.)  The service is excellent - friendly and efficient (no trying to get a waiter's attention.)  Decor is pleasant, perhaps the only slight downside is it can be noisy when busy and the tables are fairly close together.  Definitely need to book on popular nights. Last night we both had steak frites, I had an amazing tuna salad (one of the best appetizers I've had in a long time!) and butternut squash soup first and my wife had a beet salad and an arugula salad.  With a cocktail before and a dessert after for both of us the bill was a little over $200 for 2.
Jan 13, 2019
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LydiaEatsOttawa
+5
Prepare to not be disappointed. We took out a couple here for their birthday, and oh boy was it a great time. The service was exceptional, our waiter was extremely helpful and friendly. Recommending some good menu items, we all ordered the full course meal. Started off with a cold leek soup, and YUM! We all loved it! We then had the beef tartare and it was very unique followed by the steak. I would definitely recommend this place, however it is on the pricier side but worth it!
Oct 05, 2018
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Tracy Rutherford
+5
We were extremely satisfied with everything from the greeting, the service, the food and the special birthday acknowledgement for my aunt. Everything was classy. Even after we were finished our meal and paid, our server continued pouring water as we continued our conversation. We didn’t feel rushed and had a wonderful time. We enjoy good food and are often not satisfied. However this time, everyone loved their meal and we each had a different appetizer and a different main meal. Even the drinks (dirty martini) was the most delicious I’ve had.

We have never been to Absinthe before but have a reservation for fondue and thought we’d try it on a regular night as my aunt lives close by. Well there is nothing regular about Absinthe – everything is exceptional and we are now looking forward more than ever to our fondue dinner
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Oct 05, 2017
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Michelle
+3.5
Good not great place, that was just missing a few things to make it a top-notch experience. I definitely feel like this place has potential, so I'll start with the good. A small menu with quality items that they do well. My cocktail was fantastic with great presentation! Their cheese selections were to die for and probably my favourite part. It was my birthday and they brought me Creme Brûlée which I loved!!! However, the ambience was pretty lacklustre and I was a little disappointed in the wine selection. We ended up going with a bottle that was fine, but not sure if it was worth 75$. My duck was great, but my brothers steak came with two very visible hairs right on top and the server offered to re-plate it. He declined and just re-plated it himself by taking the hair off. All in all, it's a good place but with so many other restaurants in the area it wouldn't be the first place I'd recommend.
Jul 08, 2017
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Meaghan Piccolo
+4.5
Great establishment. The atmosphere was nice, if a bit bland, but the music was nice. The staff was great, very attentive, pleasant and helpful. And the food was delicious with a simple, well focused menu. Only complaint was that it may have been slightly overpriced, but still an all around good experience and I would go back again.


Update: I've had staff ignore special instructions for an order (I expect better from a high end place) and as of my most recent experience, be downright rude. The server was standoffish to me and made me feel unwelcomed in the restaurant, took away my water away when she sat me, brought out my bread rather late with just oil instead of oil and vinegar and then took ages to bring me my bill (it wasn't busy and I saw her drinking and chatting with someone at the bar after I'd asked for my bill for about ten or fifteen minutes), she then took her tip when I asked her for change without asking me how much I'd like to tip her (I didn't notice this until after I left, so I ended up tipping her twice and she definitely didn't deserve the amount that she took in the first place).
May 15, 2017
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Magdalena Gelbert
+5
A totally wonderful experience! Charming and classy decore, the friendliest and most accommodating service and the food!! Most definitely the tastiest in Ottawa or maybe on this planet! We took the seafood appetizer which was delicate, yet overflowed with mouth-watering flavours..the mushroom soup was robust and so creamy..My steak with horseradish was beyond divine..My son and his wife took the pork cheek and the duck; both were raving how tender and delicious it was. In all honesty, we spent most of our eating time with our eyes closed, revelling in those sublime tastes...The creme brule that was offered at the end of this birthday dinner was simply perfect; delicate, creamy and crunchy and not too sweet. Even foccacia served at the beginning of the meal, dipped in the olive oil and balsamic vinegar was outstanding. Unquestionably, this dinner experience topped the many high end meals we have had in various countries. We will most definitely be returning there as often as we can! Most highly recommended!! ; )
Mar 08, 2017
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Laura Henderson
+5
The trout in white wine sauce with a lime coriander spice was delightful. Perfectly cooked and presented. Loved the wine and the service was wonderful.  Dim lighting was soothing. A real treat. It was a bustling Saturday night so it was also revitalizing. The great reviews from colleagues, family and friends were right on the money. You should go.
Feb 07, 2017
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Renae
+5
Ideal spot for a business dinner in Ottawa.  The service was attentive, informative, and unique.  Everyone enjoyed their meals, several of our group had the Table d'Hôte.  High ratings include the beet salad, the beef tartare 'with a bite',  the velvety roasted tomato soup, and the trout (although mine was slightly undercooked, the service made up for it).  Very happy with our restaurant selection for our out of town guests.
Feb 01, 2017
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Kaia
+5
Ate here on Saturday night as part of a very large group. The food was fantastic. I had the pork cheek main, and it was perfectly done melt-in-your-mouth. The staff were extremely accommodating as well. I brought my baby with me to meet the group, and while Absinthe caters to an upscale crowd and may not have a change table, they made sure there was a table put in the washroom for us to use before I could even ask where the washroom was! Thank you for the lovely evening!!
Jan 29, 2017
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Facebook User
+5
Absolutely delightful would be my description. The 3 course fondue was fantastic. The chef did tempura vegetables for the vegetarians in our group of 8 for one course. The staff was incredibly attentive and accommodating. A huge thank you to the staff for a wonderful evening on my wife's 50th birthday. We will be back.
Jan 19, 2017
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Kim Kalen
+5
Our premiere visit to Absinthe included wonderful, sumptuous cuisine and attentive, polite service in a lovely, subdued atmosphere. Needless to say, we'll recommend this restaurant to all of our friends and we shall return, soon.
Dec 30, 2016
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Sharon Mahdi
+5
I went for lunch yesterday with a friend and everything was superb;the food,the service and the welcoming atmosphere.The serving staff did not even hint that we should leave even though we talked for a long time.It also has parking! Bonus!
Dec 01, 2016
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Pedro
+4.5
Went to Absinthe yesterday afternoon for lunch with friends.  Each of had something different to eat and all of us enjoyed our meal.  I had a lamb burger and side salad and it was delicious.  Would definitely order it again.  We thought that prices were reasonable for the quality.  Service and atmosphere were very good.  Would definitely go back.
Nov 10, 2016
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Foodie
+4
My wife and I went here for the first time on our anniversary. Cozy atmosphere, yet open and loud. If you are looking for a quiet place to eat, this is not it. That said, the place was buzzing and was full of energy which we liked. Complimentary glass of Champagne given to us for our anniversary.  We both had the Steak, and it was better than steaks we've had at more expensive "steak houses". I like how they tell you it will be medium rare, which is how a good steak should be. Our server was pleasant, yet at times seamed like a robot. Her focus never really seamed to be on us, but more on what task she had to move to next. She would mumble something to us, while not making eye contact and scanning her surroundings. Not a bad thing, but a server should be more interactive with their table.

Overall, we were very pleased with our evening.
Sep 12, 2016
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Pat Vandoremalen
+5
Great experience again. Knowledgable staff. Great wine and wonderful food. Wine pairing with the meal was definitely worth choosing the 3 courses with the wine. Descriptions of our choices alone with the wine pairings made it a memorable anniversary. Will definitely return to this restaurant.
Sep 04, 2016
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Daniel H
+5
Great experience! We went to celebrate our son's engagement and are happy we chose this place. We were greeted with complementary champagne. Each starter was terrific and the quail egg on the steak tartar was a very nice touch. The mains were even better. The duck was perfectly prepared. The braised rabbit ravioli is highly recommended. The sampler dessert was an excellent way to try several types of desserts. The service was impecable: polite, very knowledgable, and timely. There was never an empty glass and it was nice to get fresh cutlery with every course. We ordered absinthe to end the meal and it was nicely presented with clear, unpretentious instructions on how to let the water drip to dissolve the sugar cube on the slotted spoon. Definitely a "go-to" place if you want to impress someone!
Aug 23, 2016
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Elizabeth MacLeod
+5
Just love this place.  Have been multiple times and will return again.  The fresh bread is outstanding, the lemon thyme dressing on the salad is wonderfully light and tangy, the steak frites mouthwatering.  Service is top notch, the venue is perfect for friends, couples, even business dinners
Jun 30, 2016
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Robert Giroux
+5
Stopped in for lunch and were told to try the steak and frites. The food was great and the portions were just right. Service was very good and friendly.Will be returning for sure.
Jun 27, 2016
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MatrixRogue
+4.5
Steak frites dish was enjoyable but it was definitely cooked more than medium rare. Service was fast, friendly and knowledgeable. My dining companions really enjoyed their cocktails.
Jun 24, 2016
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SHB
+5
We were fortunate to dine at Absinthe this past weekend. It was one of the best meals we have had in a very long time. The tuna carpaccio and the beef tartar were both excellent. The tuna carpaccio had a wonderful texture, complemented by spicy elements and was beautifully presented. The beef tartar was the perfect presentation of a classic dish. The duck breast and arctic char, which followed were wonderful. The duck breast was perfectly cooked and delicious. The arctic char was moist and flavourful. The accompanying sides made both plates flawless. The meal ended with prifiteroles. The homemade ice cream, chou and chocolate sauce were scrumptious. 

Although the atmosphere is relaxed, service is flawless and attentive. It was a great evening.
Jun 21, 2016
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PickyFoodie
+4.5
I always go for the Cornerstone Burger at Absinthe and it never disappoints. It's $16 during lunch time and $24 (!!!) for dinner. You get a double decker burger with two thick, juicy, and rich patties smothered with cheese and sitting on an artisinal bun. It comes with salad and fries. This is arguably the best burger in Ottawa. Extremely fulfilling and delicious. Only possible knock is that it might be a little too greasy for some people. Service is excellent at Absinthe and I would not hesitate to recommend it.
May 05, 2016
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Stephen McDermott
+5
Great atmosphere, fantastic salad, steak frites done to perfection. The server, Mike-professional, personable and attentive. We have been there a number of times and will continue to go back.
Feb 22, 2016
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Geneviève Lépine
+4.5
Absinthe makes the heart grow fondue! :) That's why it was the perfect spot for our Valentine's Day dinner on Monday. Thanks for a fabulous yet relaxed dining experience! The salad greens with lemon thyme dressing and sunflower seeds were spectacular, and the steak frites was delicious. Wonderful service and a nice neighbourhood atmosphere. We'll definitely go back.
Feb 17, 2016
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MICHEL MENEZES
+5
We were a group of 4 people from Toronto. We drove to Ottawa for the Winterlude and took the opportunity to visit the restaurant. We were unaware that some dishes changes according to the day and it turns out that what we went there for wasn't available for that day! We talked with the staff and they were very considerate and did the dish for us even though it wasn't on the menu for the day. The service was extremely good and the food was amazing, totally worth the money. Thanks to the waitress Erin and all the kitchen folks. :-)
Feb 10, 2016
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Mariana
+5
We went from Toronto to Ottawa on the weekend to skate on the Rideau canal and to eat meat fondue which is so hard to find in Toronto. So we searched on google a fondue place in Ottawa and made a reservation at Absinthe for Saturday night. Unfortunately the canal was closed and later we found out that the fondue night at Absinthe was on Mondays only!!!!! We were sad but we decided to eat there anyway as everything on their menu seems to be pretty yummy!! But when the servers learned that we were from Toronto and we were there to eat fondue, they went to speak with the chef to accommodate a last minute fondue order for us!!! Our server was Erin and she was awesome, but all the staff that came to speak with us they were all so friendly and professional that made our night even more special.. We had the 3 course fondue meal - cheese, meat and chocolate and I can't find words to describe how delicious everything was... I can tell that made the 410km trip worth it! We were so impressed by their customer service, atmosphere and DELICIOUS FOOD!!! Just unforgettable!
Feb 09, 2016
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Justin Thiboutot
+5
Had a superb dinner this past week, and opted for the three course table d'hote. The quality of the ingredients are nothing short of excellent, with beautiful presentations for both the starter and main. The chicken was stuffed with a gorgeous mushroom duxelle, and there was a dynamite sauce to go with. Service was attentive, informative, and very friendly. I will happily return, hungry for more!
Jan 29, 2016
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Michel
+4.5
Ho this is a wow restaurant the food was so good and tasty and I say very tasty from the porc to the steak and the famous burger/poutine. The appetizer again very good the charcuterie was excellent . Ok for desert I had the cheese plate and again well presented so was the sugar pie and the profiteroles . Not often I give a high rating they deserve it and thank you Mike for the excellent service

Highly recommend
Dec 19, 2015
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Marie-Claude April
+5
Service bilingue de grande qualité. Menu inspirant, le contenu des assiettes à surpassé les attentes! Nous avions choisi l'option table d'hôte avec l'accord des vins. Cela nous a permis de faire de très belles découvertes.
Nous le recommandons chaudement.
Important à savoir: la salle est assez bruyante, j'éviterais si vous êtes à la recherche d'une atmosphère feutrée et romantique.
Dec 13, 2015
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Rose
+4.5
My friend and I went for my birthday dinner and it was amazing. The service was great. The food was amazing. I liked that they had a 3 course option so that we could try a little bit of everything. Would definitely go back!
Nov 20, 2015
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Zita.gervais
+4
Nice evening and the food was good and beautifully presented. Quite a busy place but for some reason a bit on the loud side so not ideal for a tĂŞte Ă  tĂŞte. Will definitely go back.
Oct 25, 2015
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Rafic.khalaf
+4.5
My wife and i visited this place last night and this was a wonderful experience. The experience was excellent, the pres notation and the flavors were outstanding. I will definitely repeat it...!!
Oct 18, 2015
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The Food Tease
+5
I have frequented this restaurant numerous times and for great reason! The food has always been stellar...from food to service!
Regardless of the occasion - be it casual luncheon or a celebrating a special occasion, you can't go wrong with Absinthe!
Aug 04, 2015
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Costa
+5
Yes the burger is incredible but be ready for a rich flavourful delight The service is always good and their mains are nice and well balanced. Side salads are always good and the atmosphere is comfortable and relaxing. Been here many times.
Aug 01, 2015
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CaptainPorkchop
+4
One of the better restaurants in town, have always thought service was great and was amazingly delicious. Great for a special occasion or a date night, let them take care of you.
Jul 07, 2015
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Diane Soucy
+4.5
This was a very special day for our Senior Engineer Pat who was retiring the next day.  We had a big crowd 50 people and it accommodated everyone without a problem.  The food was great, the service was awesome and everyone had a great time.  It was an awesome day and Absinthe café is awesome.  I would recommend this restaurant to any one who is looking for fine dining.
Jun 22, 2015
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Erin
+4.5
My mom and I came here for dinner (both of our first times) on Mother's Day for dinner. the food was phenomenal, as was the service. we each had the three course table d'hĂ´te, which was very reasonably priced, and they were amazing. I would highly recommend Absinthe (and already have) to anyone...excellent food, excellent dining experience!
May 25, 2015
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Ronlyen1971
+4.5
Wow...what an evening. My wife and I went to Absinthe last night for our anniversary, and our first date night since our daughter was born. The first thing I would like to say is that the staff were welcoming, friendly and knowledgeable.

With respect to the food,......"Wow"!!!!! we each did the make your own table d'hote and what an experience, from the Chacuterie and beef tartar starters, to the steak frits and steelhead trout mains, the food was exquisite :)

Thank you for making our anniversary evening such a memorable one.
May 04, 2015
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Carol_cameron53
+4.5
Super Friendly. We thoroughly enjoyed our evening at Absinthe. The food was fantastic as well as the service. Our waiter was very attentive and had a great sense of humour.

Thanks to the Kitchen Monkeys.
Apr 29, 2015
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Nadine Arbuthnot
+4.5
I was there last night for dinner and the food is amazing. Will definitely be going back!
Apr 22, 2015
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Ottary
+4.5
Let them feed you and take your money. This place has been a favourite of mine for a few years now. They never disappoint. Two of us went there this past weekend and asked our server just to feed us the best of what they have on offer, complete with wine pairings. It was fantastic, and I'd definitely try this approach again. For each course we were given two different dishes - we opted to share everything so we got to taste it all. The mushroom soup was so flavourful it was almost unbelievable. They took pork, stuffed it with foie gras, breaded and deep fried it. I don't care who you are - that's good eats if done well - and it was done amazingly well. Every dish we had of six dishes was amazing, and expertly paired with delicious wine. Go. Tell them to just serve you what they want to serve you. Pay your money and be thankful you did it all. In the end we paid $225. That's for 2 of us, 6 dishes, 6 pairings, 2 desserts, and 2 absinthe. Completely reasonable for the excellence they're providing. Well done Absinthe.
Mar 23, 2015
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Walkerk
+4.5
Absinthe Review. Had a brilliant meal at Absinthe. The serving staff were great. The atmosphere was fun. The food was loaded with flavour. A great french restaurant with many token french flavours. Will definitely go back - soon!
Mar 21, 2015
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Kim.marin
+4.5
Really Superb!. A real gem in the city. Loved the food, the staff, and the warm atmosphere. The dining experience was such a treat. Try the Duck, you will be truly impressed.
Mar 19, 2015
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Tamarpalandjian
+4.5
My husband and I went to Absinthe for the first time and for my birthday... and we were SO pleased that we did! The staff was so kind - they treated us to a lovely drink to celebrate when we were seated. And after dinner, they surprised us with a birthday cake as well! Talk about amazing service - it was totally their initiative to do all of that. We had steak frites and it was delish! The ambience and atmosphere was just perfect. Highly recommending this place to all friends and colleagues. We will definitely go back!
Feb 24, 2015
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Heather Badenoch
+4.5
Warm Dark Chocolate Fondant. Delicious and great Canadian touch.
Feb 05, 2015
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Lindsaymae90
+4.5
Damn That Poutine Is Good!. I have been here twice with the intention of going back again. The first time I went the waiter was a bit rude, but the second time I went the waitress was a wonderful and attentive.

I got the burger twice which comes with a salad to start and a side poutine.

The salad is very tasty and it is a good starter!

Then comes the poutine and burger. The poutine is amazing, the gravy is very flavorful! The burger is also very good, although I usually end up bringing most of the burger home because it is HUGE! (not that I am complaining)
Jan 29, 2015
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Leesa
+4.5
Fabulous Dinner!. The Duck was to die for! Many layers of flavours!! The escargot appetizer, with tarragon cream sauce was amazing!
Great service!
Dec 01, 2014
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Tallfoodie7
+4.5
Absinthe. Impressive absinthe cocktails served very professionally, the best absinthe-inspired drinks I have ever seen. The food quality was average for a high-end French restaurant, nothing spectacular that stood out, but still a great Steak Frites and Duck Confit.
Nov 10, 2014
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Cookingwithkelly
+4.5
Great service and food. A group of us visited Absinthe for a friend's birthday, and we couldn't have asked for a better evening. Food was fantastic, and the server was perfect. We were a relatively big group, and he was friendly, attentive, and extremely professional. We'll be back!
Oct 21, 2014
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Mintycindy
+4.5
Delightful Everything. Absinthe continues to amaze. Food and service are second to none in Ottawa. I have not had a bad experience yet, in fact it get's better all the time. When you park your car at the back your are greeted by the large, well kept herb garden. That's commitment! Great food, great service that is knowledgeable and efficient AND courteous, great desserts, even the coffee is great.
BTW, I believe, all meat is sourced is locally.
Oct 03, 2014
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Krys Fonseca
+4.5
THE BEST!. Absinthe, I cannot say enough good things about this place! The servers (we had Partick tonight) also highly recommend Nosh (sorry if I spelled incorrectly). We've eaten there quite a bit and every time they recognize us, and the service is ALWAYS fantastic.

On the menu they did not have fois terraine, which is amazing. I asked if I could have it and Patrick said wait one minute came back said yeah they'd do it. They made their own plate up on the spot because we requested it. If that's not service I don't know what is. The duck - how can you really spell out how much you love something with so many words. My husband said it's the best duck on the planet as far as he was concerned. I've ate their duck many times, and tonight was by far my favourite. The slaw they had was OUT of the world - my mouth was partying like it was 1999 (yes I just said that). They had flavours of garlic, bacon with smoke, fennel and then the duck with the sweet red wine sauce, so much was going on but the flavours all came together and it was fantastic.

So thank-you guys! For another amazing night - we will be back :)
Sep 06, 2014
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Ottawa Foodie
+4.5
Wonderful meal, and terrific mid-week date night. The service was impeccable - knowledgable, attentive, pleasant but not cloying. My husband had the steak frites with poutine and bigness great, and I loved the beet salad and bacon wrapped pork tenderloin. Nice, trendy but comfortable ambiance rounded out our enjoyment of the evening. Highly recommend.
Aug 07, 2014
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Anton Ego
+4.5
Great food! Had the frog legs which were delicious and a good size app, but had the duck and was a small portion. It was tasty but was expecting more, infact someone else I was with actually got more duck than I did so maybe they ran out or they just aren't consistant with portions. Good beer and wine selection, and service was good too.
Mar 16, 2014
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Jen
+4.5
Wow!. Tonight was our second visit to Absinthe and it reiterated our first terrific experience. The cocktails were interesting and delicious. And while the food - beet salad, chacuterie, and mushroom tortellini may sound like regular fare, each offered its own unique twist and was superb. The unexpected delight was the"burger and poutine" that puts to shame anything else that tries to use these terms. On top of all the excellent cuisine was our first rate server whose attention, expertise and friendliness rounded out a fabulous meal.
Feb 02, 2014
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Dancergrl25
+4.5
Oh mon dieu.....YES. I could only 'like' this resto, what a shame. I Adore this resto. When you save up that discretionary spending money, put it in a jar labelled 'Absinthe'. There's nothing I can say bad about this wonderful restaurant/experience. The apps, the mains, the desserts, the wine.......I especially loved the beet salad: Goat Cheese, Rosemary Tart, Apple Cranberry Jelly, Smoked and Pickled Beets, Goat Cheese Sherry Vinaigrette. That was my favourite dish. Scrumptious meals, elegant service, warm atmosphere. A huge Yes.
Jan 28, 2014
Zomato
Grinch
+4.5
Excellent food, creative menu, great wine and beer, friendly service and wry nice relaxed atmosphere.
Jan 05, 2014
Zomato
Sarah
+4.5
Amazing burger...cold steak?. I ate here for the second time this past week. Rarely will I order the same meal twice in a restaurant where I have not experimented with the menu yet, however their Benevolent Burger is an exception. So. Freaking. Good. My boyfriend on the other hand ordered their steak frit which is suposed to come "Medium Rare". Not even a touch of red, the steak only had a pinch of pink, at the Keg this would be considered well done. The flavour was still nice, however it was served cold. Overall great service, will def return...just won't be ordering that steak anytime soon.
Nov 20, 2013
Zomato
RW
+4.5
Great first experience. Went to Absinthe last night and it was a very good experience. I did the three course meal. Escargot, soup and then the Bison. Everything was very good.
The service was fantastic they made you feel very comfortable.
I will go back.
Nov 18, 2013
Zomato
Leightrain
+4.5
Excellent steak and frites. My husband and I were practically fighting over it. We also enjoyed duck the ways. The atmosphere was lovely and the service was impeccable.
Nov 11, 2013
Zomato
Jean Gabin
+4.5
Soo délicieux, j'étais bourré. J'ai adoré le Magret du Canard.
Oct 24, 2013
Zomato
Mary
+4.5
Love it!. The food is soooo good! Service was amazing. Only complaint is the lighting is a bit bright.
Sep 11, 2013
Zomato
Karen
+4.5
VIP Treatment!. My family celebrated my father's 65th birthday at Absinthe tonight and we were all thrilled with the service and the food. When I made my reservation I added a comment that it was my dad's 65th and they really stepped up to make us feel special.

THE SERVICE. The server brought the 5 of us each a champagne glass of prosessco (and something else added, forgot what it was) to toast with, on the house. When it was time for desert, they wrote a big happy birthday on the plate next to my dads crime brûlée, which later we found out was also on the house. These gestures and super friendly service really was the cherry on top of the great food and wine we were served.

THE FOOD. I don't think any of us were dissatisfied with the taste of any of the dishes tonight. They either met expectations or was above. I will only mention the exceptional dishes. Everyone always appreciates good bread and butter, their bread had a great crisp crust and was fennel infused served with brown butter which made it very flavourful. The duck! Wow, don't remember the last time I was so happy with a duck dish at a restaurant. I hate when duck tastes like chicken. But this dish had an intense duck flavour in the sauce and it was seared perfectly on the outside so that when you took a bite you had a crispy smokey sear with wonderfully tender medium rare juicy meat. Artic char trio and bbq korean quail deserves a special mention too. The Dessert was the perfect end to the meal, chocolate fondant cake was so intensely chocolate that it was almost black but managed to still feel light. Bread pudding was deliciously maple flavoured.

Perhaps one suggestion to the restaurant. The decor doesn't match how great the food and service is. Not a fan of the wall colours, makes the place feel dingy. Bathrooms have a strange red, silver thing going on. It would be nice to see a more chic and unified interior. But definitely don't judge this restaurant by its cover. Thank you! We'll be back again :)
Jul 01, 2013
5
CanadianCEO
+5
I have heard good things about Absinthe for a long time and the reputation was well deserved! We started with Salmon and tuna tartare, and I must say the Salmon was the stand out winner!! I had the duck and was very impressed. My wife had the scallop pasta and very much enjoyed it especially the seasoning. I had the creme brule and very much enjoyed it. My wife had the mousse and found it very heavy like pudding and prefers lighter fluffier mousse. Our waiter was an absolute joy and was on his game the entire night and very pleasant. We had a fantastic evening thanks to Absinthe, highly recommend!
5
Rebecca Pierce
+5
Went here to celebrate my partners birthday and it was SO LOVELY! Service staff were so friendly, and our server, Mitchell, was really great. Our table was near the herb garden that the kitchen staff use for dishes. The food was ultimate in taste! And the cocktail I had was super tasty. Plenty of parking as well makes this place ideal for everyone to go and enjoy the happiness that you will surely feel from being there.
5
Ahmad Lutfi
+5
The many years this restaurant has been around is a testimony to just how good it is. During our visit, we saw that for ourselves. Food was spot on in terms of flavour, presentation and the service was professional and friendly. Loved it and will certainly return. Bonus is that it is in our neighbourhood.
5
Kamron Saghian
+5
My fiancee and I had an absolutely amazing experience while celebrating my fiancees birthday at Absinthe. From the immaculate food, to the wonderful atmosphere and the amazing staff. Everything was top marks. Huge shout out to Catherine, who was our server that evening. She is exactly what you want as a server at a restaurant. She treated us very well. We highly recommend this spot. We will definitely be going back again :)
5
Paige Arding
+5
What an amazing experience for both food and service for our first time here! This place does not disappoint. Emily, our server, from the beginning was attentive, friendly, welcoming and ready to answer any questions. By far some of the best pasta, fondue, dessert and drinks we have had in a long time. We will definitely be back. Thanks to Emily, the staff and Chef for an exceptional time.
5
SitziM
+5
A nice, relaxed and calm atmosphere. Don't see a lot of place with it's own planters where the kitchen staff come and pick up their greens from. The service provided by Mitchell was very good and attentive ( thank you for that) and the food was perfect, the burger was juicy and perfectly cooked and the pasta amazing. Thank you for the hard work
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