Pressed gourmet sandwich shop to open at 750 Gladstone Avenue, Ottawa
I won’t lie, it’s been kind of a dream of ours to have a great lunch, sweets and coffee shop near our home. Ok, the dream is mostly my husband’s since he works from home and there’s only so many biscotti or polish donuts a person can eat before getting a little bored.
Pressed gourmet sandwich shop is slated to open on November 21 at 750 Gladstone Avenue (corner Gladstone and Arthur) and will feature:
- Fair trade coffee from Equator
- Lots of in-house cooking (and smoking!) and many local ingredients
- Vegan options
- Large space for live music
- Ample stroller parking
- “Kid’s menu” with Mac n’ Cheese, grilled cheese and all-natural hot dogs
- Lots of space to meet and gather
- Wifi
When we met last night, they were still working on sourcing their sweets and bread. So far, they know it won’t be Art-is-in since they felt their business was too similar to their City Centre concept. (My 2 personal cents: I don’t go to Art-is-in at the City Centre because it’s just not convenient to walk there from West Centretown, we don’t have a car to drive there and I haven’t bothered to figure out how to get there on a bike. And I love their bread. Ok.. rant over.)
Update: They’ve decided to go with ACE bakery ciabatta – it provides the right texture for the paninis.
They are planning to open early around 7:30 to catch morning commuters. And will hopefully soon have their liquor licence for those after-work commuters and evening concerts.
Jeff, the owner, gave me a tour of the space last night. Of all the cool things they were planning, the piece of equipment that really got Jeff talking the most was the smoker. I am convinced that by opening day, this machine will have moved into a prime viewing (and smelling) location.
He talked of brining and smoking pork belly, making brisket for chili and even smoking squash for vegetarian soups. They’ll also be doing vegetable dishes like collard greens and braised red cabbage. It’s great to see vegetables being featured.
They have done extensive renovations to turn the old fluorescent kebab shop into a cozy nook. With the fluorescent lights gone, the walls and ceiling repainted and the addition of lovely wooden church pew seats from a local church, artwork, and ambient lighting – the space has really transformed into the kind of space to sit and relax.
While they may have had reservations about joining the Twitter thing, I have no doubt that they will find it teaming with local foodies waiting to retweet daily specials.
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Update! December 8, 2011
We’ve had several meals here now (with and without the small boy) – here are some of our favourites:
Latte
Panini with homemade pickled beans (totally delicious)
We eat a lot of meat at home, so it’s nice to have a break. Their vegetarian chili is filling and perfect for winter.
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11 comments
Great preview, Lana! I'm with you on the Art-Is-In rant. I love their bread and haven't bothered to go to City Centre more than once. Very much looking forward to exploring Pressed's vegan options and making lunch there a weekly ritual!
If this trend continues… I may never have to cross Bronson again!
It looks great, Jeff! We will definitely visit next visit to Ottawa…Ev and Jean Aubin
Can. Not. Wait. I only have to cross Gladstone!
I'll see you there!
Love finding out about new places opening up in Ottawa! We're up in Manor Park and just lost Isobel's. Hoping for something great to replace it!
Looks so inviting! Will definitely check it out when in ottawa. Congrats Jeff!
can't wait ! but where is it, you didn't post an address.
also, art is in is super easy to get to on bike , and worth the trip. just ride along elm street off preston and it takes you right there, or the not so secret route under the bridge via the government building at 1010 somerset. they also have a bike rack out front waiting for you !
Thanks for the biking tip! I'm often with my bike trailer so it's good to know there's a normal route.
Pressed is at 750 Gladstone (at the intersection of Gladstone and Arthur – Formerly: http://g.co/maps/kj5ff)
I just found the route myself t City Centre through elm, preston etc. by accident when I was visiting Neighbourhood Services there. Thought it was such a neat "shortcut" to parts east. Also noted a biker zipping through that route under the bridge area. That was a couple of weeks ago in Nov. Will look for this Pressed place soon.
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