From Ski Trail to Table: A Winter Lunch at Grand Pizzeria

The day my wife and I visited The Grand Pizzeria, the first person we saw was a cross-country skier.

The Grand Pizzeria is located at the recently redeveloped NCC property, Westboro Beach. The restaurant also happens to be next to the Kichi Sibi Ski Trail.

It was a beautiful day, and we met co-owner David Mangano, who explained how the restaurant is embracing winter. “My business partner had the opportunity to acquire these gondolas for outdoor dining,” said Mangano. “They come from Switzerland and are vintage gondolas retrofitted for dining.”

The gondolas have proven to be a social media hit. Instagrammers are all over it. Outlets like CTV Ottawa have also provided coverage. Mangano shared that the gondolas are so popular that they have been booked through mid-January.

For our lunch, we were seated inside as the gondolas were all occupied. I did not mind at all, as we had not made advance reservations and had a wonderful window seat with a full view of the river.

The six gondolas were fully occupied, hosting a mix of clientele, from couples enjoying a romantic lunch to families gathered for a get-together.

We ordered a Caesar salad as an appetiser and shared a tasty vegan thin-sliced pizza with roasted red peppers, spinach, cherry tomatoes, and Kalamata olives. We finished the delicious meal with a café latté, keeping with the Italian theme.

In a most Canadian moment, the server put on her coat and toque every time she was serving customers in the gondolas.

Perhaps the most impressive was the steady stream of cross-country skiers stopping to either dine indoors or in the gondolas. It was a scene that could have been straight out of a Norwegian mountain town.

Once lunch was finished, David gave us a tour of the restaurant. In addition to the main dining area, there is a private room that would be perfect for a family celebration or office party.

There is also a public area that is perfect for cross-country skiers looking to warm up or families doing some tobogganing.

We also visited the gondolas. They are heated and provide a cozy atmosphere with a stunning view of the Ottawa River.

Before leaving, we made a gondola reservation and are ready to ski up for the perfect slice of pizza.

It should be noted that there is a cover fee to eat in the gondola, as it is a premium experience. Lunch is $20 per person, and supper is $25 per person.

For more details, visit thegrandpizzeria.com.

Photos: Tom Middleton