Winterlude 2020 promises endless fun for the whole family

 It’s that time of year again! Everyone's fave winter festival is just around the corner and there is so much to do and see! Here are just a few of the spots you should hit up for hands-on activities, food, music, and more. Don't forget to take advantage of the

Discover Bistro Ristoro in Ottawa’s ByWard Market

 When Lidija and Vlado came to Canada three years ago, they planned to open a Mediterranean restaurant that would be unique, authentic, and refreshing. They have succeeded! “We new we wanted to be somewhere central. When we found this space in Ottawa's ByWard Market, we already had an idea for

New website, same address: Disegno launches new online look

 The ByWard Market's Disegno Fine Jewellery is celebrating the launch of their new website with new collections and a 20% off sale! Launched in 1992, "disegno" means more than just "design." The Italian word suggests the ability to render the drawing and to imagine the design. As a designer, Pamela Coulston, certified gemologist and

BEST OF OTTAWA 2019: Markets

 After over 20-years writing about life in Ottawa, we think we have a pretty good idea of the best of what this city has to offer. In this weekly series, we’ll share our picks with you -  our top hotels, live music venues, local brews, bands and more. Check, share and discuss

Winter BBQing brought to you by Mike’s BBQ rub

 Don't let the cold weather & the snow stop you from enjoying barbecue. Just because the temperature is dropping, that doesn’t mean you can’t break out the barbecue. Mike’s BBQ rub has some recipes that will make winter BBQ just as fun as doing it in the summer. After all

Yes I Tried Botox. And This Is Why I’ll Keep Doing It.

 It was totally out of the blue when it happened. I was glancing in the mirror one day, when I noticed wrinkles. And not just like one, but a whole bunch, in three separate locations. I wasn’t totally horrified – I whole-heartedly agree with the cute quote, "wrinkles are a

5 of The Best Things To Do In Ottawa

 Every person in Ottawa knows just how lovely the city is. After all, it is Canada’s capital. If you are planning to visit the city – be it with your friends or family – it sure does help to know a thing or two about it. As such, you want

Multi-faceted music studio Artist Alliance opens downtown

 Photo credit: Laura Collins Elvis Presley once said, “Ambition is a dream with a V8 engine.” In other words, you can dream all you want but unless you’ve got the ambition to see that dream through it won’t come true. With 25 years of experience in songwriting, performing and production,

Get toasty warm in Ottawa with UNIQLO

 UNIQLO is giving out free clothing in OTTAWA’s ByWard Market and across downtown on Tuesday As the weather begins to cool down outside, casual wear retailer UNIQLO will be giving away thousands of HEATTECH items in Ottawa's ByWard Market and across downtown on Tuesday October 9. In total, 50,000 HEATTECH items will

ByWard Market gets a furry visitor

 Located in the heart of downtown Ottawa, ByWard Market is known for its unique shops, striving market place, divine cuisine as well as its exciting nightlife. However, last week this place-to-be was not only visited by tourists and the people of Ottawa. At around 3am on Thursday night, a 911

The Best Hidden Food Gems in Ottawa

 Ottawa has not been historically known for its food scene as fellow Canadian cities like Montreal and Toronto but, if you do some exploring, there are some really amazing hidden gems. Over the last few years, tons of cute independently owned cafes and family-owned restaurants have popped up offering up

Make the most out of your summer with these patios

 The long long dreaded winter is finally over – with the unexpected snowfalls, frigid temperatures, and gloomy wardrobe choices – and that means summer is officially here. Summer with its bright coloured clothing as opposed to the black and greys which take over the city, sundresses, shorts, walks by the

Return to Oz for More Delicious Adventures

 Photos by Alison Larabie Chase If you’re going to name your restaurant after a place you have to catch a tornado to get to, it’s on point to have a location that’s a little hard to find. Oz Kafe is now two for two on that count. It began humbly in

Violin virtuoso gets set to descend upon the Alpha Art Gallery

 Drenched in sweat, the crowd noise still ringing in his ear from where he’s just left them dazzled and riotous, the man they call Dr. Draw finally takes a breath and lowers his instrument. He has a moment to remember the words Bon Jovi rocker Richie Sambora once told him.

ByWard Market Profile

 Photo credit: Creative Commons The core of downtown Ottawa is known as the ByWard Market, or as we often shorten it to: The Market. The area is a highly saturated, cultural hub of street art, buskers, street vendors, hotels, eclectic shops, restaurants, bars, and its main attraction, the Rideau Mall.

Neighbourhood Spotlight: ByWard Market

 With Light Rail on the horizon, here at Ottawa Life we’ve decided to start a series where we break down each of Ottawa’s neighbourhoods. We’re profiling each area by price, transportation, and lifestyle. Whether you’re a young professional or a family-making nest-builder, we’re giving you the details on every corner

COVER ME! Round 1 Performer Bios / Results

 We know Ottawa’s got talent. You know Ottawa’s got talent. Now’s the time to see who will reign supreme in the ultimate Cap-city musical showcase. COVER ME, a twice monthly contest of musicians from the National Capital Region battling it out for an Ottawa Life Magazine cover story, takes place at Moose McGuire's (3320 McCarthy

Tradition Meets Technology at IL VICOLO

 Photos by Andre Gagne Having spent a month recently in Italy, any local slice of pizza passing over my taste buds has a pretty big plate to fill. How do you replace the memory of such gooey goodness experienced in the land that fathered one of the most beloved foods

Canada’s Coming of Age Commemorated in Art Exhibition

 1867: the year of Canada’s confederation. It’s a year that has been in the forefront of the Canadian consciousness for the entirety of 2017, with the current year marking the True North Strong’s 150th birthday. But 2017 also marks the anniversary of another important year for our country, and a

BEST OF OTTAWA: Neighbourhoods

 With 20-years writing about Ottawa life we think we have a pretty good idea of the best of what this city has to offer. In this new weekly summer series we’ll share it with you. From our top picks of hotels, live music venues, local brews, bands and more, check,

Hot New Businesswear Startup Setting up Shop in Ottawa

 They’ve built up considerable hype in Toronto. And for just two days, they’ll be bringing their hip, modern designer fashion to Ottawa. Four Fifty Five is a made-to-measure men’s and woman’s wear company. Founded by brothers Noah and Jacob Parker, the company’s development started in Ryerson University’s Fashion Zone, one

Feast + Revel’s Fresh Take on the New Frontier

 Photos by Ali Matthews There is no doubt that, in the upcoming months leading up to Canada’s 150th Celebration, that many Ottawa restaurants will attempt to rift on “Canadian” cuisine. However, I doubt as many will do it as successfully as Executive Chef Stephen La Salle and the staff at

BEST OF OTTAWA: International Cuisine

 With 20-years writing about Ottawa life we think we have a pretty good idea of the best of what this city has to offer. In this new weekly summer series we’ll share it with you. From our top picks of hotels, live music venues, local brews, bands and more, check,

Free Programming Highlights at NAC’s Canada Scene

 Ottawa Life’s Festival City Series is back! We'll provide a unique look at some of your favourite events. We’ll go beyond the music with artist interviews, volunteer profiles, concert reviews and spotlights on the tastes, sights and sounds of the festival season.  Your city! Your festivals! Like a good sunscreen, Ottawa Life

Mr. Churritos: The Taste of Tradition

 Ottawa Life’s Festival City Series is back! We'll provide a unique look at some of your favourite events. We’ll go beyond the music with artist interviews, volunteer profiles, concert reviews and spotlights on the tastes, sights and sounds of the festival season.  Your city! Your festivals! Like a good sunscreen, Ottawa Life