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2009-11-21

2009-11-18

2009-11-05

Agriculture

Lifestyles

Thursday, February 28, 2008 1:26 PM

Photo by Elliot J. Sutherland/The Ottawa Herald

John Ranjel, chef at the Fire Pit restaurant, 123 E. 2nd St., Ottawa, gets an order ready earlier this month at the restaurant.

Hungry? Taste test downtown eateries

Official: ‘For the size of the town, I think we probably have a better variety of restaurants than a lot of places’

By JODIE GARCIA, Herald Staff Writer

Ottawans strolling down Main Street on an empty stomach have a number of options from which to choose.

“For the size of the town, I think we probably have a better variety of restaurants than a lot of places,” P.J. Stephenson, director of the Ottawa Main Street Association, said.

Sitting on the corner of First and Main streets is Serenity Tea Room, 101 S. Main St., which took the place of The Potter’s Wheel when it moved down a block to 205 S. Main St.

Serenity Tea Room opened in October. Its menu includes soups, sandwiches, quiches, desserts and, of course, many kinds of tea.

Owner Gayle Parisot previously said she chose a decor that would appeal to both men and women, hoping to attract both into her business.

Look down Second Street and you’ll find The Fire Pit, 123 E. Second St., which serves up barbeque, smoked ribs, beef, pork and chicken, as well as traditional Southern-style cuisine.

Those looking to combine food and entertainment can take advantage of pool tables, darts and foosball tables in the restaurant.

Bar and grill-type restaurants Henry T’s and Drivers Sports Cafe also recently opened in Ottawa, and Coconuts relocated downtown to 306 S. Main St.

“It’s not the end of it by a long shot,” Stephenson said, noting the long-time downtown restaurants like El Mezcal and Poncho’s, Allegre’s, Pizza Time and Pizza Village and the Prairie Star.

“The best thing about it is that it’s spread out through the downtown,” he said, adding that dining establishments likely will continue to grow in Ottawa.

Stephenson said benefits for downtown business owners — particularly restaurant owners — include the eligibility for historic tax credits and access to walk-in and drive-by traffic.

And what does it take for a restaurant to be successful in Ottawa?

Stephenson, who used to work in food service, said a good location helps, as well as effective marketing and, of course, good food and good service.

“People are paying for the experience,” he said.

Stephenson said restaurants people would like to see move into Ottawa include Italian, followed by a sandwich shop downtown.

“That’s the opinion I’m getting from people,” he said.

Stephenson said Ottawans shouldn’t expect to see those businesses for sure but that he’s always recruiting and continues to look for good fits for Ottawa’s downtown.

Herald staff writer Jodie Garcia can be e-mailed at jgarcia@ottawaherald.com.