Ottawa Dining Experience

I would also say if you sought a Chow rec I doubt the clocktower would be top on anyone's list, even for pub food. It does present itself as an upscale microbrewery, and some of its dishes are palatable, but its not really a 'foodie' spot.

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Kingston,Ontario- Restaurants

I second Olivea - every meal I have had there has been a true delight - always fresh local ingredients and care in every dish. And their half-plate/small plate option makes it great for sharing or small appetites.

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Olivea
39 Brock St, Kingston, ON K7L1R7, CA

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Looking for Ottawa recommendations - downtown/market

I would second Social for their decadent lounge-y atmosphere and cocktail lists.
A similar alternative would be Kinki, mostly for the nice group-friendly layout, sushi, and fresh cocktails, great for a night on the town.

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Kinki
41 York St, Ottawa, ON K1N5S7, CA

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Ottawa Essentials

If you're looking for unique Ottawa specialties, the only one I've heard of it fried pickles, which apparently are plentiful here in bars (haven't tried one myself). I think my favourite purely local treat is Pascal's ice cream,which is sold all year through The Piggy Market, in Westboro, with everything from sugar pie, chocolate chili, bacon, and plum icecreams, depending on the week. Some of the best ice cream I've ever had. The Sconewitch's mini and multiflavoured scones might also be considered unique
The only other suggestion would be that Ottawa's large Lebanese community boasts that we have the best shwarma in Ontario - as some Toronto chowhounds attest. There are numerous shwarma shops, but supposedly Shwarma Palace, 464 Rideau Street is the ultimate.
Have fun exploring !

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Jordan Ontario Dining Recommendations Please

When visiting Jordan last year, friends took us for lunch in Jordan at the Inn on the Twenty restaurant, in the Cave Springs winery. Very high quality food, with a local fresh focus, and superb wine pairings - but not for the casual diner. If you are looking for gourmet, I would recommend it.
I don't recall any food shopping in Jordan, though wine shopping is an obvious possibility.

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Inn on the Twenty
3836 Main Street, Jordan, ON L0R 1S0, CA

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What's good in Kanata?

My favourite bakery in Kanata is La Provence - in the strip mall at Terry Fox/ Hazeldean. Their pastries are all superb, but their almond croissants rival the best of montreal in my opinion. I always like the food at Ox Head, a vietnamese place in the AMC plaza, and Sushi Kanata, in the same plaza.

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Ox Head Restaurant
790 Kanata Av M1, Kanata, ON K2V, CA

Sushi Kanata
655 Kanata Ave, Kanata, ON K2T1H6, CA

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Ottawa Suggestions Sought

I would agree, Play is very inconsistent, though if you haven't been it is worth a try (once). My dining companions agree that Play doesn't really know what it wants to be - small plates ? wine bar ? once it figures that out it might hopefully improve. In general, I prefer Fourth Ave Wine Bar to Play.

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flavored non-sweetened seltzer water?

This is probably not exactly what you are looking for, but some stores carry "Dry" brand soda, which has a very small amount of sweetening (I couldn't even detect it). It has amazing real flavours: Cucumber, Juniper Berry, Kumquat, Lavender, Lemongrass, Rhubarb.
I am told soda water is not the same as seltzer water, but perhaps this is close enough ?
http://www.drysoda.com/index.php

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