Heirloom Cafe & Bistro

The space, in an old mill, is beautiful. The food was delicious. The service was good albeit reserved.
Would I return: Yes, on occasion — it’s a bit spendy for a lunch out, so not an everyday restaurant for me.
Would I recommend: Yes — however, may be best to make a reservation.

Back yet again and still as good if not better. These guys have really set the bar for food in and around the Ottawa area. Hard to find anything to meet them as far as quality, presentation and flavor. Really great, a must hit every time we are in town.

Went with my boyfriend for weekend brunch in January and WOW. Great scenery even better food! Definitely with the drive out. It was spectacular dining and the interior I gorgeous. The staff are also kind and friendly without being over bearing! Perfect dining experience

Someone definatly made love to my three course, new years eve dinner!
I’ve dined a few times at this cozy location over the last few years and have never left dissatisfied. The food has always been fresh (pricey, but worth it) and eroticly tasteful.
However, this dinner both my partner and I experienced on this past New Year’s Eve… surpassed any of my expectations. This meal was quite literally the best I have ever had. We had reserved for 9:00pm, but had arrived about 15 minutes early. Without any trouble at all, the wonderful staff took our coats, and immediatly led us to our cozy table situated in front of a window overloking the falls. About ten minutes later (which was fine by me, as we got a chance to look over the menu and catch up a bit) our tall glasses of sparkling wine came by and the fine waitress took our orders.
Our three course meal consisted of the following;
The Appetizers
Mini Charcuterie Platter: Smoked Berkshire sausage with port gelee, Duck pistachio and apricot pâté, and house chutney and artisanal crostini
* What a complete surprise this dish was! Lightly coated with pommegranite seeds, there was a world of tastes on this plate that balanced so well together! The duck pâté was unforgetable, and the sausage had a sweet and tangy spice to it. Its always a lovely experience when a great appetizer sets the stage for a great main!
The Main
Seared Beef Striploin with orange butter braised shallot, with foie gras red wine sauce
and
Pan roasted sea bass with cocnut infused basmati and curried butternut bearnaise.
* Only getting one bite of the steak (as the sea bass was my choice) you could clearly make out how perfectly the steak was cooked. A melt in your mouth experience (rare), while the red wine sause gave it a sweet zing. The fish however (which i can be VERY picky about) blew me away. Cutting into it with a butter knife, the peice literally fell off whole. A sign that it’s perfectly cooked to my standards. Not only was the fish juicy, it melted in my mouth heightening the buttered bearnaise. The rice underneath was perfectly cooked, and balanced very well with only a hint of coconut. I would have licked the plate clean if it were not for the relatively full house!
Dessert
Tasting platter; Dark chocolate marquise with orange and sour cherry coulis, pistachio, lemon meringue cheesecake, cranberry and amaretto brulee with baby biscotti, and petit choux with honeyed chevre and fig compote.
* My favorite part of this dish (as they were all good) was the brulee. With a perfectly hardened top, my spoon lifted out a beautiful cream and cranberry filling that really wrapped up this truly perfect meal.
Of course we did have wine with every course, but I think the real praise of this review should be the food (and besides, with the excitement of the meal… I don’t remember the brands off the top of my head!)
Overall an EXCELLENT and UNFORGETABLE experience on this one. At $ 80.00 per person and an extra $ 40.00 (plus tip) our bill came to a whopping $ 250.00 (rounded up). Worth every red cent and more.
Now that said, I’ll be calling months in advance to book a table for next year!

Had another fantastic meal here last night. Been here for both dinner and brunch once before and everything I have eaten or sampled has been amazing — worth the drive to Almonte if you live in Ottawa!
Last night was all about the salmon special with the mushroom risotto with a carrot cake with caramel sauce for dessert.
Located in a renovated warehouse right beside the falls the stone wall and high ceiling with exposed wood beams make an awesome setting restaurant of this calibre. Nice large wood chairs around tables with proper white linens really dress the space up. There is a great little lounge are for waiting with a few high top tables for cocktails at the entrance. From here you can see right into the kitchen and be able to watch all the goings on. There is an seasonally changing assortment of apps and main courses along with a wine list is varied and reasonable priced.
A must visit place for sure!

If you haven’t been to the Heirloom can i highly suggest make a reservation and enjoy some of the best food, in a truly unique and super cute environment.
Downtown Almonte is beautiful with it’s old stone buildings and the Mississippi River running right thru — the restaurant is situated right on the water in a beautifully restored Mill.
The décor blends a historic yet modern feel — all open concept with the kitchen in the corner with the chef madly working away, huge soaring ceilings, and an upstairs art gallery that is on a walkway around the outside of the building that overlooks the restaurant.
Last night i opted for the striploin with goat cheese and a beet relish, the chef breaks down his own beef so the steak was the size of a softball… and cooked to perfection.
Sadly i didn’t sneak pictures, but trust me you need to try this restaurant.
enjoy.