The Galley - Ottawa

We began and ended our evening stroll at The Galley in NSC. With about twenty hikers joining us at The Galley, the staff did a great job attending to our orders. While the menu options and food quality have gotten better over the past year, there is still room for improvement. The bar service for food orders was quick and the staff was friendly.

I have been a member of the sailing club where The Galley is located for thirty years, and I must say that while The Galley is making an effort, it is no longer up to par. There has been a noticeable decline in quality. I dined there tonight for their Friday night special, which was prime rib with peppercorn sauce, garlic potatoes, and seasonal vegetables. Unfortunately, the food was not impressive. The peppercorn sauce and potatoes were decent, likely because they were reheated in the microwave and served piping hot, but the seasonal vegetables consisted of a few sad asparagus sprigs and tiny carrots. I made the mistake of assuming the prime rib would be a roast or steak, but instead, it was a chewy cutlet that resembled flank steak at its worst, complete with fake grill marks. It was a truly disappointing experience. The service was also lacking, with one table receiving an elegant setup with a candle and water while another sat empty as a country band played nearby. With a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon and a 20% tip for the bartender who was attentive, the bill came to just $40. I do not plan on returning. On a positive note, I must mention that they do offer delicious fish tacos.

The lounge and dining area on the upper level were tastefully decorated, and the music was an improvement compared to previous years, creating a very pleasant atmosphere. While the meal did not quite meet the high standards of previous years, some aspects were still enjoyable. The soup was of good quality but could have been warmer. The salad was underwhelming and lacked presentation. The main course (beef) was delicious but could have used more vegetables. The dessert was visually stunning. The service, as always, was very pleasant and polite.

I was back to this restaurant three times last month. The first two, the food was really pretty good. And secondly, the acoustic performance of a local group was very good. The third time, the vegetarian dish was a tasteless musk and quite unusable. Since there are only three options on the menu, of which only one is vegetarian, it is not possible to replace something else. The over-amped after dinner entertainment was not so great either and excluded any after dinner conversation. This is not a good concert hall and most guests are members and friends of the sailing club who would like to gather together during the winter months. While we had reservations for Valentine's dinner, we have them on the basis of our last experience and the fact that only group seats at tables are available for eight. It is not what you would call a quiet, intimate atmosphere for a romantic dinner.

Friday night dinners at The Galley during the winter months feature a table d'hôte menu with an appetizer, a selection of three main courses including one vegetarian choice, and an optional dessert. This is followed by live entertainment. Advance reservations are mandatory. Bar service is...excellent, but dining service could still use some improvement. The food unfortunately is not as good while prices have been increased over last year with a change in both the chef and the operations. A vegetarian diner was initially offered an appetizer that included beef. After a long wait this was substituted by a vegetable soup that was mostly broth with little substance. Some of the entrees were overcooked but barely warm. The entertainment was OK, but much too loud making conversation difficult. The club is open to the public but members do receive a discount on food.