Navarra Restaurant

Most disappointing dining experience of my life...A group of 10 people including myself went to Navarra on Saturday night for a birthday dinner for two people. The inside of the restaurant was boiling hot, but opening a door fixed that for us.Our waitress was extremely nice, but unfortunately over matched by a large group. The problems started when we began ordering drinks. Generally, small hole-in-the-wall" type places tend to have a good menu of specialty drinks

This email was sent to Navarra over a week ago, I have yet to get a response...My husband and I were in Ottawa for a quick weekend getaway. When it comes to eating out, I take my choices very seriously. After consulting a few websites and asking for recommendations I settled on going to Play Food & Wine, which may have been the better choice... I was convinced by a local to cancel my reservation at Play and go to Navarra.Now I am certain that if you were there you are fully aware of the train wreck that was Saturday night, but just in case this would make a difference in any way, I thought I would send along my observations...The waiter and the bus boy, who both clearly had never waited tables in their entire life were doing their best to service everyone in the restaurant but their lack of experience showed, people all around us were waiting 20, 30 minutes for menu's or to have their order taken, some left without ordering anything else out of sheer frustration, some ordered just to wait another 30 minutes for their food. Another table had no choice of wine and very little choice of food as the kitchen seemed to be out of everything. Since the chef owner is so familiar with top chef, I compared the night to an episode of restaurant wars where things went very very bad and the front of the house totally failed. I want to make it clear that I am not blaming the waiter or the bus boy, they truly tried their best, its not often I leave the restaurant wanting to hug the waiter because he looked so defeated but that was the case this time.Now my specific experience of disappointment seemed to pale in comparison of my fellow patrons but none the less, it was definitely not the service that I would have hoped for. We received our bill unprompted half way through our meal before even getting our main dish! As well as a few other inconveniences.Clearly Chef Rodriguez is very talented as the food was delicious, but the front of the house was terrible. I think the most frustrating was that the Chef who was standing behind the bar, seemed to not care about his patrons or his staff and just allowed everyone to have a disappointing and frustrating night while he obliviously stood there.I do hope you address the service issues that plague your establishment and learn to have a little more respect for the people who are paying their hard earned money to support your restaurant.

Excellent food. Great service.Each dish varies from $10-26 don't expect big portions. Some might be put off by the price compared to the portion size, but it is well worth the cost. Dishes are for sharing, and expect to order 2 dishes per person.Every item ordered was great. Outstanding items:- beef tartare- mushroom quesadilla- house sweet potato bread5 guests, $340 before tip... 9 dishes, 3 desserts, bottle of wine and some drinks.

great food! had the tasting menu with wine pairing. food was great, probably wouldn't get wine pairing again though as they were not paired very well

The food is very good and always interesting. We were well served and dinner was well priced. While I prefer the atmosphere in the Summer when you can be swept away in the smells and breeze, we were comfortable enough on a chilly night in March. No issues with seating although for a Monday, it was more than half full.

Went in on a Tuesday night with my boyfriend- great atmosphere, quiet and cozy! Perfect for a date. I forgot the name of our waiter, but the service was AMAZING and he was super knowledgeable about everything. Every dish we tried (two small-sized appetizers/5 regular tapas ) was TO DIE FOR! So many new flavours that just went perfectly together. Definitely the ceviche is a must -try (but so is everything else, really). I did not try any of the rice/mains, but I guess we have a reason to go back! :)Note to the reader: One of the first things our waiter said was the restaurant concentrates more on wines than on spirits. Since I don't drink, I didn't care at all but it can be useful for other people, in case they were going in looking to have spirits ;)Very happy to have a spot like this so close to home!

The food was spectacular! However it is a very cramped restaurant, the table next to us had to move theirs over just so we could get in! If you are looking for a private place, this isn't for you. If you are looking for family style, or want to be reminded of a beautiful little Barcelona home then definitely give it a shot!! Also, we found the service to be a BIT neglectful.

Food quality was average..service was poor...we had to pour our own wine & water all evening. Plates weren't cleared in between courses. Our waitress spent most of our" night chatting with the bar staff. They were all in a "different" world. My wife & I entertain more than most & are well travelled..& unfortunately this establishment is well below average on all accounts. If I had the privilege of being a restaurant coach ..I would suggest they visit places like Araxis or the Rim Rock Cafe in Whistler for a reality check on how a restaurant should be run...i am truly amazed how a place like this remains in business..."

Small and cozy with wonderful staff and restaurant service! Perfect for date nights! Couldn't have celebrated my friend's birthday at a better place.The waiter suggested delicious food for us to try as it was our first time.I brought in a cake to celebrate my friend's birthday. Not only did they store the cake in their fridge for us, but they also plated and decorated the cake for us when they served it (pre and post cutting the cake)Will definitely go again!

I gave one star but think it is too much for this place. Visited on March 8, 2014. Ordered special and complicated" as described by the waitress lamb dish