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megram - Guide To Spring Fun In Ottawa's East End - Index

Perth… continued from Ottawa page 14
The historic Code’s Mill, which has been turned into
restaurants and boutiques.
LOTS TO SEE AND DO
Perth has lots of festivals, including its fall fair, summer
garlic festival, and autumn studio tour. But one of the best
events takes place in the spring at the Annual Festival of the
Maples at the end of April. The town’s main street is closed
to traffic and the whole community seems to get involved.
There’s a pancake breakfast at the community centre and
craft and artisan vendors, food vendors, maple syrup producers,
taffy on the snow, and classic car displays take over
the main street. There’s an Empty Bowls project in front of
the Riverguild storefront, where people donate $20 for a
bowl of homemade soup and keep the bowl, and the profits
are donated to charity. A children’s midway, sheep shearing,
pony rides, clowns, entertainment, a food and wine
show at the Crystal Palace, and a pioneer cooking demonstration
at the Perth Museum complete the activities.
When the main street is not closed for this festival, it’s
a wonderful place to browse. There are gift and clothing
shops, bookshops, linen shops, and hardware stores.
There are art galleries and artisan shops to see, such as
The Black Duck where George MacMillan is often busy
carving a loon or Baltimore oriole. He offers classes as well
as displaying and selling carvings in his shop.
Perth’s beautiful heritage buildings did not happen
overnight. Thirty or 40 years ago many of the buildings now
in use were derelict. It’s taken a lot of effort, dedication,
and money provided by individuals, government grants,
and the town itself. With a population of only about 6,000,
Perth is an inspiration for other towns in the region.
Barbara Bottriell is a writer from Stittsville.
IF YOU GO
You can reach Perth either by taking
Highway 7 west or you can take County Road
10 to Franktown and then turn right, continuing
on County Road 10 to Perth, turn left on
Drummond Street, and right on Herriott to
reach the Chamber of Commerce office.
PLACES TO EAT IN PERTH
THE HUNGRY PLANET
Funky little place with excellent food, recommended in Where
to Eat in Canada. Open kitchen. Lunch only Tuesday to
Saturday.
2 Wilson Street West at back end of the Perkins building
613 264-9234
GRANDMA’S LUNCH BOX
Freshly made, reasonable
prices for homemade soup,
sandwiches, salads and
scrumptious homemade pies
and cakes. Monday to Friday,
11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
1 Gore Street West
BISTRO 54 ITALIANO
Authentic Italian cuisine in a
Tuscan setting with extensive
wine list, adult atmosphere.
Open for lunch and dinner, no
reservations.
54 Foster Street
613 267-5454
www.bistro.ca
Delicious maple syrup
is always available at
the Festival of the
Maples in Perth.
FIDDLEHEADS BAR & GRILL
Situated in the restored Code Mill overlooking Stewart Park,
features international beer and wine, patio and courtyard,
neighbourhood pub atmosphere with fine dining menu.
53 Herriott Street
613 267-1304
MARKET GRILL
Casual dining using vegetables from the valley and Canadian
beef. Wine list. Lunch and dinner daily from 11:30 a.m. in heritage
building with patio out back.
COURTYARD TEA ROOM
Full lunch menu, including daily specials, soups, sandwiches,
quiche, scones, and desserts. Waterfront patio overlooking
Tay Basin.
91 Gore Street East
613 267-5794
www.courtyardtearoom.ca
MAXIMILIAN DINING LOUNGE
European cuisine, waterfront patio. Recommended in Where
to Eat in Canada. Lunch Monday to Friday; dinner Monday to
Sunday. Licensed.
99 Gore Street East
613 267-2536
Other possibilities are The Goodwood Oven, The
Factory Grind (urban bistro café), The Sunflower Bake
Shop, The Crown, Mexicali Rosa’s, Peter’s Family Fare, Perth
Restaurant and Tavern, O’Reilly’s Pub, The Minute Man,
Subway, and McDonald’s.
Ottawa Page 21 Due West/Due East Magazine • Spring 2008
PHOTO: JOHN BOTTRIELL