The Metcalfe Hotel in Ottawa marks the Gray Collection’s first hotel property outside Montreal. Located in the heart of downtown Ottawa, just a few blocks from the historic Parliament Hill, the boutique hotel is home to Cocotte, a French-inspired restaurant on the ground level, where we dined.
Gray Collection is comprised of Hôtel William Gray, Le Petit Hôtel, and Auberge du Vieux-Port. Additionally, its restaurants include Maggie Oakes,Terrasse William Gray, Perché, Gaspar, Pincette, Terrasse sur L’Auberge, Bevo, Jacopo, and Vieux-Port Steakhouse, and a spa at Spa William Gray. The hotels, restaurants, and spa were formerly part of the Antonopolous Group, which has almost 50 years of success in the Montreal hospitality industry. Each property is a unique celebration of its neighbourhood and is connected to the other establishments by a shared philosophy of generosity, excellence, and premium service.
Led by Dimitri K. Antonopolous, Gray Collection expands the work of the previous Antonopolous Group while remaining committed to its enduring legacy and a shared belief in the Greek philosophy of philoxenia, which refers to the concept of welcoming and caring for all guests.
Cocotte is open for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. It can accommodate 96 people inside and 20 on the seasonal patio. We were seated on their beautiful terrace to experience their dinner menu, where French tradition meets local flavours. From veal blanquette to duck confit, the executive chef has crafted a creative menu inspired by French cuisine with market-fresh ingredients.
Our server Cedric started us off with some cocktails. We then went through the menu and started with a dozen Canadian oysters, served with fresh horseradish, cocktail sauce, mignonette and fresh lemon. Also from the starters, we enjoyed the salmon tartare, herbs de Provence and lavender cured salmon, ratatouille vegetables, chives and crostini. This comes as an appetizer and a main course, the latter including French fries.
For the main course, the three of us ordered the duck confit, the scallop and truffle risotto and the cod chaudree. Everything was prepared to perfection.
The duck confit consisted of a moulard duck leg, duck fat, fingerling potatoes, small peas, and honey and Vidal gastrique. As for the scallop and truffle risotto, these were seared scallops, with charred cauliflower and the truffle risotto in lemon butter. Finally, the Iceland cod was accompanied by pasta clams, chorizo, potatoes, leeks fondue and pineau des Charentes cream.
For dessert, we shared the special of the night, a s’mores log, with marshmallows, chocolate sauce and some other decadent ingredients.
Cocotte opened in September 2022. I asked Alexandre Cossette, the marketing director for The Gray Collection, whether any of the chefs were from Montreal. “No,” he responded, “because we wanted to work with local chefs from Ottawa. This decision was made to ensure that we incorporate local flavors and culinary expertise. By collaborating with Ottawa’s talented chefs, we aim to create a dining experience that truly reflects the local culture and ingredients, providing our guests with a fresh and authentic taste of Ottawa’s culinary scene.
“While Cocotte has its unique identity, we have incorporated some of the design aesthetics and culinary philosophies that our guests have come to love in Montréal. However, Cocotte also reflects the local Ottawa vibe, with a menu that highlights regional ingredients and flavors, providing a distinct and fresh experience. Our goal was to create a place that feels both familiar and new, blending the best of what we’ve done in Montreal with the vibrant culture of Ottawa.”
Cocotte is located at 123 Metcalfe. Info: www.cocottebistro.com , info@cocottebistro.com, or call (613) 216-2912.
Mike Cohen, born and raised in Côte Saint-Luc, has long been active in the community as a volunteer, journalist, and consultant. He profiles restaurants in Montreal and beyond.
mikecohen.ca