Ruth Fertel

An extraordinary woman named Lana Duke: The story behind the rise of Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Toronto

From foster care to fine dining royalty—Lana Duke’s bold journey helped bring Ruth’s Chris to Toronto, serving sizzling steaks and empowering a legacy of women.

The Grand Pizzeria and Bar bakes its specialty in a custom-made oven

On my last night in Ottawa for what will probably be a while, I finally made it to The Grand Pizzeria and Bar. It is one of a handful of restaurants that came to life from the visionary John Borsten. His wife, Sofia, handles marketing duties for his group, which also includes Starling, The Metropolitan and several Zak’s Diner locales. The Grand was everything folks boasted about and more. Founded in 2009 and honoring the traditions of Napoli, the birthplace of pizza, they are baked here in a custom-made oven and cooked in extremely high heat for less than ninety seconds. The result is a malleable pizza that is soft on the inside and slightly charred on the outside. I could see after my first bite why they were voted the best pizza in Ottawa and beyond. Our server Fiona recommended the Mercanto, featuring mozzarella, arugula, parmesan and prosciutto. It was a good choice, preceded by some Laguna Blu mocktails (lemonade, pineapple juice, 7-Up and blue curacao syrup) and an appetizer of bruschetta. The latter included a generous portion of chopped tomatoes. The Sofia, named after the aforementioned Marketing Director, Sofia Santiso-Borsten, is a house favorite pizza. It comes with mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, and goat cheese, topped with arugula and parmesan. They also have different pastas, burgers, and salads. For dessert, I had the chocolate truffle cake, which came with some rich mousse and strawberries. Built in 1877 as a grocery store by Thomas Coffey, Sr., this building was the Grand Central Hotel from 1889 to 1907, and a Salvation Army hostel from 1908 to 1949. Every detail here, from their thoughtfully designed décor to an authentic Southern Italian menu, pays homage to its roots while celebrating the energy of today. It seats about 200 inside, including at the bar, and about 200 more on two separate patios. https://www.instagram.com/p/DLXYWICxUKs/ See my interview on Instagram with the manager, Courtney: https://www.instagram.com/p/DLXYWICxUKs/ The team at the Grand cares about the community, environment, and the future. Thanks to support from programs like the My Main Street Business Sustainability stream, they have invested in greener, energy-saving kitchen equipment. These upgrades allow them to preserve resources while enhancing their culinary craft. They have also expanded and beautified their iconic patio, providing a welcoming space for friends and families to gather. This commitment to sustainability reflects its values, blending traditional hospitality with modern responsibility. The dough here must be made with refined type 00 Italian wheat flour kneaded by hand. It is topped with raw, pureed San Marzano tomatoes from Italy and made from simple and fresh ingredients. They use mozzarella di Bufala cheese made from water buffalo milk, typically raised in the Campania and Lazio marshlands in Italy. Real Napoletana pizza comes in only one size: 10 to 12 inches in diameter / personal size. It has a soft, chewy crust with slight charring and leopard spots, with a moist and soupy center. Authentic Napoletana Pizza is very thin and soft. The Grand Pizzeria and Bar is located at 74 George Street in the Market. Walk-ins only here. Call 613-244-999, e-mail info@thegrandpizzeria.com and log on to https://www.thegrandpizzeria.com/menu
The iconic Dinty’s Restaurant in the town of Aylmer has been pleasing diners for decades

Dinty’s Restaurant in Aylmer, a family-owned icon since the 1930s. Enjoy Greek specialties, diverse menus, and a welcoming atmosphere just 15 minutes from Ottawa.
Cindy’s Restaurant is a popular spot for breakfast and lunch in the Ottawa suburb of Nepean

Cindy’s Restaurant in Nepean, Ottawa—a family-owned diner serving generous portions of classic breakfasts and lunches for 35+ years. Warm, friendly vibe!

An extraordinary woman named Lana Duke: The story behind the rise of Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Toronto
From foster care to fine dining royalty—Lana Duke’s bold journey helped bring Ruth’s Chris to Toronto, serving sizzling steaks and empowering a legacy of women.
Black+Blue Toronto offers the magic of a classic steakhouse combined with a modern and energetic ambiance.
Enjoy premium steak and seafood at Black+Blue Toronto, a sleek steakhouse in First Canadian Place with A5 Wagyu, curated menus, and elegant private dining.
Is a Quebec franchise finally on the radar screen for Red Lobster?
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Ruth Fertel

An extraordinary woman named Lana Duke: The story behind the rise of Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Toronto

Reviews by Tony Medeiros

The first authentic Roman Pie Pizza Restaurant opens in Montreal

Côte St Luc BBQ – West Island: Where Montreal Families Gather for Flavor and Memories

How St-Hubert Turned a Missing Fries Mistake Into a Reminder of Why I’ve Stayed Loyal for 25+ Years

Costco Brings Back Iconic Montreal-Style Smoked Meat Sandwich

Arahova has landed in Montreal’s Latin Quarter on St. Denis Street

The beloved Montreal restaurant Renoir at the Sofitel has reopened to the public after a complete redesign

The first authentic Roman Pie Pizza Restaurant opens in Montreal

The “new” Moishes Steakhouse is a success two years after its reincarnation

Homers Donuts continues to expand across the island of Montreal; now, Toronto is on the horizon

Popular Chef Michael Godin returns to Ryu and helms the cuisine at Griffintown

Reviews by Glenn J. Nashen

Glenn J. Nashen: A Taste of Greece in Montreal’s West End

Glenn J. Nashen: A new Vietnamese experience at Tran Cantine

India Rosa delights with unique Punjab-fusion creations and an unforgettable blend of tradition and innovation

Review of Restaurant Hang: Glenn J. Nashen: Montreal’s Top-Notch Vietnamese Cuisine

Glenn J. Nashen: Peruvian-Italian Night Out Review of Restaurant Les Deux Fours

Reviews by Tony Medeiros

The first authentic Roman Pie Pizza Restaurant opens in Montreal

Côte St Luc BBQ – West Island: Where Montreal Families Gather for Flavor and Memories

How St-Hubert Turned a Missing Fries Mistake Into a Reminder of Why I’ve Stayed Loyal for 25+ Years

Costco Brings Back Iconic Montreal-Style Smoked Meat Sandwich

Arahova has landed in Montreal’s Latin Quarter on St. Denis Street

The beloved Montreal restaurant Renoir at the Sofitel has reopened to the public after a complete redesign

The first authentic Roman Pie Pizza Restaurant opens in Montreal

The “new” Moishes Steakhouse is a success two years after its reincarnation

Homers Donuts continues to expand across the island of Montreal; now, Toronto is on the horizon

Popular Chef Michael Godin returns to Ryu and helms the cuisine at Griffintown

Reviews by Glenn J. Nashen

Glenn J. Nashen: A Taste of Greece in Montreal’s West End

Glenn J. Nashen: A new Vietnamese experience at Tran Cantine

India Rosa delights with unique Punjab-fusion creations and an unforgettable blend of tradition and innovation

Review of Restaurant Hang: Glenn J. Nashen: Montreal’s Top-Notch Vietnamese Cuisine

Glenn J. Nashen: Peruvian-Italian Night Out Review of Restaurant Les Deux Fours